- 5 months ago
My story animated is a digital platform that provides teenagers and adults the most interesting and life changing stories with the world.
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Hi, my name is Chinami, and I moved to America all the way from Japan when I was 12 years old.
00:06The first thing I noticed about being here was just how big everything was.
00:10The houses, the food portions, the cars, everything was huge in America, and I loved it.
00:16I ate as much food as I could at every restaurant I went to with my mom and always asked for seconds,
00:22which left her totally embarrassed, but I didn't care.
00:25I didn't even want to move here and I had to break up with my boyfriend before we left because I wouldn't see him again for so long.
00:31We both cried a lot.
00:33So that's why I figured I would have as much fun as I could in America since I didn't really have a choice about moving.
00:40As you may have guessed, some of the kids at school were horrible because I looked different and couldn't speak English very well at first,
00:46but I didn't let their awful hazing make me feel bad.
00:49I was confident and knew who I was, so I always walked with my head held up and didn't let anything anyone said or did make a difference in how I felt about myself.
00:59The bullies were not used to this approach at all.
01:02It just left them confused and scratching their heads.
01:05I guess they never met anyone quite like me before.
01:08Good.
01:08So eventually, they just left me alone.
01:11One day, my mom asked why I had no friends at school and I told her they were all jerks.
01:16I don't believe that.
01:17I'm sure a lot of them are exactly what you say, but there must be some nice ones too.
01:22I love how independent you are, but everyone needs a friend.
01:26The truth is, my mom knew something I was trying to hide, which was, as comfortable as I was with myself, I was terrified of making friends or dating anyone new.
01:35In Japan, we had moved at least six times because of my mom's job.
01:40Each time we went to a new town or city, I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends or boyfriends.
01:45My heart broke every time it happened, and I always asked my mom if we could just stay in one place for at least a couple of years so I could have some real friends, but she said she couldn't guarantee that.
01:56So, I decided to only rely on myself, but the truth was, I was getting pretty bored and lonely hanging out with only myself and my cat all the time.
02:06But still, I couldn't do it.
02:08I was too scared.
02:09I ate lunch alone, walked home alone, and spent every weekend playing video games or dressing my cat up in fun costumes.
02:16Until one day when I was in eighth grade, a boy called Max came to my lunch table and sat across from me.
02:22He started talking as if we knew each other our whole lives, and I didn't even have time to be scared like I had been with everyone else because, well, he just didn't give me a choice.
02:31I told mom I wouldn't talk to Max anymore in case we had to move, but she told me this time we would be living here for a long time, so I may as well try to find a real friend.
02:41From then on, Max and I were best friends.
02:44He helped me to learn English, and I taught him some Japanese, but he was terrible at it.
02:49I know what you're thinking.
02:50We're gonna fall in love because we're such good friends, but nope, we just stayed friends.
02:55Even as we grew up and went to high school, neither of us had feelings for each other.
02:59Thank God, too, because he was my biggest helper when it came to boys, which is ironic since he was constantly getting broken up with.
03:07I tried to warn him about the girls he was dating.
03:09They were all shallow and absent-minded, but he didn't care.
03:13As long as he had a pretty girl beside him, he felt like he was on top of the world.
03:17But, of course, they would always break his heart and leave him for someone else, which only made him more sad and want to date prettier girls to prove that he wasn't, as he put it, a total loser.
03:28And the cycle would begin all over again.
03:31You really deserve better, Max.
03:33Not according to the girls I date.
03:35They always leave me for someone stronger or smarter.
03:38Because they don't care about anything other than how popular they are.
03:42You're kind and fun and really thoughtful.
03:45Why don't you date someone like that?
03:46Look who's talking.
03:47You don't date anyone.
03:49What do you mean?
03:49I go on dates all the time.
03:51Yeah, one date.
03:53And then, no matter how cool they are, you stop talking to them.
03:56So many really cool guys want to at least try to be your boyfriend and you never give them a chance.
04:01Like who?
04:02There was George with the gelled hair and nifty vests.
04:06Tom, who asked you to the dance.
04:07And Pete, who, well, doesn't have a lot going for him, but he's really nice.
04:11What's so wrong with being single anyway?
04:14What's wrong with dating around?
04:15You only do it because you're insecure.
04:17And you're only single because you're scared.
04:19It's a miracle we even became friends.
04:22All you ever want to do is be alone with your stupid cat.
04:25If you're not careful, you're going to miss out on a lot of great things in life.
04:28And what if you meet the one and don't give him a chance?
