Understanding!

Mrs. Beth begged Lillian and Lia to take leave after settling a dispute.

Outside the vice-principal's office room, Lillian and Lia stood alone. The lunch was over, and classes resumed as usual. Lillian looked over at Lia and noticed that the seething anger from before had softened now. She still looked pretty upset, but nothing serious to worry about. Lillian asked Lia to get her things so that they could leave at once. Lia took a deep sigh before heading back to her classroom. Meantime, Lillian left the building to wait outside. She had reminded Lia to meet her at their after-school spot.

Lia strode her way lazily back to her classroom. Every step moving forward, she couldn't help but get nervous about entering a quiet classroom where every kid listened to the lessons attentively, mostly attentive since its post-lunch period now. Fear of facing everybody's judging gaze, Lia fretted. She paused for a moment, thinking if it was worth making a trip back to the classroom. It was only her school bag. Besides, she could ask her friends to take care of it. Just as Lia planned for an excuse, she stopped herself at the thought of asking for help from her friends. Lia wondered if it would be troublesome for them. She rejected the idea and resumed walking toward her classroom.

All sorts of thoughts ran inside Lia's head, making her dizzy from the constant stress. She wondered if Luther had already left the school. If so, did he go back to their classroom or not. Finally, Lia reached her classroom, and to her surprise, she didn't find the class ongoing.

Lia's homeroom teacher was taking after the lunch period. It all changed at the last minute after they learned that the kids had fought during lunch in the cafeteria. Upon noticing Lia, the homeroom teacher had left her seat to meet her. Some of the kids had discovered what was going on and started whispering among themselves. Andy saw Lia and immediately sprang out of her seat. However, finding Lia talking to their teacher, she sat down and waited. Luther's friends spotted Lia and instantly became quiet. The boys who joined together to tease the poor little girl until now suddenly transformed after witnessing Lia's powerful throw. They didn't want to end up like Luther with a broken nose and remained hushed in their seats.

Lia's homeroom teacher inquired about everything. She even informed requesting Mrs. Beth to reduce the kid's suspension. However, in the end, it was the management's decision, and without the headmaster, it came down to the vice-principal to handle the dispute. Lia thanked her teacher and apologized for causing trouble at school. She was known as a quiet kid who never caused any inconvenience to anyone. The teacher knew Lia got along well with everyone. Seeing such a gentle child apologize made the adult feel sorry. She had asked Lia to stay strong and strongly advised the little girl to speak out in the future. Lia was then allowed to collect her things from her desk. Andy threw herself at Lia, asking dozens of questions at once. All while Lia packed her belongings, she said nothing. There was nothing to worry about for them, and just like that, Lia said goodbye to Andy and left the classroom. She reached downstairs and was about to leave the school building when she heard someone call for her. Lia turned back to see her friends rushing toward her.

**

Andy was mad at Lia for not informing her of anything. On top of that, she told her that there was nothing to worry about. As soon as Andy saw Lia leaving, she requested her teacher and went to gather Jessica and Stephanie from the other classroom. Andy then reported to the other two about Lia leaving the school abruptly. The two girls were also upset at Lia. It was now or never, and after informing their teachers, the three girls started running the hallways to the stairs to meet Lia. They didn't want her to leave just like that.

"Girls..." Lia muttered in awe.

"Lia!" all three called out while panting heavily from making that successful dash.

"Why are you leaving just like that... what happened?"

"What did Mrs. Hillers say?"

"What's going on? Why are you leaving without telling us?"

Andy, Jessica, and Stephanie- all three of them confronted at once against their friend.

**

Lia stopped at once after noticing her friends following her behind. It surprised her to see them caring now. Nevertheless, she couldn't shake the distance between them. These girls had been quiet and uncomfortable with her until now, which made Lia question their friendship. Seeing them now rushing all the way, Lia was confused as to how to take this. She didn't know if they genuinely cared and wanted to know what happened to her or if they only cared about getting in trouble just because they were present with her during the fight.

These fishy thoughts bothered Lia because she didn't have such worries in the past. She got along well with everyone, and there wasn't a moment where Lia felt stressed from understanding her friends. This was new, and if what Mrs. Beth said was true, then this would continue rest of her life. People might judge Lia because of her mother and even question Lillian's relationship with them. Ethan's name might as well get dragged into the discussion, and there's nothing else to do except face the reality.

Lia was already feeling exhausted from all the chaos around her these past few days. She is just a little girl thrown under such tremendous pressure. While Lia pondered to herself, the other three who chased Lia continued their interrogations. This was simply too much for her age to handle, and Lia finally lost her patience.

"Guys- it's nothing. I am getting suspended for two days, and I will be writing an apology letter, reflecting on my behavior today," Lia blindly answered.

None of them cared for her reaction and went straight to defending Lia. They cried out by complaining about how it was Luther who had kept provoking Lia.

"I know! I told everything to Mrs. Beth. Luther is also getting two days suspension. Besides, he was only talking. I'm the one who hit him first. Now, he's got a broken nose!"

Lia conceded how she realized it was her mistake to use violence at school.

"Lia..." the girls felt sorry for her.

"It's alright! You don't have to worry!" Lia casually replied because she expected them to continue being silent just like before.

Why make a fuss now? - the little girl thought to herself.

***

It was clear that Lia's words made her friends angry, and so did it changed their expressions from worrying to looking upset. Lia had misunderstood them. She had never been honest with her friends regarding the recent bullying. Andy knew something was going on because Luther had his eyes fixed on teasing Lia, but she couldn't do anything alone, and every time Andy tried to approach Lia, she would shut down or change the topic.

