When people think of East Allegheny, they don't automatically think of heat, but in the middle of summer, it's hot. Eight-year-old JJ isn't supposed to be along on this trip. It's supposed to be just for the big kids - like her big brother and sister, Josh and Janet - but she gets invited along, because she's very convincing. And because she's the youngest.

So, she hangs out with the older kids in the church youth group, annoying Josh and Jan in the big cargo van on their way to these big waterfalls in Wisconsin. When the big kids cliff dive, JJ wants to, too. When they all swim out to this floating dock in the middle of a lake, she begs Josh to make sure she doesn't drown on the way out there.

He's a good big brother. He's eighteen, and even though he's not around that much, when he is, he hangs out with her and helps her with homework. Janet doesn't like JJ as much, but that's okay, because JJ doesn't like her either. When JJ turns fifteen, she promises herself that she won't be anything like her sister.

"Jen! Come on! You're gonna make us late!" Janet calls, as JJ drags at the back of the group of them, trying to catch butterflies.

"Chill out!" JJ shouts back. "And it's not Jen, it's JJ!" she insists. She decided earlier on the trip that going by her initials would be totally awesome - much cooler than Jennifer anyway.

She stands on the top of a really steep cliff and watches Janet hesitate. JJ has a lifejacket on because Josh said that's the only way he was letting her come with them. So, JJ doesn't wait. This time, she doesn't lag behind on purpose. This time, she flies off the ledge of rocks and through the air.

When she lands in the water, it's warm. But it's way better than sweating.

"Come on! Chickens!" JJ calls, teasing her brother and sister. In seconds they landed in the water, too, soaking her.

JJ laughed. This was the best day ever.