All Chapters of His Dream, My Doom: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

When we got home, Dad practically dragged me out of the car and threw me onto my bed. "You've really gone beyond my expectations, Zephyr. Now, you're pretending you're sick to blackmail me," My dad said as he stood beside the bed pointing his finger in my face, his chest heaving with anger. "What? Now that the SAT is all over, you think you're all grown up and can do whatever you want? Let me tell you something. You may have done well on the practice exams, but until those offer letters from Kingsbridge or Central University arrive here, don't even think about pulling anything!" He pointed at my lifeless face. "You think you're the only one who's exhausted after two years of this? I gave up a promotion and quit my job for you! I'm a grown man, stuck in the kitchen all day, cooking for you, finding study materials, and calling teachers. "You haven't worked a fraction as hard as I have! And this is what you pull in the exam room! Do you know how many people at school are waiting

None of my classmates knew anything. In third grade, I had borrowed a comic book from the boy who sat next to me and gotten completely absorbed in it. When Dad found out, he immediately stormed into the school and slapped me hard in front of the whole class. He even singled out the boy's parents by name in the parents' group chat, warning them: [Keep your son under control. Just because he doesn't care about his future doesn't mean he gets to drag Zephyr down with him!] After that, I did not have the courage to hang out with my classmates outside class anymore. I was afraid their parents would scold them because of me. I envied them more than I could say. They got to play basketball together, team up in online games, and share secrets with each other. Juan was the only exception. I had been naive enough to think he treated me like his best friend, that he was the only person who understood me. That changed before our first practice exam. The pressure had kept me up all nigh

At the station, Juan denied having any part in it. "Mr. Officer, sir! I swear I have nothing to do with this! I’ve always thought there was something wrong with Mr. Lane’s parenting! He took it way too far! "Zephyr told me so many times that he couldn't sleep because of the pressure. He said he couldn't take it anymore. "I even tried talking to Mr. Lane. I told him to stop putting so much pressure on Zephyr, but he wouldn't listen! He even tore up Zephyr's offer letter from a highly ranked college! So many kids dream of going there and can't get in. It's insane!" He made himself out to be an innocent victim and a devoted friend who had been powerless to help. I floated above him and watched his performance coldly. The police also called the invigilators from that day, Mr. Martin, and several classmates to find out what had happened. Every statement pointed to the same thing. Dad had spent years manipulating me and putting me under extreme pressure to succeed. An officer set

When the SAT results came out, the whole internet was waiting to see my scores. So many people wanted to know how the tragedy would end. My mom had shut herself in her room for three days and nights without coming out. Mr. Martin called the house. "Mrs. Lane, have you checked the results? Zephyr... He..." His voice was thick with tears. He choked up before he could finish. I floated in the room, watching Mom numbly turn on her computer. Her hands shook as she entered my exam registration number and password. Bright numbers appeared on the screen. My total score was 1600 points.Mom stared at the score and started to laugh. Tears rolled down her face as she laughed. Then she slumped over the computer desk and sobbed uncontrollably. "Zephyr, I'm so sorry! It was my fault. If I had insisted you go to college after your first SAT, maybe you would still be alive. I'm useless. I couldn't protect you..." I hovered beside her and tried to hug her. I could only pass through her