My stomach dropped. I could only whisper my defense.

"Mom, the school rules say parents can't stay in the dorms. How about I book a hotel for you?"

My voice was tiny.

I was terrified that one wrong word.

Would make her fly off the handle and cut off my money, just like she did at home.

"A hotel? You think hotels are free? What's wrong with your dorm room that I can't sleep here!"

"Don't you worry about it! I'll go talk to the school administration myself!"

I don't know what she told my freshman advisor.

All I know is that she was allowed to stay.

And from that moment on.

The way my advisor looked at me was filled with utter contempt.

Freshman orientation started the day after check-in.

At four in the morning.

My mom forced me to get dressed in my orientation t-shirt and shorts and go stand on the main quad.

She said I needed to make a diligent, hardworking impression on the orientation leaders and staff on the very first day.

The actual orientation activities didn't start until eight.

Severely sleep-deprived, I felt dizzy and faint under the sun, nearly collapsing several times.

Suddenly, a stream of ice-cold water was poured over my head, drenching me from head to toe.

My mom stood over me, holding a bottle of ice water and shading herself with a parasol.

She announced in a righteous voice, "Who told you to be lazy! Everyone else is trying, why do you have to be such a princess!"

I awkwardly straightened up, my eyes stinging.

A mix of ice water, sweat, and tears blurred my vision.

Everyone shot me looks of disgust for my laziness.

Who cared that because of my mom's bizarre demands, I had been standing out there for four hours longer than any of them.

During a break.

The orientation leaders asked for volunteers to perform a talent to lighten the mood.

My mom, who had sat down in the middle of our group of freshmen, kept jabbing me in the shoulder with her elbow.

Ever since I could remember, my bald head had made me deeply insecure.

I made a habit of making myself as invisible as possible in any situation.

Despite my mom's prodding, I kept my head down, refusing to go up.

After a few tries, my mom's patience ran out.

Right after a classmate finished an amazing dance performance.

She pushed and shoved me into the middle of the circle. I nervously clutched the hem of my shirt.

Desperately holding onto the orientation-issued baseball cap on my head.

The previously excited atmosphere instantly went cold with my appearance.

My mom rolled her eyes, strode into the middle of the circle, and grabbed my hand.

"You're pathetic! It's just a little talent show! How do you ever expect to make it in the real world? It's laughable!"

My mom's off-key singing, her wild and uncoordinated dancing.

Managed to draw everyone's attention.

Laughter.

Pointing.

Disgust.

Contempt…

Every expression on the faces in the crowd made me want to run.

But no matter how much I struggled.

My mom's hand held me firmly in place.

Forcing me to endure their stares.

Trapped in despair, I could only squat down on the ground and start sobbing uncontrollably.