Trifling

THE WAY WE WERE

July/ 9/ 2015

It was one of those hot summer days where the heat bounced off the pavement, and everything smelled like sunscreen and BBQ. Imani and Ari were getting ready for Kianna's birthday party, excitement buzzing between them.

Imani grabbed her bike from the porch, already dressed in her swimsuit under her clothes. "You ready?" she asked, looking over at Ari, who was still adjusting the straps of her helmet.

"Yeah, yeah, hold up!" Ari said, hopping on her bike and pedaling after Imani. Kianna's house wasn't far-just a couple of blocks down-and the girls could already imagine the fun waiting for them: water guns, a swimming pool, and food fresh off the grill.

As they pulled up to Kianna's house, the sounds of splashing water and laughter filled the air. The backyard was alive with activity: kids running around with water balloons, the smell of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers wafting through the breeze, and Kianna's family scattered around, chatting and watching the chaos.

Imani dropped her bike on the grass, eyes immediately spotting Camron, already drenched, holding a massive water gun. He was in the middle of chasing someone but froze when he noticed Imani and Ari arriving. He smirked, clearly planning something.

"Y'all ready to get soaked?" Camron shouted, aiming the water gun in their direction.

Imani laughed, hands on her hips. "Boy, don't even try it." Camron rolls his eyes and sprays Imani and Ari before running off to his friends. Imani walks deeper into the backyard with Ari and they both spot Kianna with her grandparents.

"Hey, Kianna!" Imani yells running up to her with a smile letting go of Ari's hand. Kianna smiled at her waving her hand and motioning for her to come over to where she was. As the party buzzed around her, Ari stood off to the side, feeling out of place. She watched as Imani ran off to talk to Kianna and her grandparents, leaving Ari on her own. The backyard was filled with noise, laughter, and the chaotic fun of a summer birthday party, but none of it felt welcoming to her.

She didn't know anyone except Imani and Camron, and the crowd of people-most of them older and unfamiliar-was overwhelming. Ari hadn't lived in this city for long, and everything still felt new and strange. She looked down, kicking the grass, hoping she could blend into the background until Imani came back.

A group of older girls, who looked like they might be Kianna's cousins, stood nearby, glancing at Ari and whispering. She felt their eyes on her, and the uneasy feeling in her stomach grew.

"Who's that girl?" one of them said, her voice dripping with judgment.

"She doesn't look like she fits in here," another cousin added, sizing Ari up with a smug look.

Ari tried to ignore them, but her heart raced. She shifted uncomfortably, wishing she could disappear. The girls weren't going to let her off that easy, though.

"Hey, you!" one of the cousins called out, stepping closer. "You even from around here? You look... different."

Ari tensed, feeling her face flush. She could sense what they meant, but hoped it wouldn't get worse.

"You're Hispanic, right?" the taller girl asked, her tone sharp. "What, you lost or something? This ain't your kind of party."

The words hit hard, and Ari swallowed, trying to push back the knot forming in her throat. "I'm with Imani," she mumbled, keeping her eyes on the ground.