The Pain of a Middle Child

VIII

It was Wednesday, just two days sice I had met Liam's friends. But ever since I met them, my world went from Hell to Heaven. Even though my homework was piled sky high, I was feeling good.

Maybe God, the Fates, or whoever controlled my luck, thought my days were getting too joyful and happy, because they made it turn to the worse.

I was doing my homework, nothing special, just normal, everyday homework, when my mom came into my room. She saw me doing my homework, and her face became a mixture of anger, confusion, betrayal, and embarrassment.

"Do you know what your teacher sent me?" she asked, a little too calmly.

I said nothing. No, how the fuck would I know?

"She said, 'Lyla seems to be distracted in her homework, and the quality of her works have decreased these past few days.' What is the meaning of this?" her face was reddening now. "What in the world do you want to be when you grow up? You need to focus on what matters, not run around going to watch movies and having fun with you friends!"

Yeah, and Elle's going to the study room every day.

"Do you think I pay for your classes for you to learn nothing? I pay for you classes so you can go to medical school and have a successful life, Lyla Johnson!"

Medical school? Who said I wasted to go to medical school? Oh, right, mother knows best, my bad.

"Look at me, no, in the eyes." she ordered. I looked into her light brown eyes I always envied.

What, finally decided to stop paying for my classes?

"Your father and I," oh so now it's 'your father and I' now, is it? "Can't pay for schools outside Korea,"

Where the heck did that idea sprout from? Sure, I want to go abroad, but when did I say that?

"It's dangerous to go abroad, Lyla. You'll be in danger, you could get pregnant, anything can happen!"

Who in their right minds would go for me? I mean, seriously. Most people have eyes that work properly, right?

"For you to be successful and happy, you have to go to a good High school, and go to medical school." she said slowly, as if I was a toddler and couldn't understand properly.

If medical school means happiness and success, I want to go the wrong way and be miserable. I almost rolled my eyes thinking this, but managed to stop myself at the last second.

"Study while you can, your sister regrets not studying hard when she was in first grade," she exited my room, leaving me to think alone.

___________

I texted Liam right after finishing my homework. He was with his phone almost 24/7, so his answer was immediate.

Mom gave me her world famous lecture today, said she got a text from my teacher

Which one?

Dunno, Science, probably

Can't blame you, memorizing those are the worst

Ikr?

She also said smtn bout going abroad and medical school

Well, do you want to go to medical school?

My mind is set at my future coffee shop and books

Great job, my pupil

I giggled lightly at his text. He had long since given up studying, although he did study from time to time for tests and such. His parents had given up as well, buying him the workbooks he needed.

Thx, feel much better now

Np, go to sleep babe

Alright, gimmie ten mins for one video

No

Please?

No

Pretty please?

Never

With gummy worms on top?

Are they coke flavored?

Definitely

Five minutes

C'mon, ten!

Seven, then

Fine

Night, babe

See you at school

Night, love you

Love you more

As promised, I only watched one video, which was six minutes and fourty-six seconds long. After that, I left my phone downstairs and went to sleep.