Secret Singing Superstar

Three ~ ♫♪♫

Leanne stared at what Claire had typed on her laptop. The words said: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so cold-hearted.

That took Leanne by surprise. Why was Claire apologising?

She looked at Claire out of the corner of her eye. She looked worried, and sad. All the happiness left inside Leanne suddenly evaporated. She knew she had done something wrong to make Claire sad, but she didn't know what it was. She really wanted to make Claire feel better, but how could she do that?

There were a million of things that Leanne wanted to type on her laptop, to tell Claire that there was no reason to her to be upset over - except herself. Claire was upset because of her. And that made her feel terrible.

So Leanne typed the simplest words she could without making Claire and herself feel worse: It's okay.

She couldn't stand it anymore. There was a large ball of guilt inside her. Realising that her music wasn't helping her get her emotions under control, Leanne took our her earphones and started to do her work.

Beside her, Caitlin was still focused on writing down notes. Her head was so low that it almost touched her exercise book. She seemed to be upset as well.

If possible, Leanne's spirits sank even lower. Had she made Caitlin upset as well? She hoped not, but she had a feeling she had.

"Leanne?" whispered Claire to her.

Leanne was about to answer, but she couldn't bring herself to. She was afraid that she would make everything even worse than it already was. Strong emotions were welling up inside her, and she didn't want to speak, for fear of letting them all out.

"Leanne?" Claire repeated. She sounded genuinely worried.

Leanne bit her lip and continued doing her work.

"You okay?" questioned Claire.

Leanne looked at her and nodded, then she turned back to the whiteboard, where the teacher was still writing notes for them to copy.

Claire then fell silent, understanding that Leanne didn't want to talk. Both hers and Caitlin's silence just made Leanne feel terrible.

By recess time, Leanne wasn't in the mood for having fun, so she told Claire and Caitlin that she was going to the library to do her English homework. Unfortunately, both of them immediately said that they needed to finish their homework as well, and that they would come with her.

Not that Leanne didn't want them to come along - she was glad that they still stuck by her - but she didn't feel like talking to anyone at the time.

She headed to the library with Caitlin and Claire.

* * * * * * * * *

Leanne had been mysteriously quiet during class. She hadn't talked much, and so neither had Caitlin. Caitlin wasn't that concerned: there were times when Leanne was happy and talkative, and times when she was silent and moody. Her emotions changed all the time, and Caitlin had become used to it.

Since Leanne didn't talk, Caitlin had tried talking to Claire, who for some reason had gotten annoyed and told Caitlin to do her work. While doing it, Caitlin wondered why Claire had snapped at her like that. Claire didn't look mad now - she looked slightly depressed, actually - but Caitlin made a mental note to remember to ask her later.

In the library, Leanne started on her work straight away; something that Caitlin found unusual. Usually Leanne would start talking non-stop, and Claire would be the one to remind her to work. Now it seemed to be almost the opposite.

Many times Claire attempted to talk to Leanne, only to have Leanne tell her to do her work. In the end, Claire did her work.

Caitlin tried to brighten up the mood. Leanne was obviously in her 'bad' mood. Why, Caitlin had no idea.

"So..." Caitlin quickly thought of something to talk about. "...what do we have after recess?"

Leanne didn't answer, but Claire took out her diary and checked her timetable. "We've got Science, then LOTE."

"Oh, that's just great," said Leanne, speaking for the first time ever since coming in the library.

Caitlin's spirits went higher. "Science isn't that bad."

"That's because you're good at it," answered Leanne, looking from Caitlin to Claire. "Both of you. And I'm terrible."

"You are not terrible," said Caitlin. "You're better than me at like, everything else."

"And you'll get better if you study more," added Claire.

"That's not true," Leanne replied. "And I'm answering both of your statements."

"How do you know? Have you tried?" asked Claire.

Leanne then suddenly fell silent and returned to her work.

"Have you thought about going for the singing concert yet?" questioned Caitlin. She just wanted to say anything to keep Leanne distracted from her mood. "Because you would be really good."

Claire's eyes widened.

Leanne didn't say anything, but she tensed. She then abruptly stood up and said, "Recess is almost over. I'm going to get back to class." She took all her books and hurried away.

"I would go with her, but I've still got tutor work to do," said Claire, giving Caitlin a meaningful look.

Caitlin understood. "I'll go after her then."

"You'd better hurry," said Claire, pointing. Leanne had reached the door and was just walking out.

Caitlin started to walk off, but then she turned back, remembering that she needed to ask Claire about why she seemed so upset with her before. "Claire - "

"Go," Claire interrupted, then continued with her work.

Caitlin spun around and walked to the door, making a decision to ask Claire afterwards. If she wanted her to go with Leanne to class, she would do it. She didn't want to make Claire more mad at her than she already was.