American Asia

Carter Casias (cuss-ee-us)

Asia

We are currently in the real life Chinatown. I can read all the signs except one, so I go in to ask whoever owns the shop. A large man is yelling, and a small, birdlike, beautiful  girl with her black hair up in some sort of a curly bun. I can only tell you that much because the rest of her hair is covered up by a shiny gold crown.

“Caterina, get off.” The man shouts, prying her fingers off him.

“Don’t call me Caterina!” she punches him in the nose, but it didn’t look like it hurt.

“Princess, get off, and I will deal with this charlatan. You will get real silk.” he says.

“I don’t care!” she yelled, “Just call me Carter, and then you can do whatever you want with the silk for my stupid dress!” she screams, pink in the face.

“Um, excuse me,” I say cautiously. Caterina, I mean, Carter, looks at me and smiles unexpectedly. I smile back.

“Who are you?” Carter asks.

“Asia Jackson, uh, ma’am.” I add hastily. She giggles.

“Just because I’m a princess doesn’t mean I’m not a regular teenage girl underneath this crown.” she says with a knowing smile, and sticks out her hand. I shake it delicately. She walks out the door, and beckons me to come.

“Hey, where are you going?” the man yells.

“Out. I’ll be at the castle at twelve sharp if it makes you feel better.” she calls back over the bell tinkling as she opens the door.

“Hey Carter, what does the sign on the door say?” I ask.

“Oh, it means condemned. This building is being torn down in two weeks.”

“But where will you get silk for dresses?” I continue.

“I think I’ll leave that part to my father.” she suggests. I decide not to ask. We walk along way, and end up in front of an old brick building. I wrinkle my brow. The door opens, revealing a half-dressed young man with dark black hair that covers one of his black, almond-shaped eyes. Next to Carter, I feel like somewhat of a hippie. She is wearing a long red dress that comes down to the ground. I am wearing black skinny jeans, high heeled converse, and a T. Swift 1989 album cover tee with my fave black leather half-jacket. He eyes me for a second,but looks back at Carter.

“Asia, this is Helix, Helix, this is Asia.” Carter introduces us.

“Very funny, Carter, what is the girl’s real name?” Helix scoffs. I pull a bottle of pepper spray out of my purse and he pulled his lips tight. Carter snickered.

“My name is really Asia, Helix. I’m from Oakland, California, USA, North America.” I said. Helix glares, but opens the door, which we pass through underneath his arm, both of us being rather short. Carter disappears into the bathroom for about ten minutes and comes out wearing regular clothes. she throws her tight heels at Helix, who catches them deftly, as if this was a routine. Then she balls up the dress and throws it at his chest. She’s wearing bright blue skinny jeans, a grey droop-sleeve tee, and tall black heels with silver studs on the sides. She takes off her crown and places it delicately on the windowsill on a satin pillow. Helix pulls a shirt on and I walk out the door, slamming it in his face. He opens it with a sarcastic smile. Then he frowns and slams the door. I grin at his anger and follow Carter, who is pulling her magnificent hair up into a ponytail.