In this excerpt from Beverly Cleary's book Fifteen, the young girl reflects on her own intelligence with a touch of humor. She thinks to herself, "Well, she thought, I'm certainly bright," indicating her confidence, but also a hint of self-awareness about her expectations and experiences.
She was eager to meet a new boy and, in her excitement, perhaps overlooked important details like his name. This moment highlights her youthful innocence and the curiosity that comes with adolescence, emphasizing her anticipation and the imperfections of youthful encounters.