Inner Beauty is the True You

  Claire is a girl who diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at eighteen months old. She doesn't have any friends when growing up because everyone thinks her disability is kind of "disease" but that doesn't mean all the teasing and the rejection crush her cheerful spirit and her kindness because her parents taught her that inner beauty is the most important in the world.

  Claire just finished her college and started her degree at a local university. Yet again, her friends aren't much. One day, Claire dropped her books while walking to the university's cafeteria. She was about to pick up the books, a boy student came over to her aid and helped. "Thank you. I'm sorry for the trouble," Claire said as she looked up to the student who helped her. "I always see you around on campus," the boy said as he handed back to Claire. "Oh really?" Claire said with a blush.

  "What's your name?" Claire asked the boy. "My name is Austin. What's yours?" Austin asked. "Claire," she said. "Nice to meet you Claire!" Then came a clique of popular girls at the university dropped by. The head of the clique, Mandy, apparently claimed herself as Austin's "girlfriend". "Austin, what are you doing with this girl?" Mandy asked giving Claire a cold stare. "Just helping her out, Mandy. Come on do you have to be mean to everyone on campus?" Austin said.

  The scene in front of Claire made her uneasy. "I better go. I'm late for class," Claire said hurrying away for her next class. "Later, loser," Mandy said followed by the laughter from the other girls. Although Mandy is beautiful on the outside but the inside she is a mean and cruel towards other students especially the nerdy ones and students with special needs like Claire. Just left 10 minutes before class, her best friend, Clover, was waiting for her. "Claire, where have you been?" Clover asked. "I was at the cafeteria," Claire said. "I bumped into Austin while I was there," she added. "Austin? Mandy's boyfriend?" Clover asked again. Claire nodded her head in agreement. "Don't care about Mandy and her popular clique. Just be yourself and you'll be fine. What's more important is the inner self. Not the outside," Clover said.

  "That's what my parents tell me all the time," Claire sighed. As they wanted to talk more, it was time for their lecture. After two hours, Clover and Claire headed to the library as their daily routine after each lecture. They bumped into Austin when they were about to enter the library. "Hey Claire, can I talk to you for a second?" Austin asked. "Sure!" Claire said as they walked to a corner. "I'm sorry about Mandy and her clique today. It must be hurtful to you," Austin apologized. "No, no it's okay. I get used to it," Claire said with a smile. Austin felt guilty about the incident earlier. "Do you wanna to go to the movies with me this weekend?" he asked. "Sure, why not? Which movie you're watching?" Claire asked. Austin said he is watching Beauty and the Beast. "I thought it would be an amazing movie to you," he said.

  Claire agreed to go out with Austin this weekend but she thought about Mandy.  "What about Mandy?" Claire asked. "Would she be jealous?" Austin said:"Mandy has a girls' day out on the weekends so I'm not worry about it.  I'll pick you up at 7pm?" Austin asked. "Yeah, okay," Claire said. After that they both parted ways. "Did Austin just ask you out?" Clover asked as they both headed to their usual study place in the library. "Yes, yes he did! Why?" Claire asked. "You know, Mandy," Claire told Clover that Mandy and her clique always on a girls' day out on the weekends.

  As the weekend approached, Claire was excited about her night out with Austin. Dressed in her best, she waited for Austin to pick her up at her dormitory. A knock was heard, Clover went to the door to open as Claire was getting ready. "Claire, Austin is here!" Clover said. "Coming!" Claire viewed herself into the mirror one last time as she adjusted her yellow headband. "Have fun you two!" Clover said as she looked on her best friend leaving with Austin.

