This Is Why They Hate Us

by Aaron H. Aceves

Let’s do the things that will lead to us becoming the people we want to be.”

Manny’s giving me the look now, and I wonder if he can tell that I like it.

“What was that about?” she asks, pushing the cart forward. “He thought I was shoplifting.” “I taught you better than to get caught,” she says without missing a beat.

You can’t love someone if you’re not willing to fight for them. And boy did I love that boy in front of me.

Sometimes I get Saleem hangovers, which is what I call what happens after I experience a particularly intense flood of emotions related to how I feel for him, like I did yesterday.

She smiles. “It’s not made up. My hairstylist’s cousin is actually having her quince today.” “You’re joking.” “Nope! I like to ground my lies in reality.”

People are supposed to get sad in the winter, but for me it’s always the summer. There’s too much time. Too much time to think. Too much time to feel.

My dad and I both take a sip. Then he puts his arm around my shoulders, something he hasn’t done in a long, long time, and I feel secure. I feel like I belong.