Chapter Seven: Loving You Is Complicated

Keisha Thompson: I can't believe this thread is still going especially on the issue of who admin is dating. His girlfriend is black! His girlfriend is black! His girlfriend is black. Honestly, there's no such thing as half-black. Black is a culture. There's no country called Black. You can be half-French, half-Kenyan, but you can't be half black. You're either Black or not. Y'all kill me with this half-Black thing.

Yonisha Mack: I like what you said Keisha. I wish more black people felt the same way you do. Every time I try to talk about the struggles of being biracial in the black community people tell me to shut up, tell me I have it good, and to check my privilege. How privileged can being biracial be if a good chunk of the race doesn't want to claim me? People look at me disgustedly when I tell them my mom is white. Sometimes people only date me for my lighter skin. They don't want to get to know the real me. For a long time I felt like I didn't belong. My white side definitely didn't want to claim me; whether I'm black isn't unanimous. Personally, I always identified with black. My name is Yonisha for fucks sake!

Terra Walters: If I had a biracial child, I'd only acknowledge it as black. What would be the point of doing anything else? Society would only see it as black.

Hannah Powers: I don't know why we are doing this anyway. This is why racism still exists, because we keep bringing race into everything. This post wasn't even originally about race. I personally don't see race. As long as you're nice to me, I'll be nice you. I just don't think race should have a place in the new millennium.

Quentin Jones: Race shouldn't matter; honestly all lives should matter. I don't like to be identified as black. All power to you if you do. I just never fit into the typical black man mold. I don't really like sport or Hip-Hop. I've always been the type to dye my hair and hang out with the alternative kids in school. It's the only place where I felt like I belonged. Other black people in grade school would tease me and beat me up. They'd call me faggot, pussy, sell out, and Uncle Tom. In college I found other quote black guys that feel the same way I do.

Stephan Stephens: You bitches is crazy! And the faggot who commented above me is a tap dancing jiggaboo. Black is black. You either fit in or you don't. Get over it and get out the way.

Lor Truman: This post was about Sandra Bland who you guys definitely have forgotten through this foolishness. Reading all these comments seeing how far you guys have gone away from the issue, SANDRA BLAND, makes my stomach turn. You want to know what else makes my stomach turn. Knowing that since Sandra Bland there have been soooooooooooo many others. And what have you niggas been doing? Arguing over the administrator's girlfriend? Team Light Skin?! Team Dark Skin?! Hotepness?! Coonery and Buffoonery?! Look I get that we have a lot of division in our community; they're the remnants of slavery and Jim Crow. I'm not saying that we should get over these microaggressions overnight. Let's just not let them distract us like it's been doing.

Riley Freeman commented: lmao u niggas wilin' (laughing with tears emoji)

Jazmine looked at herself in the mirror and realized for the first time, probably in life, she was completely happy with what she saw. She had on a form fitting garnet sweater, dark blue jeans, and a simple black headband. She smiled at herself before looking at an email. A couple schools finally got back to her with information on undergraduates. She was torn between majors: sociology, peace and conflict resolution, international global studies, and African-American history. They all interested her narrowing down which one she would study was difficult. She knew she would do well in whatever she studied. She was so full of self confidence both physically and intellectually. It was a wonderful feeling.

Jazmine told her dilemma to her parents; she was so excited that she was talking a mile a minute. Sarah just smiled at her, happy that her daughter was happy. Tom tried to keep it together, but broke down in tears realizing his daughter was about to grow up and leave him. "I guess it doesn't matter. In the grand scheme, this stuff doesn't become super concentrated until you get your Masters."

"Masters?!" Tom choked. "You do it baby, reach for the stars!"

"Oh daddy, it's not the stars. I'm no Katherine C Johnson."

"Who?"

Jazmine cocked her head to the side. She assumed her father knew black history. He was in the NAACP! "Katherine Johnson, you know NASA... NACA..."

