Chapter 11: A Kick to Savannah
The children’s presentations concluded. Lily, who had flawlessly made her speech, unsurprisingly won first prize. The principal personally awarded her a sticker.
Tommy watched from the audience. This was the first time he had won nothing but failure in an open match. Tears welled in his eyes as he searched for Evelyn.
“My dear grandson!” Helen approached, scooping him into her arms.
Tommy wailed, “Grandma!”
She soothed him. Don’t cry, sweetheart! You’re always the best in Grandma’s heart!” Tommy sniffled.“But Lily got a sticker… Grandma, get my mommy back. I want her to do my homework! Otherwise, I’m leaving with her!”
Tommy knew how much Helen loved him; this threat worked.
Helen’s voice hardened. If you leave, you won’t be the all–around star student!”
She wiped his face. Tommy had received the highest honor every semester. While Lily’s grades were comparable, only Tommy won the award.
She reminded him, “You’re my grandson, that’s why you receive that honor. Are you sure you want to leave with your irresponsible mother?”
Tommy’s lips tightened, burying his face in her embrace. He knew even without his mother, he would still win.
Lily approached Savannah, her chin lifted.“Apologize!”
Savannah laughed it off, chiding Lily, “Stop keeping score, girl!”
Lily, imitating a tone she must have learned somewhere, drawled, “Aunt Sav, can you just man up and do
it?”
Savannah’s face fell.“Lily, since when are you so sharp–tongued?*
Lily held up her project, her voice ringing out. Apologize to the Yellow Crane Tower!” Savannah didn’t care.“What can you do if I don’t apologize?”
Lily narrowed her eyes.“I suppose we’re gonna have to do this the hard way!”
With a swift kick to the shin, Savannah landed on the floor with a yelp. The others looked over.
“Aaah!” Savannah cried out in pain. Tears welled up.
“Caleb!” she wailed, “Caleb! My leg hurts!”
Lily saw her father approaching. Caleb helped Savannah up, asking anxiously, “Which one?”
Tears streamed down Savannah’s face; she pointed to her right leg. Caleb reached out, but before he touched her, she screamed.
“I think my leg is broken!”
“Lily! How could you hurt Sav!”
Tommy, like a knight, charged forward, shoving Lily hard. Lily stood firm, unmoved. “You asked for it!” In a fit of rage, he stomped on Lily’s Yellow Crane Tower, crushing it.
1650
Chowe
Kick to Savannah
Lily froze. Her carefully crafted project was destroyed, and a part of her heart collapsed.
“Mommy did that with me!” Tears welled up in her eyes. She shoved Tommy, causing him to stumble into Helen’s arms.
“Oh, my dear grandson!” Helen hugged Tommy, who was feigning more tears.“Grandma! Lily hit me!”
Lily clenched her fists. When she was younger, she’d accidentally hurt Tommy a few times, prompting Helen’s constant vigilance. Tommy knew how to use Grandma for leverage; she always sided with him.
Helen angrily plucked the sticker off Lily’s chest. Lily, you hit your brother! You don’t deserve this sticker! I’ll have the principal disqualify you for the whole year!”
Tommy, still in Helen’s lap, peeked at Lily.
Lily’s vision blurred with unshed tears. Her carefully constructed tower was ruined beyond repair. She felt lost and helpless.
Suddenly, a familiar figure stepped in front of her.
It was Evelyn.
“Helen, Tommy destroyed the Yellow Crane Tower first, then Lily pushed him.
Helen pointed to Savannah, who was still on her knees. “Your daughter hit her own brother, and she kicked her aunt!”
While disliking Savannah, Helen seized this opportunity to scold Evelyn. Savannah wanted Caleb’s sympathy, but she also didn’t want to appear weak. A five–year–old girl had knocked her down; her friends would laugh at her forever.
Evelyn stated firmly, “The security footage showed Savannah trying to step on Lily’s project. Many people heard their bet: if Lily won, Savannah would apologize.” She raised her voice.“Savannah, what about your apology?”
Savannah rubbed her leg. “Now Lily should apologize to me!”
“Evelyn! Enough!” Caleb knelt beside Savannah, his voice icy.“You’ve spoiled Lily!”
Helen chimed in, “You were supposed to raise Lily as a lady. Look what you’ve done!”
Tommy whimpered, triggering Helen’s protective instincts.
Helen declared, “Lily, apologize to your brother immediately, or you’re expelled! I won’t tolerate anyone threatening my grandson!”
Although Tommy had complained to Helen about Lily’s strength before, this was the first time she had seen Lily push Tommy down with a single, gentle push. Helen felt that her grandson was threatened.
Evelyn remained calm.“Mrs. Helen Reed, I know you’re a trustee, but you can’t expel students. As for what happened, I believe the cameras has captured everything.”
She glanced at a camera. “Savannah was facing the camera while speaking to Lily; everything they did is online.”
The presentation was being live–streamed by the local television station. The director had kept the cameras focused on Lily after seeing her impromptu speech. Evelyn confirmed they’d captured the incident.
ack to Savannah.
Helen was stunned. The look on Savannah’s face was funny.
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