When going to a new school which is predominately white Kiese and some of his friends from Jackson go through multiple struggles. Its at this school where Kiese gets his first girlfriend who was a white girl named Abby Claremont. Their relationship was one that was not approved by either his or her family and friends. Kiese’s friend Lathon called him a “sellout” and a “sucker” for dating a white girl. And Abby’s parents did not approve their daughter dating a black boy. What I find interesting is that I believe Kiese knows deep down that their relationship will end badly however, he still wants to be with her since she is his first girlfriend. He knows this because he even stated on page 103 that since the time he started dating her he has become a liar, a cheater, and a manipulator.

Kiese is afraid of ending things with Abby because she claims she loves him. That is a feeling Kiese has desperately wanted in his life. The feeling of being loved by someone other than his mother or grandmother. Kiese’s mother however, tells Kiese the truth about Abby. That being that she does not truly love him but she loves the feeling of dating a black boy and making her parents angry. Kiese continues to see Abby without telling his mom but even he begins to see the cultural differences. This being when Kiese saw on the news a black man being beat up by white officers. Kiese did not want to open up to Abby because he knew she would not be able to feel what he felt.