"What's up with your eye?"
[Mumbling.]
"What did you say?"
"I got into a fight at school."
"Wait, what? Mom - !"
"Shh! No, don't let her know, please!"
"Well, with whom did you fight?"
"Sean Lancaster."
"The big, bad bully you're always telling me about?"
"Mhmm."
"Oh. What did he do this time?"
"He told me my skin is brown because dirt is brown and that's what I am - dirt."
[Tiny sigh.]
"Shahid, you know better than to fight with people when they tease you about your race."
"But Didi, he's been constantly giving me hell about it for the last year! I just lost it today! And I'm sorry about losing my cool but I'm not sorry about beating him up!"
"..."
"And there's a difference."
"..."
"..."
"Okay."
"..."
"Who won the fight?"
[Grins.]
"Me."
"Neat! Did any teachers see you, though?"
"Umm..."
"..."
"I might've gotten suspended for three days."
"Shahid..."
"And I might need you to sign this -"
"No."
" - and hand it in at the front desk tomorrow."
"No."
"Didi, please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"...Fine."
"Thank you."
"Just don't ever punch someone because they teased you about your skin color ever again. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Well...actually, maybe you should."
"What?"
"As long as you win the fight and don't get caught."
"You're awesome, Didi!"
"I know right. Come with me, I'll put some concealer on that eye for you."
"Concealer?"
"Makeup."
"Ew!"
"Shut up and follow me or I'll tell Mom everything you just told me."
"Aye, aye, Captain."
YOU ARE READING
Fourth Floor
Truyện NgắnAll kinds of people live on the fourth floor of Lakeview Apartments. And they all have their own stories. Cover Credit: @tastyapples123
