UNFINISHED

Changes

6:30

Yogurt, almonds, diced strawberries, mixed in a ceramic bowl, right next to the salad and the lunch pail, ready to be packed. Kpop music blasting in an attempt to keep me awake. Rushing to the bedroom in an attempt to change in the time-consuming planned outfit picked yesterday. Plain white shirt, blue corduroy jacket, gray office shorts that almost look like a skirt, they won't kick me for breaking the dress code the first day.

7:45

School starts at 7:50,

... it's ok they can't hurt me for being late, it's the first day.

"CASSIE!!"

"I WOKE YOU UP AN HOUR AGO!!"

"WHY'D YOU MAKE BREAKFAST AND THEN CHANGE?!"

"NO ONE DOES THAT"

"CASSIE!!"

"C A S S I E!!"

"IS THAT K POP??"

"YOUR CHINESE"

"IM GOING TO BE LATE"

I struggle down the stairs "oops" I reply, hobbling down trying to put on my socks.

"Can you put my yogurt in a container for me?"

My mom grabs Tupperware from a cabinet, slopping the yogurt into the plastic, she makes a face "Why do you eat this?"

"it's good," i say simply slipping on my shoes.

"like baby food" she mutters.

"You know what's baby food? Your RICE PORRIDGE"

"IM GOING TO BE LATE STOP TALKING"

"Can you put my salad in my lunch bag?" I say sweetly.

".... so fake"

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We're parked outside the school, by then the only traffic left is the cars leaving the school. Five minutes late.

"you're being rude by being late, go out," she says sternly.

I fake pout, "shouldn't you say "have a good first day" or "good luck" I slip in a fake sniff, "My own mother doesn't even care that it's her daughters first day at a new school"

"I'm late suck it up."

"fine"

I come out of the car, my mom driving off almost immediately. rude

I walk to the front office, opening the door, it wasn't that bad, office ladies gossiping in the corner, staff donuts, a few trophies in a case, -

"Hellllloooo, are you Cassssiiieeeee???" A short man with a Pancho belly walks up

I smile bowing slightly "Ah, yes that's me, sorry I'm late," seriously?

"you speak englissshhh??"

yessssssssss,"yes"

"That's good it'll make the transition easier," he said smiling.

"That's good," just smile

"This is Al," He gestures to a tall, white boy, he's nervous and trying to hide it, hunched forwards and playing with his fingers as if they're the most intriguing thing in the world,"He's, fluent in Chinese and will be helping you settle in."

"Niiiiiiiiii haooooooo" He waved,"Im ALLLLLLLLLL" the wave turning into vicious pointing at himself"

"I'm Cassie," I smiled holding in my laughter,"i speak English"

"Thank god" he whispered.

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AUTHORS NOTE:

So, I was originally going to do this story, about an Asian America going to a dominantly white school, and about her fitting into others expectations. I was going to make it an almost a backward kind of Asian America story, so instead of people making her feel isolated by being Asian, have everyone be friends with her because she was Asian. Having diversity be the new trend, and make her extremely popular, but in actuality, have her not express much of an Asian side (or stereotyped Asian side). She would've not been math genius, wouldn't speak Chinese, would've extroverted, interested in fashion, and her favorite food would've been cheeseburgers. She was basically going to break all Asian stereotypes. But because everyone wanted her to be friends because of her race, she struggled to fit everyone's expectations while being herself. Ended up scrapping it but hope you enjoy!!