"Oh Taraji P Henson! From that movie Hidden Fences. Oh it was amazing." Tom accidentally merged Fences and Hidden Figures; he'd seen them both when they came out. Like most, he thought they were groundbreaking. He felt inspired, but then returned back to his life without changing. He never bothered looking into the lives of those hidden figures to learn more.

"Well y-yeah, I do mean her character, but Katherine Johnson was a real person. Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson are real people."

Sarah smiled. Her daughter was so smart. She always knew she was. "You're just a regular Einstein now."

"Mary Frances Berry, mommy, advocate and historian. Science stuff and math still really confuse me. Anyway, I think I'm going over to Cindy's house today. We haven't hung out in so long."

"Okay Jazzy, call or text when you get there."

Jazmine waved to her folks who were in awe of her. Who was Mary Berry? As quickly as the name registered, it was forgotten and the Dubois parents went about their day. Jazmine shivered in her mother's Altima. She pressed the gas and pushed the button to start. She hummed to the top Forty playing on her Satellite radio until she got to the McPherson mansion. She entered a code and drove in when the gate opened. Cindy was outside waiting for her.

"Guurrrllll, it's been a minute."

Jazmine threw the keys in her bag and hugged Cindy. "I know. It has been forever. I have so much to tell you!"

"And I've got so much to tell you. You'll never guess who bae is." Jazmine shrugged. They no longer went to the same school. She had no way of guessing. She was shocked Cindy didn't tell her on Snapchat, their primary means of communication. "I got me a real nigga, Jazmine. Real talk, he's the one." Jazmine frowned. Nigga? What did she mean by that? A black guy? It couldn't be. The only black men their age were the Freeman brothers and Caesar. Caesar didn't like her (neither did Huey honestly), Riley only committed to himself, and Huey was hers. She had no idea who Cindy was talking about. She also didn't like her saying that word, but she ignored it. "Ed Wuncler the Third"

Jazmine was taken aback. "What?!"

"Yeah, he's bae now. He's Man Crush Everyday. He's everything I've ever wanted in a man. Tall, light skin, pretty eyes," Jazmine was a little confused with Cindy's description of her ideal man. It's like she heard it somewhere before. "A rough neck nigga who ain't afraid to get dirty out here in these streets." Cindy's blue eyes glazed with happiness and wonder; she sighed affectionately. "We got that hood love. Nobody understands our shit."

"..."

"What? Spill, what's up?"

"Cindy, it's just. He's thirty-something. He could be our father!"

"Pfffttt, that's it? Old niggas always tryin ta holla. At least now it's not gross. I'm eighteen! By law, I'm a grown ass women." Cindy flipped her hair behind her back. "We do grown ass things and I love it. Hood shit. Gangsta shit. Freaky shit." Cindy got a mischievous look on her face. "He's not my father, but he sure is zaddy."

"What have your parents said?"

"Who cares, fuck'em." Her parents, mainly her father, usually had something fucked up to say about the people she associated with. Mr. McPhearson was cruel about anyone who was poorer than him or not his color, even if they weren't white they needed the "proper" upbringing and lineage for him to not cast them off as garbage. Ironically, he would support Cindy's relationship with Ed Wuncler III if he knew. Wigger or not, insane or not, dangerous or not, unintelligent or not, Ed Wuncler III was a wealthy, ivy league WASP with centuries deep connections. Cindy did her best to spare Jazmine of what her father thought about her. He hated the Dubois, the Freemans, the Jenkins, the Caesars, the Goodloves, Frederick (Gangstalicious) and his partner, the Cornishes (Flonominal), A Pimp Named Slickback and his hoes, the Uberwitzes and the other Jewish families of Woodcrest. Cindy didn't feel like the same thing happening again with her already questionable relationship. She was going to continue her fling until she ended it. She didn't care what anyone thought, not even Jazmine. Cindy just wished Jazmine had been in awe of her relationship like she was of Jazmine's relationship with Huey. Cindy had been a fan of "Juey" even before they saw each other that way. Cindy wished she had someone as perfect for her as they were for each other. The blonde girl sighed. "Anyway, how are you and your boo?"

