When We Were Young

XX: breathe (2am)

Nineteen

"What can we infer about western versus eastern values during this time?" My teaching assistant, Elena, paces around our small tutorial room.

She looks to be about 30 years old with light brown hair that's tinted a little red and those trendy glasses that have thin, golden frames. As it is nearing the end of the school year and summertime, we've already had quite a few tutorials with her and I've come to really respect the sophistication she exudes.

Raising my hand slowly, Elena smiles warmly at me to signal that I could speak.

"Uh, I think..." I take a moment to gather my thoughts. I'm not really one to have ever participated much in class, but for some reason, this class has been the exception. "I think that East Asia really valued ethics and family above all else, which China refused to give up. And then, the Western nations were very profit-driven as a result of industrialization."

Elena nods. "Exactly. And what was the difference in the countries in East Asia that were able to adapt to the Western values versus those who weren't?"

"Well, China didn't adapt at the time and they faced a lot of unfairness and unequal treaties from the Europeans. Then, the Japanese adapted very quickly and soon became a force to be reckoned with in East Asia."

"Very good." She looks at me appreciatively. "Do you know why Japan was quicker to adapt?"

"China basically became an example of what happened if you didn't and Japan was not about to end up like them."

Elena continues on to let others have a chance to speak. From beside me, Mickey elbows my arm and gives me a very impressed look. I shrug it off as the only reason I know this stuff is because I did some extra reading before class today.

At the end of class, Elena approaches me as I am packing up my laptop.

"Maverick, is it?"

I nod, wondering what she wanted to talk to me about.

"You seem to have a very keen interest in history. I can tell from the way you were speaking today as well as the papers of yours that I've marked. Excellent work."

I glance sideways at Mickey, who shrugs with a small smirk playing at his lips. Looking back at my TA, I respond, "Thank you. I never really took history in high school, so I've found that I've enjoyed it a lot here."

"Well, have you considered majoring in history?"

I have to force myself to not laugh. It's not that majoring in history is a bad idea, it's that my mom would be completely furious. She is completely set on me doing business as a major and then entering law school. That way, I'll have the business knowledge to set myself up to be a corporate lawyer at the family company and eventually take over her position as head of the Toronto division one day. History is important for law, but it's not something that should be focused on, according to her.

Shaking my head, I resume packing up my stuff, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. "No, but I guess it could be a consideration."

"Seriously, it should be." She looks at me insistently. "You've got a sharp and analytical mind. Plus, you clearly enjoy it. Whatever is holding you back, it shouldn't be."

With that, she walks away.

I can practically hear my mom asking what if I don't get into law school? With a business degree, I could still work in the family business (though I may be more limited in the positions I can take on at the company) or even find a job elsewhere. A history degree, though? What am I supposed to do with that? Become a teacher? That's not enough for her.