“Good morning students. It’s a new year here at Sugar Plains High School.” The loudspeaker crackled as the morning announcements started.

“This is principal Brown. I would like to give a warm welcome to both returning students and new students alike.”

As it continued, I couldn’t help but look around class. There were no faces I could recognize. Some girls giggled up front quietly. A pair of boys were rough housing near the door. A few kids were already asleep on their desks.

Our history teacher approached the stand as the announcements ended.

“I’ll be handing out your new locker numbers and codes. Please memorize these and keep the information safe. It’s best not to share it with others.”
She slowly looked around class.

“If there are any problems, you can visit the front office.” She proceeded down the rows of desks to pass out locker cards.

I took one as she handed it to me.

After giving the last card, she returned to the stand and looked at us.

“For this week we’ll be focusing on the foundational concepts of World History. Turn to page 10.”

Unconsciously, I stared at the book I just opened.

I should have slept more. I’m so tired.

Someone tapped my shoulder from the right and I flinched.

Oh my God… that scared me.

“I’m sorry but can I borrow a pencil? I forgot to bring mine,” she whispered. She was a cute looking girl. Short black hair like my stepmom, but not as grumpy looking.

I grabbed my chest a bit to calm down and then grabbed my pencil bag. I handed it to her and tried to manage a crooked smile. She smiled brightly at me…something I was not used to. Rays of light seemed to be bouncing off of her and i had to close my eyes a bit to block out all of that positivity.

“Thanks a lot! I’m Ae-ra by the way,” still whispering and leaning a bit more towards me.

“Let’s be friends.”

I stared at her in shock. The way her eyes sparkled as she smiled threw me off. It was like I couldn’t say no.

“Um, sure.”

I scratched my head a bit and got sucked back into the black hole of my history book.

Never have I kept a friend for a long time. That’s if I made a friend at all. I moved too many times since elementary school to keep friends. You learn not to have expectations…but I’ve always had a fragile heart. Maybe high school will be different.

It was the end of class and we had a little free time. Ae-ra seemed to have taken an interest in me, but I had no idea why.

“Hey. Can I see what classes you have? Maybe we have the same classes. Wouldn't that be great!?”

“Yeah, um…okay. Here,” I handed her my schedule card reluctantly.

She studied it for a bit and perked up.

“Oh nice. We also have Home Economics together. Cool! Guess I’ll see you next class.

We all gathered our things into our backpacks and the bell rang for the next class. Ae-ra waved at me and left first. It was strange meeting someone in such a way. What a weird girl.

***

***

My name is Ae-ra Cha.

Our family moved to the states from South Korea when I was 10 years old. I was super excited back then. I used to watch so many movies and series from Hollywood. I thought it would be such a cool place to live.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all I had dreamed it to be.

It was my first year of elementary school. I was outside playing hop scotch on the playground. Suddenly I found myself on the ground covered in dirt.

"Ow!" I grabbed my wrist.

I looked up to see one of my white classmates laughing. He was surrounded by some of his friends. I winced in pain. He had pushed me really hard.

"Serves you right. You can't even speak English!"

The other kids around him started laughing. He crossed his arms and looked down at me like I was an insect.

"What...you... doing?!" I spoke through my broken English the best I could.

The kid who pushed me now proceeded to kick dirt on me. I turned my face trying not to get it in my eyes.

"Just stop talking! It's hurting my ears!"

Another white kid chimes in.

"Go back to China already. We don't want any of your ching-chong people here!"

They all laugh and walk away. I snarled at them from behind. Standing up, I dusted myself off.

American Dream. It's dead.

With a burning determination, I decided at that moment I would never let dumbass people like them push me around again. So I spent all of my time improving my English and doing my best in school.

I continued trying to make friends. It was difficult at times, but I can't help feeling like...

...I'm the main character of my own story! Everyone can't help but love me in the future.

I stood there like a noble lady from a romance fantasy novel in my own daydream. Smiling.

***

***

It was already evening time and I was busy taking off my shoes after arriving home. I was so hungry. Making my way to the fridge, I rummaged a bit before heading to my room.

“-Don’t you dare touch the dinner I made tonight. If you’re hungry, make your own.-” My stepmom snuck from behind, screeching.

Whatever.

I closed the fridge with no loot and made my way towards my room.

“-You ungrateful bitch. If you’re old enough to have your own opinions, you’re old enough to make your own food.” Her words always cut me like a knife.

I slammed my door and fell flat on my bed.

What a horrible woman. I wonder how much longer I have to deal with her. I can’t even get out of this house to hang out with friends. What’s the point? I sat up on my bed and ravaged my hair. AHHHHHHHH!!!! &%$%#%......

My bedroom door suddenly slams open. It’s Adrian. What an idiot.

“Did you take my new Playstation game?!”

“No! Can’t you knock?! Get out!!”

Adrian proceeds to get in my face…what an unmannered punk.

“I know you took it! You better give it back or else!”

“I’ll give it back if you get me some dinner tonight.”

He looked visibly startled. I guess he wasn’t expecting me to say that, but even he isn’t blind enough to not see how that witch treats me.

“N-no. Get it yourself!”

Sigh. “You know I can’t. I guess it’s noodles again tonight.” I pathetically looked towards the ceiling. Adrian walked towards the door, closing it slightly.

“W-whatever. Just give me back my game.”

“I said I don’t have it. Go search your room again, turd.”

He finally leaves the room and I go back to face-planting into my sheets.

A few hours later...

It was twilight. I snuck a peek into the living room to see what my dad was doing. I spoke carefully around the wall corner, “What are you watching?”

“Legendary Four Aces.” He didn’t even turn his head to look at me. He just took a sip from his can of beer.

My dad was always like this. He liked spending his nights watching Chinese dramas and drinking. Maybe the occasional smoke.

“Is it any good?” I slipped onto the couch near him.

He smiles a bit. “It’s okay. It’s funny.”

We sat for a bit without speaking. Just enjoyed the drama in front of us. After a while, Dad awkwardly tried to break the silence.

“How was school?”

“Nothing special. Too many classes.”

“Study hard. Don’t be lazy.” He sipped his beer again without glancing over even once. Sigh.

“I wooooon’t.” I groaned. We continued watching until I felt sleepy.