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Name: Olivia Gillies Age: 11 Parents: Elizabeth Gillies + Unknown
From the early age of three years old, Olivia had shown a real interest in performing arts. Being the daughter of Liz Gillies meant she naturally had a stunning voice and she only improved.
She was singing before she could talk coherently and had been in acting classes since she could speak. Liz never pressured Olivia and left her totally in charge of whether or not she was happy being in performing classes. Just as Liz's mom had done for her, she did the same for her daughter and allowed her to choose what she wanted to do.
So when Liz picked Olivia up from her dance class on that breezy Saturday morning, she was surprised to see her in such a low mood.
Liz walked into the dance studio to collect Olivia after class, ignoring the whispers from the excited young girls that Jade West was in the room with them. She smiled softly and waved when Olivia noticed her at the door.
"Olivia, I can see your mom. You may go." Their teacher smiled at Liz and she smiled back.
"Hey honey!" Liz hugged Olivia when she walked over to her.
"Hi." Olivia said quietly.
"Did you have fun?" Liz asked enthusiastically, expecting a reply in the same tone.
"Yep." Olivia replied almost blankly.
"You okay?" Liz asked quickly, wondering what was wrong.
"Yes. Can we leave, now, please?" Olivia murmured.
"Yeah, sure." Liz said, closing the studio door quietly behind them as they left.
She was trying to be casual and not worry but the longer she realised Olivia wasn't talking, the more panicked she became. Until she couldn't take the overthinking anymore and she had to ask some questions.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Do you want anything before we leave?"
"Nope."
"Do you want me to carry your bag?"
"I don't mind."
Liz took the small floral patterned backpack from her daughter and then offered her, her free hand which she took. The action alone allowed Liz's heartbeat to slow slightly upon seeing that nothing was awfully wrong. They walked to the parking lot with Liz chatting about random things until they both sat down in the front of the car.
"Here's your snack." Liz handed her the apple and the packet of salted chips. "How was dance class, Livy?"
"It was fine." Olivia shrugged.
"Did you carry on with your Hairspray choreography?" Liz asked, having watched her daughter practice the dance routine all week at home.
"Yeah." Olivia nodded, avoiding all eye contact and looking out of the window.
"You wanna go straight home?" Liz asked, expecting Olivia to be ready for another weekly Starbucks trip.
"Yep." Olivia said shortly.
"You sure you're okay?" Liz asked, running her hand over Olivia's knee to try to get her to look at her.
"Mhm." Olivia said, finally looking at Liz briefly before turning away.
"Okay." Liz accepted the unusual answer and started reversing the car.
She was driving for a few minutes on the main road when Olivia reached forward and turned off the radio.
"Mom, I'm trying so hard but I can't do it!" Olivia blurted out.
"Do what, darling?" Liz asked, glancing over at the girl.
"The dance!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Do you not want to do it?" Liz asked, trying to gently pry for a little more information.
"I do!"
"Have people been mean to you?" The next question made Liz's blood boil before she even had an answer.
"Everyone is nice to my face but I just know they're talking about me... And I have to go last in our solo warm up and they all watch me. And I'm trying so hard but I still look worse than people that aren't even trying!" Olivia ranted.
"Well, sometimes we have to work harder than others to get the same results and that's life. It makes us stronger." Liz examined softly.
"What do you mean?" Olivia frowned.
"I had to work even harder than Ariana did to get better at singing, and look who's the world famous pop star out of the two of us." Liz told her.
"Yeah, I see your point." Olivia said, allowing Liz to continue.
"People being nasty or judging isn't kind but it is something that will continue right through to adulthood, Liv." Liz informed her.
"That sucks." Olivia huffed and Liz laughed.
"But if you can manage it now, you'll find it much easier." Liz said.
"I don't know how to deal with it." Olivia sighed.
"Babygirl, we have to move with it. It's all about adjusting your focus." Liz said, concentrating on the road as she switched lanes.
"How do you mean?" Olivia asked.
"Focus on yourself when you're dancing. Everything else is just background noise." Liz said simply.
"That makes sense." Olivia nodded.
"Any comments or bitching about you is simply jealousy because you're confident and mature and hardworking." Liz smiled.
"You think so?" Olivia asked, looking at Liz with bright eyes.
"I know so." Liz gently stroked Olivia's shoulder before taking her hand back to the wheel.
"I just want to get better at dance. I really love musical theatre and I'm struggling so much." Olivia groaned.
"That just means you're passionate, Olivia." Liz tried to reassure her.
"Will you help me?" Olivia asked and Liz just laughed. "Why are you laughing?"
"Dance was never my strong suit, darling." Liz shook her head once her laughter died down.
"Please, mom! You are good at dance! I mean, sometimes you're embarrassing but that's only when you think you're like... a global sensation." Olivia giggled with an eye roll.
"How insulting." Liz pouted teasingly as she pulled up on the driveway at home.
"I'm sure you can help me out a little with some simple Hairspray choreography." Olivia tried to convince her mom.
"Probably, yes." Liz admitted.
"Okay, thank you." Olivia leant her head on Liz's shoulder.
Liz said nothing and kissed Olivia's forehead.
"Mom?" Olivia whispered.
"Yeah, baby?" Liz asked, not sure what her daughter was about to say or ask.
"Can we go to Starbucks?"
"Yes." Liz sighed, making Olivia laugh as her mom started the car again.
