Zakiya and Rylander.

Gloves.

ZAKIYA

My dad drove me to school the next day.

"So... my angriest daughter," he said slowly, looking at me through the rearview mirror, "How's Anger Management?"

"Dad, it's not fun," I replied, being careful not to say anything that would make him feel bad that I was stuck there. "But, it's interesting."

"Okay. Look at the bright side. It's just Anger Management... and it's not on your permanent record." He reverted to Somali, because he was always more comfortable in it.

"I know, Dad, but that's definitely not what Mom thinks."

"That's because she's your mother. And she worries. You get that anger from her and you know how the world is today..." He made a helpless gesture and then, I felt so guilty about hurting my parents. But, I can never feel remorse for what I did. "We're afraid that someone might hurt you for being who you are... or for what you represent. Just be careful. Try to be nice... like me!"

The last part was said jokingly, but I shook my head.

"I couldn't be nice, even if I tried, Dad," I said. "You know that because you know me."

Pain flashed in his eyes and slowly, he faced me completely. He extended his left hand and I grabbed on to it, my only lifeline, for now and for ever. He squeezed it and understanding passed through us.

"I'm here, Zakiya. For now and for ever."

I hugged him and then hopped out of the pickup truck before it became awkward. I adjusted my headscarf, put the pin in place and then marched out of the parking lot, attempting not to make any eye contact. I felt like everyone was staring at me... and not for the scarf.

I shrugged it off. I knew that I had everyone in the parking lot's attention, so I'd milk it for what it was worth. That was my plan until I fell, face forward, in the parking lot.

I got up quickly, and walked it off. No one can embarrass you if you won't get embarrassed!

I pushed open the door to the school block and padded down the warm hallways. As usual, my locker neighbor was too busy being pulled off her feet by the power of suction with the Boyfriend-Of-The-Month to notice my existence. I inched away from her, fiddling with my combination lock, jumping every time they got a little too grope-y. They kept on taking more and more space and I had to keep on adjusting where I was standing, until I got annoyed.

"Hey!" I said, smacking the guy at the back of his head with a file, "Get a room, will you? Or at least, get out of here! Stop sucking her face! Move! Yeah, you can take her with you! Move faster! Shoo!"

The guy and Abigail were holding hands, staring at me, eyes unfocused.

I mock-jumped and they retreated.

"Goodbye!" I sung. "Find another make out spot! Bye, Abby! Buh-bye-"

"Hey-"

"WHA-A?" I cried out, clutching my heart and bopping the person behind me on the head.

Rylander grabbed the file before I could hit him a second time.

"Ouch," he said.

"You scared me."

"Like that's a good enough excuse to brain somebody," he said, rubbing his forehead. "How're you doing today?"

"I shouted at somebody."

"And..."

"It felt amazing!"

"I know, right!" he said, tucking the file underneath his arm. "Up top."

I glared at him.

"I know, I know, my apologies. Which is why... I got you THIS!" he said, whipping out a fancy box tied with bright ribbon.

"What is it?" I asked, my interest piqued.

"Open it," he replied, handing me the box.

Holding back girly squeals, I took the box from him and opened it. Inside was... a pair of gloves.

I had never felt so disappointed in my life.

"Oh... it's a pair of motorcycle gloves."

"Put them on," he ordered.

I did so. Then, he hi-fived my hand.

I understood then. I screamed, louder this time.

"OMG! You like got me these gloves, so you could hi-five me! That is so so so sweet of you! OMG! OMG! OMG!" I squealed, dancing around him.

He looked at me, evidently creeped out by my sudden Valley Girl act.

"Sorry. Anyways, they fit like a... well, like a glove."

"Please stop."

"How did you know they'd fit so well?I mean, last time I checked, you didn't know my glove size..." I trailed off, as we began walking in no particular direction.

"My girlfriend's a fashion whiz. She's in your Home Sciences class," he said, placing his hands in his pockets, "She's your partner."

"Who? I don't do Home Sciences."

"Oh, shit... well, whatever, look at the bright side! The gloves fit! See you later!"

He charged off, leaving me wondering who his girlfriend could have mixed me up with. I mean- I thought I was unique!

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