Lia stood there, staring at her friends as Mrs. Beth's words came to her mind regarding how Giselle got bullied in this same school and how she couldn't make any friends. Lia wondered if she should be a little more honest and give her friends the chance to decide if they shall stick with her or leave. She didn't want to lose them. Lia decided to settle this today. She would rather let them be happy with her than uncomfortable.

"What are you saying, Lia?" Andy bitterly called out.

Before the girls had their chance to confront, Lia overtook them. It was the right moment, and Lia chose to speak out.

Lillian's relationship with Lia and her mother only spread like wild gossip for people to amuse themselves. However, there was no evidence to prove or an official statement to establish their family situation, and that was until today when Lillian walked up to Luther's father to shut his foul mouth. Even so, nothing had been declared formally. Lia knew she didn't consult with Lillian, but if not now, there's never going to be another chance to explain herself.

"Yes, it's true!" Lia declared to her friends.

"My mother and Lillian- they love each other, and they are each other's, first love. Therefore, I don't think they should give up on each other because of me. My mother had gone through a hard life because she separated from Lillian. Now that they are reunited, I wish for her happiness- for their happiness. I don't want to be the reason behind my mother's tears."

Lia wanted Giselle to be happy and had already decided to support her no matter what. She doesn't care if people dislike or disapprove of their relationship. As long as Lia understood their true feelings, there was nothing to stop them from being together as a family.

"Lillian is my family now, and if that is going to bother me at school, I am ready to fight back the hatred. And- if it bothers my friends, I am willing to understand and not blame," Lia paused before resolving to admit what was inside her heart.

"I just don't want you guys to feel uncomfortable with me. I don't want that kind of friends who force themselves to spend time with me. It's okay! I can take care of myself."

Lia said all that she wanted to and kept inside her mind. Instead of succumbing to these dubious thoughts, she vomited all that bothered her. And without ever expecting a response, she turned back to leave.

"Wait- Lia," Jessica yelled.

And the girls ran to meet her up close. Lia was staggered to see them still chasing after her- after all that honest talk.

"We didn't ask you because we didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable. We- honestly, we don't know how to react to this. I've never heard about it- I tried asking my father, and he said it was best to keep quiet. But I think my father was wrong."

"Yes. I agree too. When Jess's dad said that, we agreed without ever considering you," Andy followed to disclose.

"We should have talked about it instead of trying to make you feel like we hated you or so," Stephanie added.

"We're sorry, Lia," the girls all together confessed.

Lia stood speechless. She had mistaken her friends into thinking that they disliked spending time with her. It was only natural that the girls didn't know how to react because, unlike Lia, they didn't have anyone to guide them or help them understand. Days after days, Lia kept worrying if her friends were uncomfortable with her. Hearing the contrary now and knowing how they were worried, Lia couldn't help but regret distrusting their friendship.

Realizing the truth made Lia cry as tears began to drip without her consent. All the times she had endured without ever telling anyone. And all that pressure she faced alone had finally burst into painful tears as they poured endlessly.

Seeing the little girl cry, her friends circled her to comfort her.

Andy scolded Lia for ignoring her all this time while Jessica patted Lia on her back. Stephanie wiped the tears with a tissue. Mrs. Beth heard some noises outside and came out of her room to check. To her shock, she found Lia with her friends and that the little girl was crying while the rest were consoling her.

Fortunately, Lia and her friends ended up camping outside the principal's office. Mrs. Beth's room was close by, and thus she heard the commotion. The old lady didn't bother disturbing them and returned to her room.

"That's enough crying!" Andy warned before going for a tight hug. The other two followed to squeeze Lia with their love for her.

Jessica let go of the group hug. When things got settled between them after sorting out, she made a sincere request.

"We were worried when Lillian started dropping you off and picking you up after school. But just from seeing how much she took care of you every day, our doubts disappeared. What bothered us was how to handle when others tried to approach us to hurt you. So, help us understand, Lia!" Jessica wished.

Not every parent would talk to their kids openly about sensitive topics unless or until it involved any said family member. While some of them expressed their hatred which the kids could easily follow, some could help their kids understand these sensitive topics.

"Next time, if Luther or any other kid tries to bully you, we want to stand by your side and support you. We want to be there for you, Lia," Jessica pledged.

"Me too! Also, when you come back, tell us your mum's love story. You said they were each other's, first love."

"Yeah, we want to hear the love story."

"We would love to hear it, Lia."

Lia's friends continued to shock her with their efforts to resolve the distance that came between them, even without their knowledge. These girls didn't want to let go of Lia or take her friendship for granted. It could have been easy to ignore and just be present as a friend, but to act like one takes courage, and today, seeing her friends take a step to understand her situation made Lia trust them wholeheartedly.

"It's doesn't bother us, Lia, and it won't ever!" Jessica added.

"Yes, and you should remember next time that you have us, your buddies. And we will always support you, Lia."

"Just talk to us, please!" Andy cried at last.

Lia finally offered a smile and promised to be more honest with them. After agreeing to all their requests, Lia was ready to leave. She said goodbye and left the building to continue walking toward where Lillian was waiting. The girls called Lia once again, and she stopped at once upon hearing them.

Lia turned back to see Jessica, Andy, and Stephanie- all giving a thumbs up.

"About Luther- Nice shot back there!" they said at once.

Lia laughed.

"I'll meet you guys soon!" she said, waving a big goodbye while walking backward.

"We will call you!" Andy shouted.

"Oh- wait, isn't your mother on a book tour?"

"We only have her number!"

"I'll give you guys Lillian's number later. But my mom's coming home tonight!" Lia yelled to them.

"Wow!"

"Really!"

"Thank God!"

"Okay! See you girls after two days! Peace out!" Lia shouted again to stop and make a pose, and the girls responded naturally.

"Peace out!"

They copied posed as well.

Soon, Lia left happily, looking forward to spending her suspension days having fun at home.