Secret Singing Superstar

Two ~ ♫♪♫

Seriously, Caitlin was beginning to annoy Leanne. A LOT.

During class, she would talk non-stop about how good it would be if Leanne sang in the concert, and that everyone would be so happy and proud, etc.

Keeping her promise to Claire, Leanne didn't voice any of her opinions, but if she did, she would say some pretty mean things.

The best way to tolerate Caitlin was to stuff her earphones in her ears and listen to music, drowning out Caitlin's voice. It wasn't unusual, Leanne often did that during class, and Caitlin never minded.

Since Leanne was too busy listening to her music, Caitlin proceeded to talk to Claire instead, leaning past Leanne to speak to her. Leanne couldn't hear the words, but she could see that Claire was beginning to get frustrated.

* * * * * * * * *

Claire had been quietly doing her work while Caitlin had kept jabbering on to Leanne about the singing concert. A few times, Claire had to nudge Leanne under the table to stop her from saying anything that she would surely regret. Finally, when the expression on Leanne's face said: I can't stand this anymore, she took out her earphones and listened to music.

After a few attempts to talk to Leanne with her earphones in, Caitlin gave up and started talking to Claire instead. Claire listened and simply nodded for most of the conversation, but after ten minutes, she was pretty sure her expression was something similar to Leanne's. She was irritated.

"So, what do you think?" Caitlin asked for the fourth time. "Should she do it, or not?"

"Look, I already said yes, because it would be a really good opportunity for her, okay?" said Claire. Her tone sounded annoyed. "But you're distracting me from my work, and you're already behind in copying down the notes, so how about we work, and then we talk later?"

Caitlin shrugged. Her expression didn't betray any of her thoughts. "Okay." She began to work silently.

Claire picked up her pen and managed to write one word before she felt somebody poke her shoulder. Thinking it was Caitlin, she turned around, saying, "What now?"

But it wasn't Caitlin. It was Leanne.

"Sorry," Claire apologised.

Leanne didn't reply, but simply gave her a thumbs-up. Claire looked at her in confusion.

Leanne rolled her eyes and typed on her laptop: Good job for making Caitlin be quiet. I could still hear her, even with the earphones on.

Claire reached over, and typed on Leanne's laptop: Thanks. But she's been annoying me too. Just a little.

So why don't you tell her to shut up then?

Because it's rude, and she didn't do anything wrong.

But if you're annoyed, you should say something.

I don't want her to be upset.

Then you don't understand. You wouldn't anyway. You're not the one that she's bugging to sing in the concert.

Claire blinked at the screen. She looked at Leanne, who looked away. She thought about her actions, and she wondered: was she being too cold? Was she acting emotionless and not caring about what Leanne thought? Or was she too focused to not wanting to hurt Caitlin's feelings that she hadn't been paying attention to Leanne's?

No wonder Leanne seemed so upset.

Claire then typed on Leanne's laptop: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so cold-hearted.

Leanne stared at the screen for a long time. Then she finally typed something down.

It's okay.

Claire looked at Leanne. She still seemed miserable. She took her earphones out and started to do her work.

"Leanne?" Claire whispered, not wanting the teacher to hear. "Leanne?"

But Leanne remained silent.