The classroom was buzzing with chatter that morning as the teacher walked in. "Everyone, put your homework on my desk," he said firmly. Students shuffled through their bags, pulling out notebooks filled with scribbles and hurried answers.
Lina opened her bag with confidence. She had worked hard on her assignment, her pages filled with detailed solutions. But her smile faded as her hand touched nothing. She searched again. And again. The notebook was gone.
Her heart raced. She clearly remembered placing it in her bag the night before. She searched under her desk, even around her chair. Nothing.
Across the room, Sophia sat calmly, tapping her pen against her desk. A notebook poked out of her bag — a notebook that looked far too familiar.
Lina's eyes narrowed. She stood and walked toward her sister. "Sophia," she said quietly but firmly, "that's mine."
Sophia looked up, all wide eyes and fake innocence. "Oh? This?" She pulled the notebook halfway out, flashing the neat handwriting on the cover. Lina's handwriting. "I must have taken it by accident. Don't worry. I already turned it in with my name."
The teacher's voice cut across the room. "Lina, where is your homework? You've always been consistent. Did you forget this time?"
"I— I did it," Lina said, her voice steady but burning inside. "I worked hard. My notebook was in my bag. The teacher frowned. "Excuses won't help you. This isn't like you, but rules are rules." He turned to Sophia. "Excellent work, Sophia. Perfect score."
A ripple of laughter spread through the room. "Lina forgot her homework? The teacher's favorite messed up," a boy whispered loudly. For the first time, Lina didn't lower her head. She didn't cry or stay quiet. Instead, her eyes sharpened like flames. She stood tall in front of the class and said clearly, "I did my homework. Every single page. Just because it isn't in my hand doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And if anyone here thinks I'll let a little setback keep me down, you're wrong."
The room fell silent. Students blinked in surprise — they weren't used to hearing Lina speak with fire. Even Sophia's fake smile faltered for a moment before she quickly covered it.
That night, Lina sat at her desk with a blank notebook in front of her. Her parents worried as they peeked into her room. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" her mother asked softly.Lina lifted her head, determination burning in her eyes. "I'm fine. I'll do it again. Every question, every solution. And this time, I'll make it better than before."She picked up her pen and began writing with fierce energy. Her sharp memory recalled every answer. Within hours, the notebook was filled again, even neater than the stolen one.
As she closed the book, she whispered to herself, "You can try to bring me down, Sophia. But you'll never destroy me. I'll fight back, and one day, the truth will burn brighter than your lies."
In that moment, Lina's hidden fire began to awaken.