My Mom Starved Me With AI

On the first day of my freshman year, my mother sent me ten thousand dollars for tuition and five thousand for my monthly allowance—using an AI chatbot. "Five grand a month!

Go ask around, Cassie. What other mother treats her kid like royalty?" I screenshotted my bank account balance—$12.52—and sent it to her. "Mom, AI can't transfer money.

I didn't get anything." She shot back a screenshot of her chat with the AI. "What do you mean it can't?

The AI literally said the transfer went through!" In the screenshot, my mother had typed: "Transfer fifteen thousand dollars to my daughter." The AI replied: "The transaction is complete.

Fifteen thousand dollars has been successfully deposited into the recipient's account." I scrambled to type a reply. "Mom, the AI is just a text generator.

It just says whatever you ask it to say. It doesn't actually have a bank connection!" She immediately sent over an AIgenerated "receipt." "Stop talking out of your ass!

I have the receipt right here!" "I knew you had a habit of burning through cash, but now you're lying to my face?" ...

I swallowed the lump of anxiety rising in my throat and desperately typed back: "Mom, that image is also generated by the AI because you asked it for a receipt!

Just look at your own bank balance. If the transfer actually went through, your balance would have dropped by fifteen thousand, right?" My mother replied with another screenshot.

She had asked the AI: "I sent my child her allowance, but she's lying and saying she didn't get it. Why?" The AI's response read: "This is a common warning sign.

Your child has likely spent the funds elsewhere and is pretending not to have received them in order to extract more money from you.

Older parents who are unfamiliar with modern technology are often easily manipulated by their children." Her phone call came in immediately, her voice dripping with triumph. "See?

Even the AI sees right through your little game!" "You think I'm stupid? Bank transfers have a processing delay. The balance doesn't update instantly.

You're just trying to exploit that window to scam me out of more money!" I was on the verge of tears, my voice cracking. "Mom, bank balances update in realtime now.

If you don't believe me, please just go to an actual bank branch and ask them..." She cut me off, her voice sharp and impatient. "Cut the crap. Does an AI lie?

It's a computer!" "Keep playing these games and you can kiss college goodbye. Clearly, you aren't learning anything good there anyway!" The line went dead.

I stared blankly at my phone, the digital tuition bill flashing on the screen. A cold weight settled in my chest.

My roommate, Kelsey, noticed I had finally put down my phone and walked over to my desk. "Hey, Cassie, we were just talking.

We're all putting in fifty bucks for the dorm fund." "You know, for the water dispenser, shared snacks, electricity for the AC.

The room captain will handle the payments and keep a log." Staring at my $12.52 balance, I felt my face burn with shame. "Um... can I pay you in a couple of days?" Kelsey's brow furrowed. "If you have an issue with the amount, you can just say so.

We calculated it, and it should cover most of the semester. We'll show you the receipts for everything." I shook my head frantically. "No, no, it's not that.

I'm just... a little short right now. Can I please have a few days?" My voice trailed off.

The shame was a suffocating physical weight, making me wish the floor would swallow me whole.

My three roommates exchanged loaded glances. "We literally just heard your mom on speakerphone saying she gave you five grand," Kelsey said, her tone hardening. "Why are you lying straight to our faces?" My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

I didn't try to explain. I knew trying would only make me look more pathetic. I practically fled the dorm, walking aimlessly down the commercial strip just off campus.

Fortunately, several of the local diners and shops had "Help Wanted" signs in their windows. I found a diner offering weekly pay.

With my $12.52, I figured I could survive a week if I was careful. After my shift, I went online to apply for emergency student financial assistance.

I would work to cover my food, and hopefully, the emergency funding would come through in time to pay the tuition.

But before the paperwork could even process, my academic advisor, Mrs. Hobart, called me into her office. "Cassie, your tuition is still outstanding.

We're a week into the semester now." I kept my eyes glued to the floor, nervously rubbing my palms against my jeans. "I applied for emergency assistance.

As soon as it's approved, I'll pay it immediately." Mrs.

