Parallel You

Chapter 3: ROUMEI YANG

Roumei’s POV

“Miss Roumei, your mother ordered us to wake you up,” I heard one of the maids say as I tried to get myself out of bed.

I struggled and swung my body back and forth and tried to rise out of my bed, but something inside was saying that I should stay because it was going to be another one hell of a day.

But even though that is what I wanted, I could not do it either way so I just rose out of my bed and got inside the bathroom.

I took a quick shower before pampering myself and wearing my uniform. I wore my yellow and navy-blue colored polo shirt and skirt that had the school’s crest on the chest side. I got my navy-blue jersey jacket and wore my hair in a pony tail.

I got down from the stairs as I was met by a whole lot of my family’s butlers lined outside the staircase of my room. I just gave them all a small nod before heading towards the dining room where my family was.

I could already smell the steamed baozi and sweet and sour pork being served making my mouth water. I paid my respects to my grand parents’ altar before entering the dining room where dad, mom and Jing, my younger sister.

“Zǎo shang hǎo (Good morning),” I greeted them before taking my seat.

“Zǎo shang hǎo (Good morning) . How are your studies, Roumei?” My father asked.

He was very strict about me and Jing’s school grades and that goes without saying. It has been a normal thing in our family and in a Chinese family. Honor and family is the first thing so I can never put dirt in my family’s name. That is why he strive us to be successful.

“They are going great, Bà. They will be releasing our cards soon so you can see them,” I replied as I continue to eat.

“I told you there is nothing to worry honey. Roumei has been keeping track of her studies because she was train to do so back in the United States of America. I am sure she will never let us down!” Mother praised me as I smiled a bit, a smile that was insincere.

I lived most of my life back in the United States of America where I was raised since I was six. My mom was Chinese-American and that is where she and my dad meet during a business meet. They got married back here in China but they went back to the United States of America

to fix a few things regarding mother’s residency and thus that is why I grew up their until middle school.

I learned a lot back from my American teachers and tutors. Well, I mean... I had to. My father paid a lot to make sure I could learn a lot with these tutors. From learning different languages of French, English and Japanese to many other talents I have honed as playing the piano and painting and arts.

“Roumei here has some good news. How about you, Jing? Last time I heard from your homeroom teacher that you cut classes to attend a band contest,” father said to Jing who was focused on eating and has been quiet all the time.

“Zixin...” mother said as he held father’s hand as if she was calming him down before another argument with him and Jing.

“Dad, I already told you... I do not want to be a doctor! I love music ever since and that is what I want!” Jing said in an English language.

“Jing!” mother scolded since father never liked hearing English inside the house.

Jing was only two years younger than me and she was born and raised in the United States of America unlike me who was born here in China and because of that she picked up the American culture and traits they have back there. She loved punk rock and had some of her hair dyed blue. Even the way she speaks and dress where all part of the aesthetic she picked up in the US.

One thing why dad favored me from her aside from the fact I was the so-called perfect daughter is that Jing never really got to learn Chinese properly and that is why she mostly speaks English with us. Father also wanted Jing to be a doctor while I take over the family business but Jing always opposed with her.

“What did you say?!” father boomed as Jing clashed her utensils and went out the door.

“Yang Jing!” father called out once again but Jing did not reply back.

“Do not worry, Bà. I will take care of Jing. We will get going now,” I said as I stood up to follow Jing.

“You better talk some sense to your goddamn sister!” father replied before I left. I looked back once again to see my mother giving me a small smile of appreciation before I went inside the car where Jing already was.

I took off one of her earphones as she looked at me with daggers in her eyes.

“What?!” Jing shouted at me.

“You should have not talked to Bà like that. Have some respect, he is still your father. Aside from that, did we not tell you already to give up that dream of yours in becoming a singer? You know Bà will never approve of it and it would just be a laughing stock for the rest of our family relatives. I am not telling you that your dream is useless, but it is not going to help us and would be a disgrace to our family's honor,” I lectured her.

