This is Life Pal

en she finished elementary school, and again after her first four years of high school. Those were milestones, moments of calm before the ne

hose results would determine everything-whether she'd get into Evergreen University, whether she'd ful

down? What if I'm not ready for this? The questions looped endlessly, keeping her awake long after Beth and Benji had drifted off to

to deliver the news. Took a deep breath, trying to steady he

e door. Sharp

here forever?" her mom c

ng herself off the be

number, Jordan," her mo

uys had it," Jordan replied

right? I must be crazy to ask for it now, right

her eyes but

on't have all day. I need your student ID number n

't seem to find it anywhere,"

Jordan, you're testing my p

want to get on her mom's bad side, especially no

kind you'd recognize instantly,

ed. "You finally opened the door, darling. That's nice of you."

e smile plaste

ing it," her mom said, though the corners of he

still smiling. "As thou wouldst that men sho

a stern expression. Jordan looked d

ng closer. "By the time I'm back, make sur

, but Jordan couldn

ver her shoulder with a lo

" Jordan said quick

oo

left the room. Mom can be scary some

i. The car pulled away, and Jordan finally felt like she could breathe a

s yet? she wondered, glancing

ering glass cut th

s. Now look at what you've done!" Beth'

arms crossed defiantly. "What have I done?

know, I held it first, not you. Act

g it wrong," Benji protested, his

g over him with a smirk. "Th

" Benji said, enunciating each

e brother, I'm sorry, but I'm such a ge

enius, my foot, Beth!" Benji sho

e, you'd better show some resp

w dare yo

dripping with mockery. "You look like

even once crossed

hed heavily, trying to hold back tear

ong jaw, even if it wasn't as sharp as his dad's yet, and sometimes when he looked in the mirror, he could see the grown-up version of himself. He was still too young

hter. "A mole thinks

, and he wiped at hi

big sis," Beth teased, c

ike you," Benji said, his voice trembling as he

h challenged, l

u a

Say it if

then muttered, "Y

ng into the room with a slow

an to Jordan, wrapping his ar

, even though they don't," she said. "For not c

sparkled. " T

ed to st

Beth, we n

r face a mix of defiance and guilt. "What's there to talk about

know better than to call your brother names. It doesn't matte

ing Jordan's gaze. Benji, still clutching his candy, peeked out from behind

" she mumbled, but her voice lacked its earlier edge. She glanced a

about we all go inside and share that can

it up. "Really

l smile tugging at her lips. "I guess

i protested, but he

r snacks, and somehow always managed to drag her into their silly arguments. But they were also the ones who made her