Key Player

Content Warning: This section of the guide features depictions of racism and bullying.

Mia would rather think about her next journalistic article than kicking the soccer ball during PE. Mr. Antwell, her gym teacher, encourages her to picture herself scoring like Brandi Chastain, but Mia feels that she is nothing like Brandi Chastain. She remembers the time her mom had to go to the hospital and how expensive and time-consuming it was. Even though her family now has health insurance, Mia worries about how difficult it will be for her parents if she gets hurt. While Mia gets water, Bethany Brett, her school nemesis makes a snide comment that they’ll never win with Mia on their team. Mia pictures herself at a journalism camp hosted by the San Francisco Tribune. She will need a scholarship to attend, which means she needs straight A’s. Mia tries to run but her book falls out of the waistband of her gym shorts. Mr. Antwell insists she leave the book on the ground and continue playing

Mia checks in with her friend Lupe, who goes to the high school for part of the day to take advanced math classes.