Nguyen, Michelle. Californian native. 17. Aggie. Full-time student, part-time dreamer. This is an account of cupcakeisms straight from my red velvet heart. Writing is my release.

I look in the mirror at myself, graduation gown&cap clad. Tears start streaming down my face. The hardest part here is closing the chapter. How can I ever repay and thank my parents for all they have done to get me this far? How will I be able to do everything on my own, independently next year? Some of us proclaim ourselves “independent” but really, we would be nothing without our loving providers who stress over the bills and well-being of their spawn (us). My parents have pampered me so much that without them I am at a loss. They run to catch the falling boulders aimed at my shoulders so that my load will be less heavy. I feel as if I owe them more than my life, but it is so out of my power to give them that right now. I will just have to settle with a grateful memorandum and a promise that someday mother, father, I will buy you a life of luxury.

Let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the South of France.

As for high school itself, I for one am relieved to be rid of the cankerous atmosphere that has enveloped and deceived me for the last four years. Cheers, to the future. However daunting it may be, it sure as hell can’t be worse than the past.