I woke up to see a huge donkey muzzle with stubby teeth sticking out, braying a few feet from my face. I sucked in my breath in surprise and opened my eyes wider to focus on it. My prankster brother had put up a poster on my wall. He’d written ‘time to get your @#$ outta bed!’ in pen across the top.

I changed out of my clown pajamas to a sky blue jump suit and grabbed my toothbrush. I kept it in my room ever since that same brother decided it would be funny to do gross things with it, like scrub his tennis shoes, or paint.

I began my bathroom routine by turning on the radio. “School’s Out For the Summer” was playing. How true. My brother and I were going out on my uncle’s boat today. I was looking forward to it. Zach Gilbert worked on the docks and I was hoping to catch a glimpse of his tanned, muscular form and blonde, wind-blown hair.

I thought about Zach as I brushed my hair and put it up for the day. I thought about him as I applied some lip gloss and eyeliner. I smiled at my reflection. I was ready.