<b>Chapter </b>41


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    As soon as Alicia and Tiffany settled into their seats, the bell rang, signaling the start of ss.


    Gloria Clifford, their music teacher, walked to the front of the room, her eyes scanning the students. Without a word, she picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the board: [Characteristics of Roman Music Culture].


    After finishing, she set the chalk down and turned to face the ss. “This was the topic we coveredst time. Who can summarize it for me?”


    Silence filled the room. No one raised their hand.


    Gloria smiled, her tone light, “Looks like nobody was paying attentionst time. Let’s do a quick review then.”


    Before Gloria could finish, Tiffany suddenly stood up. “Mrs. Clifford, can I take this one?” <fnb735> Th?s chapter is updated by fin?novel</fnb735>


    Gloria’s smile softened. “Of course.”


    Tiffany spoke gently, a little timid. “But I wasn’t in ssst time. I was sick and missed a whole week. I’m worried I might mess it up.”


    Gloria looked surprised. “You missed ss? So why do you want to try answering?”


    Tiffany smiled, looking earnest, “I’ve yed the piano and loved singing ever since I was a kid. I really like music, so I’ve picked up some music history along the way.”


    Gloria’s interest was piqued. “Alright then, go ahead.”


    Tiffany gave a self–assured, almost perfect smile as she began, “Roman music mainly featured drums and wind instruments. It was divided into court music and folk music.


    “Court music often came with dance, while folk music was all about telling stories.


    “The court music was known as ceremonial music–very refined and elegant–while folk music was seen as a bit vulgar and rarely got passed down through generations.”


    Gloria nodded approvingly. “That’s very good. You weren’t in ss, but you still managed to give such a thorough answer.”


    At that moment, a few of Tiffany’s friends jumped in. “Mrs. Clifford, Tiffany’s super talented. She already knows all this stuff–she doesn’t even need to be here.”


    “Yeah, Mrs. Clifford, shouldn’t she get some kind of reward for being so awesome?” another girl teased.


    Tiffany gave a modest smile. “Seriously, guys, it’s nothing. I just love music, so I picked up a few things on my own. It’s really not a big deal.”


    Gloria waited for all the teasing to die down, then raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Come on, folks, are you really going to let someone who skipped ss leave you in the dust?


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    “Anyone else want to take a shot at this?”


    Silence filled the room once more,


    At that moment, Tiffany shot a meaningful nce at Nora, her trusty sidekick.


    Nora, seated right beside Alicia, caught the signal. Alicia was still absorbed in her book when Nora suddenly grabbed her hand and shot it up in the air.


    “Mrs. Clifford, Alicia here says she’s got another answer,” Nora piped up.


    Gloria looked calmly between Alicia and Nora. “If Alicia wants to answer, she should raise her own hand. Pulling up a ssmate’s arm isn’t the right way to do it.”,


    Now that they were in college, Gloria made sure not to embarrass anyone by calling on them out of the blue. She always waited for students to volunteer, letting them take the initiative when they felt ready.


    Nora quickly replied, “Alicia’s just feeling a bit awkward about raising her hand herself, so I thought I’d help


    her out.”


    ‘Nora at it again, all for Tiffany,‘ Alicia thought, her gaze icy. She’d seen this move more times than she cared to count since Tiffany had started at their college three months ago.


    “Tiffany just wants to set me up as her foil, Alicia mused. ‘If I mess up answering or can’te up with anything, it’ll only make her look more brilliant and knowledgeable.


    ‘That’s how it went in my previous life, too, Alicia recalled bitterly. “Tiffany trampled right over me—became the school goddess, a celebrated artist, Riverdale’s rising star–all by using me as her stepping stone.


    ‘Not this time, Alicia vowed silently. ‘I won’t let her walk all over me again!‘


    ‘If I want to stand out, I’ll do it on my own,‘ Alicia thought to herself, determination ring in her eyes.


    So Alicia rose to her feet, refusing to let anyone steal her chance.


    Tiffany smirked coldly, her gaze full of scorn. She couldn’t wait to see Alicia embarrass herself.


    Still ignoring Tiffany’s cold smirk, Alicia faced Gloria and spoke with steady confidence. “Roman music culture, after absorbing the music traditions of earlier periods, evolved into a vibrant, multi–faceted scene.


    “It had acrobatics, masquerades and imitation acts, dance, and even sports. Roman instrumental music was closely linked to traditional political thought, filled with strong political themes.


    “It also drew from earlier philosophies, especially ideas about morality and etiquette, using music as a way to reflect on humanity, life, and how people improve themselves.”


    Gloria’s smile grew even broader, her eyes shining with genuine approval.


    The other students just stared at each other,pletely lost.


    Nora scrunched up her nose. “Seriously, what is she even saying? I can’t understand a word. Does she think


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    tossing out a bunch of fancy words makes her some kind of genius?”


    But Gloria just smiled and asked, “Anything else?”


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    Alicia continued, “Tiffany was right that Roman music was split into court and folk styles, but I see their roles a bit differently than most people do.”


    Gloria leaned forward, really interested. “How do you see it?”


    Alicia exined, “Court music was considered elegant, and folk music was seen as more down–to–earth.


    “But during theter period, music culture evolved while still keeping the older traditions–kind of like everyone celebrating together, no matter who they were.”


    She continued, “Both court and folk music flourished. There were folk performances in the pce, and court music made its way out among regr people.


    “They mixed and influenced each other, and both were appreciated by all. It wasn’t that folk music got left behind just because it wasmon–actually, now, very little of either has survived.”


    When Alicia finished, Tiffany looked absolutely livid.


    Right then, Nora piped up, “Alicia, if you don’t get it, just stop pretending you do, will you? h h h- nobody gets a word you’re saying.


    “And you really think you can disagree with Tiffany? Or are you just mouthing off to stir up drama about your own sister?”


    Then another girl, Tanya Woods, who was close to Tiffany, threw in with a snicker. “Wow, maybe we should all learn from Alicia–just talk a lot about what you don’t know.


    “Guess all you need is to keep talking and people will think you actually know your stuff.”


    The whole ss cracked up, and someone whispered, “Just keep yapping, maybe people will think you’re cultured or something.”


    Alicia didn’t even bother replying. She just turned to Gloria.


    Gloria’s face grew stern. “Don’t act like you know everything when you don’t.”


    At that, the whole ss went silent and looked up at her.


    Gloria said, “Alicia’s answer was not just good–it was fantastic, detailed, and really on point. It’s obvious she was paying attentionst session and genuinely loves studying music and its culture.


    “Frankly, I don’t get why some of you bothering to ss if you’re not going to learn anything, and then have the nerve to criticize someone who actually puts in the effort.”


    The ssroom buzzed in shock. “Wait–did Mrs. Clifford seriously just say Alicia’s answer was excellent? And that she actually listened in ss? But wasn’t she out sickst week, too?”


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