A memory suddenly surfaced.
When I was little, I once had a high fever that wouldn't break. In my delirium, I felt like another "me" was fighting for something inside my mind.
When I finally woke up, Mia was suddenly able to recite a classical poem I had only just learned. Meanwhile, I couldn't remember a single word of it.
From that day on, it felt like there was a hole in my head. At critical moments, I would be hit by a strange emptiness, as if something had been siphoned away from me.
Mia had been stealing from me—my thoughts, my knowledge, every problem I solved late into the night, and even the absent doodles I didn't think twice about.
Faced with my silence, Mia lost interest and pouted. "Mom, Dad, I'm heading to my Arithmetiad class. Do Solana's earnings even cover my intensive training fees? I heard it's ten thousand a month."
Mom immediately put on a fawning smile. "Of course, they do. I'll borrow more if I have to. Mia, just focus on your studies and don't get distracted!"
I watched Mia's proud back as she walked away.
My hand slid into my pocket and tightened around a wrinkled scrap of paper I had hidden. On it, written in thick red ink, was "1+1=3".
The next day, I didn't go to the factory. Instead, I went back to school.
When my homeroom teacher, Mr. Boyle, saw me, his eyes were full of pity and confusion. "Solana, what are you doing here? Did something… happen? Are you in trouble?"
It was the final stretch of senior year, the most critical period, and I had chosen to drop out right at its edge. All the teachers thought I had given up on myself, but they didn't know the truth.
Mom and Dad had personally come to school with my withdrawal form. In front of all the teachers, they said I wasn't cut out for studying and would be better off if I worked and supported my genius sister, Mia.
I shook my head and took out a stack of money from my pocket. It was slightly damp with sweat. I placed it on his desk. This was everything I had secretly saved. Even the registration fee had been borrowed after I begged a woman at the factory.
"Mr. Boyle, I'd like to participate in the National Arithmetiad this year."
Mr. Boyle froze. He adjusted his glasses, his expression conflicted. "Solana, this isn't something to joke about. You haven't been attending classes for a long time. And besides, your grades…"
He didn't finish, but I understood what he meant. In this school, I was the epitome of dumb.
Every day, I was the first one to arrive in the classroom and the last one to leave. My scratch paper piled up like a small mountain, yet my scores always hovered at the very bottom, either last or second-last place.
Everyone said the same thing—Solana Lawson simply wasn't made for studying.
I looked at Mr. Boyle and spoke clearly, word by word. "Mr. Boyle, please give me a chance."
There was no pleading in my eyes, only a cold, unyielding resolve.
In the end, he let out a long sigh and took the money. "Fine. I'll register you as an independent candidate. But Solana, don't set your hopes too high. Just think of it as going for the experience."
"Thanks, Mr. Boyle."
I thanked him and turned to leave.
When I returned to my so-called home, Mia was sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, ordering Mom around as she peeled an apple for her. The peel couldn't even break once.
When she saw me, she frowned. "Why are you back so early today? Did the factory finally fire your useless ass?"
I ignored her and walked straight toward the stairs leading up to the attic.
"Stand right there!" Mia suddenly screamed. "I'm talking to you! Are you deaf or what?"
I paused and turned back to look at her, my expression flat. "I quit my job."
"What?"
Not only Mia, but even Mom and Dad, who had been busy in the kitchen, rushed out like startled cats whose tails had been stepped on.
Mom charged at me, hand raised to slap me across the face. "Have you gone crazy, you brat? How can you just quit a stable job like that? What about Mia's tutoring fees next month? Are we supposed to starve because of you?"
I tilted my body and dodged. Her nails scraped across my cheek, leaving a burning sting behind. Coldly, I looked at Mom. "I registered for the National Arithmetiad."
The living room went dead silent for three seconds before it erupted into loud, apologetic laughter.
Mia bent over, laughing so hard tears formed in her eyes. "Solana, did your fever fry your brain? With that dim wit of yours, you're taking part in a math competition?
"What, are you going there just to fill a seat and show everyone how to score zero?"
Dad pointed at my face, his voice booming with anger. "You don't know your place, do you? Who do you think you are? You think you're Mia? Not everyone can dream of being a genius like her!
"I'm telling you, Solana, if you dare embarrass our family name, I'll break your leg!"
I looked at their twisted faces, feeling nothing but a cold emptiness. "And if I win the championship, then what?"
Mia's laughter stopped abruptly. She looked me up and down, contempt practically spilling from her eyes. "Championship? Solana, if you can win first place, I'll admit defeat in front of the whole country and eat this damn book!"
She kicked at the Arithmetiad book sticking out of her bag.
I met her eyes and said confidently, "Fine. We have a deal."
