Haruki 's Pov
Love isn't taught in schools , but I wish it was. No one tells us how to love another person especially when they're from another race and culture.
Thankfully for me , my mom told me that we are all like the chocolates with the different colors on the outside. You can't tell that we're the same if you don't look closely or take a piece from each perspective.
Mom loved to travel and that's where she met dad . She used to bring back photo books with pictures of people from different places and show them to me and my brother telling us little stories each time.
She had this strange idea that we were all another race or gender in a past life and so when we are kind to others who are different from us we are simply being kind to ourselves.
What a strange idea of self love.
One time she brought back a picture of a little girl my age who was probably African American but I didn't really know.
She wanted me to meet the child but my father didn't like the idea.
Since Mom died I only have my racist father to deal with and so I slowly became less and less excited about learning about different cultures and people.
" Haruki ! Stop sleeping in class ! " Miss Claire said and I lifted my head from the desk.
" I'm not sleeping, just bored. "
" Well today we have a new student and I would like everyone to pay attention when she gets here."
" Haruki , you good ? You've been spacing out every day for the last week." My friend asked, he had red hair and a small nose .
" Yea , I just feel like I've lost a part of myself. You know ?"
The red head laughed.
" I heard about this cool cafe that gives out the sexiest fortunes. We should definitely go."
" That sounds.... interesting but I really don't care." I said and then he ruffled his hair a bit.
" There is a new girl ? I definitely want to be her friend. " One boy remarked.
" A girl wouldn't even want to get within 10 feet of you. " Another boy said and Haruki's friend just laughed.
When she came in it felt nostalgic and significant.
It was like a painting intricately carved into the back of my mind.
" Ok class. I'd like you to meet the new girl ."
" She's not Japanese. What a bummer." Ayame my childhood friend said and I rolled my eyes at her.
My dad loves her because she's just as racist as him.
" Listen this is the new student and I will not tolerate any funny business Ayame. I don't care if your parents own the entire school. I'll still give you a detention." Miss Claire said and Ayame frowned.
" Ok introduce yourself and tell them one thing you like."
" My name is Kiara and I really like chocolate." The girl said and her face lit up a bit as if chocolate wasnt yucky to begin with.
" Cool. Where you from ?" Ayame asked suddenly and Kiara seemed nervous to answer.
" I'm from America." Kiara replied.
" We'll go back." Ayame said and then she grumbled something under her breath.
It sounded like she said " It would be better for everyone if you just leave" but maybe I didn't hear her right .
Kiara looked sad and then she covered the sadness with a smile.
I stared at her because I've never seen a black girl in real life before. I've seen them on TV and in shows but not in person and so I observed from my desk with no intention of ever interacting with her.
At least that's what I thought.
To be continued.....