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I stand stoic, ina But I can feel hi me of the first time I saw him at eleven years old, and just like then, I have to clenchout
1
Alina
Eleven Years Old
I love dancing Always have and alill Been in classes for every type of dancing under the sun since I was four years old Daddy tells me I’ll dance my way into the worst kind of trouble, but I think that’s a load of bull Why would I want to get in trouble? I’ in a ti is one of the only times I really feel free My older brother Eli will tell you I’ve got two left feet, but don’t believe hiets annoyed Mama tells him to let me pick the music when she sends us outside to play
I pick a freshly burned CD out of my case and pop it in When Gretchen Wilson’s “Red Neck Wo and tap my foot
“Ugh, seriously?” s to listen to? You know I can’t stand country”
I turn quickly, whippingit behind ue out at hi fancy, but it’s all I’ve ever known as hoht sarlake, Tennessee with blue shutters and the prettiest tulips you’ll ever see I love picking theets mad when I do because tulips are “a labor of love,” so instead I just coet
Eli dribbles the basketball and groans, bringing et to pick the music and it fuckin’ sucks, Lee Put on some OutKast or somethin’ I can’t practice my free throws to this shit”
I rolland bad because he’s fourteen now, and he loves to curse every chance he gets
“Don’t let Mama hear you talk like that or she’ll wash your er in my mouth, makin
g a loud gagging noise I’ve never had soap in h to make me never want to speak a bad word in my life
He stops dribbling and runs his hand through his hair, shaking his head “You’re such a goody-two-shoes Why don’t you leave hbors or soirl runnin’ around their front yard, and I bet you’d get along great She looks al down the street
I put my hands ontruck in the driveway and lots offurniture and boxes I strain irl, and finally, see her in the front yard She’s s aithout a care in the world, her dark brown hair swishing behind her in a high ponytail She looks friendly enough, and since my best friend Becca is out of town for the su better to do than make a new friend