Chapter 1

Mom said she hated money-wasters.

During summer vacation, Mom signed my older sister up for expensive piano lessons while I stayed quietly in my room doing my homework.

When school started, my sister got a new uniform while I dutifully wore her hand-me-downs.

Then one day, the midterm results came out.

When Mom saw my perfect score sheet, she offered to fulfill one wish for me on my birthday this year.

Trembling with excitement, I grabbed Mom’s hand and led her to the supermarket shelf displaying a sign that read “3 for 20 dollars.”

After that, I asked timidly, “Mom, can you buy me a bra?”

The next thing I knew, Mom slapped me across the face.

Before the stinging pain registered, Mom began scolding me viciously.

“You little beast! You’re still so young, yet you're hankering after a bra? You must be trying to seduce men, aren't you?"

I could feel the onlookers' stares boring into me.

Tears instantly welled up in my eyes, and I frantically explained to my mother, "Mom, it's not what you think... I have grown older now, and I need to wear a bra."

My voice trailed off even as I tried hard to explain.

Mom never had the patience to listen to my explanations.

She poked my forehead and shouted, "Everyone, look at her! Kids these days! They're so young, and their bodies haven't even developed, yet they already want to wear bras and pretend they have breasts! She's clearly doing this to seduce men! If I had known you were just a slut who only knew how to seduce men, I should have drowned you in the toilet bowl."

I stared at her helplessly, my cheeks burning with shame.

People passing by started pointing fingers and whispering behind my back.

Someone said, "Her mom was right to hit her. She's just a kid. Why does she need a bra anyway?"

Another chimed in, "Yeah, her body has not even developed, but she's already making a fuss about wearing a bra. She must have been led astray by others!"

A third added, "Kids these days are so mature, but this is too much. They will do anything just to impress some boy. If I had a daughter like that, I would be angry too."

I shook my head vehemently. I wanted to say, "No, it's not like that."

I was thin and petite for my age, but in reality, I was already fifteen.

But Mom never gave me a chance to speak.

She stared at me with a venomous gaze and finally dragged me roughly away from the crowd.

When we got home, she gave me a vicious thrashing before throwing me brusquely into my room.

Every part of my body ached terribly. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

But I didn't blame Mom at all. I firmly believed Mom loved me. She just didn't like kids who spent money needlessly.

I must have gone overboard with my birthday wish. That was why Mom got so angry.

"I'm sorry, Mom…" I mouthed silently.

In order not to anger Mom further, I got up before daybreak and went to school very early.

Unfortunately, the first lesson of the day was outdoor gym class.

Everyone else had already changed into their summer gym uniforms and was rushing out to the field.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was still dressed in my oversized school uniform, and I tried to make sure not a single thing showed.

One of my classmates called out from the doorway. "Noella, gym class is about to start. Are you done changing? If you're late, the teacher will make us run laps."

"Coming, coming!" I answered and frantically rushed out.

Three minutes later, I rushed to the field, but I was still late.

The new gym class teacher, Mr. Chevalier, spotted me, and his expression became stern.

He lectured me at once, "Noella, why are you always late? Didn't I tell you last week that we would be playing volleyball today? Didn't I instruct all of you to change into your summer uniforms before class started?"

I nervously clutched the edge of my school pants and whispered, "Mr. Chevalier, I'm really not feeling comfortable today... Can I not change, please?"

"No! If one student doesn't change, the whole class has to run five laps. If two people don't change, it's ten laps." As soon as Mr. Chevalier finished talking, the boys started snickering as they stared at my chest.

Someone started grumbling, "It's so annoying! She's always the one causing trouble. Hurry up and change! Don't drag us down with you."

"It's so hot out here. Running five laps will kill us! What a troublemaker!" another complained.

I blushed furiously and mumbled, "Mr. Chevalier, I... I'll change now..."

With trembling hands, I unzipped my school uniform to reveal the summer gym uniform underneath.

At that moment, hushed gasps swept through the crowd.

"Is she not wearing a bra?" someone whispered.

"How embarrassing! Why isn't she wearing a bra? It's showing so clearly!" another blurted out.