Chapter 1

At month's end, Sofia Rossi checked her spending and had only used 130 dollars.

I saw her dad's new Facebook post. It's a screenshot of her bill.

Sofia's dad wrote, "My daughter spent only 130 dollars on living expenses this month. While others overspend, she knows how to save. We're proud of her."

A row of likes and relatives commented, "Sofia is so filial!"

I looked at the extravagant takeout spread on Sofia's desk.

Then I saw my phone bill was 1500 dollars and wondered how did I spend so much more than her?

*****

A month into college, I was still adjusting as a freshman.

At month's end, I stared at the number on my phone, troubled.

1622 dollars, over budget again this month.

I sighed, rubbed my temples, and vowed to cut back next month.

"Lynn, how much did you spend this month?" Sofia called.

She poked her head out from her top bunk and waved her phone at me.

"I spent just over 150 dollars, and my dad praised me," she said.

I looked up at Sofia, who grinned smugly, eyes shining with triumph.

Her phone screen showed, 150 dollars.

I stared at her, stunned. "Just over 150 dollars?" I asked, unbelieving.

"How is that possible? Eating out costs more."

Sofia shrugged and put away her phone.

She grinned, "Just be thrifty! You splurged again."

She climbed down from her bed wearing the dress she bought last week for 300 dollars.

She walked to her desk where a fancy takeout had just arrived.

The Unadon set included seafood soup and packaging from the priciest Japanese restaurant near our campus.

I spent 43 dollars to treat the dorm for my birthday last week.

Sofia noticed me staring and opened the takeout box.

"Hey, ometimes you just gotta spoil yourself," she teased with a smug grin.

I glanced at the insane total on my phone and felt something was off.

This month, my money vanished fast, which I blamed on too much online shopping.

Something didn't add up.

As I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed with a Facebook notification.

I opened it and saw a post from Sofia's dad.

"My daughter spent only 130 dollars on living expenses this month. Unlike many young people who overspend, she knows how to save. We're proud of her," he wrote.

The post showed Sofia's bill at just over 130 dollars.

Likes lined up, and relatives commented, "Sofia is so filial!"

"Few girls are this thoughtful," one relative said. "Sofia has always been good," another added.

My finger hovered, unsure whether to like the post or scroll past.

Sofia picked up a piece of unagi, took a bite, and smiled when she saw me watching.

"Your dad just posted about you on Facebook," I said flatly.

"That's my dad. He makes a big deal out of nothing," she responded.

She tried to sound casual, but her grin showed otherwise. "I saved a lot this month, so I can't blame him for being happy."

I nodded silently, the strange feeling in my gut growing stronger.

Did Sofia really spend just over 150 dollars this month?

What about the new makeup set on her desk or the necklace she bought last week?

She gets fancy takeout almost daily.