Page 148 - The Life of A Teenage Girl (Stories About Finding Your Way)

THE LIFE OF A TEENAGE GIRL

Coach Roberta made me take a break and congratulated me. “Good
shot, Jorelle. You could make a great basketball player, you know

that?”

“Yeah, thanks, Coach,” I said, then went back to the bench where
Tara was sitting and drank some water. But while I was, Caleb kept

staring at me with a serious look, like I had done something wrong. I
barely cared; he deserved to be beaten by me.

At home, I was working quietly on my laptop when I heard the
front door swing open. The air shifted. Mom came in, tense and worn.

Behind her, Jirelle stormed in and dropped her backpack on the floor

like it meant nothing.
“I just don’t get why you won’t buy it for me,” she snapped, her

voice already raised.

“Jirelle, please, calm down,” Mama said, trying to steady herself.
I stood from my seat and turned, sensing the heaviness in the room.

“What’s going on?”
Mama began, “Your sister is upset over some clothes—”

“Some clothes?” Jirelle cut in. “Mama, this isn’t just any outfit!
It’s the fit. The one everyone’s wearing, the one that actually matters

right now. And you’re brushing it off like it’s nothing?”

Mama’s tone sharpened. “Jirelle, it’s a hundred and ten dollars.
You think I can just pull that kind of money from nowhere? It’s not

easy to make ends meet.”

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