The Pact

            What does independence mean to you? It could mean anything like, you don’t answer to someone else. You stand alone. Being able to depend upon yourself. Not having to ask for permission to live your life. The ability to say no. In the book The Pact by Juliann Vatalaro, over her troubled life, the main character Nikki has learned to be self-reliant and fits every description of independence I previously named. Nikki doesn’t answer to someone else. Nikki stands alone when she wants to. Nikki depends on herself. Nikki does not ask for permission to live her life, she does what she wants. Nikki will say no whenever she wants to. Overall, independence is more of a lifestyle to Nikki.

            Nikki shows her independence throughout the book. One of the earliest examples of her independence is when she is reflecting on her life on the first page. She talks about how she has been on her own since she was eleven years old when her parents and brother were killed. Take a moment to let that sink in. Think about what you were like when you were eleven. Innocent, carefree, your biggest worry was whether or not you forgot your favorite hat in school. She dealt with her family’s death. Now you may be thinking, that’s horrible, but, at least someone took her in. If you thought this, you’re wrong. She lived on her own. This leads to another example of Nikki’s independence. Also, while reflecting on her past, she talks about how she lived in Penn station for two years. By herself. Yet again, I’d like you to think about what your life was like or has been like from the ages of 11-13. No doubt, you’ve had some stress, probably with school, maybe a few family or friend issues, but mainly life has been good. If you were in Nikki’s situation, life would suck. You would have to wake up and worry about if you’re going to eat that day. You would have to worry about making money. She had to resort to selling drugs for money, and that landed her in juvenile detention for three and a half years. I don’t know about you, but that is not something I want to have to worry about yet. On a more personal note, I believe that if everyone was more independent like Nikki (not be Nikki and sell drugs for money, just be independent) that everyone would be happier. This may seem a little confusing to you, so let me explain. Have you ever had a choice between two different projects in school, where you like one idea more than the other? If you have, you’ve probably also experienced this. The idea you don’t like is the one all of your friends are doing, so you do the project they’re doing so you can be with them, even if you hate the idea. This probably makes you unhappy. It’s the little things like that that can make you happier by being more independent.

            In conclusion, independence is a lifestyle for Nikki. The choices she makes, even the little ones like if she wants to let Kenny give her a ride to get her drivers license or not are affected by her natural independence. If everyone in the world could be a little more independent like her, everyone would be happier.