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.”

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    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    The 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.

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    2 years ago

    You utilized the formatting perfectly and added a new perspective to the theme “Dawn”. Excellent job and good luck on the competition!

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    Reply to  Work Not In Progress
    2 years ago

    You’re welcome! It’s always nice to read well-written stories! Thank you for sharing your work here on VoiceClub.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    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.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    Reply to  Work Not In Progress
    2 years ago

    The privilege is mine!

    Andrew Carter
    Andrew Carter(@andrew-carter)
    2 years ago

    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.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Love 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.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    2 years ago

    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!

    Last edited 2 years ago by Fuji

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