Chapter 01
My boyfriend and I got caught for dating too young.
The homeroom teacher called in our parents, and my boyfriend’s mom went off on
- me.
This scrawny middle–aged woman stood in front of me, spewing spit as she ranted: “Seducing boys at your age! Our Jason is going to Harvard or Yale in the future! What are you? Take a good look at yourself. You’ll probably end up in vocational school working on an assembly line!
Can you take responsibility for holding him back?”
I wiped the spittle off my face and turned to look at my boyfriend Jason Brooks. He avoided my gaze and didn’t say a word.
My mom angrily retorted:
“Who do you think you are? So what if he has good grades, he’s probably just a
bookworm!”
Hearing this, Jason’s mom got even more worked up.
“Still better than your daughter’s pathetic grades! What a joke! If you can’t discipline her, I will!”
She tried to slap me but my mom grabbed her hand.
The two women started fighting and the scene descended into chaos.
Just then, the door opened.
Class representative Natalie Wilkinson walked in holding a stack of papers, her eyes darting over.
Jason’s mom recognized Natalie from when she spoke as the top student at the parent–teacher conference.
Seeing Natalie enter, she sneered through gritted teeth:
“Even if my son dated someone, he wouldn’t choose your worthless daughter! If
he dated, it would be the top student!”
I saw Natalie’s face flush slightly as she stole a glance at Jason. Jason looked up and met her gaze before quickly looking away.
1/3
01
In the end, the homeroom teacher broke up the commotion by reprimanding both
sides.
Although Jason had good grades, my family was wealthy and had given the
teacher many gifts.
The teacher didn’t want to criticize me too harshly and just said:
“Students should focus on their studies. Emily Anderson, you two should put your energy into academics from now on.”
I could tell the teacher was still partial to Jason.
After all, if the bottom of the class dated the second best student, anyone would
think I was dragging Jason down.
I pursed my lips.
“Yes, teacher.”
The teacher gave us the afternoon off to calm down.
My mom led me out the school gate without scolding me further.
Seeing the scratches on her face from fighting with Jason’s mom, my heart ached.
I had embarrassed her.
Because of my poor grades, she had spent a fortune to get me into this top school, constantly gifting and treating the teachers, just to get them to pay more attention
to me.
I was at the bottom while she didn’t even have the standing to argue with others, a
rich housewife bowing and scraping, apologizing meekly to the teacher. Because their son was second in the grade while I was dead last.
Anyone would think it was all my fault..
When others said she couldn’t educate her child properly, she, someone so proud,
couldn’t refute it.
“Mom…”
I walked over hesitantly, opening my mouth but not knowing what to say. My mom looked back at me, her expression weary.
After a while, her eyes reddened.
2/3
01
“Can’t you make your mom proud for once?”
In that moment, I finally understood heartbreak.
My mom was such a strong person. In all my years, I had never seen her cry.
But now, she wept because others insulted her daughter, and her daughter was too unimpressive for her to retort.
I felt like my heart was being crushed, twisted in pain.
Right then, it was like something clicked.
I told myself, I’m going to make my mom proud.
I’m going to get into Harvard, dammit!
