(Author's POV)
"Lia~ …. baby. Why aren't you eating anything? Is the food not to your liking?" Alia's mother, Ashley Clinton, inquired, her tone laced with concern. Alia has been staring at her plate, tossing and turning the contents, her mind elsewhere.
Lucas, her brother, was sitting next to her. He poked her with his spoon, grabbing her attention "Mom~ is calling, Lia?"
"Huhhh~ …" Alia was rattled as she looked around. Everyone was staring in her direction, holding different expressions. Scratching her neck awkwardly, she said, "Uhh~ … it's nothing. I am just tired."
Her mother and father nodded, and understandably so. Their youngest daughter was not only gifted with looks but was also hardworking and diligent. She would spend hours and hours sharpening her knowledge without missing a beat. It wasn't because of any sort of family pressure, but Alia loved studying. It gave her a sense of achievent.
When she was ten, she and Vienna went to a neighbouring village with their father. On the way, there was a huge traffic jam. Apparently, a cow was injured because of so spoiled brat's irresponsible driving skills. Vlad Clinton, her father, got out to take a look at the situation. She tagged along as well. But what she saw stayed with her for a long, long ti. The cow's head was split open; the road was soaked in too much blood. The details were gory as hell. The authorities and the veterinary team tried to save the animal, but in the end, she succumbed to her wounds, right in front of little Lia's eyes.
For days, Alia, though not responsible, felt guilty. She couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, thinking about it. It created trauma in her subconscious. Then, one day, when she ca down from her room, she announced to her family that she was going to be a doctor, to be precise, a veterinarian.
From then on, she had been striving for her goal. But sotis, she would push herself too hard, even to the brink where she would get a nosebleed. This has happened a couple of tis.
Vienna, who was sitting across Alia, recalled sothing and asked casually, "Didn't you say~ … today was the day when your midterm results will be out? How much did you get?"
"Hahh~ … Ena, what are you even asking? Lia has always been the topper. It would be the sa as always," Lucas said, with full confidence.
Alia chewed her lower lip; her grip on the cutlery tightened a bit.
Despite Lucas's words, Vienna pressed her again, "So, how many did you get, Lia?"
"Ahhhh~ …. ninety~ … ninety seven," Alia said softly, hesitantly.
"Told you so, didn't I?" Lucas clapped his hands and uttered. "My dear Lia, she is going to make us Clintons very proud when she gets the top rank in the entire city in the final term." He added.
"Actually~ …." Alia started, "I didn't get the first place. I ca second this ti."
"Haha~ … nice joke," Lucas laughed, but Alia didn't follow. When he saw her expression, he stopped laughing, "Are you serious, huhh?"
Alia only nodded, her shoulders drooping.
"What the~ …" Lucas was about to say more when Vlad interrupted, "Lucas, enough. It is just a position, not the end of the world." With his eyes, he signalled for his son to stop. Ashley patted Alia's head and spoke, her words filled with consoling, "Lia~ … is that the reason why your spirits are down today, hmm? Don't worry, it's okay. Mom and Dad are already proud of you; whether you co first or second doesn't change the fact that you are our precious daughter."
Alia smiled faintly, resuming eating when Vienna muttered, "So, who got first place? How much did that person score?"
For a mont, there was pin drop silence on the dinner table. Actually, they all were thinking that Alia was upset because of the midterm results, but the truth was sothing else.
Vlad said in a scolding tone, "How does it matter who the person is?"
"What~ … I was just curious, that's all," Vienna rolled her eyes.
"Denver Brooks, he~ … he scored full marks," Alia spoke. Though her voice was low, everyone at the table heard it. Lucas, who was in the middle of chugging down his soup, spat it and started coughing. He then asked, shockingly, "What did you say? Did I hear it correctly? Full marks~ …. Hundred?" His eyes were ready to bulge out. Even Vlad and Ashley were flabbergasted.
Only Vienna's expression didn't change much, and oddly so.
After such a dramatic turn of events at the dinner table, Alia returned to her room. Her mind was completely consud by the thoughts of Denver's actions and Perry's earlier words. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as she mumbled, "Does he~ … really like ? No~ …. What are you thinking, Lia? Arghhh~ … it is all because of what Perry said."
Soon, a soft knock on her door broke her thoughts, "Co in~ …."
The door opened, and in ca Vienna, with a glass of warm turric milk. "Glad you are awake."
"Sis~ …." Alia got up and settled again.
"Have so of this," Vienna handed her the glass and settled down beside Alia. She then ruffled her head and said, "You have worked hard, Lia."
There was a brief pause, then she added, "Ohhh yeah~ …. Did you say, the guy who got the first position, his na is Den~ … Denver Brooks?"
"Ummhmm," Alia's head wobbled while sipping her milk. "It is. Do you know him, sis?"
"No~ …. I don't," Vienna said almost imdiately. "I just thought the na sounded familiar."
"It must be because he was at the party we went to last month," Alia said casually. "Ohh~ … that might be the reason," Vienna nodded in understanding. "Anyway~ … is your school taking you to a hiking trip to Mount Peril?"
"Yup, how do you know?" Alia asked.
"Our college is also planning a trip there, and guess what, it is on the sa day," Vienna said, thrilled. "I am so excited to go hiking with you."
Alia was eventually planning on skipping the trip, but seeing her sister's delighted face, she didn't have the heart to back out.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . .
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