Cultural Mismatch

Aaron took a deep breath, looking at his freshly dreadlocked hair. It looked a bit silly, he had to admit. But maybe it'd help him feel like less of a cultural outsider. Maybe it'd help him fit in more with Jacqwiesha.

Whatever illusions he had towards that were quickly dashed. The men and women Jacqwiesha immediately broke into laughter, seeking the white boy attempt to appropriate their culture. Jacqwiesha, looking fierce, took him to the side.

"What are you doing, white boy?" she hissed at him.

"I just wanted ..." Aaron said, tears spring to his eyes. "I just wanted to fit in, Jacqwiesha."

"Aaron," Jacqwiesha said. "I like you because you are a white boy. Because you are different. I don't want a white boy that pretends to be something he isn't. I want you because of what you are."

And finally, Aaron felt accepted in this foreign land.