When they get home, Leah gets a text from her best friend, Tonya, reminding her that they have plans to go out that night. She’s tempted to claim she’s sick and cancel, but decides it’s best to rip the bandaid off right away.
Leah chooses the most mature outfit she can – a short skirt, undershirt, and sweater, along with ballet flats. But even after putting on makeup and styling her hair, Leah looks like a kindergartener at best. Realistically, she looks like a toddler who was dressed up by an older sister.
“You look lovely, Leah!” Tina says when she sees her stepdaughter. “Have fun, okay?”
“Yep,” Leah says, exiting the house. She gets into Tonya’s car. Tonya stares at her.
“You look like you have a story to tell,” she says. Leah sighs.
“Yes, I do.”
Leah tells Tonya everything, including the accident that started it all. She trusts Tonya implicitly. After she’s done explaining what’s happened, Tonya shakes her head.
“That sucks, girl. Sorry.”
“It is what it is, I guess. I’m just dreading going to school looking like I belong in daycare,” Leah says. Tonya gets a thoughtful expression. “Let’s go pick up the other girls.”
They pick up the rest of their friend group: Gemma, Miley, and Francine. Once everyone’s in the car, Tonya launches into a version of Leah’s story that cuts out the fact she wet herself. After hearing the story, they want to change their original plans and do something else to capitalize on Leah’s new look, though each girl has her own suggestion.
“We should take you to that arcade where they don’t let you in unless you have a kid with you,” Gemma suggests.
“No, we need to go eat somewhere that kids under five eat for free,” Miley says.
“You’re both wrong,” Francine scoffs. “Clearly, we need to go to a movie so you’ll get a cheaper ticket. Maybe even one for free.”
“Actually,” Tonya says, “I had a different idea. How about we go to the mall and help Leah restock her closet with more mature clothes, so that she doesn’t have to wear a toddler dress to school on Monday?” She looks at Leah. “Since our plans apparently depend upon you this evening, you get to make the ultimate decision. What are we going to do?”