Luring in with a bait

With final exams approaching next week, the high school seniors finally showed some discipline. Everyone stayed awake during all classes, taking notes, and learning the important to get through the tests.

Being the last day of the regular class, the students did not dare to mess around and listened to every word the teachers said.

...

"Ms. Janet, if we study these, then we can make it, right?" one of the backbenchers shouted after going through his notes.

Ms. Janet, the Science teacher for the class, gave some pointers to her students for the exams.

Everyone carefully noted down her tips and sample questions.

Ms. Janet also advised the students on other subjects as well, giving them tips. Since it is the final exam before graduation, the teachers were all concerned about the tests and their student's performances.

***

Amongst the students stood Lillian Grey, steadily focusing on the class and steadily begging for tips from every staff members.

"You have no shame at all, Lilly," Anna chuckled.

It was the afternoon break time, and everyone looked so tired to even chatter. Throughout the entire day, the students spent energy running around to collect notes, and were planning for the weekend group studies. Hence, the final breath period, everyone rested.

...

"Of course, I don't, I need all the heavenly bodies to help me."

"I'll draw out from everyone," Lillian winked, boasting herself about being the ONE student who asks for sample test questions and tricks to pass the exam.

"You didn't do for Mr. Seth!" Anna mocked.

"Everyone knows Mr. Seth would rather resign his job from giving us secret tips. I knew it is a dead-end even before trying."

"Yet, you tried to ask him," Anna questioned.

"Of course, One must try before giving up," Lillian Grey pledged her motto.

Anna shook her head in disappointment. She was never like this; also, Anna is considered to be a student with good grades. That is why she has never shown any interest in gathering tricks.

"That is okay, so, when do you want me to visit you?"

"Saturday? or Sunday?"

"Ah- Also not after Sunday evening, I'll be revising. However, you can call me."

Anna spoke non-stop.

Lillian blinked in awe, she did not know how to respond and kept quiet, not wanting to interfere with Anna.

...

Anna is an excellent student who always helped Lillian Grey before the final test. Not for all subjects, but, specifically for Math. Lillian never had luck with Math and no matter how great the teacher can explain she would forget it. That is why, before tests, Lillian would seek for Anna's guidance to teach her the complex subject.

Hence, Anna reached out this time, to know about Lillian's weekend study plan.

"What are you staring me for?" Anna asked, insisting on why Lillian Grey hasn't replied yet.

"Nothing, I- just thought- this time I shall do it by myself," Lillian faltered hesitantly.

Anna did hear those words, yet she appeared to be in great shock.

"You-"

"You are- planning to study by yourself?" she sounded.

Lillian Grey giggled, lightly but Anna's face stood contorted from what she just heard.

"Lilly, this is serious. It is the finals, don't mess around and let me teach you," Anna emphasized upon helping.

However, what she saw in front of her was a confident person who looked like she has a successful plan.

After arguing for a while, Lillian Grey turned down Anna's help in the end. She vowed to handle it by herself this time. Nevertheless, Anna still advised Lillian to give her a call in case of emergency.

Feeling uneasy inside, Anna was not able to entirely focus on the class. She often kept glancing at Lillian Grey, finding her gestures to be calm.

It was new to Anna.

She always found Lillian troubled the few days before exams. She would seem restless and often beg Anna to assist her in solving sample Math problems. However, it is different now, the situation is similar, yet the person shows no concern.

***

The final day of regular classes ended. Some of the kids stayed back to study, a few gathered and went home together for group studies, a few still playing around, and finally, the rest returned home alone.

Anna and Diego too went home while Lillian Grey finally reunited with Giselle.

Yesterday, she caught up with her accidentally, and the two walked home without much interaction. Giselle did not notice Lillian's silent oppression. The fact that she saw Giselle and Mike together itself is enough to stress Lillian Grey. Regardless, she never asked a question and remained silent.

Today, meeting after school without any hindrance feels back to normal.

Giselle couldn't hide her smile and kept a radiant face as if she is feeling pleased with her company. Meanwhile, Lillian Grey appeared preoccupied. Though she did not expose it, her solemn face might sometime reveal it soon.

They walked side by side with no conversation holding up each other.

Watching the passing by strangers, the side shops, little stalls outside selling hot-dogs, driving through cars, it was a typical evening like any day.

Enjoying every minute as they paced together, Lillian Grey sighed loudly.

The sound of her sighing did catch Giselle's attention. She gave a side glance to check on Lillian Grey and found the girl to be in a reverie.

Not paying too much attention to it, Giselle's gaze left the person within a few seconds.

