'Who are you?'
Giselle knew that Lillian Grey has trouble in Math, and so, she chose the subject to revise together at first.
…
Both focused sincerely for the first hour.
Giselle would choose the problems, allowing Lillian to solve it. In case of doubts, Giselle would step in and help her with the formula and method of solution.
Giselle was easy to converse with, and hence, Lillian Grey used the opportunity to ask about the hard areas she is finding troubles.
***
With Anna, Lillian Grey had difficulties because of her method of instruction. Anna is very good at Math, but she is also a strict coach when it comes to studying.
Lillian Grey had to receive a lot of whacks and smacks before the exam to learn the subject. There were days when Lillian would feel that someone could save her from this Sparta way of teaching.
Finally, after days and days of praying, Lillian Grey found Giselle.
***
Giselle is never harsh or strict. They both studied together and discussed when having doubts; no whacks or smacks either.
Lillian Grey often kept staring at Giselle as if she is an angel sent from above to save her.
"Did you get the correct answer?" Giselle asked.
Interrupting Lillian Grey's flow of thoughts, Giselle glanced at her notebook. She didn't even start to solve the question and had kept thanking the Lord for her new savior.
"I- I-" Lillian struggled from embarrassment,
Only then Giselle noticed that hours passed from studying.
...
"You must be tired, let's take a break," Giselle suggested.
Lillian Gray wasn't tired; in fact, she was in her zone because of Giselle's gentle way of teaching. Nonetheless, after hearing about taking a lapse, her mind swiftly changed its route from studying to resting.
Dropping the pen, she collapsed on the floor, stretching her muscles, she lay down on the carpet. Giselle went to get her the snacks that Melanie gave for the two to enjoy in between study breaks.
The tray of snacks included Cookies, chips, pop tarts, shortcakes, etc.
Lillian's eyes widened from the view. Grabbing the chips and pop tarts, she leaned herself against the bed, sitting on the floor with legs crossed. She enjoyed the delicacies amidst the silence that fell inside the room.
She noticed that Giselle was standing near the window; the only window in her room which stood in the middle allowing the sunlight.
Outside the window one can see the streets, the trees, and beautiful gardens, the kids running around and playing with each other happily, and the elders walking, a few went for a run- such a simple and peaceful view.
Giselle loved watching the scene. She stood near the window as she stared outside for a long time. Watching Giselle roused Lillian Grey as well as she stood up and went in to join.
"What are you seeing?" Lillian spoke as she peeked outside.
It was mediocre, and in fact, almost an empty road awaited them in the afternoon. Nevertheless, Giselle kept gazing out the window.
Wondering if it pleased Giselle to the point of staring at it during her leisure time, Lillian Grey focused more intensely at the view, yet nothing remarkable got her attention.
'I wonder if she does this often!' – Lillian worried.
She wanted to know why Giselle seemed so pleased looking outside the plain view.
"Do you like it?" Lillian asked, her face almost bored.
"Hmm…" Giselle replied.
Lillian Grey blinked in awe, curling up her lips she joined in the watch despite its emptiness, but Giselle walked away.
Feeling as if she got dumped, Lillian Grey's heart sank. Twitching her brows, she turned to notice the girl walked over to the bed to sit.
Lillian puckered her lips in displeasure.
Within a few seconds, Giselle changed from sitting to lying down on her bed. Her mind seems occupied.
"I- I think you are not weak in Math, Lillian" Giselle spoke.
"Says who?" Lillian snapped back almost fiercely.
Giselle lifted her head to see Lillian Grey upset.
"Who said I'm not weak? Do you know how much I score in every class test?"
Lillian Grey raged.
"But you were doing fine just now!" Giselle exclaimed.
It hit Lillian as she understood that with Anna, it is always Sparta training. She gets hit by Anna multiple times while studying. If she gets the correct answer at first try, which is a rare case, then Anna would celebrate, but in case of wrong answers, Lillian gets spanked and whooped harshly.
However, with Giselle, not once did Lillian receive beatings. It was as smooth as a piece of cake. They both learned together and solved questions. It was fun yet fruitful.
'I got used to the hellish training to the point of thinking that I'm weak at Math.' – Lillian remarked.
Snapping after the realization, Lillian Grey slyly smirked, approaching the bed to lay next to Giselle. Her hands supported the head as she stuck next to Giselle.
"W- What are you doing?" Giselle froze at her action.
"What? The floor is cold, and your bed looks comfy. Let's rest here for a while," Lillian commented as if it is normal for two girls to lie down next to each other.
"It's almost 1:30 PM!" Giselle stated.
However, Lillian Grey shut her eyes from responding.
...
'Lillian Grey, why are you so bold?' – Giselle hissed mentally.
