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how to do tricks like he does, he’s so good that he makes it look like magic when he rides. I love watching him practice in the afternoons out on street in front of our houses, or down at the local park. When I asked if he’ll teach me, he gave me a huge dimpled smile telling me of course he would. So, my parents got me the skateboard I chose, and it’s perfect. They also purchased all the safety gear to go with it, which I’m not overly impressed with. I don’t want to wear it because I think I’ll look stupid, Nate never wears all that stuff anyway, so why should I? My parents’ tell me that unless I wear the kneepads and helmet, they won’t let me ride. What choice do I have? I put on the safety gear, and try on my new accessory to go with it, humiliation. Yep, fits perfectly.
     
    This year, Verity gets a new CD player, hairdryer, makeup, and a few gift cards to her favourite clothing stores. I know what my parents brought her would have cost a lot more than what they spent on me, I don’t care about that though. I know the only reason they do it is because my sister will have an epic tantrum if she doesn’t get what she wants. Just as I said before, stupid, selfish bitch.
    Later in the morning my dad comes into my room to hand me an envelope. I look at him strangely, because this is STRANGE. He just nods at me to open it, with a big smile on his face. I gasp and get up throwing my arms around his waist when I see what’s inside. Mom and dad gave me $100 to buy the books I’ve been saving for by doing extra chores around the house. I have $62.72 saved, but still needed $84 more to get all the ones I wanted. Leaning down my dad kisses me on the head and hugs me back, all while I whispered, “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” to him.
     
    He just replied by saying, “Love you, Little Bear. Let’s just keep this between us. Your sister doesn’t need to know about it, okay?” I nod and squeeze him tightly again. Patting my back he leaves and I set about hiding my windfall from Verity.
     
    It’s sad I have to hide it from her. She shouldn’t be in my room to begin with, let alone taking my things, but she’s snuck into my room and stolen money I’ve saved before, so now I knew better. I hide it, rolled up in a sock, inside a boot in the back of my cupboard. She’ll never look there, and she’ll definitely never try to borrow my boots. Verity only ever wears sandals and platform wedge thingys. Everything’s always about appearance with her, and my boots are apparently, “Hideous and more suited to a boy.” Whatever!
     
    Walking out the back door where the party’s set up, I see Verity’s friends arriving. They’re all exactly the same as her; mean, bitchy, girls that hang on my sister’s every word, following her around like the sheep. I swear they’re scared of her. That, or she has something on them she can use to manipulate them. That’s the only reason I can come up with for why they’re so nasty, and willing to do her bidding all the time.
     
    Unfortunately Carmella can’t come today. Her parents have a job helping to produce a record for a local band in Dallas that will last the next three days. My mom said she could stay with us, but Carmella’s mom, Daisy, said she’ll be visiting with her grandma while they’re working. Since Carmella’s grandma hadn’t seen Carmella in months, she had to go. Sighing, I look around at all the balloons, tables overflowing with food, past the pool filled with floating beds and balls, through the streamers and people gathering; to find Nate looking at me with a big, goofy smile on his face.
     
    I run toward him dodging people as I go, and give him a big hug like always. I’ve been hugging Nate since I did it to thank him the first day I met him on the curb in front of my house, two years ago. He had been so nice to me, staying until he was sure I’d stopped crying and made sure I’d be okay. Hugging Nate quickly became one of my favourite