In sixth grade, I was in “love” with a girl named Lawan—not her real name, but very close
A Laotian girl, we took part in algebra classes and even went on a date for a screening of George Romero’s The Dark Half at Penn Square Mall. For a few weeks, we were inseparable. She introduced me to her family’s culture and food – and even taught me algebra formulas I still don't understand – but, as school-age love affairs do, we parted ways, never to be seen again.