The Friend Who Changed My Life

What does the word atrocity mean in the passage? I was tall for my age and already wore a size nine shoe — an awkward atrocity.

What does the word wholesomely mean in the passage? My brown hair was kept wholesomely off my face with hair clips.

What does the word vulnerability mean in the passage? I wanted to fit in, but I wore my vulnerability like a new pair of white shoes, all too ready to be scuffed up.

What does the word Wiry mean in the passage? She was tiny, wiry, and loud, with blond bangs and tightly pulled-back hair. I swore she walked with a deliberate swagger just to get her ponytail to swing from side to side.

What does the word initiation mean in the passage? At first, I wondered if this was some sort of new-kid initiation, but she didn’t let up. I could expect a wallop when I least expected it — while I was standing in line after recess, on my way out of the girls’ bathroom, or as I pushed my lunch tray along the counter in front of the cafeteria ladies. Bam!

What does the word complicated mean in the passage? I used to lie in bed every night dreading going to school and hoping that things would get better. I tried to figure out complicated routes to walk from one place to another so Theresa couldn’t get to me easily.

What does the word abruptly mean in the passage? I bolted away, fast. I glanced over one shoulder and, with relief, didn’t see her and thought she had given up. I stopped abruptly and turned around, unaware that Theresa had been running full-speed toward me. She didn’t expect my sudden stop and slammed into me and fell to the ground.

What does the word clobbering mean in the passage?nodded, hoping that the next words out of Mary Lou’s mouth would be, “Well, I’m going to take care of her for you.” I had visions of having a personal hero to protect me — fantasies of Mary Lou escorting me around the school with a protective arm over my shoulder and clobbering to hit someone hard anyone who came near me.

What does the word smugly mean in the passage? I walked back to the playground with Mary Lou smugly following behind. I couldn’t see a way out of the situation. In front of me was Theresa, and in back of me was Mary Lou.

What does the word instigated mean in the passage? Theresa stood in a huddle of girls. Mary Lou nudged me toward her. I had never instigated a fight before in my life. I had never hit anyone and didn’t have an inkling of what to do. My insides shook worse than my outsides.