But overnight celebrity felt strange. What also felt strange was that the day I returned after my suspension, Jake and I had walked hand in hand into the school. And stranger still was how people had reacted to us. I’d expected stares and open mouths and shock. Instead, we were greeted as if it were completely normal. As if, why wouldn’t we be together? The only person who’d treated us differently was Amber—she’d thrown some displeased stares our way and had shaken her head at us as if she was quite put out. But I didn’t care, and when walking past her one day in the corridor, I decided to echo the words of a very wise woman.

“You know, Amber, sometimes us fat girls do get the hot guys.” I smiled at her as I said that, owning every single part of me as I walked on by with a swagger—thighs still rubbing together, ass still shaking, and boobs still doing what the hell they bloody pleased. No one like Amber was ever going to push my head underwater again. I had bobbed up to the surface and saved myself. Sure, I’d had a little help on the way, but really it had been me.

Thembi had come around every single day after school during my suspension with class work. Sometimes we would work together, sometimes we’d just hang out watching Netflix, and other times we would talk for hours about everything, and sometimes nothing at all. You know you’ve become friends with someone when you can do that. Talk to them for hours about absolutely nothing and yet still have had the best time doing it. My community service had started—I was cleaning up streets and parks, which was appropriate, I guess. I’d also managed to find a part-time job in an art store a few afternoons a week to pay for the fine.

But I’d barely spoken to my mother. We’d been passing each other in the huge, empty house like ghosts. Barely looking at each other, barely acknowledging the other’s existence. I knew at some stage I would need to sit down with her and talk, but then I got an email that changed everything . . .

Dear Miss Palmer,

We are pleased to offer you a place next year at the Paris School of Art. As you know, some of the greatest artists have trained here, and we feel you will be an excellent addition to the school. We were impressed by your bold street art—your tone and voice as a visual artist, as well as your voice as an activist. Art should evoke thought and action. It should evoke change, and that is what you have done with your work. We look forward to welcoming you next year.

Yours sincerely,
Marine Lagarde
Head of Fine Arts, Paris School of Art