Another me

PTE

el c

ng like

vement uncoordinated. My legs fumble over each other in a hasty a

Michigan a month ago. But today, I threw on a stain-free sundress, quickly slicked down my edges

able baby or a helpless puppy. Their last guess would be a DVD player on the verge of death. The chunky, outdated technology has a disc stu

grinning cartoon pig on its front window. When I arrive at my destination, I release a deep breath. Before leaving my house, I googled"DVD player repair." That search brought me to Techies. I open the d

d the counter says, j

. um.

e of myself-of the color of my skin of my dress sense-for the first time in my life. In the melody of American accents, my American accent stood out like a

r, acting like them. I can't do that. I can only dre

n. She's wearing heavy, dark makeup that's harsh against her lily-white comple

help," I answer i

locks down."I look at my arms and instantly u

o babies either. Dr. Ma

n't a

ly as the pink gum expands and pops. Clearly, she i

undled DVD player on the count

extending the two syllables. "A

D pla

is it in

to give it some cushion j

ig

. I really regret leaving the house, but there's little I can do about that no

computers, game c

is? According to Google, you fix elect

?" She pulls a lock of brown hair behind

is tall. He's wearing sunglasses, a cao, and a large hood over the cap. Only the lower half of his face is visible. He's left a l

grabs the cord and plugs it into a s

explain hurriedly. "It's

on, like I did at home. When nothing happens, she s

hooded guy says to Julie. "

ment. Won't be back

n, but nod. "Okay

ng?" the hooded guy as

by both his question and his

the corners of my lips immediately turn up. He accepts my smile as permission, and then he fists his hand and ba

mile. "I was just trying something, and I really hope it works." He presses t

expel a loud bre

ne. "Hooray." She grabs her p

ncing on my toes. "I can't believ

to the ejected disc and smiles. "Sixteen Candles. My mom's alwa

minutes left when

nt in the movie-just when Jake Ryan surprises Samantha at the church. The

oes exactly what it's supposed to do. Thankfully, it does. He reaches behind the counter and unplugs the

Of course.

s, without looking away from her phone. "Eve

e hooded guy is wearing tinted gla