"Lily," her mother called softly, a warm smile spreading across her face. "I was just getting ready to come visit you," she added.
Lily's jaw dropped. "Visit me at school? Thank goodness I arrived first," she thought, then forced a smile. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Mum," she replied sweetly.
Her mother shook her head lightly. "The principal already explained everything to me. I simply wanted to check on you," she responded, her gaze shifting to Angus and Liam.
"These two are… your classmates?" she remarked.
"Hello, Mum!"
"Hello, Mum!"
Liam and Angus greeted in unison.
"Mum?" Lily's mother echoed, her eyes snapping back to Lily as she scanned her from head to toe.
Lily bit the corner of her lip. "Can you two be any more direct?" she complained inwardly.
Sensing the awkward tension, Liam hurried to break the silence. "Can… can we call you Mum?" he asked hesitantly.
