Shook: A Hood Love Story by Louis Myrtia

"You didn’t tell this girl I said I didn’t want anything to do with someone like her?" she snapped at me, her words making my eyes widen in disbelief. *What...?* I thought, frozen in place. Gio tried to pull me away, but I jerked my arm from his grasp, certain I had heard her clearly this time."Wait, what did you just say?" I asked aloud, stunned. Gi grabbed my arm more forcefully, still trying to get me to leave, but I stood my ground."Why are you saying things like that? She’s beautiful," I heard his abuelita speak up for me as she rose to her feet. The guys followed, standing behind her and telling their mom she was out of line."That girl heard me," she hissed, jabbing a finger in my direction. "You’re too dark."She held up the brown paper bag wrapped around her beer. "If you don’t match this bag or lighter, you’re too dark.""You look too much like his father. I don’t want you near me." She waved me off, her words slicing through me, shattering my heart into a million pieces.I looked up at Giovanni, whose eyes met mine with pain and helplessness."Baby, please," he murmured, pleading.But I shook my head in disbelief, turning back to face her."Get her out of here, Giovanni. She carries darkness.""Only people like her have that color," she added coldly.I stood there frozen, nausea curling in my stomach, completely overwhelmed by the cruelty of the moment.