Aurora was still her biological daughter. Even if she wasn’t satisfied and didn’t like her, Grace knew she had to play the role of a mother.
Young Aurora sat in the back seat while Arnold drove, and Aurora herself sat up front in the passenger seat. No one else could see, but she still found the experience rather surreal.
Of all things–sitting in the same car as another version of herself. If anyone else heard that, wouldn’t they be shocked?
By the time they arrived at the competition venue, there were only ten minutes left before it began. Coincidentally, entry would be cut off five minutes before the start. So, Aurora made it just in time and was allowed in without issue.
The moment her teacher saw her, their eyes lit up. She was their class’s only real shot at winning the championship. This girl had always been serious and diligent–why was she acting like this today? Had she really shown up right on the dot like this?
“Oh my goodness, where have you been, my little lifesaver?” Her teacher’s reaction was dramatic, especially when she saw Aurora–the way her eyes lit up was unmistakable.
Aurora, however, stayed calm, knowing full well what her teacher was like.
“I know what you’re thinking, Miss Chew.” She smiled, her expression regaining its usual confidence. “Don’t worry. I’m ready for this.”
Hearing that, the teacher nodded in relief, the wrinkles on her face seeming to deepen with joy, especially the corners of her mouth–she was grinning so wide it barely seemed possible.
“That’s all I needed to hear. I was just worried you’d get cold feet and not show up.” She patted her chest dramatically. “You have no idea–I was nearly scared to death waiting by the door just now. If you didn’t show up, our class wouldn’t have had a shot at the championship. You’re our only hope!”
Aurora didn’t know how to respond to such dramatic praise. She simply smiled and gave her teacher a small nod. “Alright, Miss Chew, let’s save the talk for later. I need to get inside and take the exam.”
After soothing her teacher, young Aurora greeted the proctor politely, then headed straight in. Only after watching her walk through the doors did the teacher finally relax. Her own title as an outstanding teacher was safe for now. As long as Aurora placed well, there’d be no fear of losing that recognition. And those smug comments from the other teachers? She could finally throw them right back.
When she spotted Arnold nearby, her smile grew even brighter. “Hello, hello! You must be Aurora’s guardian, right?”
Arnold was a bit caught off guard by the teacher’s warmth. Why did Aurora’s teacher seem so overly flattering? What was going on here? He hadn’t noticed this before. Still, after quickly thinking it through, Arnold figured he did count as a guardian of sorts and gave a polite nod.
“Yes, I am. Is something wrong?”
The teacher waved her hand, smile widening. “Oh no, not at all. I’m just amazed. How did you raise such a well–behaved, talented student like Aurora?”
Hearing the compliment, Arnold felt genuinely pleased. He had always treated Aurora like a granddaughter–so to hear someone praise her like that warmed his heart. “Thank you, Miss. It’s thanks to your good teaching too.”