Xenophobia

They were laughing. Hand in hand, running through the forest in search of an escape. An escape from the cruel world that they were being forced to live in. They wanted freedom.

So freedom is what they seek.

Somehow, the stumbled upon a lookout. It overlooked the city of Orange Grove. The night's sky combined with the glistening lights below made her eyes drown in admiration. The scenery was beautiful to her. But she was beautiful to him.

They both lie down, heads facing up gazing at the thousands of lost souls we call stars sprinkled around the sky. It's silent. But not an awkward silent. The two smile as they close their eyes and take in their quiet solitude, something they don't get on a daily basis.

"Khai," he calls out for her, their eyes still fluttered closed.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Interestingly enough, the couple turns simultaneously to look at each other. Brown to green. Green to brown.

"I love you more," she says.

He leans in, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "Not possible," he whispers before granting her the beautiful gift of electricity by placing his lips on hers.


-


They both lied when they got home. Their parents both asking them the same questions.

"Where have you been?" or "Who were you with?" In which they both answered the same way.

"Out with my friends."

Khai Jackson and Harry Styles. Best friends. Neighbors. But most importantly, two souls desperately in love with each other.

It all started when the Styles moved to Orange Grove twelve years ago. They'll never forget the day their families stumbled upon each other in Kremi's Ice Cream shop on Friday evening. Soon to be discovering they would be neighbors. The youngsters clicked instantly, bonding over the fact that they had the same favorite ice cream flavor - cookie and cream. While they were off in a corner, their parents were consumed in a rather... tense conversation.

"So you're African American?" Mark, the father of Harry, asked Melissa, the mother of Khai.

She confirmed his assumptions just to have him mutter a quick slavery joke under his breath. Well, not really muttered, because Melissa Jackson heard it loud and clear in which she replied with a subtle and venomous "Fuck you."

They both grabbed their kids, storming out of the shop. The two six year olds completely oblivious to what had happened.

The two made it a main priority to see to it that their child did not socialize with the other. But to no avail as Khai and Harry were both blessed enough to be assigned in the same class, right next to each other.
You can guess the rest of the story.

At fourteen, Harry asked Khai to be his girlfriend and its been a roller coaster ever since. To say the past four years were hard would be an understatement. From lies to sneaking out, it's probably safe to say their relationship was out of the ordinary.

But who cares?

Because they were still two foolish teenagers in love.

"I love you," he whispers into the phone.

"I love you more," Harry could basically hear her smile.

He chuckles. "Not possible."

They hang up the phone, closing their eyes and entering a world where they could both walk hand in hand freely without scorns.

Goodnight Harry.

Goodnight Khai.

Notes