Jazmine's frown deepened. She honestly didn't want to talk about her relationship right now. There was nothing wrong with them, but she had a dilemma that wasn't about him or their future. It was just about her for once! She was torn between majors. Even though it was minor, it was the first time in a while Jazmine's mind was preoccupied with herself. Answering Cindy's question, she settled with. "We're good. We've been preparing for the future. I'm torn between everything with college! In state/out-of-state, PWI or HBCU, my major! It's so frustrating and exciting! What college are you going to?"

"Wherever my bitchass dad went I guess. Don't matter. I'm just there for the parties."

"Parties are fun. I wonder if I'll join a sorority. Will I be able to make it? Do you think I'd be a pretty AKA? Memes say they're stuck up though. Maybe we should attend the same school. Do you want to room with me?"

"Hell yes! This is going to be awesome. I'll go wherever you go."

Jazmine beamed. "I was going to say that! Now to decide on a major, what do you think: African-American history, international global studies, peace and conflict resolutions, or sociology?"

Cindy shook her head. "Peace and what now? AfAm history? Girl, Huey got you whipped for sure."

Jazmine knew Cindy didn't mean anything by that, but now she was ready to leave. Not everything she did revolved around Huey. She had a mind and life of her own. Her majors were about her interest. Why would anyone think Huey gave a fuck about Peace and Conflict Resolution? Huey wanted revolution by any means. He'd been a wanted man! Jazmine was doing this for herself. She wanted to make the world a better place. She wanted to help the poor, the hungry, children, elders, and animals. She wanted to help her community. All of that was her. Maybe she had been too wrapped up in Huey.

Before Jazmine could tell Cindy what was on her mind, the blonde's phone rang. It was Wuncler III. Jazmine could tell by the way Cindy picked up the phone that their conversation for today was over. Jazmine mouthed that she was heading out. Cindy mouthed if she wanted her to hang up. Jazmine shook her head no and left the McPhearson mansion. She sighed and decided to make her way back to Timid Deer. Once she was there she debated going left to the Freeman home, or right into Thugnificient's. Jazmine hit the signal and drove into Jenkins' household.

Jazmine rang the doorbell. She remembered years ago when the doorbell was just a pretty lady speaking. Now it was an ordinary chime. Tanzania's mother, Solene, answered the door. Jazmine blushed at the dark skinned beauty with the teeny afro. Mrs. Jenkins' proportions were too defined: the result of cardio and waist training. She had toned arms, thick thighs, and an ample behind. In Jazmine's opinion, Solene was more beautiful than Tanzania; they obviously favored, but Solene's age made her more sexy. The Dubois girl decided she owed Cindy an apology. Her eyes zeroed on Solene's thick lips, coated in dark red lipstick, as she said in her French-Carribean accent, "What a nice surprise. Tanzanie, votre ami est là!"

"It better not be no nigga at the door!" Thugnificient screamed from seemingly nowhere. Jazmine jumped as Thugnificent scoped her and the premise out to determine if there was a male presence. Seeing just Jazmine, he gave her his megawatt smile. "Sup, lil' bit. Hey baby girl, it's um, uh, Lil' Bit!"

"I'm coming!" Zany rushed to the door with her little sister Isadora on her hip. Isadora was biologically Thugnificent's, but someone from the outside wouldn't automatically know Tanzania wasn't from the way he treated both girls. "Jazmine! No lie, I was just thinking about you. Come on."

Tanzania placed Isadora down and let her walk. Isadora followed her older sister to her room. "I wanna stay withchu, Tanzanie! Steven Universe 'bout ta be on any minute!"

Jazmine's eyes sparkled. "I love that show."

