Jordan, a shy and quiet girl, shares her story of growing up and her complicated relationship with her stepsister Esther. Esther was initially a positive influence, helping Jordan overcome her social anxiety and face her fears. However, their relationship turned sour when Esther became jealous of Jordan's talents and popularity. The situation escalated when Esther's actions led to Jordan falling off a stage and injuring her legs, resulting in her needing a wheelchair.
Despite this, Jordan forgave Esther and they eventually traveled to Los Angeles for a talent show audition, which Esther had helped make possible by selling a valuable ring. At the audition, Jordan performed well, while Esther defended her against their mutual enemy, Layla. In the chaos that followed, Jordan found the motivation to stand up and walk again, and the sisters finally made amends, acknowledging their complicated but ultimately loving relationship.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's name is Jordan, and she is from New Jersey.
2. Jordan was a quiet girl who had trouble making friends in kindergarten.
3. A girl named Layla was mean to Jordan in kindergarten and would remain a bully throughout their childhood.
4. Jordan's mom married her stepdad, who had a daughter named Esther, three years older than Jordan.
5. Esther and Jordan initially didn't get along, but eventually, Esther became cool and helped Jordan overcome her social fears.
6. Layla pushed Jordan when she was in the fourth grade, but Esther caught her and stood up for her.
7. Esther tripped Layla with a rope, defending Jordan.
8. Jordan and Esther grew apart as they got older, especially after Jordan sang in a talent show and received praise.
9. Esther started hanging out with Layla, and Jordan overheard them plotting against her.
10. Jordan found out that Esther and Layla were planning to get back at her by throwing rotten eggs at her.
11. Jordan confronted Esther and Layla at school, and Esther stormed off.
12. Jordan's mom took her and Esther to a concert of their favorite singer, Ariana Grande.
13. Esther jumped on stage and took the mic, but ended up getting booed by the audience.
14. Jordan tried to take the mic from Esther, but fell off the stage and ended up in the hospital.
15. Jordan woke up in the hospital and found out she couldn't move her legs.
16. The doctor told Jordan's mom that she couldn't walk until she regained muscle control and needed to use a wheelchair.
17. Jordan was devastated and blamed Esther for her condition.
18. Jordan's mom and stepdad tried to convince her to forgive Esther.
19. Jordan decided to come to terms with the fact that Esther was part of her life, no matter if she liked it or not.
20. Jordan saw a poster for a talent reality show in LA and wanted to audition, but was worried about how kids would react to her being in a wheelchair.
21. Esther surprised Jordan by saying she could audition, and there were no rules against people in wheelchairs participating.
22. Jordan applied and sent a video audition, and the organizers wanted her to come to LA.
23. Jordan's parents couldn't afford the trip, but Esther surprised her by saying she could take her.
24. Esther had sold a diamond ring her birth mom gave her to pay for the trip.
25. Jordan was touched by Esther's gesture and felt grateful.
26. At the audition, Jordan nailed her performance, and the judges clapped for her.
27. Layla was disqualified from the competition, and she tried to push Jordan's wheelchair, but Esther lunged at her, and they got into a fight.
28. Jordan stood up from her wheelchair to help Esther and punched Layla in the jaw.
29. Security took Layla away, and Jordan was happy to be able to stand.
30. Esther apologized to Jordan for her past behavior, and they made up.