To prepare us for the selective high school admissions exams, the school kept running a two-week intensive program even after finals ended. Classes would continue right up until winter break.
The recess bell had just rung when I held out an apology letter and slid it onto Ethan's desk.
I felt guilty for dragging him into my family's disaster last time.
"Ethan, I'm really sorry.
"My family... misunderstood you."
Ethan looked up. There was worry in his eyes.
"Mia, are you okay? That day, when your dad pulled you away..."
Before he could finish, the back door of the classroom was shoved open.
Dad had stormed in again.
"Mia Lawson!"
He roared my name and crossed the room in a few strides.
"I knew you wouldn't change!
"Is this what this prep program is for? Coming to school to date? What is this, a love letter?"
He tore my apology letter to shreds in seconds.
Ethan shot to his feet.
"Sir, you're misunderstanding. We were only talking."
Dad turned a cold look on him.
"You shut your mouth.
"I'm telling you right now, if I see you near my daughter again, I'll call the police and report you for harassment."
The classroom fell into a dead silence.
Every classmate held their breath, their faces showing shock, pity, and curiosity.
I bit my lip in humiliation and forced myself to speak.
"Dad, this has nothing to do with Ethan..."
The veins at Dad's temples bulged.
"You still dare to argue? Getting bold now, are you?"
Our homeroom teacher hurried in after hearing the commotion and quickly stepped between us.
"Mr. Lawson, please calm down. This is a school. We can talk this through.
"Mia is a good kid. Her grades have always been strong..."
Dad gave a mocking laugh and cut her off.
"Ms. Harris, I'm here to withdraw her from this program.
"A child whose mind isn't on studying will only waste money by being here."
Ms. Harris's eyes filled with regret and confusion.
"But the entrance exam is coming soon. Stopping now..."
It did not matter.
Dad dragged me away anyway.
A deep exhaustion spread up my spine.
Fine.
Home it was.
I did not want to struggle anymore.
Soon, Mia Lawson would not be here anyway.
Where I studied would make no difference.
Suddenly, a cold electronic voice sounded in my mind.
"Trial countdown complete.
"Please confirm whether you wish to begin the final transaction. You will become an academic machine and receive parental approval.
"The required price is the permanent loss of self-awareness.
"Please make your final confirmation. Do you wish to complete this fair trade?"
So the forty-eight hours had already passed.
Good.
If I became a machine, I would not hurt anymore.
They would be satisfied with the beautiful report cards an academic machine produced.
Wasn't that enough?
As for who Mia Lawson was...
It did not matter.
Let her disappear.
I nodded and said firmly, "Yes."
