http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQnviCrgiRM

Show Luo- Ai Zhuan Jiao

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Haewon had been attending University of British Columbia for a month now. Still, she hadn’t made any friends. In fact, she hadn’t interacted with anyone besides her professors, disability aids, and that one guy who had caught her before she could humiliate herself in the men’s restroom.

Her aunt was constantly worrying about her degrading social life. She carefully set the carton of milk on the table and peeked at her niece.

Haewon nibbled on the blueberry muffin with an empty expression.

“So,” Inhee cleared and poured milk over her cornflakes. “Any plans today?”

“I have three classes today.” Haewon replied.

“I meant, besides class.” Inhee pointed out.

“No, I don’t. Why? Are you unavailable to pick me up today? I can ride the bus, or I can wait at the library.” Haewon offered.

“No, no, of course I can pick you up. I just…” Inhee sighed. “I was wondering if you had plans with your friends.”

Haewon stopped chewing. “Don’t you want to spend time with your friends?” Inhee asked.

Haewon dropped her gaze. Her appetite disappeared quickly. “Yes, I do.” She whispered.

Inhee sighed, relieved, “Well you can always hang out with them-“

“I can’t, because they’re in another country.” Haewon responded.

Inhee stared at her. *She’s talking about those kids at Cheongsangdo Institution.* Suddenly, she regretted ever enrolling her niece into that school. Ever since then, it seemed as if Haewon’s world had gotten smaller. She wasn’t adventurous and bold as she once used to be. *But of course, there’s no one to blame but myself. It was my idea to send her there after all. I made her move too suddenly. She still needs time to get used to her surroundings. Still, it’s been five months already. I wish she could move on and at least try.*

Inhee sighed. “I just…I want you to have more, sweetheart. Sitting around and moping won’t do any good. You need to go out and see the world.”

“Even if I wish, I can’t ‘see’ anything.” Haewon muttered, sulking.

Inhee gave her a firm look. “That shouldn’t prevent you from making friends. Your blindness is a poor excuse, and you shouldn’t use that to defend yourself.” Haewon frowned. She wondered why her aunt was suddenly on her case. “Come on, Wonnie. At least try. There are some nice people around here. I’m sure they would love to befriend you. You can also improve your English skills by conversing with them.” Inhee persuaded.

Haewon knew she wouldn’t give up the topic so easily. Without a choice, Haewon acquiesced to her request. “I’ll go look for some people to put up with me, okay? Can you take me to school now?” She dropped the unfinished muffin and shuffled away to get her backpack.

Inhee shook her head dismally. *At least she’s trying.* She tried to think optimistically. She wanted to believe in her niece who was like her daughter.

Inhee dropped Haewon off at the university. After the second lecture, Haewon felt her way towards her third class. She heard a loud commotion to her right and slightly turned her head. “Let’s sign up for clubs!” “I want to join a sorority!” “Come and sign up for Christian Club!” “Join UBC’s Student Association! Make friends and improve leadership skills!” *Is this club rush week?* Haewon wondered. Her aunt’s words from this morning floated through her mind.

“I want you to have more, sweetheart. Sitting around and moping won’t do any good. You need to go out and see the world.” “That shouldn’t prevent you from making friends. Your blindness is a poor excuse, and you shouldn’t use that to defend yourself.” “At least try. There are some nice people around here. I’m sure they would love to befriend you. You can also improve your English skills by conversing with them.”

Haewon sighed. *I did promise her. Whatever. There’s no use. If I try, and no one wants to befriend me, auntie can’t say anything then.* She straightened her shoulders and hugged her books against her chest. With resolve, Haewon marched towards the nearest table and stood in front of it. *What association did I come to?* She wondered.

“Welcome to Alpha Delta Pi!” The girls squealed.

Haewon’s eyes slightly widened. *I came to a sorority.*

“Hello? Can we help you?” The girls were confused by her reaction.

“I...I…” *I came to the wrong place. I didn’t mean to join a sorority. I don’t know about this.* Haewon couldn’t find the English words to explain her feelings. Turning around and walking away would just be bizarre, and she didn’t want to be rude.

“Do you…want to join?” A girl asked.

Haewon closed and nodded.

The girls glanced at each other. “You DO know this is a sorority, right? It’s not like a club for exchange students or an Asian club or anything.” One snobby girl remarked. “Helen!” One girl hissed. A bunch of other girls off to the side giggled.

Haewon blushed but nodded. “I know.”

“Okay, then sign right here.” Another girl pointed.

Haewon bit her lower lip. “E-excuse me?”

“I said sign here. Here’s a pen.” The girl held out the writing object.

Haewon paused and reached out.

“Um, the pen is right here.” The girl was starting to get annoyed.

Haewon moved her hand towards the right and collided against the girl’s hand. “Oh, um, where…?”

“Here. I’m pointing to it.” She definitely sounded irritated now.

“I, um, cannot see…” Haewon felt her cheeks burning brightly.

The girls gasped. “Did you hear that?! She’s blind!” They stared at her as if she was from a different planet. Haewon had never felt so shameful of being blind before. She wanted to flee the scene, but her pride kept her rooted to the spot.

“Okay…here.” The girl guided her hand to the paper. Haewon wrote her name and cell phone number on there. “Great. Tonight is our rush party. Come to the pool outside the main auditorium. You do know where that is, don’t you?” The girl asked. Haewon only understood ‘party’, ‘pool’, and ‘auditorium’. She nodded. “Okay. See you.” The girl turned her attention to another person and sweetly asked if she would like to join.

