Maybe Jess was caught up with these ridiculous, impossible ideas because it meant she never had to try for something real.

Jess is painfully aware of how young she is. Her shirtsleeves don't quite extend to her wrists; after a growth spurt last summer, her debate clothes don't fit as well as she thought. She feels as if she's playing dress-up.

Jess is too big for her skin, as if she might float away in the exhilarating possibility of the moment.

She looks great in that skirt. Her butt is so cute.