"Okay, but we'll watch it later, Isa. I 'aveta tell Jazmine something." Isadora pouted, but Tanzania ignored her, pulling Jazmine into her room and closing it. She sat Jazmine on the bed and flopped beside her. They sat in silence for two minutes before Tanzania burst into tears. Jazmine jumped, but immediately wrapped her arms around her friend. Tanzania embraced her back and buried her face in Jazmine's shoulder. "Hiro forgot ta sign out of Twitter before he left."

"What's wrong, Zany? Is he cheating?" Tanzania shook her head no. "Is he moving?" Another no. Jazmine frowned. "I don't know what else could have you so upset."

"Hiro's cousin. 'is cousin DMed 'im. I h-hit the translate button an-" Tanzania caught her breath. She tried to control her words. "He hates me!"

"Hates you? Nobody who's ever met you could hate you."

"'e 'as and 'e does. 'im don' understand 'ow 'iro could be wid da product of a stripper and a rapper. 'im say Rag fa One Bitch g'wan embarrass der family. 'im say dat I'm ugly and stupid." Tanzania listened to herself and remembered another complaint of her through Hiro's cousin. "He says my English is terrible... He and Hiro are at odds now and it's because of me."

"I'm sorry."

"I've been crying since I read it. It's my fault for clicking it."

"...Is it his whole family or is it just his cousin."

"The message implied more, but-"

"Ignore it." Jazmine pulled Zany away from her shoulder and wiped her eyes. "Ignore it. Interracial relationships are not easy. ...if you want I could give you my mom's number and you two could talk about it."

"Yeah... I'd like that. I feel stupid for cryin' like this." Zany shook her head and wiped her face. Her eyes were still red and puffy.

"Why? There's nothing wrong with having feelings. We don't always have to be perfect."

"God, I love you. You're everything." Jazmine laughed at that. It was only recently that she'd gained this self confidence. "My feelings still hurt. I tink it might be 'cause they're still talking bout us on 'uey's page and Rags ta One Bitch."

"Still? Maybe that's why Huey's been so down lately."

Tanzania rolled her eyes. "How can you tell happy 'uey from sad 'uey?"

"Not funny. ...I'm terrible."

Zany's eyebrow raised. "What do you mean?"

"Huey's sad. I mean he's really depressed. He doesn't really go out or talk much; but instead of being there for him, I've been only focusing on me. I've been honestly ignoring his depression. I'm really not good."

"..."

"I haven't even asked how to help him. Usually I do. I just wanted to focus on me and school. It's not that I don't love him, I just wanted to do my own thing."

It was Tanzania's turn to hold her friend. "There's nothing wrong with that. You have to love yourself before you love anyone else. You should talk to 'im."

"...I'm so glad you moved here. I know we haven't known each other long, but you're my best friend."

"You're my best friend too."

"I miss seeing you everyday. I miss seeing the guys everyday. Oh my God, I miss school!" Jazmine shrieked in horror before crashing on her friend's bed. "I miss cheerleading; and lunch!"

"I miss lunch too."

"That's it! I'm inviting everyone out. Just you, me, Huey, Caesar, and Riley. Where should we go?"

Zany shrugged. "Starbucks?"

"Yes! It'll just be like lunch time at school that way." Tanzania got what Jazmine was hinting at and burst into laughter.

Tanzania was certain that she hated Huey Freeman. She wondered why she agreed to go on this outing knowing he'd be there. Like usual, they were in a debate and butting heads. This time it was about Black people saying Merry Christmas. "There's nothing wrong with Black people being Christian! 'ave you read the Bible? Nothing, but Africa and the Middle East in that text."

"The average Christian doesn't read the Bible. It doesn't help that media portrays Jesus as a white brunette with 2A hair. Christianity has ruined the world. It's still damaging our people. I'm not even talking about the Mark of Ham bullshit either. Niggas getting shot everyday and their families are on TV talking about forgiveness. Forgiveness? What about vengeance?! Hell, what about justice!" Huey felt more strongly about this than anything. His family had been rare; the cop who shot his dad was jailed and they had reparations. However, Huey and his family weren't average black Americans. Huey and Riley's dad had been a cop. Blue lives mattered.