Haewon turned around and walked out of the quad. *Are you happy, auntie, now that I tried?* She sighed. She hated parties with strangers. If it would placate her aunt though, she would go. Her aunt would probably be thrilled. True to Haewon’s prediction, Inhee was beyond pleased. She clapped her hands with glee and keenly dressed Haewon up like she was going out to become a beauty pageant.

At night, Inhee drove Haewon back to school. “You look absolutely gorgeous, sweetheart.” Inhee beamed.

“Thank you, auntie…” Haewon swallowed hard. She felt unsure about this, but she couldn’t back out now, especially when her aunt seemed so happy.

“Call me when the party is over, yeah?” Inhee asked.

Haewon nodded. Inhee kissed her cheek. “Have a good time.”

Haewon left the car and walked up the concrete stairs towards the designed area of the greek club parties. *I hope I’m not making a mistake.* She began to count her steps to the pool. Two hundred and one steps later, she was there. There was laughter and chatter everywhere. Some people were swimming, and everyone was drinking. Haewon wondered how on earth she was supposed to find her sorority. Before she could give up and go back, someone tapped her shoulder. Haewon spun around, wondering who it was.

“You’re the blind girl who signed up for our club earlier, right? Haewon Cho?” The girl who had helped her sign in earlier asked. She sighed in relief and nodded. “Come this way.” The girl said. Haewon took a step forward and hesitated. The girl sighed and grabbed her wrist.

Haewon was dragged past the crowd towards the tables where Alpha Delta Pi was.

“Hey, look who came. The girl who is as blind as a bat.” A couple girls giggled. Obviously, they were toxic.

“Sit.” Another girl said. Uncertainly, Haewon sat on a chair.

“Nice dress.” One blonde female complimented. “Thank you…” Haewon whispered.

“Too bad today wasn’t a black tie occasion. Everyone is wearing jeans.” The blonde girl shrugged. Haewon’s face fell. *Jeans?* “Morgan, you’re so mean. She’s kidding.” A brunette girl rolled her eyes. “Just teasing her.” Morgan shrugged with a grin.

Haewon felt out of place as everyone chatted perkily. She wished she hadn’t come in the first place. *What was I thinking coming to a rush party? I don’t belong in a club, nonetheless, a sorority. I can’t even see.* “Hey, guys! It’s Alpha Delta Phi!” The girls squealed in joy. “Hey, girls.” The fraternity walked over with wide grins on their faces. *It’s now.* Haewon took the opportunity to slip away. She got up and silently crept into the shadows.

“Where do you think you’re going, Haewon? Come on! The party just started!” The girls dragged her to the tables.

Haewon miserably sat amongst them. She only understood half of their conversations and barely said a word or two.

“Who is the cute Asian chick?” One male nodded towards her.

“Haewon Cho. Apparently, she wants to join.” Morgan crossed her arms.

“Yeah, and she’s blind.” Helen snickered.

“No way.” Some of the guys gaped at Haewon. She could feel their boring stares and wanted to bury herself into the depths of the earth. She felt like a zoo animal on display. “I…go home…” Haewon stood up. “No!” One of the guys grabbed her arm. Her eyes rounded. Instinctively, her body stiffened. “Sit down. The party has just started. You can’t leave now.” He forced her to sit back down.

Haewon uneasily flexed her clammy fingers. How was she supposed to get out of this situation? A couple guys looked her way, laughed, and whispered lowly to each other. Haewon had no idea what they were up to. She just hoped it wasn’t anything bad.

“All right! Come here, newbies! It’s time for our hazing event! Don’t look too scared. It’s just drinking.” The girls laughed. A few other girls popped into the seats beside Haewon. Now she was surrounded and couldn’t leave without being blocked. *Great. How do I get out of this mess now?*

A mug of beer appeared in front of each person.

“Drink up one by one! Starting from the left!” The sorority leader commanded.

One by one, the girls gulped the beer down. Everyone applauded around them. Haewon nervously fidgeted in her seat. *Beer? I’ve never drank that before. I don’t know if I can handle it. Again, this is my fault. Why did I come?* “It’s your turn, Haewon.” Everyone’s eyes were on her. Haewon swallowed hard and reached forward.

“Wait, wait.” One guy said. Her hand paused mid-air, and a puzzled expression flashed on her face. He pulled her mug back. His friends snickered and placed something in her drink. “She’s cute. She’s mine, all right?” “No way. It was my idea, so she’s mine tonight.”

*What are they talking about?* Haewon wondered. Her gut told her it wasn’t something pleasant. “Okay, now you can drink.” The guys pushed the mug back towards her with sneaky grins. None of the girls bothered to warn Haewon. Everyone just watched in silence. Haewon paused for two seconds before gripping the handle. She raised the mug, and everyone leaned in with wide, expectant eyes.

Her lips touched the mug, and she tilted her head back. Before the beer could enter , the mug was wrenched away from her.

“Kris.” The guys stared at their fellow member. He didn’t look happy about their devious plan.

*Who? What happened?* Haewon wondered in bewilderment.

Kris slammed the mug onto the table and glared at the crowd. She heard him mutter something in English. He sounded angry and frustrated. Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist, and she was yanked out of her seat. Kris dragged her out of the scenery. All the club members stared at them in shock.

“Well…she’s definitely not joining our sorority.” Morgan snorted with a cross of her arms. Everyone shrugged the matter off and continued to party.

Kris stopped in the middle of an empty hall. He spun around and studied Haewon’s puzzled face. She twisted away from his grasp and stepped back. “W-who are you?”