"Everyone is racing against time. You've already been absent from campus for a week. Do you know how far behind you are? What will you do if you have to delay graduation?"
"Don't blame us for being ruthless. We're all doing it for your own good."
I had been hanging for an hour and I felt uncomfortable.
"Mom, please let me go ...."
Her face changed immediately and she slapped me.
"You are such a pretentious shit!! I tried to talk to you in a nice way, but you didn't listen and insisted on being a loser!"
"I'm telling you, as long as you don't die from studying, then study till you die. Don't give me excuses! Bullying or depression? Bah! I don't believe in any of that!"
My parents and uncles were so busy drinking and enjoying their meal that they ignored me.
My five-year-old brother, Oliver Leander, sneaked over, stuffed a candy into my hand and touched my face with his little hands.
"Hey, Olivia, do you feel pain?"
"I'll give you a whoosh ...."
Oliver blew on me, trying to make me feel better.
"Oliver, don't bother with your sister! She's just a useless person!"
Hearing our mother curse, the little boy had no choice but to walk away in grievance.