The Oscillation

B1 - 0. The Oscillation

Rachel set the last cardboard box on her dorm room bed; taking a deep breath, she sat down, sullenly looking over her roommate's side of the room. It was bright and colorful, reflecting her bubbly personality; they'd talked online earlier that week. Her previous roommate had dropped out of Miami University, leaving an opening for her.

Taking out her cellphone, she unlocked it and opened her voicemail app. She listened to her father's message in Korean:

"Sung, it has become difficult for you and your sister-in-law to see eye to eye; therefore, it is necessary that you distance yourself from the family. For the business' best interest. If you keep your grades as A's, then we will provide half of your tuition and pay for your housing; we require a weekly picture of your grades. We expect you to not disgrace our family name and your brother's reputation at school. The study of martial arts is admirable, but do not let your extra-curricular activities diminish your..." She turned it off as her roommate walked through the door.

Her roommate's green eyes lit up. "Rachel! Oh, wait, should I call you Rachel or—Park-Sung-Hyo?" She asked, butchering her Korean name as she read from a small piece of paper.

"Rachel is fine. It's hard for most Americans to pronounce Korean names. It's okay. It's nice to meet you face to face, Cloe."

Cloe nodded with a beaming smile. "Thanks! So, umm, I just popped in to grab my laptop charger. I got all the way to English 1010 before realizing I forgot it! Umm, by the way, you're pretty tall for most Asian girls I've met—oh, that was so rude of me! I'm so sorry." She muttered. "I'm just a little nervous."

Laughing, Rachel shook her head. "It's fine. There aren't many five foot nine Asians; I've heard it most my life."

"I see," Cloe's eyes shifting to her bedside desk. "Alright, I gotta head to class. Mind if we chat later?"

"That's fine with me."

"Great!" Grabbing, her charger, she stuffed it in her backpack and dashed out into the hallway, slamming the door behind her.

Sighing again, Rachel leaned back. I can't believe I got kicked out because Alexa hates martial arts ... every time I get home from the gym, she's making a scene. I guess it was only a matter of time; since her dad's a vital contractor for the business, dad would prioritize that over me.

Her nose twisted. I've done everything right though! Grades, partial scholarship, despite the decrease to my average, because I'm Asian. How can schools even do that? Lower my average because of my race ... isn't that racist? I almost didn't qualify this year because of that.

Puffing out a long breath of air, Rachel looked at her phone. Eleven A.M. At least I have today off. She glared at her boxes. I might as well get everything set up. I do need to finish some math before heading to the gym.

She massaged her neck before getting to work unpacking. There wasn't a lot, clothes, a few household goods, and making her bed. She didn't have the money to buy frivolous things since she needed to support herself.

Finished making her bed, she sat down at her desk to do homework, yawning. She rubbed her eyes, opening her old laptop. Accessing the school network, she finished her homework quickly; looking at the clock, she smiled. Four-twenty. I can spend a good amount of time at the gym today.

She donned shorts, a sports bra, and tank-top before grabbing her gym bag. Walking out of the dorm building, she made her way through the massive crowds of Miami, arriving at the Muay Thai gym and dropped her bag off at a locker. Wrapping her hands, she began her warm-up before conditioning and training with Brock, her coach.