"Y/N? Honey, is that you?" Your mom yelled from the other room as you froze on the first step of the staircase, cursing that creak on the stairs beneath your feet that alerted her of your presence.
You wanted to get upstairs as fast as you could, hoping you could hide the test in your hands before your mom saw it.
But there's never any chance of successfully sneaking around her. It's like she hears everything, even when you're quiet, or, at least, trying your hardest to be.
She came into the living room, placing the basket down on the sofa with a smile on her face when she saw you.
"Hey. How was school today? Have a good day?"
"Yeah, it was fine." You said as you put on your best fake smile, hoping she wouldn't see through it.
"How'd that test go?"
"What test?" You chuckled nervously and watched as she furrowed her eyebrows.
"You know the one. You've been studying like crazy for it. How'd it go?"
You hid the papers behind your back, desperately hoping she wouldn't notice you doing so.
"It was fine. I won't know my grade on it for a few days though."
She folded her arms over her chest, giving you that look that told you she knew you were being dishonest.
"Why are you lying? Why are you holding it behind your back, y/n?"
You lowered your head as she held her hand out for you to hand it over to her.
You walked over to her and put it between her fingertips and when she saw the grade you got, her eyes went wide.
"D?"
You sighed as the shame and disappointment you felt returned.
"I don't understand. You studied hard for this didn't ya."
"I did... but it's like I forgot it all as soon as it was right in front of me. It's so stressful sometimes. There's so much pressure."
She sighed and took your hand to lead you to the kitchen table, sitting down beside you.
"I know how stressful high school is, especially since you only have another year or two left of it. You're a smart girl, y/n. You might have gotten a D, but I'm sure you'll bounce back."
You nodded but your mom could tell you weren't feeling any better.
"One bad grade does not define you."
"I know." You sighed. "I'm just disappointed. I worried you might be too."
"Never. You're smart and I believe in you. Don't panic over this one bad grade and stop being so hard on yourself. It's not like you're failing."
"That's true." You agreed.
"And it's one bad grade. Look at all the great ones you've gotten all of your life. You're so smart, stop beating yourself up. You'll ace the next one, I'm sure."
"Thank you, mom." You smiled and moved in to give her a big hug as she held her arms out for one.
"Anytime." She said as she patted your back. "Next time, don't hide this from me or lie to me. Just be honest with me. I won't be disappointed in you if you get a bad grade here and there. It happens. I just want you to be truthful about it with me when it does."
"I promise, I will be from here on out."
"I know. Now, put that out of sight and out of mind, and let's get some food."
You nodded your head excitedly, feeling so thankful that you've got a mom that's so incredibly supportive of you; through the good and the bad.
