Ariel, a high school student, recounts her childhood and her overbearing mother's constant pressure to become a star. Despite her own interests in astronomy, Ariel's mother pushes her into various activities, including singing, music, and ballet, which she fails miserably at. When Ariel's father tries to intervene, her mother becomes angry, and he eventually leaves the family.
Ariel's life changes when she meets Declan, a smart and charming classmate who becomes her boyfriend. However, her mother disapproves of their relationship and continues to push Ariel to focus on her cheerleading career.
During a cheerleading competition, Ariel collapses due to dehydration, exhaustion, and stress. In the hospital, she confronts her mother about the pressure she's been under, and her father intervenes, taking Ariel to live with him.
Ariel starts to rediscover her passion for astronomy and eventually receives a scholarship to a top college. She also reconciles with her mother, who reveals her own struggles with her parents' expectations and apologizes for putting too much pressure on Ariel. The story concludes with Ariel and her mother making amends and Ariel finally feeling loved and accepted for who she is.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Ariel, lives in California.
2. Ariel wasn't born in California, but moved there with her mom.
3. Ariel's mom was obsessed with making her a star.
4. Ariel's mom made her participate in various activities, such as singing, playing a musical instrument, and ballet.
5. Ariel was bad at singing and was banned from music class.
6. Ariel's dad wanted her to be happy and do what made her happy.
7. Ariel's parents fought a lot, and her dad eventually left.
8. Ariel moved to California with her mom and started a new school.
9. Ariel became the student body president, head cheerleader, and best student in school.
10. Ariel started dating a boy named Declan, who was a nerd.
11. Ariel's mom didn't approve of Declan and wanted Ariel to focus on her studies and becoming a star.
12. Ariel fainted during a cheerleading competition due to dehydration, exhaustion, and stress.
13. Ariel was hospitalized for a week and got a lot of rest.
14. Ariel's dad visited her in the hospital, but her mom didn't.
15. Ariel decided to live with her dad and leave her mom.
16. Ariel started reading her astronomy books again and fell in love with science.
17. Ariel landed a scholarship to one of the best colleges in the country.
18. Ariel's mom wrote her a letter explaining her own struggles with her parents' expectations.
19. Ariel visited her mom and they reconciled.