Texas 8th Grade ELA Question of the Day

On Tuesdays, Maya gets off the bus a stop early to pick up her little brother from the elementary school. Their mom's shift at the clinic runs late, and Maya knows the routine by heart: snack, homework, reheating leftovers. Most days it's fine, but today her group text keeps lighting up about a science project, and her brother hums the same tune while he builds a paper airplane fleet. When he asks for help tying his shoes for the third time, Maya snaps, "Figure it out." His face falls. The apartment grows quiet except for the microwave's hum. Maya's phone buzzes again, but she silences it and kneels. "I'm sorry," she says, showing him the loop-and-swoop her dad taught her years ago. They eat at the small table, laughing when the rice sticks. Later, after dishes, her brother curls beside her with a library book, and Maya reads aloud. The text thread still waits, but the knot in her chest loosens. Walking him to brush his teeth, she realizes responsibility isn't just a list; it's noticing who needs you, even when you're tired.