04:31Well, if it's up to you to meet the girl of your dreams,
04:34you'll probably pass her up for someone with an expensive car and a pretty face
04:37who doesn't even know where Japan is.
04:40You know it's happened before.
04:42All of a sudden, he stopped talking and just stared off.
04:45I thought maybe I really insulted him or something.
04:47But then he smiled and said,
04:49You're right.
04:50What if we switched lifestyles for a month just to see what happens?
04:54Switch lifestyles?
04:55Yeah, you go out with one of those nice guys who likes you for at least three dates.
05:00And I'll ask out someone who knows where Japan is.
05:02And maybe who won't dump me for the football captain for once.
05:06Date someone for three dates?
05:08That's practically a relationship.
05:10I can't do that.
05:11All of a sudden, I couldn't breathe, my palms got sweaty, and I got nauseous.
05:16Well, what do you say?
05:18But before he had a chance to ask again, I ran out of the cafeteria and hid in the bathroom.
05:23I avoided him all day after that and ran home so fast he could never catch up.
05:27I guess I was even more afraid than I realized.
05:30Mom saw how frazzled I was when I got home and asked,
05:33Honey, what's wrong?
05:35Max wants me to date someone nice and be happy.
05:38What a jerk.
05:39I know!
05:40I was kidding.
05:41Oh, well, I don't need a boyfriend anyway.
05:44Well, there we agree.
05:45You're not even allowed to have one.
05:47What?
05:47Since when?
05:48When you were little, it was okay.
05:50But now you have to focus on your schoolwork, so...
05:53No, boys.
05:54You're the reason I can't get close to anyone.
05:56And now you won't even let me if I want?
05:59You have too much to do to prepare for college.
06:01Sorry, honey.
06:02I ran to Max's house right away and told him I was in.
06:06What changed?
06:07You freaked out earlier.
06:08My mom said I couldn't.
06:09Ah, yeah.
06:10That makes sense.
06:12So, you aren't too scared anymore?
06:14You mean, what if I fall in love only to have to move again and maybe it just doesn't work out
06:18and I'm left broken and hollow and sad and crying like every other time I ever got close to anyone?
06:22Yeah.
06:23Well, that's easy.
06:24I just won't fall in love.
06:26And you?
06:26You're gonna be able to date a normal girl who doesn't look like a supermodel?
06:30Hey, I'm not shallow like that.
06:32I just date them because it makes me feel good about myself.
06:35But I know, I know, you don't have to tell me.
06:38That's not a good reason to be with someone.
06:40Then why do you do it?
06:41Because, if I date a girl I actually like and she breaks up with me,
06:46it won't be because she wants to be more popular.
06:48It'll be because I really wasn't good enough for her.
06:51I don't know if I can take that.
06:52Well, I won't do it if you won't.
06:54You have to.
06:55You can't be scared your whole life.
06:57And you can't be insecure your whole life and just date girls who don't even care about you.
07:03Fine.
07:03But we both have to do it.
07:05Okay.
07:06We shook hands and made it official.
07:08As scared as I was, at least I knew I wasn't alone.
07:11Now, all I had to do was find someone I liked, but didn't like enough to actually fall in love with.
07:17I stalked the halls trying to find the perfect guy who wouldn't be boring or too full of himself,
07:23but also wasn't very cute or smart or caring.
07:26This was a lot harder than I expected.
07:28I liked Peter, who played basketball and was very confident,
07:32but that made him way too attractive, so I kept looking.
07:35Eventually, I found Sean, my neighbor who was quiet, respectful, but he didn't play any sports or do any plays.
07:42He had only one friend and I think he got mostly C's in class.
07:46He was perfect.
07:47Not too confident, not too smart.
07:49He was just average.
07:51Hi, Sean.
07:52Do you want to take me on a date?
07:54Um, cool.
07:55Come to my house tonight at 7 and pick me up.
07:57At home that night, I got dressed and ready and just paced the house waiting for him,
08:02but by 7.30, he still hadn't shown up.
08:05Hey, you were supposed to pick me up.
08:07No, I wasn't.
08:08I never agreed to date you.
08:10Wait, what?
08:11He didn't want to date me?
08:13My whole life, I never met a boy who didn't want to date me, except for the bullies, of course.
08:18Are you a bully?
08:19No, I just don't want to date anyone.
08:22I'm happy as I am.
08:23Really?
08:24Me too.
08:24So, why do you want to date me?
08:26I'm just trying to get over my fears.
08:29Oh, so you're just using me.
