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When I finished my last class, it was 9:30 p.m. I walked down to the bus stop and waited for the bus. Thirty minutes later, the bus came. Luckily, I caught the last train before 11:00 p.m. and got home at midnight. I took out my key and opened the door. The light was off, the stove was cold. I cooked instant noodles for dinner, took a shower, and lay down on my bed with endless loneliness. I repeated this day after day, year after year, until I met her.

Now, every night when I arrive home, the light is always on.

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Michael Xie was born in China and came to the U.S. in 2019. In 2010, after working as a middle school teacher for 10 years, he started a new career as a public speaking trainer for children, helping them to build their confidence and communication skills. He studies at the English-Speaking Union’s Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center. The site adviser is Karen Ruelle, and the program officer is Karl Hart.