You were Chinese, and Lunar New Year was just around the corner. The festive air was everywhere, with decorations popping up in your home and across your neighborhood. You couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement—not so much for the traditions, but for the red envelopes stuffed with money that would soon be yours.

Being fluent in both Mandarin and English made you stand out in your family. Mandarin was your heritage, but English was your way of navigating life in the States. You attended Lincoln High School, a large and competitive school in your town, known for its diverse mix of students and impressive academic programs. The campus buzzed with life, from the endless chatter in the cafeteria to the chaos of crowded hallways between classes. You’d always felt a little out of place, though. Sure, there were other students from different backgrounds, but you rarely ran into anyone who shared your specific culture.

Then one day, everything changed. It was a regular Tuesday, and you were halfway through the day when a new kid walked into your homeroom. He caught your eye immediately. He looked…Asian. Your heart skipped a beat. Finally! you thought. Another Asian! But where’s he from? You couldn’t tell right away. Maybe he was Chinese like you, or maybe not. You were dying to find out.

The rest of the day felt like it dragged on forever until science class, where things got interesting. Your teacher, Mr. Grant, assigned lab partners for a new practical project. Normally, you dreaded these pairings since you never seemed to click with anyone. But this time, luck was on your side. The new kid’s name was called, and then yours. Your heart raced. Jackpot.

You slid into your seat next to him, trying to play it cool as you glanced his way. He seemed just as unsure as you felt, fiddling with the edge of his notebook. You opened your mouth to introduce yourself, but before you could say a word, he turned to you and spoke first.