Valo checked her phone again. It’s been 15 minutes, she thought impatiently. I’m sick of waiting! My appointment was 15 minutes ago. They’re wasting my time! She sighed and looked around at her surroundings again, then removed a book from her purse and began re-reading it. She looked back up when she saw a nurse step out into the waiting room.

“Jessica DeSidiro?” the nurse called out.

“Yeah,” Valo replied, rising. Finally, she thought. Now I’m find out what’s wrong with me.


“What’s wrong with you?” Ophelia snapped.

“Me? What’s wrong with you?” Tiffani yelled back. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Yeah? Then what’s with people talking about me and Cy?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tiffani replied. “Look, can’t we discuss this elsewhere?” She indicated the numerous people in the hallway.

“You thought it was a good place for a confrontation the other day,” Ophelia shot back.

“Look, I’m not fighting anymore.”

“Then why the hell did that cheerleader know about me and Cy?”

“Hell if I know. We were arguing pretty loud the other day; anyone could have overheard it.”

“Liar.”

“It’s the truth. I don’t even talk to those airheads anymore. Maybe one of them overheard something, or maybe someone else told them about your relationship.”

“Yeah? Like who?”

Tiffani thought for a few seconds and then responded, “I don’t know. It could be anyone… Emily, AJ, Angela, Louie… they all know about it, too. And whoever else you might have told, like your weirdo pal with the short hair, the one who pals around with that creepy redhead.”

“You mean Mae?”

“Yeah, her. Does she have a good reason to do something like this?”

Ophelia bit her lip. “Yeah, kinda,” she replied guiltily. “We had a fight a few months back. Long story. And her cousin is kind of popular, popular enough to talk to the cheerleaders without being laughed at.”

“Well, then, that’s who must have said it.”

“I still don’t believe you.”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“I’ll let go of it when you let go of the whole thing about AJ having a crush on me.”

“Fine, then if you’ll be like that…” Tiffani replied. She turned on her heel and stormed away.


“Okay, now have a nice day,” Graham said warmly, handing the bag over to the woman, who smiled in response.

She gently nudged the child beside her and coaxed, “What do you say, sweetheart?”

“Thank you!” the child chirped.

“Adorable little girl,” Graham remarked.

“Thanks,” the woman replied, leading the child away.

Graham watched them for a few seconds longer, smiling to himself, before turning to the next customer. Much to his astonishment, it was Tacita.

“Hey,” she greeted him, grinning broadly.

“Hey,” he replied. “Don’t you ever go to class?”

“You’re starting to sound like my dad,” Tacita joked. “I never pegged you as a toy store kind of guy.”

Graham shrugged. “It’s money,” he said, scanning the stuffed animal. He then looked at Tacita, puzzled.

“It’s for one of my little cousins,” she replied. “Her birthday’s coming up.”

“Oh, that’s always nice.”

“So, how did it go with Jade?”

“She’s coming to the performance.”

“Really? Wow, that’s awesome! I knew you could do it,” Tacita exclaimed.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t think I could. I’m still pretty surprised she said yes.”

“You underestimate yourself way too much.”


Elizabeth frowned and examined her reflection. I look good, she thought. Real good. But I could sure go for a bit of a makeover.

“Hey,” she called out. “Come help me out here.”

Ms. Gibson’s grandmother sighed and walked into the living room. “What is it?” she asked.

“Help me cut my hair.”

“Forget it. Do it yourself.”

“But if I do, it’ll be crooked.”

“It’ll be crooked if I do it,” the old woman shot back.

“Yeah, but I don’t want to blame myself for it.”

“Grow up and deal with it yourself. Go get a professional to do it.”

“I’m broke.”

“Then cut it yourself.”

“Fine, I will,” Elizabeth said irritably. With a sigh, she picked up the scissors, lifted her hair, and with a few quick snips, chopped her hair short. “Yeah,” she muttered to herself, admiring the results. “That’s way better.”