Hello. Goodbye - Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen.

The drive home wasn't bad at all. After leaving the late lunch with the girls, she arrived home within two hours.

Just as she stepped foot in the door, Bobby shot questions left, right and center.
"Now, answer me this... Was all this time spent away from each other worth it?"
She paused to think about it.
"Oh, now you ruined it."
"Why? How?"
"You're thinking too hard about the question."

She plopped down on the sofa, right beside where he sat with his legs up on the coffee table.

"How am I supposed to answer a question without thinking first?"
"You say the first thing that pops into your head. What was the first thing to popped in your head when I asked you the question?"
"Seriously?"
Exasperated, he muttered, "Yes, seriously..."
"Is that lipstick you're wearing?"
"What?!"
"That's what I was thinking when you asked me if all this time away from each other was worth it."

"Aww, girl. You've definitely got a case of A.D.D.."
"I know... Is it worth it, you asked? Seeing all his art, well almost all of it, was inspiring. He makes me want to work harder at my training more than ever."
"His exhibit was a success?"
"I'd like to think so. He had a few people interested in buying some pieces! And that was just the first day."
"That's good! Hopefully word will spread by mouth."

"Yeah... I hope so, too."
"Just one more month and you'll be done. Will you leave right after?"
"Most likely. You can start searching for a roommate now if you like. I won't mind."
"Oh, honey I've already found one."
Her head jerked in his direction, "Really?"
"I'm getting back together with my ex."
"Whoa, since when?"
"Long story..."

As she got up to go, she patted his knee and said, "Hope everything works out, Bobby. You know you deserve the best."
"Thanks, babe," he replied.

When Lily got back to the school the next day, she was prepared to meet her new pupil. Every month, each trainee was paired up with a new student. So far the ones she had been working with were amazing. Sometimes she felt inadequate as a teacher. But in the end each student had walked away with more confidence in their voice and more quality. At least, that's what they and the Principal told her.

Lily had occupied herself with looking at brochures for places she wanted to work for when the door screeched open as the Principal came in to the classroom with someone on her trail.

They should really fix that, Lily thought as she put away the brochures..
Looking up, her jaw dropped.

"Libby?" she whispered at the teenager who was looking down at her shoes.

"Good morning, Lily."
"Good morning Principal Kelly."
"I'd like you to meet your new pupil, Liberty."
"Hi, Liberty. Very nice to meet you," she said as she offered her hand for a shake.

Thankfully, Libby shook it.

"I'll leave the two of you to get acquainted. I hope you, Miss Liberty enjoy your classes."
"Thank you Ma'am," Libby replied with a sweet smile.
Principal Kelly left the room.

The silence seemed deadly but once it was broken, Lily's anxiety was calmed.

"Lily...?"
"Yes?" Lily asked cautiously.
"Did you know you were going to be my teacher?"
"No, I didn't."
"Lily...?"
"Yes, Liberty?' She asked as she walked around the studio picking up music sheet to begin her lesson.
"It's Libby. Liberty sounds so stuffy, don't you think?"
"Libby does roll off the tongue better," Lily teased.
"What did you want to ask, Libby?"
"Are you and my brother girlfriend, boyfriend?"

Lily felt her neck begin to heat up.

"Not yet..."
"Oh," she said, not quite revealing whether this was good or bad.
"Libby, before we start, can you answer a question for me?"
Libby shrugged, "sure."
"Would you mind very much if I were your brother's girlfriend?"
Libby looked Lily square in the eye and replied, "No, I think I might like it."
A smile broke out on Lily's face.
"Thank you, Libby. Now, how about we get the first lesson over with?"

Their lesson went off well. They needed to work on breathing techniques. Aside from that, Lily was impressed to find that Libby had such a pretty voice to offer. She shared her sentiments with her pupil.

"I heard you that night you made dinner for us. You have a beautiful voice."
"I can find too many flaws in it."
"Everyone's their worst critic, huh?"
Lily looked at Libby like she was a wise old woman.
"Yes, I think that's true. Have you chosen your final song?"
"Yup."
"Did you want us to practice that during our lessons?"
Libby shrugged, a little unsure.
"It's ok Libby, we still have a whole month for you to decide and us to work on it."
Libby smiled, "Thanks. I'll think about it."

"Did you have lunch? I live close, if you want some. What time do you get picked up today?"
"Well, I still have to call my mom and tell her what time I need to get picked up."
"Will this be our regular class length? Four hours a day?"
"Yup, I guess your parents didn't opt for the stay overnight package?"
"Nope, it was too expensive."
"Well, if you don't mind a small living space, you can sleep over a few times a week to save your parents the gas."
Libby's features perked up.
"Really?! I'll let my parents know. I'll give my mom a call now about lunch."
"Good plan!"

Libby left the room to make her call and Lily sat behind her desk to make notes on Libby, her voice, and things to work on.

Libby burst into the room.
"Ok," she beamed, "I can get picked up at your place. I just have to text the address. I told them to pick me up at 7."
"Ok, so, we'll have lunch then?"
"Yup!"
The walk home wasn't too far in Lily's opinion. Her thoughts were interrupted as Libby began to speak.

"You know? My mom was surprised to hear you were my vocal teacher. I thought you worked where my brother worked."
"I did... But I quit. I wasn't happy."
"And this makes you happy?"
"It was a dream I thought I should try."
"And?"
"And... We're here!"