The Me You Stole ✔

'Llow 11

The morning of the date with Kobal, Marian called Andrea into the basic music room. Since Gara's arrival, Andrea hadn't had a chance to be alone with Tanner outside of the office. If not Gara, then Queen was there, hovering around with his mean look and his inhospitable commentary.

Seeing the two E's in attendance in the music room was surprising. On the wall across from the door, the projection of their opening ceremony played. Everyone there watched it, but Andrea just found interest in the floor as she listened to veteran students doing what she'd taught them to do, sing.

Once it was over, Marian tapped the interface to mute it, and the video looped. Andrea risked glancing at Tanner, who was sitting on a chair beside Queen near the door. Her dud E still watched the image on the wall. In time Tanner flashed her one pleased smile, and Andrea calmed. He liked it.

Marian's voice drew their focus when she asked, "Do you see the problem?"

Gara walked over to Tanner, who stood up to meet her. They traded a few words, and Gara nodded, confident.

"I'm with Tan. That was fantastic. Those kids can sing." When Marian didn't say anything, Gara looked to her for help. "Ma'am?"

"This is a music class. You do realize that not one of those children was playing an instrument?"

"Yes, but it was a choir, so...."

Marian put her fingers against the wall, and image after image scrolled of children singing. All of Andrea's confidence withered. Tanner's voice drew them, and they looked to where the E pointed.

Gara leaned forward and smiled. "Well, he's got a point; what about that kid on the triangle? Doesn't that count?"

A smile peeked through Queen's usual placid expression; he fought back a laugh. Eventually, a chuckle escaped, and Gara and Tanner joined in.

Marian didn't laugh, however, and neither did Andrea, whose face was warm from her blush. Tanner looked sheepish; maybe he hadn't meant to make a joke, but Andrea felt betrayed nonetheless.

"They don't play instruments," Marian repeated while eying Andrea. "A music teacher who cannot teach music. I can only imagine what she did to get that certificate."

Feeling about two inches tall, Andrea clenched her fists a few times, trying to make certain her heart was still pumping blood through her body because she'd gone numb.

Queen spoke up. "With all due respect, ma'am, it's unlikely that is the case. Her certification is certainly legit."

Andrea glanced at Tanner and then at Gara, who smiled. Finally, she looked at Marian, but her mother was doing anything but smiling.

Marian put her hands on her hips. "So that means she deliberately refuses to teach them. Because she's been requested to do so repeatedly." She nodded as if she'd just found another addition to put in her "'Andrea is useless'" scrapbook. "Meaning that she intends to sabotage us. It's a blessing that you decided to help us out this term, Gara. I'm deeply in your debt."

Gara had the grace to blush. "I could do with the assistance," she said, disappointed.

"No."

"But ma'am, Andrea does have perfect pitch. She'd be a valuable asset."

Marian zeroed in on Andrea, but said to Gara, "You assume I trust her to have this school's best interest at heart."

"Of course she does," Gara insisted.

"Fine." Marian folded her arms and waited. "Are you willing to cooperate, Andrea?" She nodded to Queen and Tanner. "Demonstrate to them why your class isn't a joke."