How Tinder Ruined My Life (Sort Of!)

CH 1

CHAPTER 1: KAT

"Katsuya!"

I grimaced, I had always hated my full name.

"Kat!"

No, I was not named after the famous sushi restaurant. I was born in Mexico, long before the sushi restaurant Katsuya existed. As a product of the Chinese diaspora in Mexico, my Mexican dad and Chinese mother were often shunned, which was why mom moved to the LA when she was pregnant, and my dad stayed in Mexico for business. I had never met my dad.

James Rodriguez whisper-snapped at me again. "Chinita!"

I whirled around furiously to see James at the desk behind me in Spanish class.

"Don't fucking call me that." I retorted. "Just because we're lab partners for the year, doesn't mean you can call me such a derogatory term."

"Orale, chica. Don't get your tanga twisted. You are half Mexican and Chinese, after all. I'm just stating the truth." James wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I could definitely help you embrace your inner Mexicana."

Having grown up with only my Chinese mom and never meeting my dad, I grew resentful of my Mexican heritage. It was the source of lots of bullying since my mom raised me in Chinatown, and I had never met my dad before. I guess you could say I have "daddy issues".

I glared at James.

"We're only doing a project together. That's all. The only thing that's gonna be twisted is your ballsack after I stab it," I said sarcastically.

James and I were paired up as lab partners in our AP chemistry class. James was seen as this sexy, mysterious, "bad boy" at our high school. His muscular build, chiseled face, dangerous motorcycle, and gorgeous green eyes appealed to the masses of females at Clovis High. He was constantly calling me "chinita" which I hated so much, since the bullies in elementary and middle school would call me that. He was also considered a "player," which infuriated me even more. None of his persona sat well with me despite his physical attractiveness, which is why I was extremely irritated when I found out he was my year-long lab partner.

Thankfully, it was the last month of senior year. Also, the lunch bell rang.

"See you later, chinita. Let's get together for that final project sometime."

I walked over to the cafeteria, and plopped myself in the corner of table, spreading out my backpack and lunch so that it covered the entire table. Alas, peace and solitude to drown myself in existential dread.

CH 1: JAMES

I glanced over at the table Kat was sitting alone at. Surrounded by my squad (Beto, Francisco, Dennis, and Valentino), I couldn't imagine going through life without them. I secretly wondered why Kat was always by herself. She was a quiet and hostile girl, that was for sure. But she was pretty cute and tiny - no more than 5'2. Her pale skin and slight dusting of freckles on her cheeks and nose, along with her hazel eyes and dark, long hair was the most harmonious interracial blend I had ever seen in anyone.

"Uh... guys. I'll be right back." Beto, Cisco, Dennis, and Val all looked at me strangely.

I walked up to Kat's table and sat down next to her.

"Hey, Kat," I casually sat down. "I was wondering. We should get started on that lab project since it's due in like, two weeks."

"Okay?" She said, her voice full of resentment.

Despite having a "bad boy" reputation in school, I cared deeply about my grades. If I was on track, I could earn a full ride to UCLA, my dream school, and be the first one in my family to go to college.

"We can get started today. Meet me at the front gates of school when the last bell rings." I instructed her.

"Sure." She looked at me reproachfully. "Now can you get away? Thanks."

I laughed and walked back to my table. She definitely wasn't a talkative one.

"She's a stuck up one," Val commented. The others laughed. "Good luck getting into her pants."

I rolled my eyes at the guys. Despite the rumors that I was a player, I hadn't had sex yet. I had gotten close with the last girl I seriously dated a few months ago, but that was before I caught her cheating on me.