The main character in this story is a black high school girl named Crystal. Crystal is an academically successful student, and initially that is a large part of her identity. When Crystal is befriended by the beautiful and popular Geena, their friendship offers Crystal a different experience that allows for a more social aspect of high school. While Geena influences Crystal, she is not the sole contributor to her new identity. Crystal uses her intelligence to boost her into popularity by coming up with a plot to vandalize the school which will actually work in their favor.
Even though Crystal becomes more popular and changes her physical appearance with more fashionable clothes, earrings, etc. she still maintains her grades and even helps Geena with hers. Crystal cares about Geena, but she’s also confident enough to exist without her. Geena was angry at Crystal, Crystal was upset, but not devastated. She was tough enough to know that she could survive without friends if she needed to, but she also did not want that.
Crystal’s friendship with Geena modeled a crossroad-like time in her life where she was conflicted between her loyalties and experiences with friends, and a future that was made possible by leaving her friends and pursuing an academic career. Instead of being proud and excited about her status of being a valedictorian she sloughs it off in front of Geena to comfort her friend that she is still Crystal, and still relatable. In the end it seems that Crystal has chosen to deny her academic status and remain with her friend by burning her name in the field. Geena however makes the alternate decision for Crystal and tells her to leave, allowing Crystal to see what real friendship and sacrifice looks like. By leaving Geena to take the blame, Crystal chooses a different path and direction to take her life.
Even though Crystal becomes more popular and changes her physical appearance with more fashionable clothes, earrings, etc. she still maintains her grades and even helps Geena with hers. Crystal cares about Geena, but she’s also confident enough to exist without her. Geena was angry at Crystal, Crystal was upset, but not devastated. She was tough enough to know that she could survive without friends if she needed to, but she also did not want that.
Crystal’s friendship with Geena modeled a crossroad-like time in her life where she was conflicted between her loyalties and experiences with friends, and a future that was made possible by leaving her friends and pursuing an academic career. Instead of being proud and excited about her status of being a valedictorian she sloughs it off in front of Geena to comfort her friend that she is still Crystal, and still relatable. In the end it seems that Crystal has chosen to deny her academic status and remain with her friend by burning her name in the field. Geena however makes the alternate decision for Crystal and tells her to leave, allowing Crystal to see what real friendship and sacrifice looks like. By leaving Geena to take the blame, Crystal chooses a different path and direction to take her life.
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