บท 420: Favoritism at school

Today was supposed to be joyful – is what the little girl anticipated when she left for school.

Lia sat in front of the piano against her will. The last two periods before lunch became music class. Ms. Evelyn, the dashing new music teacher, practically praised and pressured Lia to play the piano. The class resident who used the take that place was a little jealous of Lia replacing him. Having forced to choose a new spot and being put under the spotlight made Lia feel not very excited about today. She faced the black and white array and imagined what would have become of her if she had let Lillian pick the spectacular hair clip. Lia had enough of people constantly paying attention to her for the past few weeks.

"Everyone, let's cheer for Lia," Ms. Evelyn specifically requested to her dismay, which only heightened the tension between the Lia and her classmates.

The first music period ended with Lia making several mistakes during practice. However, Ms. Evelyn's particular bias helped her escape from getting scolded. Evelyn isn't necessarily strict, but anyone with the right ears could identify Lia's poor playing. The poor little girl just didn't have the knack for the instrument. Besides having her classmates silently judging, Lia was not enjoying her music class today.

The last period before lunch was also taken over by Ms. Evelyn. But Lia finally felt relieved from having to sit with the rest of the class because, as expected, they watched the recorded live concerts.

Eventually, the bell rang to her prayers, and the class ended with the kids leaving for the lunch break.

Lia rested her head on the desk. Taking a deep breath, she finally felt the freedom. She shut her eyes to catch a break, but to her misfortune, Ms. Evelyn's voice sweetly called out for Lia.

Lia sighed wearily. It was only a lunch break, and she was already feeling exhausted as if it was the end of school.

Ms. Evelyn's voice struck again to call Lia, only this time louder. Before letting her voice reach the entire school building, Lia swiftly woke up with a smile.

"What is it, Ms. Evelyn?" she spoke politely.

"Lia, darling, you did a good job today!" Evelyn praised Lia again.

"Did I?"

"Of course! Yeah, you made mistakes, but who doesn't?" Evelyn reassured.

Lia knew she didn't enjoy playing the piano, and the fact that she lacked the basic interest to learn the instrument had put her in a bitter mood. She couldn't let this continue. Especially she did not like replacing her classmate who loved playing the piano.

Lia admitted her disinterest in continuing her newly bestowed position. She expressed her gratitude towards Ms. Evelyn for taking a risk by letting her play the piano. However, unlike her classmate's exceptional skill, she doesn't have it in her to learn.

"Therefore, I would like to continue playing the ukulele or singing a chorus," Lia appealed.

Evelyn's face expressed disappointment after taking such efforts into giving the child a spotlight. She didn't appear impressed at Lia's honest plea, but it didn't bother her longer as well.

Upon Lia's request, Evelyn agreed not to force her anymore. However, she couldn't give up so soon. Lia saw Ms. Evelyn approach her in rapid strides. By now, most of the kids had left the classroom, leaving Lia, Andy, and some of the boys.

The class resident who used to play the piano appeared relieved from Lia's sincere wish. He purposely stayed to talk to his music teacher. But seeing how Lia had spoken for him as well, the boy looked happy. Him and his friends, who waited along, had finally moved out.

Seeing how everyone had left, Ms. Evelyn saw that Andy alone waited for Lia. She knew the two to be best friends with Stephanie and Jessica from the other class. Thus, there was no need to show favoritism anymore.

"Lia, dear, has your mother returned from her book tour?" Evelyn inquired.

"Not yet, Ms. Evelyn."

"Oh, which means you still live with that friend, right?"

Lia knew Ms. Evelyn was hinting at Lillian Grey, which was the reason behind all that special attention. Lia was aware, and that only put her in a difficult position several times over the weeks.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Have you mentioned- ah- about me to- h- her?" Evelyn nosily asked.

"Should I?" Lia instantly replied, but her rude answer touched a nerve for Evelyn.

"Well, I told you several times that I am a huge fan of the author, Gill! Were you even listening?" Evelyn exclaimed cynically.

Having realized that she made her teacher angry, Lia submitted quickly.

"I- might have mentioned it already to her, Ms. Evelyn. What else can I do?"

Disappointed at Lia's effort to help her, Ms. Evelyn grew annoyed from dragging it this long. She asked if Lillian would pick her up after school and then left the classroom in a hurry.

"Well, she had enough of following you all these days. Congratulations, Lia! You are finally free from the crazy lady," Andy noted with a smirk.

"What is she expecting from me? To let her meet, Lillian?" Lia grunted.

"Exactly, my friend!"

"I don't want to disturb Lillian. She is already busy having to take care of me without my mother," Lia confessed.

"I know, but if you could just do Ms. Evelyn a favor, then she would make you the star of our class."

Andy's suggestion is an easy way out from receiving special attention from their music teacher. Nevertheless, Lia didn't like bothering Lillian with her fans. She knew they came up with a plan to drop her at school early because of the public attention of her. Everyone at school pretty much know her real identity and her recent fame boosted her status.

