Stella Díaz Has Something to Say

Stella’s mom decides to take Stella and Nick to Fantastic Time Machine, a themed restaurant that they usually only visit on special occasions. Stella brings Jenny and Nick brings his friend Jason. When they go to pick up Jenny, Jenny’s mom is dressed for her night shift at work. Stella thinks that Ms. Le is like her own mom—they both work very hard and are single mothers. After eating, everyone goes upstairs to the restaurant’s dance floor and arcade. Stella and Jenny make up their own dances and laugh. After a while, they hear Jessica, a girl from school who always makes fun of Stella. Jessica laughs at them and taunts Stella, calling her “Stella Stares” again.

When they get back to Stella’s house, Jenny and Stella have a sleepover in a tent in Stella’s backyard. Stella lies awake wishing she could go back in time and give a clever response to Jessica at the restaurant. She’s afraid that she really does just stare without ever speaking, and that she’s too reliant on Jenny in social situations.