Chapter 3

The next morning, I planned to wear my brand-new school uniform to say goodbye to my friends.

But when Mom saw the clothes I was wearing, her face instantly darkened.

"Leo, have you gone crazy from all that studying?"

"Why on earth are you wearing a new uniform for no reason?"

The muffin in my mouth suddenly tasted bland.

I stammered, "Because..."

Noah adjusted his glasses, his voice chillingly cold.

"Everyone at school is saying Leo's dating a girl. Looks like it's true."

Dating a girl?

I was just asking the class rep for help on the last difficult math problem...

But Mom didn't listen to my explanation; she slapped me hard.

She was trembling with anger: "Oh, so you're dating now!"

"And I even felt guilty yesterday, blaming myself for getting mad at you over one point!"

"I never thought your mind would already be off your studies!"

The spot where she slapped me felt hot.

Before I could even cry out in pain,

She forcibly stripped off my new uniform,

And shoved the faded, washed-out uniform onto me.

She also messed up my hair, which I had spent so long styling.

In the mirror, I looked utterly insane.

"From now on, this is how you're going to school!"

"Let's see if you still dare to have bad thoughts!"

I looked pitifully at Dad,

Every time I looked at him, he would play peacemaker and calm Mom down.

But this time, he was angry too.

"Looking at me won't help, just do as your mom says!"

"You're young, you should be studying hard, not wasting your time on these irrelevant things!"

I sniffled, holding back my tears.

Just as I was about to grab a muffin to eat on the way,

Mom slapped my hand away.

"Eat what? Eat what?!"

"Get to school right now! Just looking at you annoys me!"

I quietly packed my backpack and waited for Noah by the door.

Mom helped Noah straighten his collar and handed him a packed lunchbox.

"The fruit today is great. Don't forget to share with your friends at school."

As if sensing my pitiful gaze,

She coldly glanced at me.

"You don't get any today."

"You'll get fruit slices when you come in first place."

I nodded disappointedly.

But then I remembered it was my last day with them,

I still tried to force a smile for her.

"Okay, Mom."

Just as I was about to leave, she called out to me again: "Wait!"

"I haven't given you your stuff yet!"

I felt a flicker of joy.

But the next second, her actions shattered all my expectations.

She shoved a thick stack of workbooks into my backpack.

It was so heavy that my shoulder dropped an inch.

Then, without hesitation, she pushed me out the door.

"Alright, go to school."

"Oh, and by the way, from now on, you have to submit a daily report on your studies to me every single day."

"What you did at school, what you learned, you must write it all down clearly!"

"Don't think about writing something quick to fob me off. I'll call your teacher and other classmates to confirm!"

Noah was engrossed in his game, wearing headphones,

As if none of this concerned him.

My heart ached.

Why could he get perfect scores and everything he wanted so effortlessly, while I, no matter how hard I studied, could never keep up with him...

I shook my head, trying to push away all the unhappiness.

It's okay.

After today, I'll be the perfect kid in their eyes.

They won't treat Noah and me differently anymore.

I suddenly longed for tomorrow to come.