Such a Fun Age

by Kiley Reid

At birthday parties and ballet class, Briar became sorely aware of herself when music played or magicians called for screaming participation, and she

Whenever Briar had had enough, Emira wanted her to know that she could stop, even though sweet things were currently happening to Emira’s heart.

Emira didn’t love doing anything, but she didn’t terribly mind doing anything either.

It’s like eating everything on your plate ’cause you think someone else won’t go hungry if you don’t.

You’re not helping anyone but yourself.

Emira and Kelley talked about race very little because it always seemed like they were doing it already.

Or that when white people compliment her (“She’s so professional. She’s always on time”), it doesn’t always feel good, because sometimes people are gonna be surprised by the fact that she showed up, rather than the fact that she had something to say when she did.

completely fetishizes black people in a terrible way,” Tamra went on. “It makes it seem like we’re all the same, as if we can’t contain multitudes of personalities and traits and differences. And people like that think that it says something good about them, that they’re so brave and unique that they would even dare to date black women. Like they’re some kind of martyr.”

they think they aren’t sexist because they love to objectify women so much.

This is probably the best thing to ever happen to Emira.”

There was no way of convincing Mrs. Chamberlain that what she had done had actually not been for Emira; however, this was a chance, Emira’s last one, to suggest that Mrs. Chamberlain do something for someone else.

Alex was alone, and the one thing she still had was the freedom to follow the narrative that suited her best.

Believing that Kelley was the starting point of her adversity would always be easier than believing she’d simply slipped through an unlucky crack.