"But I always take this seat."

"No, you always take that seat."

"No, I always sit in the middle."

"No, I do."

"But the light is angled perfectly over here–"

"I am not getting up for you," I stubbornly crossed my arms.

"–And the air conditioning hits just the way I like–"

"Antonio."

"Fine." He glared at me and reluctantly sat down.

"Are you guys hearing this too?" Lily asked the others, stunned.

"Rose and Antonio arguing over who gets to sit in the middle?" Benny snorted.

"No," Tabitha looked at her boyfriend. "Well, yeah. But no."

"They're back to normal," gaped Romano.

It was a few days after New Year's Day. The winter break was rounding to an end. Per usual, the group of us were spent the evening at the diner, lounging around and sipping on our milkshakes. It was the first time Antonio had joined us in weeks, as we'd previously been avoiding each other. Now that we'd made up, things were finally back to normal.

"When did this happen?" Tabitha questioned with arched eyebrows.

"When did what happen?" I innocently replied.

"When did you two make up?" Lily eagerly inquired.

"We didn't," Antonio nonchalantly shrugged.

"Yeah. I still hate him," I insisted, pointing my freckled nose in the air.

"Whatever you say, Flower." Antonio rolled his dark eyes, though I could see the glimmer of amusement underneath.

• • •

Days later, school started up again. I wasn't privy to the glances and whispers that followed Antonio and I throughout the day. Before third period, a freshman girl who I'd never seen before came up to me in the hallway. She'd asked if Antonio and I were back together. I'd told her we were never dating in the first place. She'd looked disappointed.

I didn't understand it. She certainly wasn't the only girl curious to know where I stood with Antonio. After school, I was gathering my binders from my locker when it was suddenly slammed shut. I flinched and pulled my hands away just in time, utterly disdained to see who the culprit was. Or rather, culprits.

"I see you and Antonio made up again." Beth scowled at me, flipping back her bleach blonde waves.

I skeptically crossed my arms. "Happy New Year to you too."

"Answer the question." She stomped her foot like a toddler.

"What question?"

"You and Antonio made up."

"But that's not a question," I beamed. She glared at me and I sighed. "What's it to you?"

"I thought I told you to stay away from him," Kimmy piped up in her squeaky voice.

I blinked for a moment. I hadn't even noticed she'd been standing behind Beth.

"I thought I told you I don't care," I sarcastically smiled at her.

She snarled and stepped towards me, but was suddenly stopped by a smirking Beth.

"I see you've unbraided your hair," Beth said.

I confusedly nodded. After a few weeks, I'd retired the lovely African hairstyle and gone back to my natural curls.

"Good," Beth continued, nodding. "They made you look, uh, what's the word they use for your kind?"

"Ghetto," Kimmy finished with a smile.

I opened my mouth to retaliate at the bluntly racist remark, but before I could, Tabitha's voice made us all turn around.

"What makes you think Rose is ghetto?" Tabitha was tight-lipped.

They were shocked by her appearance. It was rare that anyone ever intervened in their bullying—much less a girl as popular as Tabitha.

"B-Because she's..." Kimmy stuttered.

"Black? Yeah, she is. So am I. Is there a problem with that?" Tabitha demanded.

Kimmy and Beth rapidly shook their heads, utterly astonished.

"That's what I thought. Now scram!"

They didn't need to be told twice. The two of them turned around and ran down the hallway, practically tripping over their feet. Meanwhile, I mulled over what they'd called me. Ghetto. Unfortunately, it wasn't the first time I'd experienced a racist remark. I'd moved to all kinds of towns, and while my amicable personality usually helped me adjust, a lot of the time, people had a problem with the color of my skin. It'd always been something that set me apart from others, though over time, it just became another part of me that I loved.

I appreciatively glanced at Tabitha. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"No, I don't think so."

"I love you."

"You and everyone else in the world." She flipped back her long black hair.

I laughed and fondly shook my head, while the two of us began to walk down the hallway.

• • •

When I got home later that afternoon, Jo was stiffly seated at the kitchen table.

"What's up?" I apprehensively asked.

"I have some news."

I slowly put down the glass of water I'd just filled up. "Okay... good or bad?"

"You could see it both ways." She stood up and anxiously toyed with her diamond ring.

Wait.

Her ring.

"No way!" I shrieked. "You said yes?"

A large smile broke out onto Jo's face. "You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad!"

We clasped hands and began to jump up and down, childish squeals escaping from our throats. We came to a stop only when we lost our breaths.

"What made you change your mind?" I asked.

"You, actually. I realized that you were right. I do have commitment issues. But, the thought of marrying Bob makes me excited. I mean, I love him, he loves me–why should we wait? There's nothing stopping us. Well, unless..."

She stared at me hesitantly.

"What, me?"

"I won't do it if you don't want me to. I mean, it's asking for a lot. We'd have to move in with him–"

"You say that like it's a bad thing! Have you seen his house?" I asked incredulously. Bob and Benny lived on the richer side of town.

Jo chuckled and stared at me with anticipation. "So you'd be fine with it?"

"More than fine. You're getting married, Jo!"

The two of us let out laughs of excitement and commenced the jumping. We continued celebrating well into the night. By celebrating, I mean watching rom-coms and scouring the kitchen for junk food. Eventually, we fell asleep on the couch surrounded by candy.

I reawakened around midnight and confusedly glanced around. Next to me on the couch was a snoring Jo. We were in the dark, and our faces were only illuminated by the light of the television. I winced at my sore neck and turned off the television before gently placing the throw blanket on Jo.

Barely conscious, I trudged upstairs and tiredly made my way over to my bedroom. What I saw next surely woke me up.

• • •