Amy stood at the door long enough to see the red Chevrolet leave the campus.

The talk had been unfruitful. She shouldnt have caught up with her cousin. But what did she expect? Ann was of another world. She has always been over-protective of Amy ever since Amy moved in with Anns family from Hong Kong at the age of five. Amy, do you know what my friends are telling me about you at uni? They say nasty things about you, and they nickname you as gook. Ann spat the word out like a seed in a cherry. Amy hated that word. The word had been imprinted in her memory since the first day of primary school, which continued till now at university. Everywhere she would go, she would hear the word followed by uncontrollable laughter. Yes thanks for reminding me, your mates always call out racial slurs. What do you want me to do? I cant do anything about it. Ha! Ann exclaimed, crossing one leg over the other and tossing her head back in that regal fashion she did things in. Ive told you so many times. Stop being so quiet and shy and socialise with others. Thats just who I am, I have my own group of friends outside of uni and Im not going to care for people who like or dislike me Well you should! Anns voice shot through the air. Unless you want to keep being picked on at uni. Well I dont but I dont necessarily care really. I just find it ridiculous and frustrating theyre being racist when Ive lived here for nearly my whole life. Ann rolled her eyes. Just because youve lived here for your whole life doesnt have anything to do with the fact theyre being racist. Yes it does, this is my country now and where I belong. Well I disagree with you, you werent born here so I wouldnt call you an Australian like me and your colleagues but You think that just because you were born here youre an Aussie? Precisely Well thats stupid, I have more of an Aussie accent than you and So were talking about accents now are we? Ann asked. Sometimes she found it easier to indulge Amy. Amy this is silly, lets not talk about this Ann smiled. But Ann had touched a nerve in Amy. She stood up and stared hard at Ann. I find it ironic how you all think youre Aussies just because you were born here when literally all of yous background is from another country, if you define Aussies that way then the only true Aussies

here are the native aboriginals. I have an Australian passport and Ive lived here as long as you have so stop being so goddamn ignorant. Amy paused, realising the effect her words had had on Ann, and felt encouraged to go on. I love my job but I find it absurd how everyone judges me because Im Asian. You just dont understand because youre half-Asian, if your mum wasnt British you wouldnt even be mates with half the friends you have. Ann waited for her to finish as she withdrew into a hunched posture, searching for something to say but she knew that argument would be futile. Ann fell into a hushed whisper, I just want my little cousin to be happy, I want you to be liked and not humiliated at uni. Ann, you really think I care about what they say, dont you? Jackie said, I actually couldnt care what any of them think sweetie. Im 20 now, I dont need you to tell me what to do. Amy paused as Anns eyes widened in indignation. At this moment, Ann, realising that her little cousin wasnt the insecure teenager who always sought her out for advice and security, came into recognition and acknowledged that Amy was a matured girl. Feeling ambivalence, she snapped her clutch closed and stood up, gave Amy two pecks on the cheek and turned to walk out of the kitchen. Im glad we met up and had this talk. Ann called over her shoulder. The screen door banged shut and she was gone.