brave

Chapter 17

I graduated with honors.

My mother cried through most of the ceremony.

Ms. Alvarez cried too and denied it.

I received the arts scholarship publicly.

When I walked on stage, I wore the same repaired dance shoes.

Not because I had to.

Because I wanted to.

Afterward, a younger dancer approached me.

She was fourteen.

Tiny.

Nervous.

She whispered, “People hide my stuff too.”

My stomach tightened.

I knelt to her level.

“Tell Ms. Alvarez. Tell me. Tell your mom. And check your shoes.”

Her eyes filled.

“Will they believe me?”

I looked toward my mother.

Then Ms. Alvarez.

May you like

Then Alicia, standing near the back because she said she “just happened to be in the area,” which was a lie.

“Yes,” I said. “We will.”

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