Maybe you don't have to figure life out at all.
Maybe it just Is.

It's nice hearing him say that if you work hard, you can do anything you want. I like knowing I can control my future.

Mom sees the smile on my face and wraps an arm around me.
"I'm so, so proud of you."

What was I thinking, touching Jeremiah's arm like that? He must think I'm a complete Creepy McCreeperson.

"What is up with the guys in your life squeezing my hand off?" he mutters, wringing his fingers out.
"Just protective, I guess."
"Yeah? Well, I'm gonna have to stop shaking their hands or I won't have a hand left to beat you at badminton later."
I chuckle.

He daintily eats his piece as I chow down. "Don't eat the seeds! You'll grow a watermelon baby."

"You caught me," he laughs. "I loved water skiing. I've never gone before."
"But you looked like a pro out there! How is that possible you're good at every sport?"
"That's just silly. I stink at ballet--my little sister tells me that when I try to copy her moves."

I totally get why people run races. After months and months of hard work, the excitement is like nothing I've experienced before. It's the night before Christmas.