The Tryout

“You’ll be so busy this year, you won’t even have time to think about it.”

In this ironic statement, Christina’s mother tells her that her friendship with Megan won’t be an issue because Christina will be too focused on other things. In reality, Christina’s primary concern is her friendship with Megan, even as she navigates new friendships and the cheerleading tryouts.

“How about we just call you Christina S. for short?”

Christina’s teachers cannot or will not pronounce her last name. This is a humiliating and degrading experience for Christina, who experiences racism or stereotyping on a semi-regular basis in the small Texan town she lives in. Christina’s face goes from irritation to resignation with each passing class.

“Everyone says seventh grade is when school gets hard.”

When Megan says that school becomes more difficult in seventh grade, the statement is far more loaded than she intends. Megan refers to homework and being busy with school, but in truth, there are also physical, emotional, and social changes that take place during this time in a person’s life.