Should've Said No

Pushover

The next day, Rosenda arrived at school, and she put her stuff in her locker when Robin went up to her.

"Hello, Rosenda," Robin said.

Rosenda turned to see Robin giving her an evil smirk. "Buen día, Robin," she said awkwardly.

"Enough with the weird words, and look what I got yesterday," Robin said. She had a box with her, and she opened it to reveal watercolor paints in 72 different colors. "These are only the best watercolor paints on the market ever, and my parents got it for me because I wanted it."

"Wow, fancy," Hero remarked.

"Yes, I know," Robin smirked. "I bet you wish you had these, too, huh, Rosenda?"

"I don't really like watercolor, Robin," Rosenda replied. "I prefer acrylic paint."

"Suit yourself," Robin sniffed.

"That reminds me," Hero told Rosenda. "Did you ask your parents about that G-Phone?"

"I asked my mom, and she said no," Rosenda replied.

"Why?" Robin asked.

"The G-Phone is restricted—it's not even legal in this country," Rosenda replied.

"Why would a cell phone not be legal?" Hero asked.

"The website never gave a specific reason, but maybe it's because the phone automatically downloads via satellite," Rosenda surmised. "Well, maybe I'll like the cell phone I get even more."

Robin was shocked and disgusted. Rosenda's mother said no when her daughter asked for the G-Phone, and Rosenda is just going along with it.

"How could you?" Robin asked angrily.

Rosenda was rather shocked. "How could I what?" she asked.

"Your mom said no, and you just accepted it—how could you?" Robin sneered.

"That's how my parents raised me," Rosenda replied. "I won't lie, I was bummed when she said no, but it was for a good reason—when my parents say no, it's usually for a good reason. Besides, my dad is a police officer, and I don't want to take any chances of getting in trouble with him."

"You think your parents have a good reason to tell you no?" Robin sniffed. "What a pushover you are!"

Rosenda gave Robin a dirty look—she didn't understand why Robin's parents spoiled her so much or why they couldn't learn to say no, let alone teach her some discipline. Rosenda found it annoying how Robin saw her as a pushover, but she never found it in her heart to throw a tantrum when her parents said no, especially if there was a good reason.

Later, at lunch, Rosenda was with Hero and Brandon. She was very annoyed with Robin for rubbing her fancy accessories in her face and calling her a pushover just because she was fine when her parents said no.

"Don't let Robin bring you down," Hero told Rosenda. "She's just jealous because accepting no for an answer usually means you're happy with what you've got and you're perfectly mature."

"Yeah, Robin needs to learn to grow up, and her parents need to learn how to show her some discipline," Brandon agreed.

"You're right," Rosenda smiled.

"By the way, I hear next Friday is Parent Career Day," Hero smiled.

"What's that?" Rosenda asked.