Hobart studied me, her gaze analytical. "Did your family not help you with tuition?" "No." "Are there financial difficulties at home?" My throat tightened.

I didn't know what to say. Was my family struggling? My mom made eight thousand dollars a month.

And when my dad passed away two years ago, his company had paid out a lump sum of five hundred thousand dollars in compensation. We weren't wealthy, but we were far from poor.

We could absolutely afford college. Mrs. Hobart pulled up my file, found my mother’s contact info, and dialed. "Hello, Ms. Davis?

I'm calling regarding Cassie's tuition..." My mother's voice shrieked through the receiver, so loud I could hear it from across the desk. "Cassie hasn't paid her tuition?!" Mrs.

Hobart blinked, startled. "She told me you didn't give her the money." "She's lying!" my mother yelled. "I transferred fifteen thousand dollars to her on the first day of school!

Ten thousand for tuition, and five thousand for her first month's expenses!" "She must have blown it all on God knows what.

She's been a spoiled, reckless spender since she was a kid." "Advisor, now that she's away at college, I can't keep an eye on her.

You have to help me straighten her out!" When the call ended, Mrs. Hobart's demeanor had completely shifted.

The sympathy in her eyes was replaced by cold disapproval. "If your mother gave you the money, why haven't you paid?

What did you spend it on?" "Do you think fifteen thousand dollars grows on trees? You're an adult now, Cassie.

Start acting like one." Staring at her disgusted expression, my shame evaporated, replaced by sheer panic. "Mrs. Hobart, please listen to me. My mom didn't actually send the money.

She tried to do it through an AI chat app. I never received a dime." Mrs.

Hobart let out a dry, incredulous laugh. "Don't you think that's a bit too absurd of a lie?" "Are you insulting your mother's intelligence, or mine?" I reached into my pocket, desperate to show her the text thread.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Save it. Kids your age are great with Photoshop and editing screenshots. I don't need to see your proofs." "You have three days.

If the tuition isn't paid by then, you will be administratively dropped from all your classes." Walking out of her office, my phone buzzed in my hand.

It was a notification from the financial aid office. My emergency loan application had been denied.

Reason: "Applicant does not meet financial hardship criteria based on parental income verification." Right on cue, my mother’s name flashed on the screen. "Cassie, what the hell is wrong with you?

Applying for a student loan?" "I gave you plenty of money!

Going behind my back to get a loan—are you trying to embarrass me?" "When the financial office called me to verify, I told them you didn't need it.

Stop trying to scam people!" It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. The tiny flicker of hope inside me died. "Mom, I don't have the money for tuition.

They're going to expel me!" She scoffed. "Then that's your own fault for squandering what I gave you." The line clicked shut.

I walked back to the dorm like a ghost, my throat parched and burning.

I picked up my water bottle to fill it at the communal dispenser, but Kelsey spoke up, her voice sharp. "You don't contribute a single penny, but you sure have the nerve to drink our water." "What, do you think water just falls from the sky for free?" My back went rigid.

I felt my face flush a burning, agonizing red. I hung my head, my voice barely a whisper. "Can I pay you tomorrow?

I get my paycheck from my parttime job tomorrow." Zoe snatched the bottle out of my hands. "We heard all about it, Cassie.

You went to the advisor's office and pretended your mom didn't give you money, and she called your mom right in front of you." "Does a single honest word ever come out of your mouth?

If you're paying tomorrow, you can drink tomorrow." That night, lying in my bunk, my throat was dry and raw. I slipped into the bathroom under the guise of washing my face.

Cupping my hands under the cold tap water, I took a few desperate gulps.

The freezing tap water slid down my throat and into my stomach, but it couldn't touch the chill creeping into my bones.

In my first seven days of college, I ate plain white bread for six. Now, with only fifty cents left in my account, I couldn't even afford that. My phone buzzed incessantly.

My aunt Miriam had posted a few photos of a fancy dinner in the family group chat. "Maisie got her first paycheck today and took me out to this gorgeous trendy spot!" The chat erupted with praise from the relatives. "Maisie is such a sweetheart.

