Free Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall

Do you really want to have to go to college the way Connie did? At night, after work.”
    â€œBut I don’t even know if a traditional four-year college is really for me,” Jane said quietly.
    â€œIt’s for everyone,” her mother said, standing up and wiping her brow with the back of her wrist. “You have absolutely no reason not to go, and I don’t understand why you’re so stubborn about it.”
    â€œMaybe if you let me explain,” Jane said.
    Her mother crossed her arms. “Explain.”
    But this wasn’t right. This wasn’t the moment. Jane didn’t have any of her ideas laid out in her head. She had only prepared for the first part of the conversation, not the inevitable second part.
    She should have a PowerPoint presentation and index cards. That would be a way to get her mom’s attention. Then she might see that while Jane didn’t want to go to college, at least she had a plan.
    â€œNot right this second.”
    â€œWhen, Jane? Every time this comes up, you act like you have something better to do. You run away and hide in your room. Isn’t it time to face this topic?”
    â€œWhy can’t we ever talk about something else?”
    â€œBecause you need to make some decisions,” her mother said, her voice rising to a volume that scared a nearby squirrel.
    â€œIt’s too hard.”
    â€œWhat is too hard?” Her mother’s eyes were steely, and Jane knew there was nothing she could say at this point that would make her mother listen.
    â€œIt’s too hard to explain it right now.”
    Her mother’s expression said, I told you so .
    Jane wiped her hands on her shorts. “I do have a plan. It’s just not ready yet.”
    â€œWell, I’ll be waiting to hear all about it.”
    Jane walked away, hating the way her mother had spoken to her, like she was a child and they were discussing Jane’s letter to Santa. Next time she would be ready.

 
    Chapter 9
    The Fourth of July was one of Jane’s favorite holidays. There was a huge all-day block party on her street, and then the neighbors would watch the fireworks together at the pool. But this year was a little disappointing.
    Jane was at a weird, in-between age. She was too old to participate in the little-kid games, but she hadn’t made any plans outside the neighborhood, not having realized that all the kids her age had other things to do, like barbecues with friends or a day at the beach. Margo was one of those people who had plans with friends. She’d invited Jane to go with her, but Jane didn’t feel much like tagging along.
    She perked up a bit when she ran into Connie as they were setting out the food at the block party.
    â€œHello, Jane! Gorgeous day,” Connie said.
    Jane nodded in agreement. “Is Teo going to make an appearance?” She did her best to sound casual, but Teo’s presence could definitely turn the day around for her.
    â€œOh, he had to work. But he should be home later. The pool closes around five or six so they can get ready for the fireworks.”
    Jane felt her hopes of a fun Fourth of July deflate.
    Hours later she sat at a picnic table by herself, consuming a large plate of chocolate chip cookies and contemplating her next fan fiction plot. It might involve Eleven taking Veronica Mars to back to 1776 for some convoluted mystery solving. She just needed to figure out why the Doctor would care about American history, being British and all. But she wouldn’t know until she tried.
    Testing out that plot sounded better than hanging out at the block party for even one more minute. She polished off the last cookie and was about to stand up when Teo straddled the bench next to her.
    â€œHey,” he said.
    â€œHey,” she said, brushing crumbs off her shirt and praying that she didn’t have chocolate on her mouth. “I thought you weren’t going to be home until