“Look, you do you,” Tamiko said. “You know? That’s all I can say! People always like you when you give them a chance, Alley Cat. You just need to put yourself out there. Get your writerly funk on, girl! Hey, speaking of writing, I sent you guys a bunch of postcards—but they’ll probably get to you way after I’m already home!”

I laughed. “I’ll look forward to reading them anyway. I love postcards.”

Suddenly I heard my mom calling me. “Allie, I’m leaving! I don’t want to get to Molly’s too late! Do you need a ride to the Y?”

Reluctantly I thanked Tamiko and we ended the call, blowing kisses and counting the days until her return. Between you do you, put yourself out there, and something about getting my writerly funk on, Tamiko had given me a lot to think about.

At writing class later that morning, Taylor, Sam, and Anika were chatting away when I entered. I smiled and even mustered a little hello for them, and they smiled and waved, but I was too shy to walk over and join them. (Sorry, Tamiko—this was me doing me!) I sat down at my desk and pulled out my piece. I had only increased it to four hundred words before I’d run out of energy the night before, and now, in order to seem busy, I looked it over as if it fascinated me.

I was hugely relieved when, moments later, Ms. Gallo swirled through the door in a breezy skirt and tank top, calling out greetings. She unpacked her bag onto her desk and chattered away. I looked forward to the start of the class so that the pressure to socialize would go away.

Finally Ms. Gallo perched on her desk, looked at her watch, and clapped her hands. “All right. Let’s get started, writers! Who had fun doing this assignment?”

I watched to see who raised their hands, and when I saw it was everyone, I raised mine, too. I didn’t want to be the only one, for fear of getting called on.

“Wonderful!” she said. “Who would like to share theirs first?”

Everyone’s hands dropped at once.

“Come on, folks! This is a workshop. Everyone will have to share sooner or later. It’s easier to go first, I promise,” she said with a winning smile.

Two or three hands reluctantly lifted. Needless to say, mine was not one of them.

“Sam, right? Thanks for volunteering. Ready?” she asked.