You try so hard no matter what anyone says, it’s really cool, you know. You once said it’s me who change your life, but it’s the way you fight that has changed my life and many people’s lives.”
When you know the meaning of hard-work…
Then in life there appears to be hope.
Main Characters:
- Mia Pearson（heroine, the character who took two years to get into Northwest University ）
- Ms Pearson（Mia’s mom)
- Wyatt White（hero, a neighbor of Mia, and help Mia get into Northwest University ）
- David Chan (Mia’s classmates while Mia had meet in the education center)
- Willow Clinton (Mia’s bestie)
- Ivy Marshall (Mia’s bestie)
- Emerson Baker (Mia’s bestie)
- Nyla Brown (Mia’s bestie)
- Mr Pearson（Mia’s dad)
- Lucy Pearson（Mia’s sister)
- Aron Pearson (Mia’s brother)
Chapter 1
As I awoke one morning from a nightmare, I found out myself transformed in my bed into a gigantic flying insect.
It is just like a huge helicopter when I was a young child dad that always take me to, after we finished an amazing sky journey, he will take me to a wonderful supper, giving me some flowers that he picked up on the road.
Dad is a professional pilot, he might become one of the best pilots in the world, until the day when he picked me up from kindergarten, and he got into a horrible car crash. In order to protect me, he put his shoulder above my head, it's like a blanker wrapped around me, but he lost his two arms after all these.Everything has change, mom is like a glue now, trying to hold up the whole family, but she can’t. Without daddy’s benefits at work, only a little bit from the government to support us is not enough.
For me? I was hurt to some extent after the car accident, I don’t what others or too many people know about what I have been through. The doctor diagnosed me for autism. Depression is also part of what I have been through. Well, I am never heard about it actually. God I was just only 5 years old! Mom is a super woman in my heart. She said It’s time to put an end to being a housewife. She works two jobs by herself. It’s not easy to take care of a husband who lost both arms while taking care of three children.
We have very nice neighbors, the Whites. There are three people in this family, Mr. White, Mrs. White, and their young son.
After dad’s accident, the old couple would often visit us while mom was at work.
“Don’t worry about us Ms. Pearson, we’ve been bored since Wyatt went to high school, and it’s a privilege to take care of these lovely kids!” Ms. White always say like this.
The time I spent with them was the happiest and most relaxed I’ve ever been. They will make a cup of delicious hot chocolate for us during the winter, and the sweet pleasantly cool popsicles during summer.
However, dad is in a bad situation while we are having a pleasantly time, his temper is unpredictable.
“Why we ca not fly in the sky this weekend ?” my brother Aron ask father this question almost every weekend.
“Because I’m a loser! I am a disabled person! Now get out of here!” my father burst out of anger.
He is always drunk and always being a bad-tempered. Therefore, a family of five should have been happy, but now all because of my father’s “happy” mood and become fragmented. Or temperamental I can say.
Chapter 2
The dream is awakened, and I am lying on my floor, but not on the bed. My alcoholic disabled dad is there，and I’m not in the mood to feel anything. The alarm keeps on ringing. It’s a school day today. I suddenly realize this.
“Honey! This year is the time for you to enter the middle school. Are you ready to make friends?” Mom seems very happy and excited, but I know she is trying to pretend like nothing happened. I didn’t feel anything, not happy, not miserable. I am like a machine. A 13-year-old machine.
When I went to the playground, my form teacher said why not introduce ourselves to each other.
We have the city’s starlets, the top talent in the grade, and each has its own characteristics.
But when it was my turn, I looked at the clouds in the sky and said, “There are so many different hats！This one goes to the elephant, and this one goes to mom or sister…”
The laugh sounded like a crashing wave of an ocean It almost swept me away.
“Did you hear what Mia just said? someone said.
“I cannot agree more!” “I don’t want to play with her. She make this gorgeous school become an asylum for lunatics or something.” another student echoed.
