The morning sun barely peeked through the grimy window as Liam Carter rolled off his makeshift mattress, his body aching from the cold, hard surface. He checked his phone—5:30 AM. No alarm needed. His body was conditioned to wake up early, even on days when he barely got any sleep.
With a sigh, he stretched his arms and moved toward the tiny bathroom attached to their cramped living space. The mirror above the sink was cracked, and the faucet leaked constantly. He turned on the tap, and a weak stream of murky water flowed out. He sighed, splashing some on his face anyway.
Another day. Another struggle.
"Liam, eat something before you go." His mother's tired voice drifted from the kitchen, where the scent of cheap instant noodles filled the air.
He hesitated. They barely had enough food left. If he ate now, what would she have for dinner? But she knew him too well.
"Don't argue. You need energy for your test," she said firmly, sliding a small bowl onto the table.
Liam gave her a grateful nod and took a few bites. The noodles were bland, but they were warm. His mother sat across from him, sipping on black coffee, her face lined with exhaustion. She worked late shifts at the diner, yet she always made sure he had something to eat.
"I'll do well today, Mom," Liam promised. "I'll ace the test."
She smiled, though sadness lingered in her eyes. "I know you will, sweetheart."
Liam grabbed his tattered backpack, stuffed with secondhand books and half-working pens, and stepped outside. The world beyond their home was just as merciless.
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School: A Battlefield
Liam walked through the school gates, dodging groups of rich kids in brand-name clothes, laughing and talking about weekend trips and expensive gadgets.
They barely acknowledged him. Why would they? He was just another poor kid in a school dominated by the wealthy and privileged.
"Hey, Carter."
Liam tensed. Not again.
A foot shot out in front of him, and before he could react, he tripped forward, landing hard on the concrete. Laughter erupted around him.
"Oops. My bad," Jake Reynolds sneered. He was the school's golden boy—wealthy, athletic, and popular. He had everything Liam didn't.
Liam gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. His palms burned from scraping the ground, but he refused to show weakness.
Jake leaned down, smirking. "Don't take it personally, man. Some people are just born losers."
Liam clenched his fists but forced himself to stay silent. Getting into a fight wouldn't solve anything.
A teacher finally noticed the commotion and half-heartedly told Jake to "move along." No punishment. No consequences. Just another reminder that power and money ruled everything.
Liam dusted himself off and entered the classroom. The test was starting soon, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.
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A Desperate Wish
Hours later, Liam stared at his nearly blank test paper, heart pounding.
He had studied. He had worked hard. But his mind was exhausted, his thoughts sluggish from hunger and stress. The equations blurred together, and time slipped away too quickly.
When the bell rang, he knew he had failed.
As he left the school, a deep frustration boiled inside him. No matter how hard he worked, nothing changed.
He kicked a stray rock down the street, his thoughts dark.
Is this all there is? A life of endless suffering?
"If I had one chance… just one… to change everything, I'd take it."
The wind howled in response, carrying his whispered words into the sky.
He had no idea the universe was listening.
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