“What will happen if I’m miserable there?” she’d asked Jen. They were sitting on the back porch, sharing a smoothie and waiting for a breeze. “You won’t be miserable there.” “What if I don’t make any friends?” “You’ll make friends.” Jen’s confidence matched Marissa’s doubts. Marissa decided on a direct approach. “Will I be able to come home if I want?” Jen laughed. “That’s why it’s called home. Of course you can come home.” Marissa had felt like crying, and Jen had taken her hand. “The best thing about the word sister,” she’d said, “is that it’s a permanent title. You can stop being friends
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