mae

“I want to get good grades. Graduate. Get a job in whichever field my strengths lie."
His brows furrow, like he doesn't quite believe me. "Not what you're passionate about?" he asks delicately.
I lift my chin. "I'm passionate about being good at things." There's a defensive edge in my voice, and Mr. Chen must hear it. He drops the subject.
"Well, all right then. I suppose I should let you go to lunch..."
"Thanks, Mr. Chen."
But as I turn to leave, he adds, very quietly, "You're still a kid, you know."
I falter. "what?"
His eyes are kind, almost sad when he looks at me. "Even if it doesn't feel that way now, you're still only a kid." He shakes his head. "you're too young to be this hardened by the world. You should be free to dream. To hope.”
― Ann Liang, If You Could See the Sun