Hello. My name is Amy. My father divorced with my mother a few years ago. Now, I live with my mother. I am 15 years old and this is my story.

It was a school day and the mid-term examination was finally over. When the bell rang, it was time to go home. I packed my books and got out of class. As I passed the notice board near the school hall, I saw a huge crowd of students there. At first, I wasn't interested but my curiousity was starting to grow over me.   I couldn't help but take a peek at the notice board. 
Guess what? It was a notice about the school annual party. For the other girls, a party is something exciting and fun. But to me, the party is something for me to worry about. When it comes to a party, of course that everyone will talk about pretty dresses and sparkling necklaces. Well, everyone except me, obviously.
Truthfully, I've never attended the annual party before. And I never thought of attending it. It's just a party, after all. Why does it matter so much? Without turning back, I made my way out of school. Suddenly, someone grasped my hand stopping me from going. It was my friend, Anna.
"You're going home already? What about the party? Everyone in school is talking about it. Don't tell me you're not going this year?" asked Anna.
"Well, I guess not. Why?" I replied back.
"Again?! Come on, Amy. Seriously?"asked Anna in disbelief.
"That's right. If it matters so much to you, then you can just go on without me. I'll be fine." I replied again while walking towards my house.
Anna just shook her head. She kept on talking even though we already reached my house.
"You can't be like this forever, Amy. Come on. If its about a dress, then why don't we hang out in town tomorrow? After all, tomorrow is Saturday. Right?" asked Anna.
I let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine, whatever." I said and went into the house. I didn't know why I said that. I never meant to say 'yes'. I never even wanted to go out. I felt a pang of regret flowing inside me.
When I went inside, I heard a clang in the kitchen. It was my mother. She was arranging some pots and pans. Well, that explains all the noise. She greeted me with the same tired smile everyday.
"You must be hungry and tired. Go ahead and eat. I already prepared lunch for you." said mother.
"I am tired, mother but you look more tired than me. Come and join me for lunch." I said with a smile.
"It's alright, dear. I'm not hungry yet." Mother replied.
Then, I noticed something. My mother's clothes were very dirty. What had she been doing all day?
"Mom, your clothes are dirty and you look extremely exhausted. Did you get a job somewhere?" I asked while looking deep into my mother's eyes.
My mother was quite for a while. She seemed to be thinking about something?
"Mom?"
My mother was startled when I called her.
"Oh? Yes, I did. Its somewhere in town. I work as a clerk in an office." said mother.
"Really? That's great! Wait, if you work in an office, then why are your clothes dirty?" I asked suspiciously.
"Err.. That's because I was cleaning the house just now. I haven't started working yet." replied my mother.
"Oh, alright. Mom, Anna asked me out to town tomorrow. Can I go? After all, mid-term exam is finally over." I said softly. My mother hesitated for a few seconds. At first, I thought mom would never let me out with my friends because      she said that the town is a dangerous place to be especially when I'm alone. She said there are a lot of robberies going on in town nowadays.Actually, she's just worried about me.
"Alright, dear." said my mother.
I was a bit taken aback. Mother had never allowed me to go town without her before.
"Really? Thanks, mom!" I replied happily.
However, I could sense something different with my mother. I wonder...
Could my mother be hiding something from me?

The next day, I got up early to the sounds of birds chirping outside the window in my room. I got dressed very quickly and took my breakfast in the kitchen. The house was really quite and there were no signs of my mother anywhere. Where could she be?
That's when I saw a note on the front door. It was from my mother. Here's what she wrote:

