Young Aria was getting ready for school. Mom offered to help, but she declined. From the look on Mom's face, I could tell she was hurt. Back then, I didn't care. I wanted to get ready by myself—no help needed.
Even after everything Mom had said about being herself, deep down young me still wanted to be perfect. She decided she would keep trying to be and do everything like her idol, Evelora. She just wouldn't let Mom know.
"Aria, what's the problem?" Mom finally broke the silence.
"Nothing," young Aria replied in a hushed tone.
"I know you," Mom said gently. "You're never this quiet. Are you still thinking about what I told you—"
Young Aria interrupted her.
"You're not wrong, Mom. I tried to be just like Evelora, but I promise I'll be myself from now on."
She lied.
"Thank you, baby," Mom said, relief softening her voice. "You should be happy being yourself. You're special—that's why you're different."
Her words fell on deaf ears.
"I know, Mom. No more doing everything like Evelora. I promise," young Aria said, crossing her fingers playfully.
Mom laughed, genuine and warm, unaware of what was really going on inside her daughter's mind.
"That's great, my love," Mom said, pulling young Aria into a warm embrace.
Just then, the school bus arrived. Young Aria broke away and ran outside.
"Be careful, Aria! Don't fall!" Mom called after her.
Funny how those words would follow me for years—be careful—long after no one was watching to see if I fell.
Aria stepped onto the bus and sat beside Marie. They didn't talk like they usually did—just the normal greeting. I guess Marie could tell that young Aria had something on her mind, and she didn't want to disturb her.
Young Aria sat quietly, staring ahead while her mind wandered. I watched from a distance, and I could see she was too young for all this. I was too young—too young to carry so much inside her head. But this time, her thoughts weren't about Evelora. They weren't about Mom either.
They were about the presentation on "People Who Changed the World."
The one that had unexpectedly turned into a test.
As the bus slowed, Aria wondered who else had passed — and whether this was the end, or just the beginning.
Normally, she would have told Marie everything—every thought, every worry—but this time she chose silence. She felt like waiting, like letting the truth reveal itself when the time was right.
Soon, the bus arrived at school.
Young Aria rushed out, not even waiting for Marie, and stepped into the classroom with a bright smile on her face.
"Wait—Aria!" Marie called, running after her. "What is wrong with you? What do you know?"
"What do I know?" young Aria asked, confused. "What do you mean, what do I know?"
"I mean you've been acting weird since you got on the bus," Marie continued. "You didn't even talk to me. And you love talking—no Evelora this, no Evelora that. There is something obviously wrong."
"I guess I was just occupied with my thoughts," young Aria admitted.
"Would you mind sharing those thoughts?" Marie asked gently.
Before young Aria could answer, a voice echoed through the hallway.
"Please, everyone, gather at the announcement hall," Ms. Susanna said. "I have big news to share."
Young Aria looked at Marie and smiled.
"No use," she said softly. "You'll find out soon enough."
And with that, she turned and headed toward the announcement hall.