After Michelle’s mom abandons her, the teenage girl vows to prove she isn’t a burden. Overcoming many obstacles, Michelle eventually confronts the woman who left her behind.

Michelle didn’t realize something was wrong until her stepdad, Eugene, collapsed onto the sofa, crying. They found a note from Mom on the coffee table. Michelle snatched it up.

“Michelle, don’t.” Eugene reached for the note.

She reversed out of his reach. She needed to know. Her eyes raced over the words:

“I can’t do it anymore. I never wanted children, but I tried my best to care for Michelle. That burden has taken the best years of my life. Now that she’s sixteen, I’m pursuing my dream of becoming an actress…”

Burden. Was that all she was? She turned to Eugene.

“And what about you? Am I a burden to you too? You could dump me like a dog.”

“Never!” Eugene dropped to one knee and hugged her. “I love you like my own, and I’ll never abandon you.”

Michelle returned the hug, but her mother’s words lingered. It wasn’t her fault she needed help.

“Look at me, Shelly. You’ve done nothing wrong. It will be tough, but we’ll carry on without her.”

No. Michelle decided then to prove her mother wrong. One day, when she was successful, she’d make her mother see.

Michelle worked hard, graduated top of her class, and shocked friends by choosing to major in film studies.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” Eugene asked at dinner. “I’m concerned you’re choosing film for the wrong reasons.”

“I want to be a director,” she replied. “What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s fine, as long as it’s not because of your mother.”

Michelle shrugged. “I like movies; I really want to get into cinematography.”

Students stared when she entered class. One girl, Lila, leaned over to whisper to her friend, both snickering. A few days later, Lila argued about film quality.

“I think both formats have benefits,” Michelle said.

“Only if you’re lazy,” Lila snapped.

“Go ahead and shoot silent movies in monochrome; I’m in the twenty-first century,” Michelle shot back.

Students laughed, but Lila glared at her.

After class, Lila and her friends cornered Michelle.

“You don’t belong here,” Lila snarled. “I want you out of my class.”

“Your class?” Michelle arched an eyebrow. “Get over yourself.”

As she turned, Lila tipped her wheelchair backward.

“Not so fast,” Lila sneered, steering her toward a utility closet.

“Let me go!” Michelle cried.

“Showing you who’s in charge,” Lila said, shutting the door and turning off the light.

A janitor found Michelle half an hour later.

“I don’t think you should return until she’s expelled,” Eugene said. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I pressed charges,” Michelle said. “I won’t let her get away with this.”

Her lawyer, Mr. Abubakar, warned her it would be tough. “Lila has wealthy parents and will have a stable of lawyers.”

“I’m ready for this fight,” Michelle insisted.

Mr. Abubakar reviewed her notes during their next meeting. “You’ve done an impressive job,” he said.

“Thanks! I just have a knack for research.”

He discussed their strategy. Michelle noticed framed pictures on his wall.

“Omg, that’s a famous actor,” she exclaimed.

Mr. Abubakar chuckled. “Those notes are from former clients. I was a junior partner in an entertainment firm.”

“Why did you leave?”

“Long story.” He smiled. “Let’s focus on your case.”