Dear Amy,
I have to leave for work early in the morning. I have prepared breakfast for you on the table. I'll be back by noon. Have fun with Anna in town.
-Mother-
Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. When I opened the door, Anna greeted me with a warm smile on her face. She was dressed casually but still looked very neat.
After I locked the door, we were on our way to town. Anna's mother, Mrs Lisa is a a very friendly woman. She was very happy to give us a ride on her way to work.
When we reached town, Anna pulled me into a boutique. I had no choice but to follow her since I rarely go to town.
"This is my favourite boutique, Amy. This shop has the best dresses ever. I'm going to buy a dress for the party here. What about you? Don't you want to buy anything?" asked Anna.
"No, why should I? I'm not going to the party." I said while looking around the shop.
"Oh, come on. Go ahead and look around, Amy. There must be something that will suit you." said Anna before walking towards a rack of beautiful dresses.
Without any choice, I looked around the shop. As I was walking, something caught my eyes. It was a beautiful baby blue dress. I had never seen such a beautiful dress before. I touched the soft silky dress. It would be really great if I could wear it to the party...
"Amy! There you are. I'm hungry, I haven't taken my breakfast yet. Let's go find a place to eat." called Anna while walking towards me.
However, my eyes were still glued to the dress. I couldn't staring at it since the first time I laid eyes on it.
"Amy? Are you listening? Come on! We can shop later. I'm starving!" said Anna dragging me out of the shop. I let out a heavy sigh.
As we were searching for a cafe along the streets, we bumped into a group of girls. When I saw them, I am really sure that today is going to be the worst day ever. Mina, the girl who was walking ahead of the other girls approached us first.
She had a sarcastic smile on her face. Seriously, I feel like running away right now.
"Hi! What a coincidence to meet you here!" said Mina sarcastically.
"We're just here to find some dresses for the party. We should get going now. Come on, Amy." urged Anna while pulling my hand. However, Mina was quick enough to stop us.
"You and Amy are shopping? Unbelievable!" Then, she and her friends burst out laughing. I knew this would happen. She was about to humiliate us again as usual.
"Hey, Amy. Where do you get the money to buy dresses? Your mom collected them in the garbage can for you?" Then, she bursted out laughing again. This time, I was confused. What does she trying to mean?
"What do you mean? I don't understand." I asked with a higher voice.
"You don't know? Poor girl, your mom must have lied to you." Mina replied  with a sarcastic smile on her face.
"I don't understand! Just tell me!" I began to lose my patience.
"If you really want to know, then why don't you go to corner of that street. You'll find your answer there." said Mina before walking away with a sarcastic smile.
Without wasting time, I dashed towards the corner of the street. When I reached there, I was taken aback. Now I understood what Mina had said. It was my mother and she was collecting trash from the garbage bins. I couldn't believe it. How could she? How could she lie to me?
Because I was so angry, I ran away as fast as I can. I took a bus home using the only money left in my pocket. At home, I locked myself in my room and cried as much as I want. I felt so embarrassed.
Suddenly, I heard someone opening the door. When I went outside, it was my mother. She was holding a plastic bag but  I didn't bother with it.
"Hello, dear. You're back early. I've brought something for you. Its a.." Before she could finish, I cut her off.
"How could you lie to me? I trusted you!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"I... I'm sorry.. I didn't want you to feel embarrassed with me." My mother reached out for my hand but I quickly stepped back.
"Because of your lies, I was humiliated in front of my own friend! It you wouldn't lie, none of this would have happened!" I cried before I ran away with tears flowing. I didn't know where I was going but I kept on running.
Until I didn't realize that I had come upon a busy road. A car was speeding towards me. I thought that my life was over  until I felt that my body was pushed  to the side of the road. Behind me, there was a loud crash.
Slowly, I turned around and saw a weak body lying on the ground with blood flowing from her head.
"Mom!" I cried while running towards her. This is all my fault. If wasn't so selfish, mother would never be like this. I am sorry, mother. I knelt down beside her and cried as much as I want. Many people came to lend a hand. Fortunately, one of them called the ambulance.
A few minutes later, the ambulance finally came and took my mother to the hospital to be treated. At the hospital, my mother was given a treatment. She had a severe injury on her head. Therefore, she had to go through a surgery. I cried so much when I heard the news.
I had to wait for hours for the surgery. As I was waiting, my neighbour, Mrs Wendy arrived. My eyes were still ted with tears rolling down my cheeks but I forced a smile at her.
She smiled back. She was carrying the same plastic bag that my mother was holding before I ran away.
Mrs Wendy sat beside me and patted my back softly to comfort me. I felt a bit better since I needed the support.
"Amy, have a lot of strength. I'm sure your mother will be alright." She said with a soft voice.
"There's something you have to see. I think its from your mother. She wanted to give it to you today." explained Mrs Wendy while handing me the plastic bag.
I took the bag and looked inside it. There was a note in the bag.

Dear Amy,
I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I hope that this gift will remind you of our strong bond and relationship. I also wanted to say sorry for telling you lies about our current problem. The truth is, I don't have a stable job. Every morning, I have to cook at the canteen in a primary school at the crack of dawn. I also had no choice but to sell empty tin cans from the garbage to earn extra money. However, the money was still not enough. Therefore, I worked as a dish-washer in a local restaurant in town. I lied to you because I didn't want you to worry about our problem. I was afraid that it might affect your academic performance in school. I'm so sorry that you have to live like this, Amy. Please know that I will always love you.
-Your Mother-

After I read the note, my eyes started to water. I dug my hand in the bag and to my surprise, it was the blue dress that I saw in town just a few hours ago. I stared at the dress for a long time. She did all kinds of work just to buy an expensive dress for me?
"Amy, your mother once told me that she didn't have any money, wealth or gold to give you. But she said that she will shower you with love every single day. All she wanted was to see your happiness. That's why she bought you a dress. She knew that you had always wanted to go to the party but you can't go since you had no dress. Today is your birthday, isn't it?"
I couldn't take it anymore. I burried my face in my hands and cried as much as I want. My heart was overwhelmed with sadness. How could I be so selfish?
Suddenly, the doctor came so I quickly stood up.
"How is my mother?" I asked the doctor.
"Your mother's condition is stable now but she cannot be discharged yet. Until she has fully recovered, she has to stay here so I can monitor her." the doctor replied.
Me and Mrs Wendy breathed a huge sigh of relief. Without a moment to lose, I dashed inside the ward and found my mother lying on bed. She had a weak smile on her face when she saw me. I ran towards her and gave her a hug.
"Mother, I'm sorry I hurt you. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't because of me." I said in tears.
"It's alright, dear. I understand your feelings." She said while patting my back.
"Mother, thank you so much for the dress. I really appreciate it but you don't have to give me anything for my next birthday anymore." I said with a smile.
"Why not?" My mother asked with a frown.
"Because you are the most beautiful gift ever." I replied.
Then, we both smiled.
                      -The End-