"I'm witchu on that shit," Riley said shockingly. "If I die the last thing I'd want is for your and granddad to bitch out. Nah nigga, rampage. Justice for Riley, don't stop til the streets riot."

"Don't talk like that. I don't like to think of any of us dying. I don't know what I'd do if I lost any of you." Jazmine felt tears prick in her eyes. She wanted a good time. This conversation wasn't fun.

"Rampage!" Riley said, doubling down.

"Seek justice." Caesar said calmly.

"Move on." Huey and Tanzania said at the same time. They looked at each other wondering what the other was thinking. Tanzania ignored that weird moment and continued to argue her point. "I think you all are ignoring what they mean. Forgiveness isn't about ignoring all these murders, it's about not feeling hate."

Riley scoffed. "Fuck that noise. I'll never forgive the bitch ass cop that shot my old man. Never."

Tanzania looked at Huey. His eyes burned with the same hatred. Tanzania always thought that the moral high ground was best, but she'd never been in that situation. She didn't know what she'd do if it was her family. She didn't know what she'd do if it was her friends. Was she strong enough to take her own advice? "I'm sorry."

"I didn't know." Jazmine was hurt. She didn't know anything about Huey and Riley's parents. She'd never asked; Huey never told. Looking at the Freeman brothers she could tell they'd been a major part of their lives. She swallowed. What were their names? Where was their mom? What did they look like? When did this happen? Why hadn't Huey told her this before?

Riley shrugged. "Eh, it's whatever. I'm still gonna say Merry Christmas though. I like gifts."

Caesar decided to weigh in. "Christmas is too commercialized. It has too many of our people out of sorts, even those that don't believe." Caesar thought about relatives that literally don't eat so their children could have a good Christmas. At first he thought it was noble, but now he felt like it was insanity. The essentials were more important than material things.

"Holidays make people do good things they wouldn't ordinarily do. But that isn't always negative. Sometimes Christmas the only time of the year people donate to charity, volunteer, and do some good will! Christmas got my parents together. I love Christmas. I'll always love Christmas. I usually say Happy Holidays though."

Call it ghetto, the Jenkins family didn't care. The holidays brought that family together in the most unusual way. Thugnificent was alone on Christmas Eve. He usually went over to Derrick's house for the holidays, but he was still miffed that Otis got him fired from his job. It'd been hellish for Derrick to find another. To cheer himself up, Thugnificent got a lap dance from the hot stripper with an accent he'd screwed with on and off. He asked if she was going to be back the next day. He didn't have anywhere else to go and he didn't want to be lonely. She told him she was going to be home with her kid; he told her he liked kids and told her things he'd done with Riley as examples. She laughed and invited him for lunch, thinking the obscure time would make him pass. Instead Otis was delighted. For the first time in a while he wasn't looking to smash and go; he wanted company. Otis arrived on time with food and presents. Solene was surprised when she saw him outside her door, struggling. She helped him bring everything in, but let him know that Tanzania had fixed lunch for them. Thugnificent was a little caught off guard to see that Solene had a daughter instead of a son, but rolled with it. He complimented the girl's cooking as if was the best thing he'd ever tasted; he hadn't had home-cooked food in years. Tanzania was distrustful when she first saw him, but watching him talk, open gifts, and be goofy with her mother made her give Otis a shot. He stayed until the New Year hit; each day, the three grew increasingly attached to each other. Solene and Tanzania were depressed after he left; neither female thought they'd see him again. They were wrong. Every time he was in Atlanta he came to see them. He missed nothing: not an awards ceremony, graduation, dance, recital, birthday, Halloween, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, New Year, Easter, and especially not Christmas. Although they never outright claimed each other, Solene and Otis stopped dating other people (unless one of them wanted to make the other jealous). Solene blocked any woman from getting close to the former rapper; Otis made her stop stripping. When Solene got pregnant with Isadora, Thugnificent didn't seem surprised. He took Tanzania to school and muttered, "Shit, guess I got two kids then." They got married when Tanzania was contacted by ICE. A reality show soon followed.

