#palmaz

He found her underneath the bleachers. She was sat on the ground body shaking. She couldn’t take it anymore. High School was rough, but even worse when you were a Muslim in 2002. He silently took a seat next to her.

“Zari?” he said softly.

“Go away!” 

“No,” he said simply.

“God, you’re like a puppy dog. Always at my heels even when I tell you to go away. I don’t want to see anybody, least of all you.”

“Why?”

“Because i don’t feel like one of your pep talks. I want to wallow alone.”

“You shouldn’t have to wallow.” She stared at him intently.

“Why don’t you hate me, like everyone else does?”

“Because you’ve never given me, or anyone else for that matter, a reason to hate you. You are wonderful Zari Adrianna Tomaz and they’re the ones missing out, not you.”

“It doesn’t feel that way.”

“Because they want you to feel that way. I want to believe the best of humanity, but times like these I’m reminded how much it sucks. But they don’t get to control you. So will you please just come back to the dance with me. I promise not to leave you alone for one second, especially not to get punch. As long as you’re with me, I won’t let anything bad happen.”