Cliche
AKIRA TAY
For the record: breathing is overrated.
The brain can go six whole minutes without any, and I was at a solid three airless minutes when mom finally said; “Okay, bǎobǎo, you can go, but remember your curfew, okay?”
I enthusiastically nodded, as if this whole time my neck and jaw were held together by screws, and mom letting me go to the movies with her tonight instantly made all the screws loose.
Her.
She keeps telling me things in that way of hers that either should be illegal or patented, and it’s affecting my ability to remember things like my name and species and all the reasons a Chinese girl might want to avoid falling in love with her 5’4 New-Orleans-born-and-proud fierce-as-fire afro-haired best friend.
Wǒ de tiān na.
ISSA CARTER
I saw her figure standing in front of the cinema, waiting. I was hoping she wouldn’t come. And hoping she would. And hoping I’d stop hoping she would.
“’Sup, Tay? It’s been awhile.”
She turned around, cracking a smile that reached just below her eyes.
“If you miss me, why don’t you just come out and say it, Issa?”
I wanted to hold her hand. (It’s right there, it’d be so easy.) To make her mine. To be hers.
But underneath the streetlight, seeing clearly the clash of oil and water, I’m reminded of ‘different’ Uncle Ray. His marriage made people talk – they think they’re complimenting with words like “inspiring” or “courageous”, but I see the pain etched on his partner’s face that he tries to hide.
AKIRA TAY
I don’t want to be a life-changing story, I just want to choose who I love.
And it’s her. I choose her.
ISSA CARTER
As soon as the movie ended, we headed to her house. It’s closer. The streetlight, I reminded myself, always fades in the morning.
Always fades when dawn comes.
AKIRA TAY
“I love you,” I say to her, only it comes out as “See you tomorrow at school?”
ISSA CARTER
“I love you too,” I say to her, only it comes out as “See ya, Tay.”
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe two figures not only come alive to us but pull us into the current hopelessness of their living. The fact that this can be written gives us hope that the future accepts such love.
You utilized the formatting perfectly and added a new perspective to the theme “Dawn”. Excellent job and good luck on the competition!
Thank you veryyy much! Thank you for the privilege of your time, sending you good vibes :))
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou’re welcome! It’s always nice to read well-written stories! Thank you for sharing your work here on VoiceClub.
Hi there, I like the way this story bounces from one thought to another, but always it seems with hope, and of course there is always hope if Love is involved! Good write.
Of course there is! It’s like you’re in my mind LOL. Thank you for the privilege of your time 😀
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe privilege is mine!
Loved how the smile “…reached just below her eyes.” and how your story encapsulates societal fears. And anyone could relate to the suppressed underlying fears of those last two sentences.
Thank you for pointing those out, it makes me feel really appreciated :)) Thank you for the privilege of your time and thoughts!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleLove and hope. The two feelings that keep your story sparkling in my mind. I hope someday that kind of love between two different races will be acceptable and no restrictions.
Hello – I just ran across this story and was captivated by your writing style and the message of the story. My favorite line was “I don’t want to be a life-changing story, I just want to choose who I love.” That says it all, doesn’t it? You’re a good writer – hope to see more stories from you on this site!