Jazmine imagined Tanzania's parents' love story a lot differently than it happened. She squealed in delight from her romantic thoughts. "That's so sweet. I've always wanted to get engaged around Christmas." Riley called Jazmine gay. Huey scoffed.

Tanzania giggled and agreed. "Me too." Caesar was silent.

The biracial teen finished her macchiato and decided to weigh in on the topic despite of the tangent she created. "I guess it's subjective. I think Christianity has been overall positive for the black community. It was black churches were activism took place during the Civic Rights Movement. I know it wasn't the only place, but there was a lot more cover hosting their meeting in church than anywhere else. They needed that cover; we all know what happened to the Black Panther Party. Black churches serve a function in our communities. Whether it's keeping people off the street, taking people to vote, or teaching black children how to read and write when their schools, our schools, don't, they do it. Or at least they used to... I can't deny the rampant corruption of churches especially in terms of sexuality and sexual assault victims. Christianity seems like it's best used for evil purposes when people don't study the Bible. Slaves weren't allowed to read the Bible and even if they could they took out half of Genesis and all of Exodus! Restricting knowledge is essential for control. It's disturbingly evil! It makes me sick to even think about at times! But even though there are many submissive themes in the Bible there are also many blatant anti-establishment, revolution themes too. Many people ignore how loving and anti-establishment Jesus was. And I think our people can relate to his crucifixion more than anybody. So I'm with Tanzania, I guess." Everyone looked at Jazmine as if she grew a third eye. Huey wanted to counter her argument, but he was so impressed with her new knowledge that he didn't. "What?"

"Nothing, just a good point." Tanzania liked what Jazmine said. Her position had too much emotion, but Jazmine had some facts.

Jazmine giggled. "I missed this."

"We live down the road." Huey mentioned dryly.

Jazmine huffed. Huey could be so literal at times. "I missed all of us together, hanging out, we don't do this at home. We have a finite time together before we graduate. I love you guys so much, I wish we could be this way forever."

"Gay..." Riley muttered.

Jazmine stuck her tongue out at Riley and hooked her cellphone on a selfie stick. "Please?" Tanzania scooted closer to Jazmine and positioned herself to look natural, but also give her a good angle; some of the photos she cuddled with Jazmine, others she focused on herself. Jazmine wrapped her free arm around a disinterested Huey; some she forced romance on Huey, others she emphasized her friendship with Zany, a couple photos she made herself look cute and silly. Riley cocked his head to the side, lowered his eyes, and gave a half-smirk, some he bit his bottom lip. Caesar just looked at the camera, smiling in some, serious in others. Jazmine looked through them and grew giddy. "One of these is my new cover photo."

"Send them to me, I'm going to stay here a bit longer. I tink I want a caffeine high."

Riley noticed a classmate of his that owed him money. His chill demeanor went sour. "And I got some bidness to take care of."

"I'll be out here too. I'll ride with Zany. You two go ahead," Jazmine gave Caesar a gracious smile. She appreciated that her friends wanted her to spend some time with Huey. She didn't realize how much she'd missed being around him through their brief absence.

Huey and Jazmine were quiet during most of their ride in the Altima. Neither of them could find a reason for their disappearance. Huey was shocked Jazmine hadn't sought him out before today; he felt childish for not being the one to contact her first. He had no words. He couldn't explain why he was so distant. Honestly, he'd mainly slept. "Did you have fun, Huey?"

