4 The Rael Family 2

Lyrica knew that the only way for her to help her parents is by graduating from school with high marks. And so, she started putting more effort into her studies, more so than anyone else.

"So, who wants to answer the problem in the blackboard?" Said the teacher while panning around the classroom, looking for the student who will answer the question.

"M... Me!" Lyrica's voice ricocheted around the classroom, getting everyone by surprise, even the teacher.

"Lyrica? A-All right, come solve this problem in the blackboard."

Lyrica started joining in problem-solving and recitation activities more frequently, and without her teachers having to call for her name to have her answer their given questions.

"That's it! Break a leg, Lyrica! Keep up with the others!"

"Y-Yes...!"

Lyrica became proactive with the group and physical activities she always wanted to avoid doing but couldn't to begin with. To top it off, she also started working harder in her studies and even used breaks to study further.

"Lyrica, aren't you going to play?"

"Sorry, I have to study."

And when you thought that's all, Lyrica completely stopped playing online games and even stopped hanging out with her friend just so she could spend the entire day out of class, studying even more.

"That's it for tonight. I'll do the rest tomorrow."

Lyrica made a vow to herself.

"I will graduate, get a job, and help and give my parents a carefree life."

With that in mind, Lyrica worked herself out every day and every night. Until one day, her friend Erika noticed that something is wrong.

"Lyrica, are you all right?" Erika worriedly asked Lyrica after rushing towards her from out of nowhere. "You look pale and exhausted. I almost thought I was talking to a zombie. Are you even sleeping right?"

"You're kinda exaggerating a little, don't you think? Of course, I'm fine." Replied Lyrica in a tired voice.

"What part of you looks fine?! Even the way you speak sounds so weak!"

"Sorry, but I don't have time to hang out right now."

Lyrica tried to turn away, only to have Erika grab her by the shoulder.

"I noticed how you're finally opening up around people. You're finally interacting and doing things with people other than me and your parents, I was so happy seeing you no longer isolating yourself from everyone. But then you started putting all your attention into studying, you stopped hanging out with me during breaks, you stopped heading home with me every after class, you even stopped playing the game with me. Lyrica, please tell me, why are you so eager to study all of a sudden?"

With blank eyes, Lyrica stared at Erika who's pleading for an answer.

"You wouldn't know because you don't have parents."

"Wha...!"

What Lyrica said towards Erika sent a powerful shock down to her core, rendering her from speaking.

"I have to go." Lyrica jerked her shoulders, shoving Erika's hand away.

"Lyrica...!"

Erika could only watch her friend slowly fade into the distance.

Lyrica is known as a timid little girl who avoids interacting with people other than Erika and her parents. That said, seeing her doing something out of her usual routine is truly impressive.

However, forcing herself out of her comfort zone is putting a toll on her body. And yet, she couldn't see it because she is being blinded by her desire to help her family.

Four days later, the day of exams came. But among all the students that are inside the classroom, Lyrica was the only student who wasn't present.

Erika looked at the empty seat where Lyrica's supposed to take the exam.

"Lyrica..."

Anxiety seeped through Erika's mind. Where is Lyrica? What happened to her?

While these questions clouded Erika's mind, Lyrica is lying on a hospital bed.

It was the night before the exams. Lyrica's mother was calling for her daughter to have dinner, but the girl didn't respond like she normally would.

Confused and a bit worried, Lyrica's mother went to check up on Lyrica in her room, and there, she found Lyrica lying on the floor.

Lyrica is making shallow breaths, she's also sweating excessively whilst pressing her hands onto her chest which seemed to be causing her pain.

In a surge of panic, Lyrica's mother immediately called for an ambulance and rushed her daughter to the nearest hospital. Fast-forward in the morning, Lyrica woke up and started crying, realizing what happened, as well as what it meant.

Because she didn't take into account the consequences of suddenly forcing herself out of her comfort zone, instead of being helpful towards her parents, Lyrica only caused more trouble for them. Not just their debts, now they have to figure out how they're going to pay Lyrica's medical expenses from the expensive hospital.

"I... I just wanted to graduate... I wanted to help and give Mother and Father a carefree life..." Lyrica whimpers. "If only I listened to Erika from the beginning, this wouldn't have...!"

With tears of regret flowing through her eyes, Lyrica looked at her mother and father who are sitting right beside her.

"Mother... Father... I'm sorry."

Hearing their daughter's apology made the two shed tears of pain and sadness.

"What are you saying?" Lyrica's father wiped his tears as he tried to keep himself calm. "You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to apologize for."

That's right. Lyrica did nothing wrong, she simply wanted to help her parents from their troubles. Although, she did try in the wrong way. Even so, the ones who are at fault are none other than her parents.

They failed on keeping their troubles from Lyrica, they failed on noticing the feeling of responsibility that made Lyrica do what she did, which led to her current state.

"But, I..."

Lyrica's mother grabbed her daughter's hand tight.

"Hey, did you forget what your father told you?" Lyrica's mother sniffled. "No matter how many hardships the world throws at us, as long as we are together as a family, we can overcome anything."

"That's right." Lyrica's father added. "The hospital bill is nothing to worry about. Your Mother and I will figure it out somehow. So you just take it easy and rest. And then soon, we will visit a flower field altogether, okay?"

"Father..."

As much as Lyrica hated it, she could do nothing but believe in her parents to somehow figure out how they're going to pay Lyrica's hospital bill.

About 5 AM, after a few check-ups and resting to recover all the energy she lost, Lyrica is finally discharged out of the hospital. But then...

"..."

As she and her parents are heading back home, Lyrica noticed the unusual silence between them. The only time they ever spoke was when they mentioned Erika calling and asking about Lyrica's well-being.

Lyrica thought it might be because they had to make another loan to pay for the hospital bill and other expenses which is why they aren't saying anything. Apart from that, she also noticed how well-dressed her father was. She could understand her mother wearing her uniform for work early in the morning, but to see her father wearing a suit he would wear only at work, Lyrica mumbled to herself:

"Could it be?"