Imperial High

MEI

A persistent beeping sound cut through the fog of sleep my brain was still under. I groaned and rolled over, ignoring my alarm. My dream had been sweet.... something about fashion shows. A vague notion nagged at me. There was something important happening today. What was it? Imperial High. With a jolt, I sprang out of bed and hit my alarm so hard, it shot under the bed with a last mournful beep. I rushed to my wardrobe to check if my uniform was still there, sure everything that had happened in the past two days had been a dream.

The uniform hung there, in all its textile glory. It seemed to shine softly in the sunlight streaming in from my window, and the school's logo, a beautiful drawing of a woman who had struck me as kind of lonely, seemed even more realistic. I had spent the better part of an hour when it came yesterday, trying to identify what material it had been made from. My first guess had been linen, but something seemed off about it. I shrugged. The measurements had been scarily accurate, and my bag and shoes complimented the uniform just right, so all was well.

I brushed, showered and washed my hair. While I waited for it to dry, I hurriedly spooned yoghurt into my mouth, hardly swallowing the first bite before moving on to the next. My dad laughed.

"Slow down, Mei. The food isn't going anywhere."

I rolled my eyes and continued shoveling down yoghurt. In my desperate attempt to finish it quickly, food somehow ended up where it wasn't meant to end up, and I choked.

My dad gave me an I-told-you-so look before thumping me on my back. I spat out the rebellious clump of yoghurt and ate noticeably slower. I rinsed my bowl and rushed back up the stair, my hair towel streaming behind me like a wayward flag. I packed my hair into a messy bun, sticking a pair of my ornamental chopsticks to hold it in place.

As I entered the bathroom to hang my towel, guilt streaked through me. Here I was, looking forward to going to a boarding school with no thought in the world, happy as can be, while Dad would be here by himself. My movements slowed and I glanced at the white mini-suitcase at the foot of my bed. There was more than enough time to unpack.

My dad came to check on me later and met me unpacking my suitcase. He stopped and scratched his head.

"Mei, what's going on? Did the school postpone the resumption date?"

I shook my head. He sagged and whispered sadly.

"Did they withdraw the offer?"

I shook my head again. He stood up straight, bewildered.

"So what's going on?"

I didn't know how to explain to him that I couldn't bear the thought of him in the house alone, no one to keep him company or make him onigiri just the way he liked it, fillings and all. No one to remind him to comb his hair before he went, or to adjust his tie. No one to make sure his socks matched. No one to walk down to the grocery store to get shaving cream and tea bags when we ran low.

Tears pooled in my eyes. "There would b..b..be no one to t... t... take care of you." I burst openly into tears. He rushed towards my side and enveloped me in a vanilla and peppermint scented hug.

"Darling, I'm a 40-year-old man. If I can't take care of myself at this age, then there's a huge problem." He laughed. "Plus, just imagine me trying to make onigiris the way you do. I'd burn down the house! I'm perfectly okay spending the nest God knows how long ordering pizza."

I giggled. I couldn't imagine my dad in the kitchen. He might actually burn it down.

He held me at arm's length and examined my face. "Know what I see? I see a beautiful, smart girl ready to go out and conquer the world." He mock frowned. "Although before she does that, she would have to conquer her messy hair first."

I burst out laughing. "Dad, it's a style!" I looked at him seriously. "But are you seriously going to be okay without me?"

He laughed. "I'll be perfectly alright, Mei. If you're that worried about me, you can make me as much onigiris as possible during your holiday. Now, go pack your stuff." He glanced at his watch. "The bus should be here any minute."

As if it had been waiting for this intro, a bus horn sounded outside.

My dad and I exchanged looks and simultaneously turned to the suitcase on my bed, clothes forlornly hanging outside it. With unparalleled speed, we dumped everything into the suitcase and zipped it shut. I raced downstairs, my suitcase thumping behind me. I rushed out the door but rushed back in immediately. I threw myself around my dad and hugged him, inhaling his familiar vanilla and peppermint scent one last time.

He hugged me close and ruffled my hair, partially dislodging one of the chopsticks. I didn't care.

With a last glance at him, I stepped onto the bus, aware of what a sight I made, hair ruffled and clothes somehow rumpled. I sat down in the closest free seat, beside a girl with purple highlights in her black hair.

With a hiss, the doors closed and the bus started to move.

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