I am still feeling nothing, I don’t care others, what’s in their minds. It’s not about my business, but still someone does care,like my mom.
My dearest form teacher, Mr. Johnny called my mom and said he is worried about my mental health problems.
“She is a good girl! She has a special mind of her own, but she needs time and understanding. But this kind of kid has too much “Genius idea”. Perhaps our school can’t handle her.” Mr. Johnny said.
“Well ,then,”said mom “ If that’s the policy at your school that does not allow a young kid to have an opportunity to making mistakes or grow up, then we’d rather drop out.” Mom said firmly.
She is the coolest mom I had ever seen! I was standing in the doorway, but I heard it loud and clear.
On the way back to home, mom bought me an ice cream. It is strawberry flavor. The color is red, which looks like mom’s celebrating my dropping out of this stupid school.
The sun folded its blinding rays into a golden ball, and the clouds around it were more colorful. Two girls are walking by, smiling and laughing. They seem to be talking about exams or something.
“ Mr. Kim is so annoying. Why not give me an A-star. It is just a one decimal number. Why be so serious!” A girl moaned.
“Indeed! By the way, I love your shirt yesterday. It is my favorite pattern; where did you get it from?” the other girl asked.
This topic is very normal but extremely catching our attention. But the skirt is the most attractive part in my mind.
“The skirt…” I whispered.
“What did you just say? honey?” My mother could always hear everything I said. Even though some are even just words.
“You want to go to this school?” “Awwww honey ,I get you. The skirt there is nice !” Mom made a look like she had guessed the answer.
“This kind of school you don’t have to worry about entering into a university’s. Middle school, high school and university are all go straight up! Honey, your dad seems like he has some friends in this in this school. Maybe we can as a student who joins a class in the middle of the course!”Mom sounded excited.
In her point of view, it looks like it’s the first time I own my own thoughts by deciding to go somewhere or want to have something.
Therefore…
I am going to “COE” Middle School ,and spend nine years of my life there!” I exclaimed.
(PS:the school’s name is fake obviously. The characters live in California and the flower which represents California is Eschscholzia California, aka California Poppy. Therefore the school’s full name is “California of EschscholziaChapter3
The first day when I went to COE, I found out that there are so many pretty kids, some of them are dyed their hair with different color; soft red, green yellow, normal brown, ginger, etc.“They look so different with the school I used to go to.” I wonder aloud.
“Hey!” Suddenly when I get lost in this new world, a gleeful voice called me
“Hey your skirt will be prettier if you bring this higher like this.” The girl says as she helps me. Like some magical hands she adjusted my skirt’s length. “See, isn’t it much prettier?” I was totally shocked, I mean. Not because she helped me with my skirt, but she talked to me voluntarily.
“Thanks.” I replied.
I seemed to be very shy but come on! It is the first time someone would like to speak to me except my family.
“Never mind. You look so gorgeous! By the way my name is Willow Clinton, aka “Vir”. You are a freshman aren’t you? Nice to know you! Would you like to be friends?”“Me?” I’m pretty sure is the first time I’ve heard of anyone wanting to be my friend.
“Oh you look so lovely. I love your bracelet by the way,” the girl said.
“Thanks , this is my mom’s handwork.” I replied.
Willow is so talkative. Every word she says makes me happier more than eating a hundred scoops of ice cream.
“What’s your name? Oh! I have to introduce you to the girls! They will certainly like you,” Willow said.
So, I was pulled to the lady’s room. There are three fancy girls, one was wearing very short jean shorts, but also with a little tattoo, which is a butterfly on her knee.
The other two are the girls with dyed hair whom I saw this morning
. “Guys! I bring a new girl here! What is your name again?”Willow said, looking at the two other girls.
“ Oh, I am Mia Pearson, “ I said shyly.
“Ok Mia! They are my besties!”
