47 Lia's own adventure

Mrs. Beth quietly listened to the tales Giselle revealed to none except her. At the end of this story, Giselle found herself sobbing openly. Mrs. Beth moved to comfort and support her with kind words and warm embrace.

It took several minutes for Giselle to calm down, and when she did, Mrs. Beth asked details of Ethan's whereabouts. Giselle explained that Lia's father chose to stay in London for his occupation. She added that Ethan plans to visit during holidays and be there for Lia on her birthday and school programs that she would end up participating.

Having heard so, Mrs. Beth couldn't help but feel how blessed Giselle was, despite the misfortunes she endured over the years.

"You are one lucky woman, Giselle. Believe me or not, you do meet some great people in your life who cares for you deeply."

Mrs. Beth's remarks were on point, as Giselle agreed graciously.

They shared a confident smile, and Giselle felt a little at ease from sharing her story.

"Alright, I would be very pleased to have Lia join this school," Giselle moved to the topic in need to discuss.

Mrs. Beth agreed.

"I will take care of her. I want Lia to live her life peacefully without anyone bullying her. Well, she is a strong girl by nature, which I think she got inherited from her father. Nonetheless, I don't want her to go through what I did in young days."

Giselle expressed to her concern.

"She will because she has your compassion as well. That kid is indeed your salvation, and she will make you proud and will return you to your happiness as well. You wait and see!"

Giselle hoped that Mrs. Beth's words might come true to her light.

"What about work?" "Did you find any job here?" Mrs. Beth inquired.

"I did. I received an offer from the KeyLine publishing house for the position as Editor. I haven't yet informed the joining date. They gave me a few days to get settled down and find a school for Lia."

Giselle answered and got reminded of Shane's word of help to try to find a school for Lia. She wondered if he did discover anything related. If so, she has to consider it before bluntly agreeing to his recommendation.

Nevertheless, Giselle is glad that she already has a more comfortable place, for Lia will be under Mrs. Beth's care.

"That's very impressive. I will make sure to visit you soon. Still, we have to wait for your daughter to know if she's like this school or not." Mrs. Beth checked the time.

"Is it alright for a young girl from outside to loiter around the school? I mean, I hope she doesn't get into any trouble." Giselle looked worried.

"No, it is because I know you that I let Lia explore the school. If it was someone else, then I have to consider before agreeing to it. However, don't worry, that's why I'm here. Let's wait for her. Meanwhile, sit back and have tea," Mrs. Beth suggested after leaving her seat to get hot tea for two.

Lia entered the first floor, as told by Mrs. Beth that if she plans to join here, then her classes will be here.

Upon arrival, she could hear the faint rustling murmurs of kids and quite clear voice of teachers orating the subjects. Lia learned that classes are in session, and so, she moved quietly, pacing each step without making a noise and carefully watching the surroundings to her content.

Classrooms located next to each other stretched along the floor, both right and left, though placed at diagonal spots without making it interfere with one another.

Lia tiptoed to peek a glimpse of the inside of a classroom from the far front. Without exposing her location, she stood hidden with the walls to get a view. Upon encountering, it impressed her at first sight.

The spacious classroom filled with kids her age or maybe a grade higher were all seated in rows with their desks and bags. Scanning them overall, Lia saw none but willing kids. Although there were a few at the back row who indulged in exchanging secret signals, the rest paid attention to the teacher's lectures. Out of the typical classroom set up, what caught Lia's attention the most is the rear wall that displayed some drawing, writing articles, decorations, and so. Hanging adjacent to each other in a fashionable way, it represented the class and its strength. Lia's eyes sparkled from watching the thrilling atmosphere inside the classroom. It made her almost wish to become a part.

The far approach of another human emerging from the opposite end of the hallway stirred Lia to cease hiding and return to a casual stroll. The passing figure suspected Lia upon nearing and interrogated.

Lia explained and revealed that Mrs. Beth allowed her to take a look at the classes. The questioning figure allowed and advised Lia not to roam for longer and have a swift glance to return soon.

Lia obeyed, and the person walked past the little girl to enter a classroom at random.

Lia waited for the person to leave soon to leave from exiting the classroom faster than expected. Lia assumed that the person might be responsible for making notice to the students or teachers.

Lia kept walking, and soon to her interest, she paused to take a look at the notification board where announcements, club activities, kid's achievements, various programs, and competitions displayed. The large board occupied a lot of precise features on multiple events happening in the school. Lia took the time to read and learn information like extra-curricular activities, kid's accomplishments, etc.

Discovering more made Lia excited and impressed with the school. Advancing to leave, Lia marched. Before exiting the hallway, she stopped from hearing a roar of cheer coming from this last classroom.

As usual, Lia glanced around to position herself, sticking to the wall while trying to peep inside. As she did, within a few seconds, Lia felt a shadow crawling from behind. Scared from the fright of getting caught for her behavior, Lia froze, refused to look back.

The befalling incident happened in a flash that Lia lost her awareness for the few seconds she got dragged by this random girl who appeared to be at a similar age as Lia.

"Alright, Jessica is on her way, let's meet up with her at the rally point. Soon-" the girl rushed Lia without giving space to react.

Hauling Lia blindly, the two boarded the stairs located at the end of the hallway and ran up to the cafeteria. With no opportunity to utter a word, Lia went along under daze.