  When the movie ended, Claire always visits the book store. "Do you like the movie?" Austin asked when they entered the book store. "I totally love it! The Beast proves himself that to break the spell, he has to learn to love. The look on the outside doesn't matter, it's the inside is the most important," Claire said with excitement. "That's why the movie suits you," Austin said. As they passed by a cosmetic shop, Austin stopped in his tracks. "Austin, what's wrong?" Claire asked. She followed Austin's direction and saw Mandy and her clique were at the shop. They were about to leave, Mandy saw Austin in an instant. "Austin? What are you doing here?" Mandy asked. "I'm with Claire to watch  Beauty and the Beast. The movie I wanted bring you but you have your weekly girls' day out. I had an extra ticket, so I brought Claire instead,"

  Mandy was shocked, "Austin, I'm your girlfriend! You should bring me instead!" she yelled. "Maybe it's the best choice to bring Claire because you won't stop mocking and teasing people around you! I had enough of your nonsense for one year! We're through!" Austin said as he and Claire quickly left the place leaving Mandy in tears. "Austin, you shouldn't do that," Claire said. "It's okay, I broke up with Mandy. Now I realized what is the meaning between pretty and beautiful," Austin said. "You're kind, brave and courageous. That's the girl I want and that's it's you!" he added.

  Claire could feel her cheeks turning red. What Claire's parents told her is true. It's the attitude and the inner beauty reflects one's true self.   

First Day of Univerity (22/3/17)

  After a four-month break, it's time for me to head back to university. Today I'm heading back to Sunway University College for the first time as a university student. We reach the campus at 8.10am, I take a good look at the campus, nothing has changed much at the foyer. I head to the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) academic office since there is nothing to do at the foyer.


  As I'm about to take the lift, I bump into Ms. Haslina. " Hi, Ms. Has!" I say. "Hi Kar Marn, it's so good to see you again!" Ms. Haslina says. I tell my mum that I'll go to the third floor. While we are going up, Ms. Has asks me which course I'm pursuing. I say: "I'm pursuing BA (Hons) Communication at the university under the School of Arts," She says:" How wonderful! Congratulations!" She gives me a motherly hug. When the lift reaches the floor, my parents head out to the registry office to settle the university fees.


  I reach the third floor, Ms. Has tells me that she has to make a move as class is starting real soon. I head back to the study room of the MUFY academic office. The place had been my companion for three months when I was doing my third semester in July. It brings back a lot of memories! The new students didn't know I was an ex student but the lecturers are happy to see me again after four months. At 8.50am, I head out to the corridor waiting for my parents to get some "important work" done.




  I spot Ms. Helen James, the MUFY coordinator. "Hi Ms. Helen!" Ms. Helen turns around, "Hi Kar Marn, how are you?" I say: "I'm doing good!" She asks me whether I'm back for university degree. "Yes, yes I am!" After a short chat, she goes to the study to have a chat with my parents. I look at my watch, it's time to go down to sign myself for up the university programme. The foyer is packed with students and the line is so long to get yourself sign up. After signing up, I take the lift at the North Building to Jeffery Cheah Hall at level 4.




  While waiting for the orientation, I have a chat with my two new friends, Derek and Regine from Penang. At one point, Regine reveals that Derek sings. My face immediately lights up and asks him "Do you want to sing together one day?" Derek says: "Why not? Do you sing too?" I nod my head. I mean singing is my passion, it would be great to have a duet! "Do you mind sing a few verse for us?" Regine asks. I sing the chorus part of Start of Something New by the cast of High School Musical. Derek is quite surprised, "Wow, you have an amazing voice! How did you learn to sing that well?" "Well nothing much! Just constant singing at home that's all!" I say.




  After all the speeches made by the Vice Chancellor and Professors as well as the staff of the campus, it's time for a break. At 12.30pm, the students are back to the hall for the next activity. The Sunway Dance Club (SDC) put a performance of dance for us to lighten up the mood. The song they dance to is Shape of You by British singer, Ed Shearan. Later, the Sunway University Student Council (SUSC), organizes an amazing race for us to get know each other more.


  I'm on Team Dodge. Each team consists a group of ten. We are given an hour to complete the task but we need to do accordingly that is stated on the list. We go through the whole campus! There are two things:
1) It's a good exercise
2) You'll be sweaty after all that running and walking


  I try my hands on water bottles flipping but none of them turn out well. By the time we head back, everyone is tired and exhausted. The introduction of clubs and societies which take up the ending time by half an hour. I head down back to the foyer to wait for my sister. While waiting for my uncle to pick us up, I had a small chat with Shu Yie, my senior. Little did I know, a mini St. Davidian (my high school) reunion.


  My university life is about to begin, there are more to come.