6
Winter deepened. Even in the South, it
snowed.
My room was freezing. I’d finished most of my
homework during training.
“Lee! You lazy girl! It’s time for the big
cleaning!”
My body tensed; my pencil slipped, the lead
breaking. It was like dog training, conditioning
- me. Good behavior rewarded, bad behavior
<
Scolding.
My brother, two years younger, did nothing.
Mom, a woman, never considered the impact
of cold water on my period. I’d writhed in
pain, and she called me dramatic.
I didn’t want to be a dog anymore. I wanted
to be a person.
I picked up my pencil, calming myself,
focusing on my work.
At dinner, she slapped me. My brother was
shocked.
“You eat for free and hide money?”
I covered my burning cheek. “I didn’t hide
money.”
Since my teacher’s sponsorship, my parents
hadn’t given me anything. She even bought
my feminine hygiene products.
“Where’s the two thousand dollars? You
didn’t come home for the holiday; did you
spend it all?”
She yelled, as if I were an enemy. “If you do
anything wrong and ruin your brother’s chances, I’ll drown you.”
I hadn’t received the prize money yet. It would
be given at the start of the semester.
“Your classmate told my uncle,” my brother
said.
I didn’t explain, running upstairs.
My room was ransacked, pillows torn apart.
Shock and anger surged.
“Mom, why did you invade my privacy?!”
“This is my house! Two thousand dollars! You
didn’t think of the family, your brother, you
kept it all for yourself!”
Brother, brother, brother! Did they even see
me? Was I their child?
I packed my homework and ran downstairs,
slapping my brother.
“You want to go to that top high school?
Dream on! They’re eliminating the special
admissions program. You won’t get in even if you have the money.”
I left, amidst her screams.
The city was bright with lights and fireworks. I
walked alone, unsure where to go. My home
was temporary. School was closed. The dorm
was closed for the holidays.
I sat on the sidewalk, watching the fireworks,
unable to feel joy. I longed for school to start.
My phone rang. Zach’s New Year’s message.
My phone’s screen was cracked; I had to turn
it sideways to read.
He sent an apology and a long message. He’d
studied art since five, winning numerous
awards. In high school, his artwork was
accused of plagiarism, despite evidence
proving his innocence. The online hate and
his classmates‘ stares were unbearable.
“I took six months off and transferred. Lee,
do you think I’m a coward?”
<
I replied, “No. I envy you. You took a break
and returned. Transferring is hard. Your
parents helped. Mine wouldn’t. If I hadn’t insisted, I’d be working in a factory.”
He laughed. “You’re the valiant warrior
princess.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why didn’t you text?”
“Your phone is terrible. Long texts are hard. Voice is better. My Mandarin is perfect.”
We both laughed.
He mumbled, “I signed up for another art
competition.”
“Great! Good luck!”
I warmed my hands in my pockets.
“You won first prize! Not bad.” He cleared his
throat. “What college are you aiming for?”
“Peking University or Renmin University;
whichever accepts me.”
“Wow. That’s ambitious.‘
“You?”
L
“The Central Academy of Fine Arts. I’ll apply
to all of them, whichever accepts me.”
“Same here.”
Finally, “See you at the top.”
“See you at the top!”
I was about to find a shed to sleep in when I
saw my brother following me.
He hesitated, then approached.
“Going home?”
I ignored him.
“I never wanted to go to the top high school.
Mom and Dad did. My grades are worse than
yours, but I can still get into a good one.”
“Keep your money. I don’t need your help.”
I was surprised. He turned and left.
