The Icarus Girl

Jess and TillyTilly run upstairs to Jess’s bedroom, passing Jess’s mom’s study. TillyTilly asks Jess if she has any games, and Jess says no. TillyTilly asks Jess if she has any siblings, and Jess says that if she did, TillyTilly would have met them in Nigeria. TillyTilly asks Jess if she knows a girl named Colleen McLain, and Jess tells TillyTilly that Colleen is horrible. TillyTilly tells Jess that Colleen is horrible to her too and says that they should “ger her” (98). Jess is taken aback, unsure what TillyTilly means, but TillyTilly laughs suddenly and says she’s only joking. TillyTilly suggests that they go outside. Jess goes to her mom’s study to ask if she can play outside with her new friend, Titiola. Jess’s mom is surprised by the Yoruba name. She asks who Titiola’s parents are and whether she can meet her. Jess says that they just moved in and that Titiola is shy. Jess’s mother says that she would like to meet Titiola one day but allows Jess to play outside.

Once they are out of the house, TillyTilly says they should go to Colleen’s house. TillyTilly and Jess sneak into Colleen’s kitchen.