Chapter 3

My mother opened her mouth, about to say something.

A knock came from outside.

A moment later the academic advisor walked in.

She glanced at me first, then asked my mother, "Is she all right?"

My mother smiled, her tone easy.

"She's fine. The second the training wrapped up outside, she woke right up."

The advisor gave me a doubtful look.

"Anne doesn't look fine to me. Maybe you should take her home to rest."

I knew the advisor wasn't saying this out of real concern for me.

She just didn't want to be held responsible if something actually happened to me.

Even so, something in me eased, and I felt a wave of gratitude toward her.

But even with the advisor saying it, my mother had no intention of giving in.

"You don't know her, Miss. She's faking it."

"It's her sister whose health is bad. She only does this to get everyone's attention."

"I can't let her keep this up. She'll go on with the training."

The advisor's face tightened with reluctance, and in the end she only said one thing.

"Then I'll have to ask you parents to stay nearby for two days. If this happens again, you take her home."

My mother promised at once. "Don't worry, Miss. We live right by the school. I won't let her cause you any more trouble."

To keep Loretta company through college, my parents had sold the house back home and moved here.

They'd even forced me to apply to the same college as Loretta.

That night I went home with them.

It was only a short trip, but it nearly cost me half my life.

Once I was lying back in bed, my body only hurt worse.

Outside there was nothing but the three of them, laughing and talking.

I don't know how long it took before it finally went quiet.

Staring up at the pitch-black sky, I couldn't feel the slightest bit of sleepiness.

The truth was, I hadn't eaten in more than ten hours.

But the pain in my body ran far deeper than hunger.

So deep that I'd overlooked the hunger entirely.

My mind churned all night, and I never slept.

By the time the sky outside began to pale, a sound came from beyond my door.

I knew it was my mother, up and about.

Loretta was picky about food and always ordered whatever she wanted the night before.

Then the next day my mother would get up early to buy groceries and cook it for her.

The strange thing was, today she didn't go out. She came to my room instead.

That had never happened before.

But I kept my eyes shut tight, with no intention of speaking to her first.

I never expected her to stop right beside my bed.

"Get up. I know you're not asleep."

Was she afraid I wouldn't go to training? Was that why she'd woken me this early?

I laughed at myself, quietly, inside.

The next second I heard her say, "Get up and take this painkiller."

My eyes flew open, and I looked at her in disbelief.

My mother had never once let me take painkillers before.

She said a person should learn to endure, not depend on medicine.

I pressed my lips together, and in the end I forced myself to sit up.

I took the pill and the cup of water from her hands and swallowed it.

Whether it was in my head or something real, the moment I finished, my body didn't feel quite so unbearable.

I opened my mouth. The words "Thank you, Mom" still hadn't left my throat.

Her voice came again from above me.

"You've taken the medicine, so get up and go be good at training."

"I'll be right there watching you. Don't even think about pulling any tricks!"