The narrator, Jessie, was born to parents who were former pageant kids and teen models. They valued physical beauty above all and pushed Jessie to participate in beauty pageants from a young age. Jessie hated the pageants and the constant emphasis on her looks, but her parents were relentless.
As Jessie grew older, her parents' expectations only intensified. They wanted her to marry a rich boy and rely on him for financial support. Jessie was horrified by this idea and began to rebel against her parents' wishes. She started dating a girl named Kate, who was the sister of the boy her parents wanted her to marry.
Jessie and Kate's relationship blossomed, but they kept it a secret from Jessie's parents. However, when Jessie's parents found out, they were furious. Jessie's mom was particularly upset, feeling that Jessie's relationship with Kate was a betrayal of everything she had taught her.
In the end, Jessie's dad came around to the idea of Jessie being in a same-sex relationship, but only because Kate's family was wealthy. Jessie's mom eventually accepted the relationship as well, but only because she was convinced that Kate's wealth would benefit their family.
The story is a commentary on the societal pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards and the challenges of being true to oneself in the face of adversity.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Jessie, was born to parents who were former pageant kids and teen models.
2. Jessie's parents valued physical beauty and encouraged her to participate in pageants and modeling.
3. Jessie was forced to participate in beauty pageants against her will.
4. Jessie met a model named Kate at a pageant, and they later became friends.
5. Jessie's parents wanted her to marry a rich boy, specifically John, who was Kate's brother.
6. Jessie pretended to date John to please her parents, but she was actually dating Kate.
7. Jessie's parents discovered her relationship with Kate and were initially upset.
8. Jessie and Kate decided to reveal their relationship to their parents and others.
9. Jessie's parents were shocked and upset by the revelation, but eventually accepted Kate.
10. Jessie's father was more concerned with Kate's wealth than her sexual orientation.
11. Jessie's mother was more resistant to accepting Kate, but eventually came around.
12. Jessie and Kate shared a romantic kiss in front of their parents and others.
13. Jessie's parents had been planning for her to marry John and have children, but those plans were foiled by her relationship with Kate.
14. Jessie had been hiding her true feelings and identity from her parents, but eventually found the courage to be honest with them.