99. Parents' Evening

Aiden whispered in Miss Pool's ear, Lend me your hair ribbon.

Aiden was so close that she could smell him, and felt a jolt of panic. Her heart pounded

like a small deer, but for some reason, she didn't even consider refusing.

She just blushed, untied the ribbon from her ponytail, and gave it to Aiden. Aiden took it,

smiling. Suddenly, he feigned astonishment and said to the old man, You've dropped a

$20 bill.

What? Where? The old man leaned down to look for it. Everyone around was trying to

spot it, too. Taking advantage of the chaos around him, Aiden quickly looped the ribbon

through the belt carrier on the old man's trousers.

TRIGGER ENTRY LEVEL BINDING SKILLS In the blink of an eye, Aiden had tied the other

end of the ribbon to his seat. Meanwhile, the old man was checking his wallet. He hadn't

lost any money.

Are you playing tricks on me, you bastard? He snarled angrily. My mistake. I must have

got it wrong, said Aiden lightly.

The old man glared at him. If you dare try anything on with me again, I'll make you pay.

Aiden turned his head, winked at Lorraine Poole, and whispered, Just stand back and

watch.

It'll be worth it. She was stunned and did not know what he meant. The bus continued

towards the east of the city.

After a few stops, the old man stood up and went to get off. But as he moved away from

the seat, something seemed to hold him back. He strained to free himself, but as his

pants were caught tight on the chair, his movement caused them to fall, showing a pair

of hairy thighs to everyone.

Girls around him screamed and called him a pervert. Some got out their phones to call

the police. The old man was red with shame and anger.

He pulled at his pants several times, but they didn't move. Aiden had tied them so firmly,

it would take more than a few minutes to free him. The driver, unaware of the cause of

the commotion, urged passengers wanting to get off the bus to do so quickly.

The people around him looked at the old man as if he were deranged. Finally, the old

man broke down completely. He just wanted to get away, so took the pants off

completely and, covering his face and his lower body as best he could, fled.

Pedestrians along the way screamed with laughter. Looking at his embarrassment, the

passengers on the bus laughed too. He deserves it! What a bully! Dora laughed too.

Amongst it all, Lorraine Poole looked sidelong at Aiden. She finally understood what he

had meant and knew why he had borrowed her ribbon. He looks so gentle, she thought.

Aiden expected such malice in him. Her face was slightly red, but she no longer felt so

uncomfortable. Within a few minutes, the bus arrived at the school gates.

Aiden's morning task was complete. Dora would spend the day at school and only

needed to be collected at the end of the day.

That

afternoon, when Aiden came to the school gate, he found that Miss Poole had brought

Dora out herself.

We're having a little party in class tomorrow evening, she said to him. The theme is

parents and children, so could you let Dora's parents know? It's very important that they

make time to be there. Aiden nodded, but didn't know why Miss Poole had wanted to tell

him about it herself.

Nor did he know that she was looking at his back, pursing her mouth and saying to herself, can't you make an effort to say just a few more words when someone comes out

to see you? On the way home, Dora seemed sullen. Dora, what's the matter? Asked

Aiden. Dora put on an expression like a little adult and sighed theatrically.

Well, what do you expect? It's the parents' party. Dad is so busy every day that he won't

have time to come, and Grandpa's not so well. Even if he comes, he won't be able to join

in.

And Bella has been laughing and telling everyone that I'm the child that nobody wants.

Who is Bella? She's in my class and I hate her. Looking at Dora's sulking face, Aiden

couldn't help smiling.

I can come along, he offered. Dora looked at him, overjoyed. Do you really want to

come? She asked.

Of course, Dora. Unless you don't want me to, he answered. Of course I do.

Dora instantly jumped on Aiden's lap and giggled. It's brilliant. I won't be laughed at now.

The following afternoon, Aiden went back to the school for the parents' party. It was held

in the school hall, and Miss Poole was organizing it. As it was a parents' party, there were

the usual games, but the most important part was the joint parent-child performance.

Each child had to perform a piece with their parents. Aiden and Dora were prepared.

They had practiced a children's song, sung by Dora and accompanied by Aiden on the

piano.

Among the parents and children performing on the stage, there were some bright eyes

and some embarrassed faces, as was to be expected. One mother and daughter

attracted Aiden's attention, not because they were good, but because he couldn't

believe they could perform so badly. Their faces were both covered with powder and

heavy makeup, and they were both shaped like two round balls.

Worst of all was the jewelry that hung all over them. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets,

rings. It was bad enough that the mother dressed like this, but for a six- or seven-year-

old girl to look the same, Aiden could only shake his head in disbelief.

The mother and daughter performed a harp and flute duet on extremely expensive

instruments. They missed any subtlety in the piece, and their shrill tone left their

audience covering their ears in pain. The end of the piece was met with restrained

applause, but both mother and daughter were delighted.

The mother rushed to Lorraine Poole's side, asking, Ms. Poole, Bella and I have obviously

won first place tonight, haven't we?

Lorraine Poole was

embarrassed but had to smile. She did not dare to offend the mother and daughter in front of her. Students at this prestigious school tended to have wealthy families, and this

family was particularly well-connected.

Dora whispered in Aiden's ear, She's the really annoying one I told you about. At that

moment, Bella looked up defiantly at Dora. Dora K., it'll be your turn soon.

Too bad you can't do as well as I did. Hmm. Dora turned away, ignoring her.

When Aiden and Dora went up on stage, they were greeted with warm applause. Aiden

had made a special effort to look good today, for Dora's sake. He was wearing a crisp

white shirt, and his face was clean-shaven.

He looked like Prince Charming. He looked so dashing that Ms. Poole, and many of the

mothers, couldn't take their eyes off him. Dora looked so pretty and charming beside

him, in a pink tulle skirt.

Together, they looked noble and elegant as they entered the contest. Seeing how the

two were admired by the audience, Bella was so angry that she pulled her mother's

sleeve. Mom, that's Dora.

Since she came to the school, everyone likes her best. They don't play with me anymore.

What? How dare they? Beryl Eyeless, seeing her daughter wronged, let her doting

fondness overcome her reason.

She also felt jealous of the dainty fairy-like figure on the stage. Aiden was about to start

playing the piano, when she stood up and roared, Wait a minute! Everyone looked at her

in astonishment, as Ms. Poole asked, What is the matter? Mrs. Eyeless prepared to

lecture her. We have a long and wonderful history of classical music in the West, and

some of the best orchestras in the world.

We shouldn't let everyone play keyboards, drums, and guitars, ignoring the noblest

instruments we have. What sort of example does that set? Ms. Poole was taken by

surprise and asked, Do you mean that seriously? Why would I be joking? Are you serious

about wanting to teach our children the best of their culture? My husband knows the

secretary of state for schools. I'll have to ask him to talk to your chair of governors.

Ms. Poole's face was white with fright. Without wanting to, she looked pleadingly at

Aiden at the piano. Aiden frowned.

The fat woman was obviously deliberately trying to attack him and Dora. When Beryl

Eyeless saw Aiden frown, she was delighted. We'll see what you can do without the

piano, she thought.

You want to steal the show from Bella? No way! Even Dora was looking anxiously at

Aiden. If he couldn't play the piano, how would he be able to accompany her?