Jalissa grudgingly stayed with her. Although she would never admit it, hanging with Vanessa was much better than playing with the tougher kids that might one minute start a fight for absolutely no reason and then the next second proclaim to be your best friend again. Jalissa had to learn to be like them but it left her confused and angry. Only Vanessa kept things on a level that felt normal and right.

"Let's go inside. It's cold." Jalissa said for what felt like the hundredth ...