Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe #1)

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

“You shouldn’t say that,” I said. “It’s true.” “I didn’t say it wasn’t true. I just said you shouldn’t say it.” “Why not?” “Dante, I don’t—” “You don’t have to say anything. I know that we’re different. We’re not the same.” “No, we’re not the same.” I knew what he was saying and I wished to God he was someone else, someone who didn’t have to say things out loud. I just kept nodding. “Do you hate me?” I don’t know what happened just then. Since the accident, I’d been mad at everyone, hated everyone, hated Dante, hated Mom and Dad, hated myself. Everyone. But right then, I knew I didn’t really hate everyone. Not really. I didn’t hate Dante at all. I didn’t know how to be his friend. I didn’t know how to be anybody’s friend. But that didn’t mean I hated him. “No,” I said. “I don’t hate you, Dante.” We just sat there, not saying anything. “Will we be friends? When I come back from Chicago?” “Yes,” I said. “Really?” “Yes.” “Do you promise?” I looked into his perfect face. “I promise.” He smiled. He wasn’t crying.