The moment she makes money, she thinks of her mom." "You're so lucky, Miriam. Such a loving daughter." My mother couldn't help but chime in. "Must be nice.

Cassie, on the other hand?

I gave her five thousand dollars for her monthly allowance, and she hasn't bought me a single thing." "I swear, raising her was a waste of breath." The chat went wild. "Five thousand?

That is a massive allowance!" My cousin Maisie added: "Aunt Patty, when I was in college, my allowance was only fifteen hundred, and I still had money left over." My mom sent a sighing emoji. "Massive?

Cassie says it's not even enough!" One by one, the relatives began their pileon. "Cassie, you are being incredibly selfish.

Do you have any idea how hard it is for your mother to raise you and your brother?" "She gives you more than half her salary, and this is how you treat her?

Are you trying to drive her into an early grave?" I couldn't take it anymore. I typed furiously into the chat: "My mom "sent" me that money through an AI chatbot.

It's not real money. I haven't received a single cent, and I haven't even been able to pay my tuition yet!" I uploaded the screenshots of our conversation.

But everyone was too caught up in the thrill of moral outrage to actually look at them. "Oh, stop lying.

Your mother already told us you've been a reckless spender since you were a kid!" "You're eighteen now, Cassie.

Grow up and be more like your cousin." "We don't expect you to support your mother, but the least you can do is stop sucking her dry like a parasite." I silenced my phone and forced my eyes shut.

I hadn't eaten all day. I didn't have the energy to argue anymore. The next day, I finally received my first week's paycheck.

Because my class schedule was packed, I could only work a few hours. My total pay was $220. I immediately transferred $50 to Kelsey for the dorm fund. I had $170 left.

It was enough to buy cheap groceries for a bit, but it didn't solve my tuition crisis. There was no way I could make ten thousand dollars in three days by waiting tables.

During my shift, my hands shook so violently that the plates rattled. The manager, a kind woman named Martha, grabbed the plates from me before I could drop them.

She pressed a hand to my forehead. "My god, sweetie, you're burning up! What are you doing working with a fever?

Go home right now!" I wanted to tell her I was fine, but my legs felt like jelly. I stumbled out of the diner and called my mother. "Mom... I'm really sick.

Can you please just send me some money to see a doctor?" She muttered a brief "Hold on" and hung up.

A few minutes later, she sent a screenshot. "I booked your appointment and prepaid a thousand dollars for your medical fees. Just go to the clinic." I opened the image.

It was exactly what I feared. Another AI chat window. The absolute despair broke me. I called her back, sobbing. "Mom! AI cannot transfer money!

It cannot book appointments, and it cannot prepay medical bills!" "I have a severe fever. Please, just send me actual money so I can go to urgent care.

If you don't trust me, I will send you a photo of every single receipt, and I'll return every single cent of the change, I swear!" My mother's voice was louder and more furious than mine. "You think I'm an idiot?

You aren't sick. You just ran out of money and you're trying to scam me for cash!" "I already paid the clinic. If you're actually sick, go.

You won't get a single penny of cash out of me!" I tried calling again, but she declined the call. Staring at my $170 balance, I let out a hollow, bitter laugh. It was just a fever.

If I went back to the dorm and slept it off, I'd probably be fine. I needed to keep this money for food.

I dragged my feet toward the campus, every step feeling like I was sinking into wet cement. A sudden wave of dizziness hit me, and the world went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in a hospital bed, an IV drip hooked to the back of my hand. Mrs. Hobart was sitting by the bedside.

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw me stir. "What on earth happened to you? You collapsed right on the campus quad. Thank god it was daytime and someone saw you.

If it had been night, who knows what would have happened!" I looked at the IV bag, panic rising in my chest. "Mrs. Hobart... I'm okay. I can go back. How much does this cost?

I only have a hundred and seventy dollars..." Mrs.

