Roller Girl

Astrid’s mother takes her to Nicole’s house to apologize to Nicole’s mom about lying and to tell her that Nicole is not at fault. Astrid then asks to apologize to Nicole in private, and Nicole’s mother reluctantly allows it. First, she asks Nicole why she covered for her at the mall, and Nicole explains that she could not tell on Astrid since they had been friends for so long. Next, Astrid asks why Nicole ditched her for Rachel, and Nicole explains that she did not intentionally ditch Astrid, she just wanted to make new friends as they transition to junior high, and Rachel has similar interests. Nicole then explains that she felt hurt by the fact that Astrid never wanted to do anything Nicole was interested in. Both girls agree they have changed and then pause for a moment and smile at one another. They chat for a minute before Astrid’s mother calls her to leave, and Astrid quickly apologizes for lying and goes home. Astrid realizes the emotions she is feeling about Nicole now are more complicated than a simple happy or sad feeling: “I was happy that I talked to her, but sad that everything still felt so different.