“Hi Mia , I am Ivy. She is Emerson and she is Nyla. Do you know how to clip eyelashes?” Ivy asked
“What?” I asked. I seemed confused with the question.
“It is true that every time I clip my eyelashes, they will fall out, I am really impressed.”
I haven’t actually heard of any of this stuff before, but out of the curiosity, I gave it a try.
“Mia ,you did a great job! Have you tried it before?” I seem to be doing surprisingly well. “ I like this short-haired girl.” Emerson suddenly raised her head from nearby silence.
“Mia ! You should try fashion! Fashion is a thing that can make people feel pleased.”
Then, during these years, my besties and I tried many fashionable ways to make clothes look like an art. I had a great time with them. My autism seems to have miraculously healed over the year. Mom looked the happiest of all.
But after all this new found happiness , awaits a complete disaster of results. In a blink of an eye, I was a senior high school student. I had not really studied seriously for four years. My GPA is like a trash. My other mates said that I am the Queen of Unknown. But I don’t really care, I played with the girls who make me feel like I am reborn, and I am no longer the Autistic Mia Pearson that everyone calls. Just like what Ivy said, fashion truly can make people feel happier. I read a thousand of fashion magazines. I know every season's dress by heart. I remember almost all the luxury brands design, like Chanel，Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton，Prada, etc. The more I understand fashion, the less my teachers like me. They think I know nothing, plus my family condition is not as good as the other students. There is no need to pay attention to me.
“You are the trash for the society!” It was a phrase I often heard from people describing me. I don’t really care, not until…
Chapter 4
“What’s this?”our dear form tutor Mr. Jason asked
“Nothing.” I answered him back.
“Mia, it is a cigarette. Do you think I’m blind?” It was actually a sunny day. The weather was nice and there were lots of clouds in the sky as well. Just like the day I left my first Middle School. This feels like a dejavu.
I was called to the Headmaster’s Office. Three fat men were sitting in front of me, including my “dearest tutor” Mr. Jason.
“So, Miss Mia, tell us , who else smokes with you. If you don’t, we’ll have to call the parents.”
“Whatever …” was all I said.
Well, actually I do not really care. I knew mom would be embarrassed, but I didn’t want to rat out on my friends. It was
10:35a.m. when mom arrived. At this time, she has sent dad to the hospital for his rehabilitation.
“Sir! I am really sorry my daughter did what she did, but I’m proud that he didn’t betray his friend.” My mom redeemed me once more.
As a result of my trial, I was suspended from school for a semester.
April 4, 2000I am grounded at home.
“Mia, what are you supposed to do?”my younger sister Lucy asked.
“ Whatever, I guess that’s what I am gonna do with my life.” I responded.
“Mia ,don’t give up! Maybe it’s a turning point for you! Look! Why don’t we change your goal and try to get to another university?”
“Pardon me mom? Are you kidding me? I mean I had already stopped learning for almost 4 years and you want me to go back to school.”
“I know, but at least we have to try, right? Here, there is a ticket for you to go to China. I found a ……” my mom suggested.
“Wait ! Why am I going to China?” I exclaimed.
“Yep, just for three months , and relax for a while, maybe better for you. A friend of mine who works in China found a tutoring agency there. You can try it there.”
So, here I am. I come to China, and start my new learning journey.
The first day when I see the teacher, Wyatt White, who also is a Native American, but has stayed in China for 3 years to help Chinese students get into Harvard.
“Wow, Nice to meet you!” His gaze is in adoration as he looks at me.
“Oh it’s my fault ! So sorry, it’s been a long time that I didn’t see another Native American. But you look so familiar . Never mind, so which kind of university you want to go to , or which kind of major you want to study for?” Wyatt queried.
“I don’t know, and I really don’t care.”I replied nonchalantly.
“Pardon me?” Wyatt seemed confused.
“Mom said maybe I can set up a goal for a new university to enroll, but I don’t care actually. However, I can try.”
