Destined for Love

1

Gonna be

Chin Hwa Lee

Disclaimer: if this is you I am sorry or anyone you know I am sorry

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It was the only day, we have been in the United States. Mom's business made her travel here a lot, so she figured it is better if we all just moved here. "See you after college," my mom said in Korean with a smile, I smiled a little and said my farewell.

I was within walking distance from the college, so it wasn't a big deal. I stepped into the college, I already got everything I needed yesterday and so I was heading into my automotive program class. I heard this college is big on sports so this was a pretty well-known college.

"Everyone please welcome Mr. Lee," Richard said, I noticed his name badge. I nodded "call me Chin Hwa or Lee, no Mr" I found an empty desk, I knew English. But my Korean accent was thick. "We gonna be talking about the insides of cars before under the hood," the teacher informed us.

My 5'6 self stood up as we all were led into the shop. Two vehicles parked, "these are the cars we will be using," he said and I heard someone mumble something with my name. "Got an issue," I turn to them, it was a group of boys, their leader didn't say it but his buddies did.

"Ima group yall, so help the new ones out," Richard said, "Lee and Erin" his buddies fussed he was being pulled away from them. The teacher continued and there were a few girls who looked clueless; either an act or they didn't know.

I was annoyed, but I wasn't gonna fully show it "I'm Erin," he seemed easier to talk to, "Chin Hwa," I shook his extended hand, and heard his friend "now you gotta wash you-" I turned and faced them. "Speak English to me-" I laughed "man go do your classwork," I said as we opened the car doors.

"I can't stand people," I say in Korean when Erin perked up and went "tell me about it," my eyes widen, and stared "what?" He laughed "star basketball player, the bad boy knows Korean?" He guessed my question, I nodded "fascinated by y'all's language," he said and started to show me the ropes on the inside of the car. Even though I knew it, it was a new day and a new class.

I was listening to Erin, he was telling me where the air filters were in the car, and where the others are. After some time, I was sitting at my desk, watching the video the instructor posted.

Erin seemed cooler than his friends, even though he seems to be just as rowdy as they are. I had one earbud in when I heard his friend go "I bet he can't understand it," I paused it and slipped the only earbud I had in. I turned in my computer chair and stared at him.

"Ya know, there's a saying, if you don't get anything nice to say, don't say anything at all," I say standing up as he approached me. It's like that's all they can find to pick on, is that I am Korean. "What you gonna do about it if I don't?" The guy said, laying a hand on my shoulder, I saw past him Erin walking and seeing this with an oh shit look.

He did tell me he was on the basketball team, so any chance of him helping would ruin his chances on the team. "Take your hands off of me," I say calmly, I did do a lot of karate, taekwondo, and a few random fights here and there from sticking up for people. It may not seem like much, but I did get higher ranks in karate and taekwondo.

But this was a simple, defense technic that I believe people should know. When he didn't remove his hands, I asked again. "No," he answered, I nodded simply. I took hold of his thumb, twisting it around till his arm that was once on my shoulder is now behind his back and his face down into my desk.

I bent forward, still holding the same amount of pressure on his arm. "Don't ever mess with me again or learn to be nice to me, either way," I let go as he winced in pain and stepped back, glaring at me. He turned and went back to his friend group, clearly talking shit about me, but I still got a whole lotta smack talk to give him.

After we were dismissed, I started my walk back to my house. My mom had the day off today, so it was nice to come home to her. "Hey mama," I say as she comes up and gives me a gentle hug. She and I talked about my day, then about hers. She did errands today, she already had dinner made, and today was a late day.

"That's cool, that the Erin person knows Korean," she said "but I don't like his friends," I agreed, they were bad influences on him and his chances. I picked up my chopsticks and we started to eat, my favorite food is Kimchi. So she always makes it after I have a long day.

I helped her clean up the kitchen, and I told her after my class tomorrow and while she is at work, I'll be doing housework. I went to the bathroom and took a nice warm shower. I did my skincare in the shower or what I could of it. I stepped out and dried off, I adjusted my shirt as my toothbrush hung out my mouth.

I finished up in the bathroom and said my night to mom. I closed my bedroom door, laying my phone down on charge and the alarms set, I studied a little for tomorrow. When I fell asleep with my worksheets on the bed with me.