"I don't want the attention, Andy," Lia replied gloomily.

"Sucks for you!"

"That's a bad word!"

"Come on, Lia. Kids learn fast these days!"

Andy pulled Lia closer, and the two were about to leave when Jessica and Stephanie entered their classroom.

"You two are late!" Jessica greeted, not with a happy face. Time had already passed and the starvation is overtaking the friendship.

"Yeah- Yeah, it's Ms. Evelyn!" Andy informed.

"She's still torturing at you?" Stephanie asked.

"Ms. Evelyn must like her a lot!" Jessica remarked, knowing the story behind the sad face.

Jessica suggested Lia do what her music teacher expects, which is to let Lillian meet Evelyn. However, Lia is against the idea. Seeing how Evelyn is crazy about meeting Lillian freaks out the little girl, and she doesn't want her to disturb Lillian as well. The girl soon ignored Evelyn's concerns and now intruded on Lia.

"We're your friends! When are you letting us meet her?" Jessica asked.

Stephanie wasn't aware of Lillian as an author. Hence, she had her doubts regarding the ongoing attention. She asked her friends if Lillian was famous like a celebrity.

"I heard she is like a famous writer," Andy curiously informed.

"Guys, I'm tired and hungry. Let's go eat!" Lia begged to change the topic, and the girls understood her intention. They stopped pestering Lia and left to feed their grumbling tummies.

***

The school ended like usual, with Lia waiting eagerly to leave at once. She knew Lillian would be waiting for her sharp on time. Having said her goodbyes to her friends, Lia rushed to meet Lillian Grey. She ran past the other kids competing like her to meet their families.

Lia finally came out to find Lillian waiting at the usual spot. Lia felt the need to leave quickly. When Ms. Evelyn asked her about Lillian waiting after school, Lia knew that her music teacher would be pulling some tricks behind her back. So, she sacrificed her energy and ran with her life towards Lillian.

"Why so rush? Slow down, Lia!" Lillian yelled at her from a distance.

Lia didn't care and just kept running. She was only a few inches away from Lillian when she heard Evelyn's voice to her fright.

"You should listen to the adults, Lia!" Evelyn noted from right behind.

Both of them reached Lillian at the same time. Lia panted while feeling lost to her music teacher. She expected this, and it had happened to her fear.

Lillian looked at the little girl and saw her nervously sweating. Her gaze then moved to the woman standing behind Lia. Unaware of Lia's struggles, Lillian greeted Evelyn with a smile.

"Hi, Lillian Grey. I'm Evelyn Glen. I'm Lia's music teacher. I'm 26 years old, and I'm a huge fan of you! I've read all of your books, and I've enjoyed every story."

Lillian appeared a little stunned from randomly meeting Lia's music teacher, at least from her introduction.

"Thanks!" she replied, feeling flattered.

Lillian could see that Evelyn's face changed from her lack of enthusiasm. She spontaneously admitted Lia mentioned about her already. Upon which, Evelyn's face beamed with delight.

"Really?" she asked again in doubt.

"Ah, yes, Lia said I have a fan at school."

Evelyn blushed right away to her awe of having Lillian recognize her. She quickly glanced at Lia's side and shared a grateful smile at her. Evelyn even felt bad for getting annoyed at the little girl back then during lunch break. She made sure to return the spotlight to Lia once again, for it is worth the risk.

"Oh- is that so," Evelyn added as her cheeks burned bright red from meeting her favorite author.

Lia watched her music teacher completely transform into someone else. She glanced at Lillian and saw her appear clueless.

Lia sighed in relief. If Lillian returned the similar excitement, then it would have been a wild sight to witness. Just the thought scared her away, and Lia tried to signal at Lillian, asking her to leave quickly.

Meanwhile, Evelyn requested an autograph, and Lillian agreed to sign her. Evelyn came prepared with Lillian's book in her hand. It was the first book Lillian had ever written, and it honestly took her by surprise to see an old fan. Evelyn had been supporting her since day one, and learning that made Lillian happy. All of Lia's gestures went unnoticed by Lillian's attention to Ms. Evelyn.

Lillian signed Evelyn with a special message, thanking her for reading all her books and being her fan. Just as she handed over the book, Lillian finally caught the desperate little girl signaling at her.

Lillian caught the message, but honestly, she was confused as to why Lia wanted to leave immediately. Still, it wasn't the place to ask her directly. Thus, Lillian excused herself, saying goodbye. Before seeing her off, Evelyn asked if they could meet again at school. Lillian hesitated to agree, but Evelyn admitted only meeting as a fan. Lillian didn't give her word, but she made sure to chat some other time, which satisfied Evelyn for now.

At last, after a long, tiring day, Lia sat back in her seat, completely feeling worn out from the stress. She was able to leave the school building successfully. However, she couldn't stop Evelyn from meeting Lillian Grey.