Fische

pt replaying in my head: "Your picky eating is alread

ells, a lifetime of explaining and defending and justifying my existence? A lifetime of watching Jason make excuses for Kelly's "good intentions"? And wha

t's barbecue, I would leave. This

l go by myself. I don't want you mediating between your friends, and I don't want you to feel awkward dealing

y sigh. "Fine, Arielle, whatever. Just... don't embarrass y

ed inside, the first thing that hit me was the noise - laught

grilled meat, and a faint whiff of

d around with references only they got. Though they smiled politely at me,

out!" one of them joked, elbowing him.

e. "Arielle! So glad you could make it. Are you still mad at me? Honestly, you h

ht not be able to eat anything with flavor tonight, right? For Arielle's sake, we all have to suffer throug

table. I heard faint murmurs of complaint

smile. She'd deliberately

e. She's been through a lot lately." He downed his glass in one go, then raised it. "It's all my fault, everyone. I

" She grabbed a bottle of bourbon. "To Arielle! May she finally learn to l

, her eyes full of challenge.

hug!" It felt like a public execution, a ritual of humiliation. I gripped the glas

his arm. "Oh, Jason, don't be so dramatic! S

oked at me, then at Kelly, then back at me. H

t then he pushed the glass back into my hand. "Just... take a sip,

lly's smug face, then at Jason's

anted a show, I

y gaze locked on Kell

d stomach - like shards of glass tearing at my esophagus, igniting a fire in my gut. My eye

he glass shattered, shards flying everywhere. The sound cut through t

? Are you okay?" He reached for me, but his conce

e silent restaurant. "You want to know about my family traditions?" I rasped, m

do you have... century eggs? Preserv

y's face twisted with disgust. "Oh my God! Ar

he broken glass. "Or is it more disgusting to poison someone in the name of 'to

u have," I told the waiter, my voice growing steadi

ful odor that clashed violently with the restaurant's usual refined aromas. Sever

ke it away! It's making me sick

ell filling my nostrils. "You think this is disgusting, Kelly? This i

ed to freeze. People's ja

ent. He finally found his voice. "Arielle, that's enough! This

sharp clack. "No!" My voice was lo

I conform to your culture - that I risk my life to fit in w

another word. I turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving behind silence

. "Arielle! What was that? You humiliated me! You m

he tightness in my throat still present, but my mind was clearer than ever. "H

st gave them a taste of my world, jus

open. He had

real home. Back to my city, back to my life

hout looking back, leaving h