I Forgot to Tell You by Charis Marsh Page B

before.”
    Julian shrugged. “Um, I’ve been reading Theresa Bachman’s autobiography and she talks about a lot of other famous dancers. Plus, I guess I figured I should start learning who these people are, right? But I’m not sure I want them all up on my wall.”
    â€œWell, what do you have up on your wall?” Alexandra asked defensively.
    Julian thought. “Stuff. A few ballet posters. But, like, a lot of different stuff.”
    â€œWell, I like my posters.” Alexandra turned to her dresser and began to fix her eyeliner.
    Julian looked around, trying to digest the room. “It’s so clean.”
    Alexandra grimaced. “Does that mean yours isn’t?”
    â€œUh —” Julian quickly changed the subject. “So, have you done your homework yet?”
    â€œMostly. I still have some more to finish.” Alexandra reached for her pile of binders and textbooks, and Julian opened up his backpack. They arranged themselves on opposing sides of Alexandra’s bed, and Alexandra started to work. Julian stared thoughtfully at his notebook, chewing on his pencil.
    â€œYou done the Social Studies assignment?” he asked suddenly.
    Alexandra didn’t bother looking up. “Yes.”
    â€œCan I look at it?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI came all the way out here for you, and I still don’t know why. Please? I won’t copy it; I just want to look at it.”
    â€œFine!” Alexandra passed it to him.
    Julian began reading it, his mouth forming the words as he read.
    â€œPlease stop that.”
    â€œUh, okay …”
    â€œAlexandra, dinnertime!” Beth called from downstairs. Alexandra hopped up, going to the mirror and fixing her hair. “Okay.” She took a deep breath in. “Come on, let’s go.”
    Julian followed her out of her room, down the hall, to the dining room. Justin and Anna were sitting on the couch, waiting for dinner, and Anna looked up, seeming a bit nervous, as Alexandra and Julian walked into the room.
    â€œWhat are you doing here, Julian?” Anna said, surprised to see him.
    Julian shrugged. “Just hanging out.”
    â€œWith Lexi?”
    â€œNo, the dog,” Julian said with a straight face, petting the large golden retriever that had just padded into the living room. “Hey boy, good doggy-dog-dog.”
    Anna shook her head, confused. “Okay, whatever.”
    â€œGuys, come and eat,” Beth called. They all went into the dining room. Emma was already sitting down, waiting for her dinner and Justin and Alexandra both sat down. Anna went into the kitchen to help Beth bring in the dishes. “Thank you, dear,” Beth said, smiling at her. Justin quickly hopped up from his chair and began to help out, as well. Alexandra heaved a great sigh and rolled her eyes. Julian, who had been standing around, unsure of his role in this drama, sat down next to Alexandra. Emma rested her chin in her hands, staring off into space.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Julian asked Emma.
    â€œEmma, Julian. Julian, my little sister Emma,” Alexandra said in a monotone.
    Emma turned to Julian, ignoring her sister. “I got second.”
    â€œOh,” said Julian. “That’s pretty good still. In what?”
    â€œA gymnastics competition. And no, it sucks, because I lost against my best friend, and now we aren’t best friends.”
    â€œHow come? What happened?”
    â€œI was mad at her after the competition because she was being mean and rude, so I pushed her off a stone wall in the parking lot, and now her tooth’s chipped, and Mom has to pay for the dentist and I have to pay Mom back for it.” Emma sighed darkly.
    â€œAh,” Julian said. Alexandra could see his mouth twitch as he tried not to giggle. “That sucks.”
    Alexandra started to grin despite herself, seeing the situation from Julian’s point of view. “Oh, Emma