You are always so hopeful. Even in the face of things that contradict that. Look at what just happened, Charles. What will keep happening. People will get hurt over racism. We don't know what the future holds.

[She smiled up at him, one arm draping over his leg. She didn't like it when they were awkward like this. She wanted the close connection she had with him back. It would always be about the choice she made, wouldn't it?]

It's people like that... They made me afraid to go to school, Charles. Afraid to go to college and do the things you did. I'm not smart, not like you. It's different for me. I can hide. Some can't. Like Beast... [Her voice trails off as she thinks about her old friend, someone she hasn't seen since the beach.] Racism comes and goes but some small mindedness never does.