The Divine Thirty

Chapter 1

"I actually have a pretty normal life for a teenage girl." -Cher, Clueless

                                                                                                  SNOW

I open the dirty, dark blue locker to a rush of soft, crinkly flower petals every color of the rainbow. Oh my gosh! Chris really is the sweetest. I've always wished for a boyfriend like this, and I can't believe I actually have him. Amidst the rush of beautiful pastel colors is a folded, pocket-sized note written on binder paper with a purple marker. Ah, classic Christopher. So nice! And kind! And sweet! I unfold it to see what he's written.

"Bought these at the market yesterday and thought of u. Happy one year, babe! :)"

I smile and hold the note close to my chest. Having a boyfriend like Christopher is truly rare. Most high school boys are mean and crude and whiny, but Christopher actually cares about me. It's so wonderful to know that though the world is full of unfairness, somebody is there for you.

I'd consider myself an optimist. There are so many bad things out there, but if you have a positive attitude, it's so easy to get through them! Admittedly, the worst I have to get through is a bad hair day, but I still care about, like, world issues and stuff! My dad was one of the most successful Asian Americans in the United States, and that fact alone is so inspirational to me.

I love my dad. He worked hard every day to provide for us, and he's obviously done an amazing job. Growing up in communist China was definitely not easy for him. But then he and his family immigrated to America, where he met my awesome mother, Evelyn. They got married, and before they had me, they had Rosa, my big sister, but something went wrong with her heart, so she died the day she was born. I was born the same day as her, July 4, but three years later. I just know she's watching over me.

A big, warm hand creeps over my eyes and I shriek. Christopher! I turn around and there he is, grinning his big goofy grin. "Chris!" He kisses me right there in the middle of the hallway, and I kiss him back, and since I like to be dramatic, I lift up my high-heeled leg. I break away from our magical kiss, and some alternative kid rolls his eyes. "Hey Snow White and Prince Charming, where are the seven dwarfs?" He jokes. I just smile and giggle. "Oh Snow, you're so perfect," Christopher sighs. "No, you are."

"No, you."

"No, YOU!"

I boop him on the nose and hold his hand. It's always been slightly bothersome that I have the same name as a literal fairy tale character/cartoon princess, but for obvious reasons, she's my favorite, and I relate to her. We have a similar outlook on life. And Christopher makes me feel like a real princess. 

"Thanks so much for that sweet note," I lilt as Christopher runs his left hand through my silky jet black hair. "You're so very welcome, m'lady." He dramatically bows, and takes my hand as he walks me to my third period class, English. "I wrote it in math class. Sure hope Mr. Nestle didn't find out I was writing a love letter instead of trigonometry."

"Oh, silly old Mr. Nestle couldn't tell the difference if he tried." I sighed in what my dad says are light, breathy tones. "Here's my stop."

We stare into each other's eyes for a fleeting, beautiful moment when the sound of the school bell penetrates it. I kiss Chris quick, whisper a bye, and walk into class, adjusting my dark blue tank top.

I tend to dress pretty feminine, but I've never liked pink so much. So today I'm pairing my tank with a plaid yellow miniskirt with white knee high socks, y'know, not the lacy ones, the ones they sell in the dark shady corners of Target with the abandoned diapers. I have brand new yellow heels I bought yesterday with my mom, and a red ribbon in my ponytail. Lara Jean vibes!