The Life and Lies of Rachel Wazlib
an excerpt

“I just wanna see if there’s anything for me,” mused Rachel. She rifled through the papers. Catalog, catalog- a blue sheet of paper caught her eye. “Have you heard the good news?” it read in bold lettering. “Something is about to change your life....” Throwing it down into the junk pile, Rachel lifted up the next envelope. The address was in fancy handwriting, and it was just for her.

****

“Toodles!” Hannah disappeared in a cloud of perfume and a swirl of perfectly straightened hair, the barest trace of a snicker carrying on the slight breeze. Rachel turned and faced forward, shaking her head. When she looked upwards, she was surprised to see Ali further up the line, looking at her appraisingly and curiously. Rachel attempted to cock an eyebrow, and Ali winked.

****

My feet scratched through the gravel significantly.
“I hope you have a good day, Rachel,” Mum says. “My little girl. A big seventh grader now.” She ruffles my hair and I duck out from under her. “A big middle-schooler.”
I laugh. “Seventh grade isn’t that old or big, ma,” I murmur back, but I feel the gravel beneath my feet and the cool brush of the September air and I know it is- it’s the biggest thing so far.

****

It’s quite simple, really: a beautiful monotony that we all try to escape but secretly love. For without habit, we just wander like eternal hobos in a huge, metaphorical New York City.
I’m torn between thrill and fear of seventh grade breaking that feel. I know it will; it’s inescapable, but I still wonder. The force of change is an awesome thing. But I’m young and innocent and I don’t know whether it’s good or bad.