Jumped Lies and Deceit Quotes

Leticia wants to get out of zero hour early, so she lies and says she has to pee. Right away, because of this action, we see where her priorities lie (pun definitely intended)—not in class. Plus, we also learn that she has no problem lying to get what she wants.

Dominique is stuck in Social Interactions class, though she thinks she doesn't belong. Is she right, or is her record right? Why might Dominique not want to be lumped in with the other students in Social Interactions class?

Dominique is set off by Trina getting all up in her space in the corridor. That sure seems like "anything" if you ask us… It's possible that Dominique doesn't want to admit she's hotheaded, but we're not quite sure why.

In English class, Trina has to respond to the prompt "With ____ I am complete." It's pretty clear to us that Trina is not honestly answering the question. She thinks about her dad, and her mom, and what's lacking, but to write this down is to admit the truth: Her life isn't perfect, and neither is she.

Dominique knows that her time playing ball in high school is it. She's realistic about her opportunities, and with no pipe dreams, Dominique places that much more emphasis on her court minutes. We have to admire her for owning her future in ways that many teens don't, but we're also sad that these limitations exist.

In the caf, Leticia sees Dominique repeating the threat she made earlier in the day. Even though Leticia thinks that Trina is to blame for the hallway incident, Leticia can't take the responsibility to tell Trina or an adult. Maybe Leticia is trying to convince herself that Trina deserves to be jumped so that she doesn't have to do anything.

What's worse: Trina's inability to see herself as others see her, or the depression that might ensue if she realizes that she's not as well liked as she thinks she is?

It's a lot easier to cut yourself some slack if you think things are out of your control. But Dominique lists some things that are in her control—she does control her grades. No, she can't force Hershheiser to raise her grade, but there are other ways to raise a grade that she hasn't explored. Why might she not want to admit that she is in control of some aspects of her life?

This is it, Leticia's big chance. The guilt just weighs on her, and she's clearly agitated about what to do. Mr. Cosgrove sees her in the way Dominique wants to be seen. And in the next chapter, we know that Leticia says nothing. Nada. We'd like to see her a little more torn up about it in Chapter 35, but no dice—old dirt-driven Leticia is back.

When AP Shelton asks Leticia if she knows anything, Leticia nonchalantly denies it. She lies so that she doesn't get in trouble and so she can make her nail appointment. Ugh. Leticia's lies are dangerous in this book.