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I can’t help feeling bitter I could be there, too, be just as good as them, if I had the time andinstant noodles out of a pot, wondering how I’ to survive until the police announce another bounty What must it be like to have a perfect life? To be a superstar beloved by all? To be able to pay your bills on ti to do, E our silence Her voice sounds hollowed out She asks erous territory, as if I were the only one responsible for saving us, but tonight I just keep staring at the TV, unwilling to answer her Considering that I have exactly thirteen dollars to ht now, I’m at theideas run through et a job I’ or too criminal Who wants to hire a convicted identity thief? Who wants you to fix their gadgets when they think you ht steal their info? That’s what happens when you have four months of juvenile detention on your record that can’t be erased, along with a two-year ban on touching any co in solasses, of course--but it has keptfor any real job I can do well We were barely even allowed to rent this apartment All I’ve found so far is an occasional bounty hunt and a part-time waitress job--a job that’ll also vanish the instant the diner buys an auto else would probably involve ht come to that

I take a deep breath "I don’t know I’ll sell Dad’s last painting"

"Em," Keira says, but lets her words trail off She knows it’s ain our apartether five hundred dollars It’s not nearly enough to keep Mr Alsole fro us out into the streets

A familiar nausea settles intomy collarbone Every locked door has a key But what if this one doesn’t? What if I can’t get out of this? There’s no way I’ll be able to get ht off the panic, trying to keepdoard, and forceMy eyes wander away from the TV and toward the

No matter where I aroup foster hoine our apart away into the ho yelloallpaper I can see the bigger kids chasings I can feel the sting onquietly inme froainst ers as I climbed over them and ran away

Think You can solve this A little voice in my head flares up, stubborn This will not be your life You are not destined to stay here forever You are not your father

On the TV, the lights in the Tokyo Do roar

"And that wraps up our prega ceremony!" one analyst exclaims, his voice hoarse He and the others hold up V-for-victory signs with their hands "For those of you watching frolasses and join us in the event--of--the--year!"

Keira has already popped on her glasses I head to the fold-out table, where lasses lie

Soame Others say it’s a revolution But for et our troubles I lostfor histo be hoht, I can join in with everyone else, put on ic happen

3

I still reed my life

I was eleven, and ainst theof the bedroo in bed, unable, yet again, to force et up and head to school Unfinished hoht before, when I’d fallen asleep staring at the blank pages I’d drea in syrup, his hair still shining with glitter and glue, his loud, fah our openBon appètit, mademoiselle! he’d exclaiht as he threw his arms around me and messed up my hair