Hobart's expression softened, but her brow furrowed. "I already took care of the emergency copay." "Cassie, what is really going on? The doctor said you are severely malnourished.

Have you not been eating?" "What about the five thousand dollars your mother sent you?

How could you blow through that in less than two weeks?" "And your tuition... if it isn't paid by tomorrow, you're going to be dropped." Tears spilled over my temples and soaked into the hospital pillow.

I looked at her, pleading. "Mrs. Hobart, please. Can you talk to the registrar's office? Just give me a little more time." "Or let me take a medical leave of absence.

Please, just don't expel me." For the first time, a look of genuine doubt crossed Mrs.

Hobart's face. "What is the truth here, Cassie?" I shook my head, my throat tight. "Please help me. I promise I will give you the proof.

Just give me until next Friday." She studied my tearstained face for a long moment, then slowly nodded. I reached for my phone and checked the calendar.

Next Friday was my mother's fiftythird birthday. A train ticket back home cost $70 each way. $140 total. With the remaining $30, I could survive on cheap groceries until Friday.

I opened the AI app on my phone and typed a prompt: "Book a table for ten at Meridian Bistro in the city for September 28th at 12:00 PM.

Generate a confirmation receipt." Within seconds, the AI replied: "Reservation successful!

Please present this confirmation image upon arrival." The image displayed: "Meridian Bistro. Sept 28, 12:00 PM. Party of 10.

Table #7." I took the screenshot and sent it directly to the family group chat. "Next week is Mom's 53rd birthday. I booked a table at Meridian Bistro.

Uncle Thomas, Aunt Miriam, please come celebrate with us!" "I've been saving up and working extra shifts since school started just so I could do this for Mom." The chat immediately lit up with praise. "Cassie is finally growing up!

Patty, you must be so proud!" "What a sweet girl, remembering her mom's birthday like that!" My mother, basking in the attention, chimed in. "I guess raising her wasn't a total waste after all!" On the day of her birthday, Uncle Thomas, Aunt Miriam, and my other aunts and cousins all gathered outside Meridian Bistro.

It was peak lunch hour, and the lobby was packed. The host was calling out reservation number 102.

My mother, puffing her chest out, pushed her way to the front of the line. "Hi, I have reservation number 7.

We don't need to wait, right?" The hostess blinked, looking at her screen. "Ma'am, the party for reservation 7 was seated an hour ago." My mother's face fell, her voice rising. "What do you mean?

How do you run this place? I have the confirmation right here.

Why did you let someone else take our table?" "Get them out of there and seat us right now!" Aunt Miriam and the others chimed in. "This is a major mistake for a restaurant of this caliber.

You should at least comp our appetizers!" The hostess maintained a polite, professional smile. "Ma'am, may I please see your confirmation?" My mother thrust her phone forward.

The hostess looked at it and let out a small breath. "Ma'am, this isn't a reservation from our system." "We don't even use this format." My mother's eyes widened. "What do you mean it's not yours?

You made a mistake and now you're trying to cover it up?" Another customer waiting in line glanced at my mother's screen and snorted. "Lady, that's not a real receipt.

Real confirmations have a QR code.

Yours doesn't even have a barcode." My mother stared at the customer's phone, her face draining of color as a heavy, humiliating silence descended upon the lobby.

Just then, I walked through the glass doors, fresh off the train. My mother lunged at me, grabbing my arm. "What is wrong with you? What kind of reservation is this?

They're saying it's fake!" The hostess looked at me. "Miss, which platform did you use to book this table?" I pulled out my phone. "I used an AI chatbot.

It told me the reservation was confirmed." Before the hostess could speak, my mother shoved me backward. "Are you insane?! How can an AI book a restaurant?

It's a language model, it doesn't have a physical connection to their reservation desk!" I looked up, meeting my mother's furious gaze, and let out a quiet, bitter smile. "So you "do" know, Mom." "You know that an AI can't make a restaurant reservation because it's just a language model." "Then tell me... how did you expect it to transfer five thousand dollars into my bank account?"