Personal Stories

Tan Laoshi slapped my trembling thigh, my knee automatically straightening on the ballet barre. I could feel droplets of sweat cascading down my neck and back as her scrutiny pierced straight through my skin. My breath hitched when my new dance instructor pivoted closer, her eyes swimming with judgement. She opened her mouth, and: “看来你寒假期间吃得有点太多了。” It seems that you’ve eaten a bit too much this winter break. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to take a pair of scissor

In my mind, secrets were never kept. Everyone all around me knew every aspect of my life, everything that upset me or every mistake that...