Page 13 of You Started It

Babe? Ishouldbe offended, but I’m kind of flattered in a way that feels like I’m betraying the feminist sisterhood. Again.

Me:I didn’t agree to holding hands.

Axel:Do you want this to be believable? What’s the end goal here? Get Benji back?

Me:Ben. And yeah.

Axel:#jAX

Me:???

Axel:It’s our couple name.

Me:Why is the j lower case? It makes the eye go right to the AX.

Axel:Fine. #Jax. Is that better?

It’s definitely better than #bolivia.

Axel:Come by tomorrow. We’ll discuss the terms and conditions of this “relationship.”

Me:I can’t. Working at my uncle’s restaurant.

Axel:What’s his restaurant?

Me:Shawarma Sitty.

Axel:Let me guess: Sitty is a play on City and Grandmother in Arabic.

Me:How did you know that?

Axel:I’m Lebanese.

Me:Oh. That’s cool. I’m half Arab.

Axel:I don’t believe in that.

Me:In what?

Axel:Being half of something. It trivializes your identity.

Me:I never thought of it that way.

But maybe subconsciously I have, since my mother pretty much likes to pretend our Arab heritage doesn’t exist.

Axel:So is it your mom or dad who’s Arab?

Me:Mom. She was also born here but her parents, my grandparents, are Palestinian.

Axel:#freepalestine

Well that just earned him a couple points.

Me:Why’s your bike named Betty White?

Axel:This is classified information.

Me:Meaning?

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