apter 59 The Piano Performance

“Teacher, I didn’t fill it in randomly, Eliza said.

“But you

didn’t know how to y the piano before, did you? Even your sister might not be able to y this piece well. Are you sure you didn’t just make it up?”

The music teacher handed the sign–up sheet back to Eliza and said, “Think it over again. Don’t waste the spot.”

I can y the piano, teacher,” Eliza insisted

There are many people in our school who can y the piano, but few who can y it well. Being able to y and ying well are not the same thing. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The music teacher clearly didn’t believe in Eliza’s ability.

After a brief silence, Eliza directly changed the piece on the sheet to a simpler one, “Whispers Beneath the Keys”

The next day. Naomi already had thetest New Year’s Eve party program in her hand. When the students from ss One saw the program, they allughed.

b“/bEliza is going to y Whispers Beneath the Keys? Wasn’t it the bCrimson /bbRhapsody /byesterday?”

“Who doesn’t know how to brag? I never saw Eliza y the piano at the bst /barts performance. I think she just wants to copy

Naomi

Ever since Naomi had started dating Zayden, the school’s opinion had swung overwhelmingly in her favor

Everyone thought Naomi and Zayden were a perfect match.

After all, Naomi was recognized by Zayden’s mother as her future daughter–inw, and no one wanted to offend the future Mrs. Holt

Naomi walked up to Eliza and said with a sigh, “Eliza, I’ve never heard that you can y the piano. Do you really know how? bDon’t /bget me wrong. I’m just worried about you. I heard there will be some important people at this party. I know you want to make a ssh, but Whispers Beneath the Keys is btoo /bbsimple/b. If you can’t even y bthat /bwell, it’ll be embarrassing.”

Naomi’s tone bwas /bfilled with concern for Eliza.

bAnyone /bbwho /bdidn’t bknow /bbetter bwould /bbthink /bbNaomi /bwas being incredibly kind to her sister.

Someone nearby said, “Naomi, bwhat’s /bthe big deal? Let her y. Besides, ss Six doesn’t have any other acts. We’ll just watch

the show.”

“Yes, I think someone’s just trying to force it. I heard that Eliza can’t y the piano at all.”

Naomi nced reproachfully at the two ssmates beside her band /bbsaid/bb, /b“Stop it. My bsister /bbdoesn’t /bbreally /bknow how to y the bpiano/b. It’s already good that she can y Whispers bBeneath /bthe Keys.

Listening to Naomi’s words, Eliza felt bnauseous/b. As she turned to bleave/b, Zayden bsuddenly /bwalked out from ss One band /bbgrabbed /bEliza’s wrist, saying, “Come bwith /bmeb./b”

bNaomi’s /bface bflickered /bwith difort bfor /bba /bbmoment /bbwhen /bshe saw Zayden btake /bEliza away. A ssmate asked curiously. “bNaomi/b, why did bZayden /btake Eliza away?”

Sering the puzzled looks around her, bNaomi /bbforced /ba bsmile /bband /bbsaid/b, Zayden just wants to prevent my sister from making a fool of herself. After all, there will be important people at this byear’s /bNew Year’s Eve party. We can’t afford to be careless.”

I see. I think Eliza is not only trying to steal the spotlight but also btrying /bto catch Zayden’s attention. Naomi, you have to be

careful.

“Yes, does she really think ying a piano piece will win Zayden over? She should take a good look bat /bbherself /bin the mirror.”

Listening to her ssmates gossip, Naomi felt uneasy inside.

Since the day before yesterday, Zayden hadn’t spoken to me at all.

And today at school, there hadn’t been a single nce exchanged between us.

bCould /bit be that Zayden had really taken a liking to Eliza?

Naomi frowned in frustration.

Never mind, as long as I could catch the eye of an important person at the New Year’s Eve party, as my parents had said, my future would ibe /ismooth sailing. I don’t necessarily need Zayden.

On this side, Zayden had already pulled Eliza upstairs.

“Zayden! Let me bgo/bb!/bb” /b

Eliza’s wrist was tightly held by Zayden. After they reached a deserted floor, Zayden finally released her.

“Why didn’t you fight back?”

Recently. Eliza had been quite sharp–tongued, but facing the ridicule and mockery from Naomi and her ssmates just now, Eliza hadn’t reacted at all.

“Fight bback/b! bMe/b?”

Eliza suddenlyughed and said, “Why would I waste my time and energy on people who don’t matter?”

Hearing this, Zayden fell silent.

Eliza said, “I’m fine. I’m leaving now. Don’t just touch me casually in the future”

With that, Eliza bwas /babout to bgo /bdownstairs.

But at this moment, Zayden spoke, “I already know that Naomi was the one who spread the rumor about you band /bNn having a hotel room together.”

Eliza’s figure froze. She basked/b, “And bthen/bb?/bb” /b

…..I’m sorry.”

“Oh, I heard youb.” /b

Eliza didn’t seem to care much.

you..

Zayden said. “Eliza. I’m bnot /btrying to discourage you, but when it bes /bto pianob, /byou can’t beat Naomi. I suggest yo change to another act

“Even byou /bthink I can’t beat bNaomi/b?”

Zayden bdidn’t /bspeak

Not only did he think bso/b, but all the students and teachers bin /bthe school felt the same way.

Naomi had been learning the piano since she was young, had bendured /ba lot of hardship, and was very btalented /bin this area.