By Sengarone Peter Vetsmany Students mocked her, whispered in her face ……….me love you long time shoved coins down her shirt then laughed when she picked up the silver dots ……….off the asphalt. The high school counselors pulled me from class when she had mental breakdowns. I translated for Noy, helped her adjust ……….to a new life away from Laos She found comfort with our shared skin tone, knew I understood the struggles from Laos because my family survived it, ……….but I was not like her. I was born here. The attacks on Noy continued and began on me. Handfuls of rice were thrown at me, ……….I fought back only to get hit with a glass Coke bottle. I walked home with a swollen eye when Noy ran to me asking for protection. ……….They treated me like her. I stood there silent. Noy begged, Soy Kao, ……….Soy Kao. I gave her a blank stare that I give myself now years later, her voice haunts me in my native tongue, Help me, ……….Help me.   ~~ …