Katie is one of the best swimmers on the varsity team. In the beginning of the book, when Katie firsts meets Lindsey and Estella, Estella tells Katie that she's going to wax her legs for her. Katie surprisingly hesitates and doesn't know how to respond. Katie gets really embarrassed and tries not to choke on her words when she explains that since she's on the varsity team, she's not aloud to wax her legs. Estella automatically gives Katie a sharp glare. She says "It won't hurt a bit, Katie baby." This leaves Katie very self conscious and finally agrees.
This is a clear example of peer pressure. I think Katie feels so overwhelmed and "threatened" by Estella, that she does whatever she can to stay the popular girl's friend, even if it means breaking the rules. Outside the book, peer pressure is serious. A lot of girls want to be noticed and get attention. When teens feel that they are being forced to do something it causes them to get so worried, self conscious, and scared, that they usually do what others would do. This usually causes them to make the wrong decisions, as Katie did in the book.
But after making these decisions, she learns that they don't really have to be made. After Mazzie moves in with her, she realizes she doesn't have to be the center of attention. She realizes everyone goes through hard times in their lives, whether they have to do with friends or family. Helping Mazzie make friends, helps Katie realize that she doesn't have to make any bad decisions to get the things she wants. (A boyfriend, friends and to be popular.) If teens stop worrying about what others think of them, would they still be affected with peer pressure?
