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162 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

19 CONTRAST Despite spending so much time 495 for Violet’s, pronouncing their approval of and ask if she wanted to hang out over the
and energy being able to discuss figures in her “thickness” with grunts, smiles, and by weekend, “like at the mall or something,
popular culture, Fatima prefers what she was looking directly at her butt — when her see a movie?”
already authentically interested in (alternative mother said, “You got a phone call, from Fatima counted to twelve, as per the rules
culture). a boy.” 540 (the universal ones, not just Violet’s) and
500 It couldn’t be one of the boys from theater said, “Yeah, that’d be cool.” She almost left
20 TENSION Referring back to the imagery already; that would make anyone look the “l” off the end of the word, but caught
of Fatima’s different colored lips, the narrator desperate. herself. “Which mall?”
reveals that Fatima (out of anxiety, fear, “Who is Rolf?” her mother smiled, “and “Where else?” Rolf said. “The Montclair
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
insecurity, or otherwise) decides to keep why didn’t you mention him before?” 545 Plaza.”
information about Rolf from Violet, though 505 Fatima nearly floated up to her bedroom. This would be her first date, and though
This would be her first date, and though
there is no reason to believe Violet would react She thought about calling Violet but called 20 that was the kind of thing to share with a
that was the kind of thing to share with a
negatively to what Fatima knows is good news. Rolf back instead, waiting the appropriate best friend, especially one with more experi-
best friend, especially one with more experi-
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
Some may interpret this tension as it is easier for hour she had rehearsed with Violet for a ence, Fatima felt — in some deep way that
ence, Fatima felt—in some deep way that
Fatima to use Violet to achieve a goal than for her hypothetical situation such as this. 550 hurt her stomach—that Violet didn’t need to
hurt her stomach — that Violet didn’t need to
to actually be friends with Violet.
By now, and with some authenticity,
know about Rolf, not yet at least. She would
510 By now, and with some authenticity, know about Rolf, not yet at least. She would
Fatima could intone the accent marks in
keep her lips glossed and parted, her two
19 Fatima could intone the accent marks in keep her lips glossed and parted, her two
places they hadn’t been before, recite all the worlds separate.
worlds separate.
places they hadn’t been before, recite all the
names of all the members of Cash Money,
names of all the members of Cash Money,
Bad Boy, No Limit, Wu-Tang, Boyz II Men,
Bad Boy, No Limit, Wu-Tang, Boyz II Men, • • •
ABC, BBD, ODB, LDB, TLC, B.I.G., P-O, P-P-A,
515 ABC, BBD, ODB, LDB, TLC, B.I.G., P-O, P-P-A, The week leading up to the date, Fatima tried
Ronny, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Johnny, Ralph, 555 to play extra cool, asking Violet more ques-
Ronny, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Johnny, Ralph,
Tony, Toni, and Tone, if she wanted. But when tions than usual when they spoke on the
Tony, Toni, and Tone, if she wanted. But when
she called Rolf, all they talked about were phone. Neither of the guys from the movie
she called Rolf, all they talked about were
skateboards and the Smiths, in whose music
skateboards and the Smiths, in whose music theater had called Fatima, but one of Violet’s
520 Fatima had dabbled before Violet. three had asked Violet out, and she was
Fatima had dabbled before Violet.
“The Smiths are way better than Morrissey,” 560 “letting him stew for a while before I let him
Rolf said. His voice was nasal but deep. know. Anyway, we’re supposed to check out
Fatima imagined that he was at least 6’7, Rush Hour this weekend.”
though she hadn’t stood next to him yet. “This weekend?” Fatima said.
525 When she did, he was 6’1. “This weekend.”
“You can barely tell the difference since 565 “I told my parents I would babysit this
Morrissey’s voice is so overpowering,” she weekend, I forgot,” Fatima lied, feeling a bit
said with her pink lip. like a grease stain on a silk shirt.
“No, but The Smiths’ stuff is way darker,” “Since when?” Violet pushed.
530 Rolf said. “You should hear the first album. “We can go next weekend, or during
Then you’ll get it. I’ve got it on vinyl.” 570 the week,” Fatima said, and changed the
“Okay,” Fatima waited. subject.
She noticed that he didn’t invite her Before they got off the phone, Violet said,
over to listen or offer to lend her the “I guess I’ll call Mike back then, and tell him
535 album, but he did call back two days later I’m free after all.”
03_williamlit1e_46174_ch02_116_207.indd 162 22/09/22 9:45 AM
CREATIVE WRITING
Search for Identity
The teenage years are spent establishing an
identity. This story by Nafissa Thompson-Spires
reveals the difficulty of doing this. Ask your
students to think of a friend they made who
challenged their views and taught them a
different perspective on life. How did this new
and different friend fit into the pattern of their
lives at that point? What conflicts might arise
from having friends from different “cliques” or
groups? After a discussion, ask students to write
a letter from Fatima to Violet explaining what
happened at the cinema.

162 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

03_williamlitte1e_47545_ch02_116_207_3pp.indd 162 08/12/22 5:32 PM