"Hey, Jon. What's up?" the voice asked.
Jon smiled. It was his friend Yuki Meshida. Out of all the students attending the school, Jon and Yuki were the only ones who were Japanese. Of course, Yuki moved to America only two years ago and Jon was born here (his parents moved to America a year or so before he was born), but still ... they had something in common, and thus a friendship was born.
"Hi, Yuki," Jon said. "I'm just watching some TV."
"Anything interesting?"
"Nah. I'm just passing the time."
"Then you want to head to the mall or catch a movie or something?"
Jon thought for a moment. "That actually sounds like a good idea. But I'll have to tell my mom first."
"Okay, I'll meet you there, okay?" Yuki said.
"Sure."
Jon put the phone down, then headed up to his mom's room. His dad wasn't home yet. He worked late. So he'd have to get permission from his mom.
He knocked on the door. "Mom? Are you awake?" He heard a groaning sound coming from inside, then he slowly opened the door a crack. "Mom?"
The still-changing woman in the bed opened her eyes (which now had an epicanthic fold) and looked at Jon. "What is it, honey?" she asked, her voice taking on a slight Japanese accent.
"I'm going to the mall to hang out with Yuki. Is that okay?"
"Sure, sweetie. Just be sure to be back before nine, okay?"
Jon nodded, then left.