Reaching in a jiff, the two little girls witness the empty cafeteria to their astounding sights.

"Ah, man. Jessica should have been here already. Where the hell is she?" the girl grumbled.

"Stephanie, right? Do you have any idea where Jessica will be? She told me to bring you along. But, isn't here," the girl cluelessly asked. She kept fidgeting until a few minutes later, another two girls showed up together, Jessica and Stephanie.

"Jessica!" the girl with Lia shouted mutely with her hooded eyes.

"Shush, are you trying to get us caught? Wait, who is this?" Jessica questioned - watching Lia.

"Who? Ah, this is Stephanie. You told me to bring her, didn't you?" the girl answered casually.

The atmosphere got awkward when the original Stephanie standing next to Jessica showed her presence.

The girls stared at each other confusedly until Lia decided to seize this chance to clear the misunderstanding.

"Excuse me!" she called to get attention, and it worked as the girl who grabbed Lia, Jessica, and the original Stephanie- all focused at her.

"I'm not Stephanie, as you can see that we have the original one here already. And, I believe this person had mistaken me for Stephanie. I was not able to explain because of the rush." Lia explained.

The girls eased after the explanation. They relaxed from the fact that Lia's new and not someone who can bring them trouble.

Upon hearing the blunder, the girl who dragged Lia apologized heartedly.

"I'm so sorry," she pleased with earnest concern.

Jessica interrupted the apology session and did a short introduction.

Introducing herself and the already known original Stephanie, Jessica finally revealed the name of the girl who caused this trouble.

"She is Andy."

"Andy cannot pay attention to the surrounding things often time, and it brings us trouble at rare times."

Jessica's comment made Andy blush in color while Lia assured that it was not a problem worth worrying.

"Are you girls trying to do something bad?" Lia asked.

The girls gaze focused on Lia all at once.

"We're not notorious-" Jessica paused from the unfamiliarity.

"It's Lia," Lia introduced.

"- Lia. We are here on a mission. Stephanie, if you may," Jessica ended her sentence and passed the baton to her neighbor.

"Yes. Every Monday, the school's cafeteria serves a special dessert for the students. Since it's only once a week, all of the kids try to crowd the place, and we never had the chance to taste it," Stephanie revealed.

"And Jessica is our mascot because she's in the sports club for her practice. If we tagged along with her, then we won't get caught red-handed," Andy finished sharing their mission.

"So, you guys are here to buy some special dessert?" Lia enquired to verify.

The girls replied in a choir, "YES."

"Alright. Well, let me not delay you anymore. You can go ahead with your mission. Good luck," Lia tried to leave when Jessica invited her to join them.

"Yes, come with us. You're new, correct? Which class?" Stephanie inquired.

"No, I haven't joined in yet," Lia replied.

"What?"

"So, you're not a student here. Wow, talk about meeting strangers," Andy teased.

Regardless, the girls insisted Lia join them and went right up to the counter.

"Four Lucky treats, please." Jessica led the pack at the front desk to order.

The lady at the counter looked at the girls and asked, "Jessica, are they in your team?"

"Yes, they are the subs newly recruited. They got exhausted after one practice and begged for some snacks. I brought them here," Jessica lied casually. The girls accompanied her and acted out as if they were exhausted.

"Well, she is looking sharp from you, girls. Is she is on your team?" the lady asked, doubting Lia, a little.

The girls panicked. Lia looked perfect in her new dress, untainted, clean, and fresh. Before giving the chance to dive into more suspicion, Jessica answered.

"Ah, her track pant got ripped during practice, that's why she is wearing a new dress. Lucky her while look at us, we all got drenched in sweat. Oh, and that's why we are getting her lucky treats- to motivate and move on from embarrassing experiences-"

Jessica did not think it through, but her witty personality let her handle the situation better than the rest could even imagine.

It worked.

"Alright, girls. Here you go. It is usually sold out only during lunch for students. Since you all are from the volleyball team, I'll let you buy it before the lunch hour," the lady handed out the paper bag with four Lucky Treats dessert.

"Aw, thank you. We are going back to practice now. Thank you so much, Mrs. Abby. Love you," Jessica said, and the girls' chorus thanked Mrs. Abby and quickly left the place.

They all met outside near the playground and shared the treat. Meanwhile, the bell had rung, and the kids started rushing to the cafeteria.

"Wow, talk about the crowd." Lia exhaled.

"Here you go," Andy gave Lia's share.

Lia accepted it graciously and thanked the girls for the treat.

"Ah, it's not a big deal. Have it soon." Jessica responded.

The lucky treat is clover shaped chocolate treat. It had orange cake with chocolate lava filling topped with confetti and chocolate chips.

As soon as Lia took a bite, she froze.

"See, awesome, right?" Andy responded to Lia's reaction.

"Yes," Lia replied.

The girls enjoyed their dessert, and Lia said her goodbye's and thank you's to them. As she walked away, the girls shouted her name.

"LIA!!!" the girls shouted.

Lia got startled. She turned around.

"We'd love you to join here." the girl cheered on her.

Lia smiled and gave them a thumbs-up as the confirmation. The girl felt happy. Soon after that, they all parted their ways. And Lia happily walked back to the "Mrs. Beth's office."