Chloe Ivey Memoir
707 ELA
It
was the third day of 3rd grade, and the boys had once again said,
“You can’t play kickball, you’re a girl.” I was sick and tired of the boys
being so sexist. So right there, I walked away. It was a nice day. It felt like
summer. A lady walked past the playground with a cup of coffee. Ah, I love the
smell of coffee. I walked toward her because I had nothing better to do. I
closed my eyes taking in the incredible smell, when I bumped into a tall girl.
“Oh!” she said in surprise. “Hey, sorry!” I said. “That’s ok. I’m Mattie.” She replies.
“Walk with me.” And so I did. “So, where is your gang?” I cocked my head at
Mattie. “What?” I questioned. “You know, the gang of girls you hang out with at
recess?” I looked at Mattie blankly. Then in realization I responded, “Oh they
are the guys. I mean used to be the guys. They started getting all odd and told
me I can’t play with them.” “Oh goodie!” Mattie cried in excitement. “What?” I
said. “You’re my new project. I’m going to teach you how to be a girl!” she
exclaimed. “Ok” I shrugged.
…
I
was walking to my desk. The room was empty, and Mattie was waiting to give me
another lesson on how to be a girl. It was fun. So far I learned about webkinz,
nail polish, hairstyles, babies, American Girl Dolls, and Disney Channel. Then
I saw a girl observing me from a distance.
She
had skin as dark chocolate, with creamy brown eyes. She had locks as beautiful
as a night sky. She had long slim legs, and had her head cocked watching me.
She was like an eagle. Then she walked away. “What a pretty girl.” I said to
myself, and then continued to gather my things.
…
“Come
on, Chloe.” Kelly said, using a nasally tone on my name, “I don’t want to be
late for recess.” Once we got downstairs, we met up with Mattie. “Hey Kelly.”
Now that Kelly was around, we stopped the lessons. Kelly was “the new girl.” I
glared longingly at the boys, recalling the days before they decided a girl
wasn’t a suitable playmate. Or that Kelly never showed up. “Ok, Chloe, lets
play hide and seek.” This time when she said my name is sounded forced and
disgusting. Like she despised each syllable. “You and Mattie hide and I will
find you.” she blinked at Mattie. I shrugged. “Starting in 1, 2 now!” Mattie
and me laughed and ran. I hid behind the chairs, and I waited. And waited. And
waited, and waited. After what felt like forever I stood up and a gentle breeze
helped me move my bangs out of the way. I saw them laughing and I felt a tear
run down my rosy cheek. By the end of lunch my warm sweater sleeve was soaked with
tears. I ran inside.
I was sitting across the room doing
a stare off at Ms. Alex. “Ms. Ivey is there an issue!?! Dark blue veins were
popping out of her neck. Sweat was dripping down my face onto my red sweater.
It was so hot in there. Kelly was next to me; wearing a short pastel colored
skirt I envied so much. But how was she not cold? “Ms. Alex I can assure you me
and Chloe are good friends. We don’t fight at all. If anything, we are
sisters!” Ms. Alex glared at me, then looked at Kelly. “Kelly you may leave
now. Ms. Ivey, on the other hand, will spend the remaining lunch time with me.”
Kelly got up and left. “Ivey, I don’t want to hear about your problems unless
or bleeding. Now go eat at your desk alone and think about what you have done.
…
I
gathered my things. I was walking to lunch, wearing jeans and a green tank top.
My old friend, David, stopped me. “Hey,” he said. “Hi,” I responded. “Sorry we
excluded you last year. Can you forgive us?” “Sure” I simply said. “So I hear
you entered girl world. What was it like?” “Miserable. There were all these
rules, and stupid thinks you can and can’t do. Plus this dumb girl, Kelly,
bullied me. She took my ex-best friend away from me. I’m glad to be one of the
boys again.” David and I went back and forth talking all day. And now I don’t
care what people think of me and I can identify bullying when I see it. I know
who to stay away from now. And if anything, I'm thankful she bullied me.
Because she molded me into who I am today.
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