08:31OMG.
08:32I was using him.
08:34How could I do that?
08:35I'm so sorry.
08:36You're right.
08:37I'll go away forever now.
08:38I left thinking about what a jerk I was for doing that.
08:42I have to go to the store if you want to come.
08:44We walked and talked and it didn't feel like a date at all.
08:48Only two new friends hanging out.
08:50I couldn't believe how smart he was and how comfortable he was talking to me.
08:54Who he barely knew.
08:56We ended up getting dinner and ice cream and he even paid.
08:59I guess it became more like a date than we realized.
09:02That night, I realized I had been so judgmental.
09:06Thinking he wasn't confident just because he didn't play sports or act all cool.
09:10He was just being himself.
09:12And even though he was very smart, he only got C's because he wasn't that interested in school.
09:17Then I realized I really liked him.
09:21And, oh no.
09:22Maybe I was falling in love.
09:24Max, we have to call it off.
09:26I went on one date with Sean and I'm already falling for him.
09:30Okay, good.
09:31Because I asked out Ariana.
09:33But then I realized I loved how she's so kind and nice and smart and caring.
09:37And I just can't handle being rejected by someone like that.
09:39So I stood her up.
09:40You did what?
09:42That's so mean.
09:43She's the nicest girl in school.
09:45I know.
09:46I feel terrible, but I just can't.
09:48I'm too scared of what it could do to me if she doesn't like me or we break up.
09:51I guess I know how you feel.
09:53I feel the same way.
09:55I really like him and now I'm too scared to even talk to him.
09:58He could totally break my heart with only a few words.
10:01Okay, so we agree.
10:02We will end this here.
10:04Agreed.
10:05We shook hands again.
10:06After school, I tried to avoid Sean while Max avoided Ariana.
10:10We snuck out with our heads down in the halls as classes were dismissed,
10:14trying to blend in.
10:15And as we turned the corner, there they were, both Sean and Ariana.
10:19He was smiling at me, but Ariana was glaring at Max.
10:23She marched up to him, almost knocking Sean out of the way,
10:27and planted herself right in front of Max.
10:29Just because I'm nice doesn't mean you can do that to me.
10:32I was ready and waiting and deserve respect.
10:35What do you have to say, huh?
10:36Oh, so when you ask me out, you're all smooth,
10:40but when you get confronted, you're all like,
10:42uh, I don't know.
10:43Don't talk to me again.
10:44Wait, I'm sorry.
10:46I was just scared because you're so nice and so great and everyone loves you.
10:50And if we went out and you didn't like me, I would feel so worthless.
10:55But you're right.
10:56It was so wrong and I'm a coward for not talking to you about it and trying to avoid you.
11:00I'm so sorry, Ariana.
11:02Hmm.
11:03Say more about how great I am.
11:05Everyone knows you're the nicest girl in school, and it's true.
11:09You're always doing things for other people.
11:11But you also don't take any disrespect from anyone, and I love that.
11:15The truth is, since we were little, I liked you,
11:18but I just didn't have the courage to tell you because if you didn't like me,
11:22I couldn't handle it.
11:24So I date girls who are shallow and not nice at all because they're so different from you.
11:29And when they break up with me, it doesn't hurt as much
11:32because they're not you.
11:34Wow.
11:34I had no idea he felt that way about her or about anyone.
11:39Ariana kissed him right there in front of everyone and left together.
11:43Then Sean came up to me.
11:45My turn to be honest.
11:46Hi.
11:47I'm sorry, but I was going to avoid you too.
11:50I know now I was just scared.
11:52Of me?
11:53Of myself.
11:54And how I don't think I'm strong enough to handle it if I
11:57fall in love with you and it doesn't work out.
12:00How do you think people become strong?
12:02They take risks and when they get hurt, they learn and grow.
12:06I can't promise we'll be happy forever, but I can tell you I like you and I had fun and
12:12I think that's enough to try.
12:13He took my hand and we left together.
12:15I don't know what's going to happen.
12:17Maybe Sean and I will be together forever or maybe I'll have to move again and lose the
12:21only guy I ever really loved.
12:23And maybe Ariana will end things with Max and break his heart.
12:26But what I do know is that just because some things end doesn't mean they weren't important
12:31and that it didn't mean anything.
12:33I can't control what happens.
12:35Only how I feel and what I choose to do with it.
12:38And I will never again let fear stop me from doing what I want or being with someone I love.
12:43Because whatever happens, this is my life and I will choose to live it.
Be the first to comment