Across Continents

Chapter 2 - The Secret Is Out

ANDY

Today is just like any other day.

I wear my "nun" clothes and have breakfast with my family, and make my way out.

"弟弟、 我要去学校了。再见！"
Translation: Grandfather, I'm going to school. Goodbye!"

My grandfather has been making me train speaking in Chinese lately. He says it's very important but I don't see why. We're in America! We don't even know anyone who speaks Chinese here but we all know what arguing against Chinese grandparents will get us into so I have no choice but to comply.

Other than that, the day is progresses very quickly. After all my classes were over, I went to cheerleading. Our competition was really near so we had to practice double time. Practice ended later than usual so I had to rush taking a shower and going to the shed otherwise I was in for a lengthy discussion with my entire family.

As I was lifting my shirt to change into the clothes my mother picked out for me, I could not help but feel that there was someone else in this shed but me. I grab my pepper spray inside my bag and proceed to inspect the place. When I finally found the place where the person was hiding, I point the pepper spray at him and shout "Who are you? What are you doing here?" I was ready to pull the trigger but as the face made itself visible to me, I was taken aback — it's my boyfriend. I drop the pepper spray and release the tension I was feeling. "Baby, what are you doing here?" I say once I was finally able to relax a bit.

"Baby, I was getting out football and I noticed you were deviating from your path home so I got worried and followed you here." He explains "I'm sorry I gave you a fright." He apologizes and the pout on his face that made me fall for him in the first place becomes visible to me.

"It's okay, honey. Thank you for worrying about me." I say and approach him and kiss him on the cheeks and make my way back to where I was seated.

"Of course, baby. I love you." He then approaches me to kiss me on the lips but this time, it was different. It wasn't a split-second of a peck, but a passionate kiss. I respond but then it progresses to where even I was no longer comfortable with.

He tried to strip me of my clothes, piece by piece. I stopped him but he was forcing it — as if he wanted "it" to happen today. Suddenly, everything was all crystal clear to me. Football practice isn't on Wednesdays. It was on Tuesdays and Thusdays. He purposely followed me here to take advantage of me.

When that thought registered to me, I scream at the top of my lungs begging for help. He is trying to stop me but I'm doing my best to be heard. Just when I was beginning to think that this is of no use, the school janitor opened the shed, looking like he was about to grab some tools.

He was surprised with what he saw and clearly, we were in trouble, but I was relieved. I was finally safe.

Jasper and I were led to the principal's office and our parents were called to pick us up.

After one problem comes another.

Oh God! How will my mother react?! Will I be disowned? Will I be killed? Who knos what they will do.

Within 5 minutes after the registrar informed our parents to come, my mom was in the principal's office with me. She was obviously disappointed, shooting daggers at me with her eyes asking "what on earth did you do this time?!". We waited until Jasper's guardian arrived. It seemed like his mother barely cared about the situation — like this was normal for her and it was no longer a big deal anymore.

As soon as Jasper's mother took her seat across my mother, my mother demanded to start the discussion immediately. "What happened? What did my daughter do? Is it bad? What is her punishment? Will she get expelled?" My mother quickly asked, one question after another, without giving Principal Meyers to answer.

"Well, Mrs. Yang." Principal Meyers starts "It's kind of hard to explain the situation here." He continues.

"Just explain to us what you caught them doing so we can discuss how to take action!" My mother screams, already getting angry.

"Well, the school janitor was about to get some tools from the shed just at the back of the school where he caught the two of them half naked and kissing." The principal embarrassingly explained to our parents.

"What?!" My mother exclaims and at the same time, Jasper's mother says "That's it?"

"Are you sure it was my daughter you caught? It couldn't have been." My mother could not believe it. She was mad, it was clear from the breaking of her voice.

Principal Meyers then replies "We brought them from there so we're 100% sure." This then resulted my mother to look at me with immense anger as if hell was about to arrive.

"Can we discuss what will happen so that we can get this over with?" Jasper's mother replies.

They then proceed to discuss the consequences. My mother made sure I only got community service but it was clear, she was unpleased.

I was about to go to my car and drive myself home but then she stopped me "I'm keeping an eye on you. Who knows where you'll go next. You are going to ride home with me." She says and I obediently follow.

The moment I sat on her car, I was ready for her to pour out all of her anger but surprisingly, it was a quiet car ride going back home but who knows what kind of trial is waiting for me back home.

As soon as we pulled in the driveway, I tell her "妈妈、对不起" (Translation: Mom, I'm sorry) I speak in Chinese to hopefully, lighten up her spirits a little bit, but it was no use.

"I need to discuss this with your father first. I don't want to talk to you. Go to the room. I'll have the maid bring up your dinner. We'll call you once we have come to a decision." She calmly replies.

I can no longer do anything but to follow.