Huey looked into Jazmine's inquisitive green eyes. Yeah, he had a decent time. He'd wondered where this side of her had come from. He'd always known she could do this: learn about her people and form her own opinions. She just needed more self esteem and awareness. Many people wondered why he was with Jazmine when the difference in their intellect seemed so vast; but she was loyal, sweet, optimistic, and could learn. Huey wondered what else she learned. "Yeah it was okay."

"I want to meet up and see everyone again before the New Year. I promise I won't make you say Merry Christmas," she joked. "Sorry I've been distant."

"You don't have to apologize. I was ghost too."

"...I sort of know what I want to study in college: African-American history, international global studies, peace and conflict resolutions, or sociology."

"I could see any of them. Peace and conflict studies sound the most like you. You could double-major. You should, if you're paying $60,000 for paper you might as well get the most out of it."

Jazmine rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the semi-compliment. I'm really excited. I love learning, Huey. I can't describe what it's been like since taking after school classes and reading more. It's like all the secrets in the world have been brought to the light. I feel like I understand everyone better: myself, you, Cindy, your grandpa, Uncle Ruckus, my dad, everyone!"

"..."

"For the first time in my life I'm happy to be me. Everything that our people have been through, especially as a black woman. I'm so proud of us. So proud to be called that. I loved that when I looked through history I could see women that looked like me, that looked like Tanzania. I know you told me from the start, but I finally feel like I belong. I know I'm worth something. I can be whatever. I can be smart, dumb, pretty, ugly, athletic, artistic, mathematic, spiritual, a leader, a follower, a supporter. I'm just now learning this and I'm a little overwhelmed, but happy." Jazmine realized that she'd passed Timid Deer. She was just driving. "I want to see what you see Huey. I want to help you. Nothing's changed, I still want to be your wife. I'll always be at your side."

"You don't want to see what I see. I'm not happy."

Jazmine pulled over and put on her hazard lights. She unbuckled and straddled Huey. "I can make you happy."

"..."

"I know I'm not your type. I've always known that. I think that's why Zany's presence shook me; because I was no longer the closest to your type. You didn't have to settle for me anymore. You know, these lessons were honestly to changed myself to keep you. I even thought about tanning to get darker. Now I realize how silly that was. I inadvertently learned about myself. Now what I'm doing is for me. Even being with you is for me. Aren't I selfish?" Jazmine wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Huey stopped her. "The last thing I'd want is for you to change yourself for me. All of that went through your mind? Why? Why change yourself to please me? I thought I made it clear what I think about you."

Jazmine gave him a melancholic smile. "...you're the only one that ever made me feel like I belonged. You're the only person that's called me beautiful and meant it. You knew me before I knew me."

Huey laughed bitterly. "I treat you badly."

"You don't!"

"I do. There are people worldwide that would find you beautiful. In this country, you're the standard."

Jazmine shook her head. "My own dad doesn't think I'm pretty. He's always trying to get me to change. My hair even fell out once because he made me get a relaxer. It didn't even help! My hair is 4C and nothing will change it. I don't even have hair like other biracial girls. I don't think I turned out the way he hoped for."

Genetics was a lottery especially when races mixed. Nobody should guess phenotype. Two black people can make a blonde haired, blue eyed baby. A black, and white person can make a baby that looked like Jazmine, or even one that looked like Ruckus. Maybe Tom did think he'd have a fair child with dark wavy hair. Instead he got Jazmine, a fair child with light kinky hair. "It doesn't matter."

"You're right. It doesn't. I had you. From the start, you claimed me. You slowly showed me I was beautiful. I still remember when you compared my hair to the clouds in the sky."

Huey vaguely remembered that. "Wasn't I ten?"

"Yes. So even then! Even when I was younger and wanted to feel shitty about myself you countered it. You never let me forget who I was." Jazmine lowered his seat. "Maybe we haven't been the best for each other recently, all that matters is that you still love me right? Let me help you. Just like you wouldn't let me forget who I am. I won't let you forget who you are."

(A/N) So much happened in this chapter. Two more to go!

Next Chapter: Huey finally responds to the Facebook posts.