How to Handle a Fratboy

The ambitious girl always starts her day early. She always follows her routine since she started middle school. At six in the morning, you could see her getting up and doing some stretching to make her fully awake. After a few minutes, she would fix her bed and head to the bathroom to take a morning dump and brush her teeth. She would also further wash her body to refresh herself. That would take her thirty minutes total just in time for breakfast. If the breakfast is not yet ready, it doesn’t matter for it would give her a chance to read her book. Being a bookworm, she had already read all the books that were for her level and she had read some that are too advanced for her age.

Her parents are not that strict but they are very supportive of their child’s ideologies. Her father was originally from a wealthy Chinese family but since he chose love over wealth, he was denounced by his own family and just gave him a piece of his inheritance. He did not regret his decision. In fact, he was happy for he can now be with his beloved. He asked for her hand in marriage and they had a simple ceremony with a judge presiding that is his godfather. Later on, they found out that Mrs. Yin is pregnant and the husband’s family was able to learn about it demanding to have custody of the child. Mr. Yin had enough. He scraped all his savings and sold all his expensive garments and other stuff so that they can leave their place of birth for good.

They finally reached their destination and Mrs. Yin's belly was already enormous and she told her husband that they were going to have a baby girl. They were able to rent a simple apartment in a suburb. The neighborhood is quiet and old. In 1988 when Hayao Miyazaki’s film was shown, they were not able to watch it in the theater but Mr. Yin was able to read about it in a newspaper. Reading Japanese characters is not that difficult for him since it’s similar to their native language. He saw the name Satsuki which is ‘May’ in English. He liked the simple name. His wife, on the other hand, wanted Hazel since she believes that their baby will be having hazel eyes. They compromised and decided to name her Hazel May Yin. Finally, the time has come for her to give birth. Mr. Yin was out looking for work when Mrs. Yin’s water broke while she’s about to enter the apartment building after she finished grocery shopping. Good thing people saw her and helped her out. She was rushed to the hospital and there Hazel May Yin was brought out into the world. Mr. Yin arrived rushing to the hospital room, panting. When he dropped by their apartment to have lunch, he was informed about what happened. Upon seeing his child, he held her and he kissed his wife on the forehead. He promised a good future for their daughter.

Growing up, they already noticed how their child is different from her age group. She was tagged as a genius by the psychologist who administered tests noting her IQ level to be at 200. Her parents were elated at first but then quite saddened by the fact that their precious little girl will grow up fast. Being their only child, her parents wish her nothing but happy and normal life.

Hazel Yin understood the dilemma of her parents and she did her best to appear normal for them, though it might be a little difficult. She knows that their financial situation cannot really support her dreams that is why when she learned how to play the piano at school, she never brought it up to them for it will ache her to see her father work for three shifts just to have an instrument that she could play at home. She then would practice the piano when no one’s around at school so that no one can tell it to her parents and she made sure that she would be home just before her parents to not arouse suspicion. They are not that underprivileged for his father can provide meals on their table three times a day. It's just that when her mother was diagnosed with cancer two years after Hazel was born, they need to save money for her medication and chemotherapy. They barely have enough savings or extra money to travel or eat at a fancy restaurant. Good thing Hazel understands the situation and promised herself that her parents will not suffer anymore once she lands a stable job after her college graduation.

Her parents wanted her to study in a better school and there are a handful of scholarship grants available but Hazel declined. Being a scholar doesn’t mean you get to be handed out thousands of dollars for your allowance per month. She knew her parents will still spend money on her. She doesn’t want that. It’s just that the schools that can offer scholarships are for the elites. Knowing that there’s a genius that can bring their school to fame, they would send an invitation or pamphlet to entice the family. She is not amused. She enjoys being in a public school. It’s near her home and her classmates are not that half bad. They have mutual respect perhaps stemming from their family background. Hazel had fun though it might not be traceable in her face. She always looks serious but she would smile occasionally especially when her best friend cracks jokes. She is usually being asked to go out with them on the weekend but she would refuse to state that she needs to take care of her mother. Her father still works at the weekend as a taxi driver.

One day, her father, being a jolly cab driver got acquainted with a man who is working for the richest family in the prefecture. Being a proud father, he talked about how genius his daughter is but cannot be given a better exposure to what life can offer due to their circumstance. The man listened intently and he thought of endorsing Hazel to the foundation of his boss. Mr. Yin was very grateful to the man. The kind man took down details so that he can contact him whenever necessary. Mr. Yin was lucky to have the kind man as his passenger. They shook hands and said that his ride is free. The kind man tipped his hat and got off the car. Mr. Yin saw that he was headed to a skyscraper. He will be waiting for the kind man's call.