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The Way I Am

Addie couldn’t wait to get her eighth grade year started with a bang. She was well liked by everyone and was in numerous extracurricular activities. Addie considered herself a jock who didn’t really care about her appearance like most girls her age. Naturally, Addie was less than thrilled when her mother drug her and her older sister on a back-to-school shopping trip. Shopping had never really been her thing. If she could wear Nike shorts and t-shirts the rest of her life then she would. Unfortunately, Nike shorts were against dress code and she was forced to wear real pants. Addie walked around the small juniors section in the store, hating everything she saw. She couldn’t help but wonder why everything had to be so tight and skimpy. Her sister was finding hundreds of things to try on. Addie’s mom walked over to her and flashed a promising smile. “Adrianna, have you found anything yet?” her mother asked. “For the last time, it’s Addie. And I don’t know,” she replied. “Well, Addie, you best get to looking,” her mother said before turning around and walking away. There was no doubt in the back of her mind that she was not interested in anything on the shelves and racks. After all, her friends didn’t like her for what she wore so why should she buy new clothes? Addie pulled out her phone and opened her camera app. She pushed her long, brown hair behind her left ear and smoothed out the foundation on her face. Her look was simple, but she always looked fabulous. “Addie. Have you found anything yet?” her mother shouted from across the store. “I DON’T KNOW,” Addie shouted back. “You actually have to dig through the racks and find stuff. You can’t just look at a rack and instantly find something you like,” her mom replied. “I don’t know why I can’t just wear the clothes I already have.” “You’ve grown since last year. Plus, everyone needs some new clothes every once in a while. Here, this shirt looks nice,” her mother said as she handed Addie a shirt. “That’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m not getting anything new. I’m wearing my real clothes.” Well, unfortunately the dress code won’t let you. So find something.” Addie didn’t want anything. She didn’t want to change herself just because a stupid dress code said she couldn’t wear the things she wanted. “I’m not getting any new clothes mom. But, I do want this new pair of Nike shoes that I saw,” Addie said as she made her way towards the shoe department. “No, Adrianna. You’re shoes are fine. You need clothes.” “Why do I need clothes so badly? “You need to dress more like a girl.” “Really, mom? I’m a jock. I don’t have time to look like a Barbie every day.” Addie was becoming agitated. She could feel her face becoming red and she began to feel hot. Her mother didn’t understand that she was content with the way she was. “I just want you to be happy. That’s all,” her mother said sincerely. “Then let me wear what I want to wear.” “I can’t. The school will send you home. “You just hate me,” Addie said knowing it was a lie. “You know I don’t. How about this. Pick out two pairs of jeans and then we’ll be done. You can wear the t-shirts but you need some jeans.” “Fine,” Addie huffed as she went to go try to find some jeans. While searching through piles of jeans, Addie began to realize that her mother wasn’t trying to ruin her life. She was only trying to help. With that in mind, it made it easier for Addie to compromise with her mother and pick out a couple pairs of jeans to wear. After all, her mother was right. The school would just send her home if she violated dress code. Maybe her mother actually knew what she was talking about.

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