---
I woke up and took my bath and wore my school uniform then I checked my phone for any new as I left my room.
I went downstairs for breakfast. As usual, Dad wasn't around. Only my mom sat stiffly at the dining table, sipping her coffee like it was poison.
"So you're really not quitting the variety show?" she asked without even glancing at me.
I picked up my spoon. "No. Why would I?"
Mom's lips curled into a sneer. "You're shameless. You have no talent. Do you want to humiliate our family? Oliver is returning soon. Don't drag our family name through the mud."
I calmly ate my food, unbothered.
"If you think I'm such a disgrace," I said lightly, "maybe you should reflect on your parenting skills. After all, a useless child is usually a reflection of their upbringing, isn't it?"
The spoon clattered from her hand.
You are have no manners is this how you talk to your mother I gave you life is and this is how you pay me so rude .
I'm not rude I'm just defending myself just because you have birth to me doesn't mean I have to sit down as you make my life mirable right and you said you regret giving birth to me is that what a mom says to her child and eviif and if you aborted me you would have also have killed your golden child Oliver I said looking at her saying her went quite .
I smile Satisfied, I finished eating and headed to school.
---
When I entered the school gates, whispers erupted like wildfire. People pointed, laughed, and gossiped without even trying to hide it.
In the classroom, the monitor rushed over persuaded by her friens took deep breaths and walk towards me .
"Maria! Are you really the one who played the violin in the competition?" she asked, eyes wide.
I nodded casually. "Yeah."
Before she could say more, Ivy appeared, all fake sweetness.
"Maria!" she chirped. "I saw your video. You really looked convincing... for a beginner. It almost felt like you were... pretending."
The classroom fell silent. All eyes turned to me.
Ivy gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. "Oh no, I didn't mean it like that! It's just that... some people said maybe the sound wasn't live. Maybe someone helped her backstage...?"
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
"I knew it!"
"Maria's a fraud!"
Ivy wiped imaginary tears. "Please don't blame her, everyone! Maria is really trying her best! Even if she's not very talented, at least she has heart!"
I slowly stood up, dusting invisible dirt from my skirt.
"You know," I said lazily, "there's a saying: 'Only guilty people rush to explain themselves.' You seem very eager today, Ivy."
Ivy froze, her smile faltering.
"As for faking my performance... do you have proof?" I asked, my tone light, almost amused. "Or are you planning to ruin your already shaky reputation based on rumors?"
The students glanced at each other uncertainly.
"Be careful," I added with a tilt of my head. "Slandering someone without evidence? That's a lawsuit. And judging by your academic scores, I'm not sure you can survive a court case."
Ivy look at me " I didn't to mean to say you are not really playing the violin I promise it came out wrong I'm surprised cause you have not ever played a instrument before but you just played and did better than someone that played for years she said blinking at me
Some students laughed.
Tsk Maria don't hide it anymore you fake someone taunted
It is called taken you will not even know it is if it hit you in the face it is called pure talent simple as that and ivy the book you bored for me don't you think it is time to give it back do you know what I give you I'm in the mood to do charity to the less talented she taunted
Ivy's face turned red but she forced a wounded expression.
"I-I just care about you, Maria..."
"Right," I said dryly. "You care so much, you stab people in the back with compliments."
Some chuckle mocking ivy mostly girls as they are tied if being under ivy for to long while some took her side . Ivy gritted her teeth but said nothing more.
I sat down, flipping open my homework as if she were invisible.
Ivy stood there awkwardly, fists clenched at her sides.
---
Later that afternoon, she tried again.
"Maria," she said softly, "have you been avoiding me? I feel like... you're not close to me anymore."
I didn't even look at her. "Avoiding you? No. I'm just tired of dumbing myself down."
Her face stiffened.
"By the way," she said with false concern, "Chris is leaving the hospital today... You should visit him, right? Since it's your fault he got hurt..."
I finally looked up and smiled politely. "You're right. I should visit... when he returns to school. That way, everyone can see how well he's pretending to be a victim."
Her expression cracked.
I calmly returned to my homework.
---
Days passed.
Oliver and Grandma extended their trip. My parents seemed busier than ever, leaving the house early and returning late.
Meanwhile, the stocks I invested in surged dramatically.
Still, people online claimed it was "just beginner's luck." Typical.
---
The Art Festival finally arrived.
Backstage, Ivy came up to me again, her fake smile still in place.
"What are you performing today?" she asked sweetly.
"Breathing," I said flatly, making her blink in confusion.
"Just kidding," I added, standing up lazily. "I'm singing."
She nodded and gave me fake word of encouragement then left .
The festival began.
Student started performing some sang some dance some did a break dance some recited poetry it was then ivy turn she entered looking like a beautiful flower winning people praises
, sitting prettily onstage and copying one of the drawings she had stolen from my sketchbook.
It was good. A fake, but good.
The crowd loved it.
People clapped for her in their mind no one can beat this the throphy was already hers already
My turn came.
The crowd went quite some were ready for me to disgrace myself some were bored playing with their phone
I walked onstage calmly and I sat down and took out my paint brush the crowd went silent ivy face went pale I gave her a side look smiling at her , down people the quiet crowd started laughing some saying that I will be destroyed by ivy that I tried to alint after ivy did some took out their phone ready to film the embarrassment.
Unknown to them ivy have already turned pale she clench her fist as she looks at me,this bitch lied to me fuck she definitely change I have been trying to trick myself thinking she is still dumb but this time I will deal with her no more nice she thought not registering what others were saying to her
I started painting confidently, my strokes smooth and practiced.
After submitting my painting, I headed to the refreshment table, ignoring the stares.
While eating I saw from the corner of my eyes as ivy signal to one of the judge I snorted so she finally starting to act I was starting to get bored she thought to herself camly
Finally, the judges announced the results.
"In 25 place... Maria!"
And ivy got first the judge said and continue to announce the 2nd and other position
A polite smattering of applause.
Students started whispering.
"Only 25?"
She tried though out of 50 she got 25 position
"I thought she'd be higher."
Backstage, Ivy beamed, smug.
I leaned against the wall, sipping my juice.
Fifth place?
Perfect.
Let them laugh while they still can.
The show was just beginning.
---