Lina sat on her bed, staring at the crumpled report card she had hidden under her pillow. The red marks stared back at her like a warning. She sighed heavily, then tossed it aside and stood up.
“I need to get out of here,” she muttered to herself.
She grabbed her bag, slipped on a light jacket, and headed downstairs. Her mother was in the living room, reading a magazine.
“I’m going to the mall for a bit,” Lina said, forcing a cheerful tone.
Her mother looked up and smiled. “Alright, sweetheart. Have fun. Don’t stay too late.”
Lina nodded and left the house quickly before her father came home and started asking about her grades.
The mall was busy but not overwhelming. Bright lights, soft music, and the smell of fresh popcorn from the food court made Lina feel a little lighter. She wan
