I woke up at 6:00 am the next day.
Melody, who had just started college, came home to cheer Jason and me on before the college entrance exam.
Mom had prepared breakfast.
The others were given a serving of yogurt with two croissants, but she placed a bowl of milk in front of me.
"Samantha is in poor health, so she has to take something nutritious. Let her have it."
Melody pursed her lips. "You've been favoring her, and we don't even get a glass of milk."
Jason chimed in, "Yeah. I wonder which college your dear daughter will be accepted into after drinking so much milk."
Melody and Jason spoke in turn, and they were harsh with their words.
I stared at the bowl of milk in front of me and felt extremely uneasy.
I stood up and swapped my milk with Melody's yogurt. "Mom, I feel like having some yogurt today."
The next instant, Mom took the yogurt away from me.
She said solemnly, "I said you're in poor health. Yogurt isn't nutritious. You must finish the milk today!
"I deliberately got this fresh milk from the dairy farm for you. Drink it, or you don't get to take the exam today!"
Melody said sarcastically, "Hurry up and drink it. Don't let Mom's effort go to waste."
A spurt of anger flashed through me. "I said I'm not drinking it. Don't you get it? What is in the milk? Why must you make me drink it?"
Mom was taken aback, a hint of sorrow flitting across her eyes. Then, she set the milk down. "Forget it then. I'm worrying too much for nothing."
Melody rolled her eyes at me and chided, "What a considerate daughter. Mom even has to beg you to drink the milk."
Mom's reaction made me feel bad.
I would be taking the college entrance exam today, so I would never allow anything to affect me.
I took a bite of the croissant and said, "I'm sorry, Mom. But I really don't feel like drinking the milk today."
With that, I grabbed my exam slip and left.
…
It was my third time sitting for the exam, but I was still nervous.
Fortunately, I had revised the questions before, and everything went well.
But halfway through the exam, I suddenly struggled to stay awake.
Even the words looked blurry to me, and I could barely hold onto the pen.
I pinched my thigh hard and sobered up for a moment.
A wave of drowsiness swept over me. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.
…
I found myself at home when I opened my eyes again.
I quickly got out of bed and wanted to continue taking the exam.
My legs gave out, and I almost fell.
Just then, Mom came into the room with a glass of milk.
I quickly said, "Mom, send me to the exam hall. I'm going to take the exam!"
Mom let out a sigh. "You've slept for three days and nights. The exam is already over."
