My name is Rachel. It is my birthday and I am turning eleven. We are in the classroom when Mrs. Price finds an ugly red sweater.
Glide: 2
Rising Action
Now turn to page 32. We're doing problem 4.
Not mine, I want to say, but I can't. Mrs. Price is the teacher so she's right and I'm not. I feel sick inside. I squeeze my eyes shut so I don't cry. I think about how I'll throw the sweater away when we go to lunch. I push the sweater to the corner of the desk.
Glide: 3
Conflict
I think it is Rachel´s.
But that's... It's not...
Maybe because I'm skinny, or maybe because she doesn't like me, stupid Sylvia Salvidar says it belongs to me. And Mrs. Price believes her! She puts it on my desk. I don't know how to tell her that it's not mine.
Glide: 4
Climax
Rachel, you put that sweater on and no more nonsense.
I dont want to!
Mrs. Price makes me put on the sweater that smells like cottage cheese and it is all itchy and full of germs. I can't stop myself. I start crying in front of everyone like I'm 3 instead of 11. I wish I was invisible, but I'm not. I put my head down on the desk and cry until my body shakes and my head hurts.
Glide: 5
Falling Action
Miss, I forgot it was mine!
Why isn't Mrs. Price saying anything!?
But the worst part is right before the bell rings for lunch. Phyllis Lopez says the ugly red sweater is hers. I take it off right away and give it to her. Mrs. Price pretends like everything's okay.
Glide: 6
Resolution
This is the worst birthday. I wish I was older so I didn't have to remember this bad day.
Today, I'm eleven. At home, there's a cake and candles and presents and everybody will sing happy birthday to you, Rachel. But it's too late. I'm 11, but I wish I was 102 because I want today to be a forgotten memory like a runaway balloon in the sky.