Another round of a few steps passed as they both crossed a little bakery shop. The smell of fresh pastries and baked bread covered the air and crossed their nostrils. It was overpowering for any stranger who passes by, yet Lillian Grey once again sighed audibly.

Unfortunately, Giselle did not notice it, which brought the owner of the sigh to despair.

'This is going to be tough!' - Lillian prayed within herself.

She took a deep breath silently beside Giselle before started to talk.

"If not for this Math, I would surely become a top student," Lillian spoke first.

She sounded as if letting it out a fact and so, Giselle went along with it and agreed to her point.

Lillian's lips pouted slightly from the weak response. Nonetheless, she went to strike once again.

"No matter how hard I try, I always end up scoring low marks."

Lillian's comment this time sounded as if she is baiting out to lure in something.

Dense as she is, Giselle only listened to the outspoken words and not the hidden meaning behind it. She smiled and agreed once again.

Lillian's face became dull from another doze of weak response.

She was practically face-palming herself mentally.

'This girl is not getting a damn idea, at all!' - Lillian's mind voice raged.

Again, ignoring her failed efforts, Lillian Grey kept striking one after the other. However, this time before Lillian could speak up, Giselle responded.

Lillian's face beamed from expectation.

"Anna scores full in Math. Also, she seemed to be ready to help you with the finals. Why didn't you accept it?"

Giselle's response knocked out Lillian Grey.

Stammering to her feet, Lillian wondered if the Giselle is dense or not.

These thoughts slowly began to reflect on her face. Her brows kept twitching frequently, and she flicked her head sidelong multiple times.

'I know Anna scores full marks in Math. Who do you think is training me to go through every final exam, Giselle?' - Lillian's mind voice screamed internally.

'Anna is ready to help me. The point is whether I want to learn from her or someone else! Don't you get the hint I'm desperately throwing?'

The mind voice echoed all over her system as Lillian maintained a pleasing smile plastered on her face.

She could see Giselle being curious about her response to why she rejected Anna's offer.

'It's because I want to study with you; you dummy blockhead.'

'Understand Giselle, what I'm trying to say!' - Lillian cried inside.

"I know, I know, Anna is indeed a mastery student, but-" Lillian paused to glance at Giselle, whose attention seems driven at Lillian Grey.

Finally, receiving attention from Giselle, Lillian Grey bit her tongue in uncertain.

'Whether to go one step further or not!' - she pondered.

"But, Anna's family are welcoming a guest this weekend. I don't want to disturb them. Also, she seemed to be exhausted from teaching me every time," Lillian replied, letting out a loud sigh.

"Oh-" Giselle reacted.

'Oh-'

'Oh- I'm pouring my brains out and you react with an 'oh,' seriously, how shallow can you be, Giselle?'

"If things go like this, it would be difficult for me to graduate from high school. I will be jobless for sure because of Math."

Lillian was aiming directly this time.

As expected, Giselle reacted.

Just like adding fuel to the flame, Lillian Grey kept spilling out her plan, leaking it little by little.

"I can study, but I would surely need someone to monitor my studies so that I don't do it wrong."

'That's it I cannot be more shameless than this, Giselle. You better get it right, this time because I am running out of lines here.' - Lillian Grey begged within.

Adding more nonsense as she kept on ranting about failing in Math if not someone helps her, and that would lead to her becoming a jobless, waste entity in this world.

Consequently, Lillian's mind voice also joined into nonsensical chattering.

'Hurry up, Giselle!' -

"Perhaps, if I could get someone to guide me-" - Just as Lillian Grey acted a little more shameless, Giselle appeared to be enlightened, lastly.

'Thank god, Giselle. I didn't even know what I was talking about.' - finally, the echoing voice silenced peacefully.

"Lill- Lillian Grey," Giselle called.

"If you want- I can help you with studies," she spoke hesitantly.

Before she could complete her sentence, Lillian Grey quickly agreed within a flash of a second.

The response was so fast that it startled Giselle itself.

"Your place tomorrow!" Lillian Grey added.

"Because I get distracted at my place. Even with Anna, I visit her for the exams," she admitted.

By now, the two reached the place where they go separate ways.

The usual routine would be overwhelming sadness swirling between the two girls from saying their goodbyes.

However, today, Lillian Grey seemed extremely happy that her face matched the bright sun.

Satisfied with herself, she said goodbye and moved towards the opposite direction.

Giselle was left alone without anyone telling her that she got played. She kept blinking for a few seconds before entering reality.

Giselle looked around to find that she was all alone standing by herself while Lillian's silhouette disappeared from her frame.

'Did something just happened?' - She whispered and then turned to the direction her home faced as she moved towards it.