Chai Tea 

“Things happen for a reason”-Marilyn Monroe

It started when I moved to Lincoln. For all my life, I lived in Woonsocket RI, so when I started second grade I was horrified at making friends and teachers mispronouncing my name, ‘Kaylee,’ like usual.

3 years later...

I made a lot of friends who knew how to spell and say my name, but that wasn’t true for my fifth grade teacher.

“I’m sorry if I say any of your names wrong,” she began the typical saying. After a few names went by and I knew my name was next. “Um K-Kaylee?” She stuttered to say my name, but that wasn’t the worst part.“Malayithong?”

As always, I hear a few chuckles. I sluggishly raise my hand knowing there weren't any other ‘Kaylee’s’ in 5th grade.

“I’m sorry, did I say that right?” she asked.

 I shook my head slowly, “No it’s pronounced ‘Ky-lee.’”

“I'm going to call you ‘Chai Tea’ to remember your name.”

I thought, My name doesn't sound like Chai Tea like at all, but ok, I guess. I smiled, nodding. 

It was only a couple of seconds, but it felt like hours. The feeling of getting a nickname that doesn’t even sound like my name was weird. Everything about my 5th grade teacher was weird. I mean no offence or anything, but really ‘Chai Tea’? Like it could of been “Kyky” or “Khai-wee”. Out of all teachers I did not expect this from her. I kind of thought I was a shining star because she knew my family, even if it just a little.

                 A few months passed and something happened…

“Chai Tea come here,” she beckoned. I was terrified, What was she gonna ask me, am I in trouble?

“Do you know someone named ‘Bee’?”

“Ummmmmmmm... Yeah, why?”

“Oh really? Him and I were best friends in high school.” She shouted it and I felt every single pair of eyes on me. 

“Okay...” I really didn’t care. I felt very weird knowing that she knew my uncle.

We packed up for dismissal. As I sprinted home with my sister, I asked my mom, “Did uncle Bee have a best friend named Marissa Gringras?”  

She gave me a weird look so I clarified, “In High School? She’s younger than you.” 

“No, but he did I think date one,” she said back.

I was surprised. I couldn't believe she could of been my aunt! A few years later, I still can’t believe that my fifth grade called me “Chai Tea”. I also still can’t believe that had a husband and talked about her ex, like hello focus on your life now not the pass.  I mean everything happens for a reason, right?