The test results came the next day.
The teacher called out names one by one.
When she reached mine, she paused.
Just for a second.
"Average," she said, and moved on.
That was it.
No shock.
No disappointment.
No questions.
I stared at my notebook.
So this was it.
I failed on purpose… and the world didn't end.
During break, my friend leaned over.
"Hey, you okay? You usually do better."
"I'm fine," I said.
And surprisingly, I meant it.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
What did you expect?
I typed back.
Something bigger.
The reply came a moment later.
Unknown Number:
That is the lie.
I frowned.
Which lie?
Unknown Number:
That people are always watching.
I looked around.
Students laughing.
Arguing.
Busy with their own lives.
No one was watching me.
For the first time, that thought felt… free.
After school, I walked home slowly.
I didn't check my phone.
I didn't look behind me.
At home, I sat at my desk and opened my notebook.
I wrote one line.
I can choose who I am when no one is looking.
My phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number:
Good.
Just that.
Nothing else.
I closed my notebook.
Something had changed.
Not outside.
Inside.
And I had a feeling this lesson was only the beginning.