“Jeez, okay. Whatever,” Jing bluntly replied as she stuck one of her ear buds back and looked outside the window.

I sighed as I laid back the car seat and closed my eyes as we were driven to our respective schools. Father did not want us to attend the same school, since he did not want people talking about me, since he was ashamed of Jing. Thinking about it, I am glad she does not go to my school so she would not see what is truly happening there.

“Hey, give this to H-Hui when you meet him,” Jing said as she offered me a chocolate bar.

“Did I not tell you already that Hui is not interested in any sweets?” I reminded her.

“Whatever, I just want him to know I exist,” Jing said as I took the chocolate bar from her as she walked inside her school premises.

Hui Chen is my childhood friend. We met each other during my practice in piano lessons back when I was kid while we were staying here in China before the Unites States of America. He was learning to play a cello and we happened to have the same teacher and ever since we kept in touch even when I was in the states. Jing liked Hui ever since we lived back here in China again and when I introduced Hui to her, she fell in love since he also liked music.

Hui was a son of a politician and was very influential. My father also wanted me to be closer to him because he wanted to propose a marriage union between Hui’s family and ours. I never approved of it since Hui and I only saw each other as friends and aside from that Jing likes Hui.

“Here we are, ma’am,” our driver said as he stopped in front of our school.

“Xièxiè (Thank you),” I said to him before taking a deep breath and opening the car door.

My feet were hesitating to step inside the school premises but I was pulled by someone when I looked beside me to see Hui already pulling me inside the school.

“Why are you standing outside the school? Let us go,” he says as we walk towards the entrance.

I tried to keep my head low as Hui and I walked inside.

I could see the dirty looks from other people, especially girls as they saw Hui’s hand in mine. I mean, Hui has been a long running heartthrob in our school. He was rich, obviously handsome, good at playing the cello and golf and was smart. Of course, he was a dream boat to other girls and does not since I am his friend.

I shook his hand off mine as he looked at me confused before realizing why I did that.

“Mei, stop worrying about other people,” Hui spoke as I nodded lightly. Even his words can not even lift my spirit up.

“Yeah, I know,” I simply said as I remembered the chocolate bar Jing gave me earlier.

“Oh, uh- Jing gave you this,” I said as I reached for the chocolate bar and gave it to him.

“Your sister just does not give up, does she?” Hui scratches his head in annoyance.

“She is persistent,” I acknowledged Jing.

“I just received gifts from others yesterday, jeez,” Hui said making me chuckle.

“Our little Hui is now. a heart breaker,” I teased him.

“Whatever, I will get going to my class now. See you during lunch,” Hui said as he walked towards his room on the higher floor since he was a senior.

I was about to enter my own room when I felt the weight of an arm on my shoulder making me shiver since I knew who’s move that is.

I turned my head sideways to see Haoyu and her goons next to me.

“Hey, dumbass!” Haoyu greeted me.

Next thing I knew my whole bod was pushed to the edge of the girl’s comfort room as I struggle to get out of Haoyu’s grip on my hair.

“You dare f*****g flirt with my Hui, you little b***h!” Haoyu shouted at me as she kept on pulling my hair and forcing my face to the toilet bowl.

This is why I did not want Jing to attend the same school as me. Because I was being bullied by Haoyu and other girls daily. I was a timid person and being like that made me a pushover. Despite Hui telling others to back off, they still find the time to beat me up and pester me every day. It happened so many times that I can not even remember where it started.

“Check this b***h’s wallet. I did not bring my lunch money today,” Haoyu told her friends as they rummaged inside my bag to get my lunch money.

As soon as they got the money my mother gave me, they quickly left the comfort room before Haoyu looked back at me.

“Don’t you dare tell this Hui or I will murder you,” Haoyu threatens me before leaving the comfort room.

I sighed as I tidied myself from dirt as other girls got inside the comfort room and started whispering. It was not such of a big thing anymore and I was basically used to it.

Before I went out, I saw a purple flashing light from one of the girl’s screens were the words “Parallel You” was written.

And for some reason... it felt like the app was calling to me