Lashawndra was quiet as they drove to the mall. Too quiet.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Erika.
"Naw. I'm okay. I'm just thinking, that's all." Lashawndra tried hard to cover up her New York City accent. She hadn't lived there for years. She knew it made her sound stupider than she was, but it was a hard habit to break.
"You sound a little funny. You aren't coming down with a cold, are you? Don't get me sick, Sarah!"
Lashawndra sighed, "I told you; I'm fine."
They arrived at the mall, and Erika and Lashawndra met up with a few of Sarah's friends. They started looking at earrings. Lashawndra picked up a $5 pair.
"Ew," Erika told her, "I can't believe you are even touching those. So tacky, Sarah."
The other girls chimed in, and Lashawndra felt quite belittled. One of the girls handed her a much more expensive pair. Lashawndra's jaw dropped when she saw the price, but then she remembered. She wasn't poor anymore! She was the rich Sarah McMillan! She could afford whatever she wanted now, but she didn't need these judgmental girls around criticizing her every choice, did she?
