Outline Plot

Journal Entry

When I was in high school, I had a close friend called Maria. We did everything together and were always there for each other. Maria was funny, but she did not like following instruction. Maria considered herself a “free spirit”. Maria had a habit of shoplifting and getting into fights. I tried to talk her out of it, but she never took my advice seriously. Teachers and her parents complained about Maria’s lack of discipline. One day Maria was arrested for shoplifting while we were on holiday in London. After spending three days in jail, her uncle helped to get her out, and Maria felt quite remorseful about her actions and vowed never to get into trouble again.

Plot Summary

Two friends, Alana and Naima always do everything together. They go to the same college and are always there for each other. Alana develops a petty theft behavior and does not take heed of her friend’s advice against it. The teachers at school also try to counsel her but this only worsens the situation, as she does not like to be told what to do. Alana’s parents do not know how to handle her behavior as well. When Alana and Naima travel to London for their summer vacation, Alana is arrested for stealing a pair of “Manolos” (very expensive designer shoes) and a handbag. She disregards all the advice from her friend, parents and teachers. The assistant at the store from which she steals reports her to the security officer. The store manager decides to press charges against her. The police discover that Alana has a criminal record and they indict her for petty theft and assault. Therefore, she is booked and is told that she has to be taken before a judge. When she is arraigned in court, the judge sentences her to three weeks in jail.

Naima calls Alana’s parents to tell them about the unpleasant incident. Alana’s mother breaks into tears on learning that her daughter will be spending time in jail far away from home. Meanwhile, Naima is distraught by the events unfolding because she knows that she cannot go back home without her friend Alana. She spends the next few days worrying about her friend. Naima wishes Alana had listened to her and her parents. Every time she goes to visit Alana in jail, she cannot help but cry because the conditions in jail were not favorable. After spending nine days in jail, her parents travel to London to bail her out. Nevertheless, their efforts to have her released are met by stringent jurisdiction from the London police department. Luckily, Alana’s mother has a cousin Jeff who works at the department of justice and he helps to get her daughter out of jail. Alana gets out of jail looking so frail and shaken. She cannot stop crying at the sight of her parents. She apologizes profusely to her parents and Naima for all the trouble. She feels very remorseful about her actions, as her time in jail teaches her a lesson. Consequently, she promises to partake in counseling sessions to help her stay out of trouble. Alana learns the hard way that it is important to listen to other people’s advice.

Theme

We should always take heed of the advice we receive from our friends, teachers and parents.