Regardless Giselle stayed put on the spot. Even though she can move away, she did not do it. Instead, she settled next to Lillian Grey. Both avoided talking and remained in silence.
...
'It is so awkward!' – Giselle sweated.
Lying next to Lillian Grey, almost gave Giselle heart attack. She could hear the loud thumps and rough breathing. Though she lay mute, Giselle felt extremely nervous.
Naturally, her eyes would land on Lillian Grey and find the girl to be smiling randomly.
"What are you smiling about?" Giselle asked, almost feeling annoyed with Lillian Grey being the carefree one while Giselle alone having heart attacks.
"Nothing!" Lillian casually replied, still grinning contently.
Giselle rolled off her eyes.
As if remembering something, Lillian Grey turned sideways, closing the little distance between Giselle.
She spoke, "I have something to ask,"
"Giselle, what is Lilly's present?"
Giselle's eye grew in shock. Seeing Lillian, almost on top of her, so close, Giselle felt paralyzed underneath.
She jumped out of her bed.
"W- What?"
Second time feeling as if she got dumped, Lillian Grey's expression sulked for a second before returning to normal.
Being so close, she was relishing the lavender scent secretly to her heart's desire. However, watching Giselle distance herself away, made Lillian frown. She hated it.
She hated Giselle getting away from her.
She hated the fact that she is already missing the lavender scent so much.
'What is wrong with me?' – Lillian thought, face-palming herself mentally. She controlled her displeasure, pushing it aside for now, and then sat upon the bed.
She remembered asking Giselle about the tiny message on the whiteboard.
Also, she realized that Giselle is trying to evade the topic.
Secretly wanting to taunt her more, Lillian Grey sat leisurely on the bed and asked the question once again.
"My dear, Giselle, What is Lilly's present?"
Giselle seemed to be still in shock. She didn't move an inch, but her eyes kept flickering aimlessly.
Lillian Grey anticipated for a few seconds before lifting her index finger. She pointed at the whiteboard. Giselle followed the direction and found the message board in her room; Her eyes widened.
She is one who wrote the message so tiny, like a secret note. She remembered writing this immediately after returning from the trip.
Who knows the fact that she kept it for her to remember!
She did not think through when she invited Lillian Grey over to her house. However, now is not the right time.
"N- Nothing!" Giselle answered.
Her voice was shaking, she trembled.
"Really?" Lillian Grey kept pressuring her,
Giselle started sweating all over her body.
"..."
At first, Lillian Grey thought that it might be fun to tease Giselle but seeing her worked up, Lillian did not enjoy it. It made her worry as if she is being nosy and intruding Giselle beyond the limit.
Even though Lilly is her nickname, she cannot conclude that it is referring to her, let alone act based on her assumptions.
Lillian Grey acted in spur of the moment. She felt ashamed of herself.
...
"S- Sorry," she confessed, feeling blue from noticing Giselle in such a shocking state.
"I- I thought- that you- gift- nothing-"
Lillian Grey noticed that they both finished the water, excusing herself to refill the bottle, Lillian stepped outside of Giselle's room. She wanted to give Giselle some space and also to clear her impulsive mind.
'What was I thinking?'
'Maybe, she is regretting inviting me over!'
The more Lillian thought, the more depressed she became. Going downstairs, she met Melanie, Giselle's mother.
"Hi Auntie-"she greeted, quickly putting on a bright smile.
"Lillian?" Melanie noticed.
"How is studying going for you two?" she asked.
"It is going great. Giselle is a good coach, and I'm learning a lot from her," Lillian Grey replied, bragging about the daughter to the mother.
"We finished the bottle," she informed and showed the empty water bottle to Melanie.
"Oh, that's alright, dear. You can refill it in the kitchen."
"Do you want me to help?" Melanie stood up immediately to offer her service.
"Ah- no, no it is fine, I'll go refill it myself," Lillian replied as she gave the nod and quickly dashed to the kitchen.
***
Upon entering the kitchen, she relaxed. Walking over to the sink, she started to fill the empty water bottle.
"Who are you?" a voice called suddenly from behind.
Startled, Lillian Grey jerked the bottle as it spilled out the water. She turned to meet a tall girl.
Her features almost similar to that of Giselle's except she looked more mature, bold and tall; very tall for a female.
"Who are you?" Lillian asked out of instincts.
"I asked you first," the girl said.
Realizing that she is in someone's house, Lillian Grey composed herself and stood straight.
"Hi, I'm Lillian Grey, Giselle's friend," she replied.
The girl's expression changed instantly after hearing the word 'friend.'
She sneered.
"Since when did Giselle have a friend?" the girl mocked sarcastically.