Tiffany knew she couldn’t afford to lose Elliot’s support, and Gloria was someone she absolutely needed to get
on her side.
Making it in music, especially as a creator, was an uphill battle, Sure, Tiffany could y the piano, but that alone wouldn’t get her anywhere.
If Tiffany really wanted to make her mark, she had to have someone with serious clout in the industry backing her up.
Tiffany couldn’t let Alicia mess up her ns.
Tiffany nced up at Alicia, speaking in a voice so soft it practically begged for pity. “Alicia, you haven’te home at alltely, and we’re all worried sick about you.
“Mom’s actually gotten ill from worrying too much. Can’t you spare a little time to visit her? Even if you really can’t stand me, Mom and Dad are still the ones who raised you.
“You can’t just pretend they don’t exist, can you? I’m begging you, please go back home and see them. I swear, when you visit Mom and Dad, I’ll keep out of your sight.”
That whole little speech wasyered with all kinds of meaning.
First, Tiffany was letting Elliot and Gloria know Alicia hadn’t beening home at night, hinting she was messing around somewhere.
Second, she was calling Alicia out as the jealous one who didn’t even care about her
parents.
And third, Tiffany was pretending to be the sweet, self–sacrificing daughter, ready to stay out of the way for Mom and Dad’s sake.
Alicia, who’d lived through <i>so </i>much already, saw through Tiffany’s petty little schemes in an instant.
Alicia shot back, her voice cold as ice, “Tiffany, do your parents and buddies even know just how maniptive you really are?”
Tiffany couldn’t help feeling a little pleased with herself. She had never thought Alicia could be so clueless, speaking so bluntly in front of Elliot and Gloria.
The Clifford family prided itself on being refined and cultured; they couldn’t stand people who lost theirposure and started mouthing off.
‘And she actually thinks Mrs. Clifford and Elliot will see her in a different light because of this? Dream on,’ Tiffany scoffed inwardly.
Tiffany made her voice as fragile as possible. “Alicia, why are you saying things like that?”
“Truth hurts, huh?” Alicia sneered. “Honestly, you’re faker than anyone–and now you’re pretending you care about me? I already left the Lawrence family, and let’s not forget, you all drove me out.
<b>19:14 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>1 </b>
…
“And suddenly you care? Seriously? Should I show everyone that video of Andrew and Archie framing <b>me </b>for stealing money the other day?”
Tiffany froze, her mouth half–open as she remembered that whole disaster.
Tiffany wondered, ‘How could those two idiots air all that drama right in front of the hospital? The ce was packed; of course, someone filmed it and put it up on Twitter, and now it’s exploded on the trending lists.
‘Dad’s tried everything to get the search wiped, but it just won’t disappear. The Lawrence family got dragged mercilessly online, while Alicia ended up getting tons of sympathy.’
She thought, ‘If I didn’t know Alicia was just some nobody with no backing or connections, I’d honestly suspect someone was pushing this whole thing to go viral.
‘We’re not even famous; how the hell did it get so much attention?‘
But right now, Tiffany needed to make excuses for her brothers. Otherwise, Gloria and Elliot would look down upon the Lawrence family or her.
“They were just worried you’d get yourself into trouble,” Tiffany said, trying to sound reasonable.
“Worry? More like they probably wish I were out of the picture for good. Now that you’re back, I’m just extra baggage to them,” Alicia shot back with a sneer.
Tiffany tried to get a word in, but Gloria cut her off with a frown. “Tiffany, is there a reason you’re here right now?<b>” </b>
Gloria had been seriously impressed with Aliciately.
And ever since Tiffany pulled that pistachio stunt, snacking in front of the instruments and jamming the shells into the strings, her impression of Tiffany hadpletely cratered.
Honestly, in Gloria’s mind, Tiffany was someone who had zero respect for the instruments.
‘Can she even im to love music? I bet she just ys piano to puff herself up,‘ Gloria scoffed to herself.
Tiffany hesitated for a second before replying, “Gloria, I’ve been practicing a songtely, but it just never feels quite right when I y it.
“I was wondering if maybe you could listen to it sometime and give me some advice?”
Gloria considered for a moment. “Can we do it tomorrow? The music room is being cleaned today. I’m afraid I just don’t have the time.”
Even though her opinion of Tiffany had seriously dropped, Gloria was still a teacher; if a student needed help, she couldn’t just ignore it.
But today was different. Gloria wanted to spend more time with Alicia and see what other hidden talents she might have. Honestly, Alicia kept blowing past every expectation Gloria had.
When Tiffany heard the music room <b>was </b>getting cleaned, she instantly felt relieved.
<b>19:14 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>1 </b>
Tiffany wondered, ‘So Gloria just wanted Alicia here to do chores, huh? For a moment there, I thought <b>maybe </b>Gloria was actually impressed after Alicia answered that music theory question yesterday.
‘But really, someone like Alicia–just talks the talk and can’t y a single instrument. She’spletely useless Why would Gloria ever take her seriously?‘
Tiffany grinned, all eager. “Cleaning the music room? Count me in. I’ll help out, too.
Without waiting for an answer, Tiffany snatched the wet rag off the table and went straight to wipe down the ordion on the nearby wooden shelf.
“No, wait-” Gloria shouted, but it was toote.
Tiffany had already started wiping down the ordion with the wet rag. Gloria rushed over, snatching the rag out of her hands. “What the hell are you doing? Do you even know what you’re doing?”
Gloria, usually so poised and graceful, waspletely losing it. She grabbed a spray bottle and started dousing the ordion where Tiffany had wiped, then frantically tried to dry it with a clean cloth.
But it was no use; the spot where Tiffany had wiped was already changing color.
Gloria stood there, her chest rising and falling as she tried to keep her usual poise, but her voice wasced with real steel. “Who said you could touch anything in here? Who gave you the right?”
Tiffany shrank back, startled by Gloria’s reaction. “I–I just wanted to help clean up,” she whispered.
“Did I ever ask you to clean up?” Gloria demanded.
Tiffany kept her head down, lips trembling in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Clifford. How much is it worth? If you want, I can pay for the damage.”
Gloria nearlyughed in disbelief, but she managed to keep her cool, her teacher’sposure on full disy. “That’s not necessary. Elliot, please see Tiffany out.”
Elliot could tell Tiffany had dug herself a hole this time. He went over and gently ushered her toward the door. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” <fn6e72> This update is avable on find?novel</fn6e72>
Not willing to just give up, Tiffany shot a resentful nce at the ordion but had no choice except to trail after Elliot and leave the room.
Once they left the music room, Tiffany looked up at Elliot, all pitiful. “Elliot, I’m really sorry. I truly didn’t mean to mess things up.
“I had no idea it would change color. Should I pay Mrs. Clifford back? Or maybe I could just repaint it or something<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Elliot shot her a conflicted look, disappointment clear in his eyes. ‘She seriously didn’t even know that? No wonder Mom was so mad, he thought.
Elliot pressed his lips together, keeping his tone calm. “Tiffany, that ordion’s made from special materials; you can’t let it get wet.
“It’s not just about the color; even the sound will change if it gets any moisture on it.”
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Tiffany’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Wait, really? So if it gets humid in here, the sound would change, too?”
A