“Well then, you can follow my suggestion, if you don’t have enough idea. How about Princeton University?”
“Wow, hold on, maybe you don’t know yet. I stopped studying for 4 years, and my GPA is like a trash. The Ivy League Dream is unrealistic for me.”
“Don’t think too much! You are just a grade 10 student don’t you? All things are possible. My job is to set up a goal for you, then help you get there! Just like magic!” Wyatt said inspiring me with this speech.
“Whatever, but it’s so crazy! I would like to try, but Princeton University’s boys are all nerds. I don’t think I fit in there.” I replied
“Well, how about Harvard? Forty-six percent of the households are super-rich, maybe you can find a super rich boyfriend in there!” Wyatt said jokingly.
“Sounds nice, but it sounds like a dream too. I never wonder about it before. Is Harvard somewhere I can go to if I want to?” I wondered out loud.
Wyatt announced convincingly, “Everything is possible if you want! Now trust me, and trust yourself.”
After that talk, amazing things happened and so I started studying again. Yep I know it it sounds like a joke right, but indeed ! I am going to Harvard , I started to trust myself and Mr. Wyatt’s words. That night when I had a phone call with Willow , my feelings have totally changed.
“Wow I still cannot believe it! I am in China, and studying, and trying my luck to go to Harvard?”I chirped. Willow on the other end of the phone.
The windows of the inn can overlook the apartment
across the street. It’s already half past one and Beijing
is still brightly lit. I wonder if I will be one of them. I wonder what it would be like to be a student in Harvard.
Chapter 5
April 5, 2000
It’s my first class in China with Mr. Wyatt White as my teacher.
“So in order to get to Harvard, you should finish these Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry revision guide.” I moaned.
“Don’t worry, we will stand behind you and support you.” Mr. White said.
This is the first time I have heard a teacher said words of motivation. It is weird but I found that I really liked the feeling, the feeling of validation.
I am validated of doing the right thing.
In order to encourage me to study, Mr. White invented some sort of a game. Every time when I get a small question wrong, part of my makeup is removed Like for example, when I answer wrong and so I have to take off my false eyelashes. It was fun! “So, next! What is the turning point of this expression?” “What is it…” “10, 9,8,7…3!”
“I know the formula!!!”I squealed.
“1! Time is up! You lose , take off your lipstick!”Mr. Wyatt was laughing as he said this.
“Oh, no. If I keeping on removing my make-up, I will absolutely look like a big ugly creature.”I moaned.
“Hey, don’t say that! You are already literally gorgeous!you are a queen remember?” Mr. Wyatt cheered.
“Yeah…… the unknown queen.” I responded.
Mr. replied pointed out, “I didn’t mean that！I think you take fashion a lot more seriously than most people. Why not bring the same passion to your studies”
I said, “Fashion brings me a lot of good feelings. Fashion has truly become a beautiful life attitude and my way of life. Making the most ordinary things in my life into the highest realm of fashion. I was autistic when I was a kid. It was fashion, and my girlfriends whom have helped me out. It sounds like a really long and a boring story. Yep, then what about you sir? Why would you like to choose to help the other nation’s students get into Harvard?” Mr. White seemed thoughtful for a moment and said, “Hmmm, that’s long story as well, when I traveled to China after graduation, I found that there are many students who are actually capable of getting into better universities than Chinese universities. However, they do it not in the right way.I felt it was a pity, so I decided to stay. I like the country, the people, and the language.” I looked at my teacher and there was a light in his eyes as he said this.
He is so firm in his dream, he has a strong goal, which moves me. Just then, a boy was pushed in by his mother. He looks like the same age as me, but he was fidgety, with two video games in his hand .
“Morning sir, sorry to bother you. Are you an employer here？My son have some problems with his study. It is an emergency” the mom pleaded.
“Sure madam! Could you hold on for a sec, our class will be over in half an hour.” Mr. White told the parent.
