Jordan Torres was used to making tough choices—especially since his dad left last year. He was the kind of kid teachers liked but rarely noticed. Quiet, dependable, always showing up early for basketball practice. His mom worked two jobs, and Jordan tried hard to make things easier at home.
But this Friday, his steady world tilted. His team had just lost the final game of the season by one point—his missed free throw. As he walked home, backpack heavy on one shoulder, he spotted Marcus leaning on his bike at the crosswalk, grinning. Beside him stood Ty, hoodie up, paper bag under his arm.
“Yo, we’ve been waiting for you,” Marcus said. “Ty’s brother forgot his phone at the corner store. We just need to grab it real quick.”
Jordan frowned. The story didn’t sound right. Ty looked nervous, and Marcus was avoiding eye contact. Still, Marcus had been his best friend since third grade. They’d gotten each other through worse. But Jordan remembered what his mom always said: Every big mistake starts with one small bad decision.
The “WALK” sign blinked green. Marcus was already crossing. Ty followed. Jordan hesitated. His heart pounded as he thought about making tough choices—the kind that change what people think of you, maybe even who you are.
Marcus turned around. “You coming or what?”
Jordan took a step forward, then stopped. He had seconds to decide.
Your Turn: What Would You Do?
Write a paragraph (at least 5 sentences) explaining what you would do if you were Jordan.
Would you cross the street and help your friends, or turn away?
Explain your reasoning, and predict what you think would happen next.
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2 Responses
I would go help my friend because if they helped you when things were tough its also good to have there back to so you can show that your also a good friend and that you have there back to.
I would turn away because I would predict that they were stealing something or that they are robbing the store which is wrong , I would run away and go back home finish anything I didn’t finish and stay the good kid because you can’t risk your life for something you can buy later on. I wouldn’t risk my profile for someone else because that would be stupid, I wouldn’t understand stealing for someone when you can buy food from somewhere else. I wouldn’t risk my image for a robbing at a market.