During recess, my friends and I sat around the table doing what bored students do best—talk nonsense.

Ai Lin: Still fifteen minutes until class starts. So boring.

Ben: I know right. And we can't even do anything with Miss Ting glaring at us like that.

Chris: Then let's talk about something interesting!

Me: Like what?

Chris: Romance! Who do you all like? Personally, I'm into weak cuties—makes me want to protect them.

Ai Lin: I like the obedient type. Someone who listens to everything I say. Mwehehehe!

Ben: Gangsters! With moe gap!

Everyone turned to me.

Me: Meh. I don't care.

They booed. Loudly. Then went back to comparing fictional crushes while I sat there wondering, 'What's it like to actually like someone?'

Later that evening, I saw Ma watching her usual K-drama. I joined her out of boredom.

Ma never really nagged me about exams—as long as I passed and got A's for Math and English, she was happy.

On screen, a man was begging in the rain while a woman dramatically turned away, tears glistening like overpriced diamonds.

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

Me (thought): This is ridiculous. People actually cry over this stuff?

By the time the second episode started, I had reached a very serious conclusion:

I was an anti-romantic.

I stood up dramatically, pretending to make a grand exit.

Ma, without missing a beat, picked up her phone.

"Hello? Mental hospital? My child's gone weird."