Our teacher is very responsible, and did not stop his lecture because of that. Later, the teacher said, the boy comes from a family whose members are all American Born Chinese or what we term as ABC. They all want to move back to the States, but the boy's grades are not very good. They said they wanted to send their kids to New York University. The boy though looks rebellious. He looks trouble to me.The parents nearby us are watching and gossiping. “Don’t worry madam, I can handle it.” Wyatt seems really confident.
The next day, this boy surprisingly sit in the room and study quietly.
Oh my, it looks like something magical happened.
“Did the teacher give him a magic potion” I asked myself.
Wyatt said “See, everything is possible if you want them to happen. Just like magic!” His elation made me feel no envy. I used to look down upon people who stood in front of me, but I was in awe of Mr. Wyatt White. I talked to my mom on the phone last night. She said my dad was angry when he found out I went to China and thought we were wasting money. I don’t have a good relationship with my dad, which makes me even angrier, you know.
My mother told me not to put too much pressure on myself, but my father’s contempt first aroused my desire to go to Harvard. All the more that desire is growing. I don’t know why, but I always wanted to prove myself to dad.
For weeks, I was the first person to show up at the tutoring facility，but I didn’t get enough sleep because I had to call my sister at night. Every time I fall asleep is in the middle of writing. Mr. White thought I was too tired，and praised me for my hard work. However, I knew I just was fooling myself. I felt sorry for his praise.
The boy, David, told me that Wyatt had told him that he could try his best to get into a good university but didn’t. What he did is able to make the family sadder. How amazing the language is ! can get a teenage rebel to study hard，I want to be just like Wyatt！
April 6, 2000
I decided to cut off contact with my sister. It's hard, but I think I'm willing to do it for my future, for my dreams. This seems to be my first time to achieve something so hard, so want to fight for it. I cut off my long golden hair. My day start without makeup anymore. I'm doing this because I want to save time to doing the assignment. I should try harder than the others . “Good job Mia, you are already so much better than you were.”Mr. White said.
“But it is still far away from the goal ,isn’t it?”I asked.
“We usually care about the process of effort. Don’t you think you’ve lived a very meaningful life these days?” Mr. White responded.
“NO! I want good grade. I don’t care about the process. I don’t want my mom to work so hard, and I don’t want to be looked down upon by my disabled dad, okay!”I replied. I don’t know why I said those words but I did.
“You need to relax for a while. There is no class today. Let me show you around Beijing,”suggested Wyatt.
I listen to him，In fact, I still feel bad about it. We came to the Great Wall，I have been in Beijing for so long that I have never been to the Great Wall. Three months are left and I will soon go back to the United States. Wyatt asked“Are you sure you want to go back？Are you really willing”
“Of course I’m not. I will stay here. Mr Wyatt. I want to become a person like you, You helped so many students, and you made something of yourself.”
“Don’t say that Mia, You try so hard no matter what anyone says. It’s really cool, you know.You once said it’s me who changed your life, but it’s the way you fight that has change my life and many people’s lives.”
I'll never forget that day Mr. Wyatt White and I sat on the Great Wall, watching the sunset together. The red sunset stood out more than the white clouds beside it. I used to think white clouds are the most amazing things to see because they can be transformed into a lot of different things . But I like the sunset most now, because it can illuminate my surrounding and what become many things. Chapter 6
April 2002
I didn’t get into Harvard, but I got into Northwestern University. On that day, although I had regrets, I was not sad. I felt THAT I had made it.
A month later, I was going back to the STATES with Wyatt, and I found out that we are actually neighbors！He is the son of my parents’ friends who have helped raised my sister and me！
The girls， they all went to college, but dropped out after two years and had kids.
Willow , Ivy and Nyla decided to open a fashion store which sells trendy items.
As for me, I want to continue to work hard and strive to be admitted to Harvard as a postgraduate.
What is more powerful than the atomic bomb？
Is perseverance.
ULink College Wordsmith Society 2019 