Big Mouth & Ugly Girl

their side of the gym, cheers; from our side, groans. My face is burning, I know everyone is blaming me. Because Ugly Girl played so well until now, it looks as if shes coasting, or hanging back. Im running, limping. Im shouting for the ball. My right knee is throbbing with pain, both my knees are weak as water. Whats happening to me? I never look toward the bleachers, but Im seeing the derisive eyes, jeering faces, hands mock clapping. The Rocky River kids are yelling at me, I can almost hear themUrsula! Ug-ly Ur-sula! Their faces are blurred as if theyre underwater, or maybe its sweat running into my eyes and stinging. A terrible

Of course, Dad had time to see Lisa dance in The Nutcracker last month

I knew they would be praising my performance, regardless of what they thought of me. But tonight everything was weird.