I had to hear from MY MOM
SO LAME.
GABRIELLE
No offense but that is lame-o 2 the extreme
CECILY
Gabs come on
Not the nicest response
GABRIELLE
Fine sorry
But we need 2 step up our game
If parties r happening we need 2 b the ones 2 find out about them
Ya know
PRIANKA
K, Gabs . . . U lead the way.
Bc u know about soooo many parties
CECILY
Guys, stop fighting
Remember we promised we wouldn’t fight over text
PRIANKA
Ummm
CECILY
Yes, u do remember
GABRIELLE
Fine
Sorry, I’m just in bad mood
PRIANKA
Y
GABRIELLE
My mom is still talking about moving
PRIANKA
K we will make sure you don’t move but 1st thing is getting invited 2 the party
So let’s meet @ lockers first thing tomw morn & figure out what we r going 2 do 2 get invites
CECILY
K MWAH
GABRIELLE
Xoxo
PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY
Where: Casa de Gobin
(Vishal’s pad)
16 Piedmont Drive
When: February 2, 6pm
Why: Last-minute party because VISHAL IS TURNING 12, YO!
RSVP: VGobs1342@gmail.com
Prianka, Cecily
CECILY
Pri we need 2 come up with game plan 2 make sure Gabs doesn’t move
Like we do 1 thing each day 2 convince her mom 2 stay
PRIANKA
Ummm I like it
But what can we do
CECILY
Leave note in her mailbox every day with diff reason of y Yorkville is best place 2 live
PRIANKA
K
Or email if we can’t make it over there . . .
CECILY
Good backup plan
PRIANKA
Fab
VICTORIA
IS ANY1 OUT THERE???? HELLOOOOOO I’VE TEXTED U GUYS SO MANY TIMES & NO 1 RESPONDS!!!!!!!!
DID EVERY1 GET INVITED 2 VISHAL’S PARTY!? Sorry 4 all caps
From: Victoria Melford
To: Vishal Gobin
Subject: PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, Vishal,
I heard you are having a party. We just moved here and my address isn’t in the school directory.
I would love to come to your party.
See you in Global Studies!
Victoria
SICK CECE
CECILY
I don’t think u guys r going to see this until way l8r
I’m home puking my guts out
Some1 needs 2 respond 2 Victoria’s group text
PLZZZZZZ
SICK CECE
CECILY
Still here
On a puke break
BUT GUESS WHO GOT INVITED TO VISHAL’S PARTY
Obvs u will b 2 . . .
THE CREW
PRIANKA
Ok, so we r all invited
YAY
Cece, how r u feeling
CECILY
BLARGHSJWKJNDKJSH
GABRIELLE
Wow, that bad huh?
CECILY
I may not be back tomw . . . & we have dance comm
U guys gotta take over for me, k?
GABRIELLE
Um
I’ll try . . .
PRIANKA
We can do this
& YAY TO THIS PARTY
K - we have 2 plan outfits
CECILY
Gtg . . . Sick Cece over here
PRIANKA
FEEL BETTER
GABRIELLE
Feel better, Cece.
THE CREW
CECILY
Um so don’t freak out but Mara texted me to see how I’m feeling . . .
Guys, I feel like M girls want 2 be friends w/ us
They r honestly nice I promise
GABRIELLE
WHOA
K but u DEK what happened @ lunch 2day!!
CECILY
GABRIELLE
K so there was def a fight b/t M girls
Mara got mad at Marissa saying she was talking 2 Mae behind her back
PRIANKA
HA - this sounds crazy
GABRIELLE
It was
Mrs. Manuso had 2 get involved
& u know that’s bad . . .
CECILY
So what happened
?????
GABRIELLE
All 3 of them were crying . . .
Then Mara stopped me on the way 2 math 2 ask me where u were, Cece
CECILY
What? Really?
GABRIELLE
Yup
I think she’s trying 2 break away from them
CECILY
No way
M girls are tight as can be
GABRIELLE
I know
Soooooo weird right
CECILY
Well, Mara is the nicest . . .
PRIANKA
Just stay away from Marissa
She’s the 1 who is in w/ Vishal
GABRIELLE
K whatev
My mom calling me
GTG
PRIANKA
BYE
CECILY
Hope 2 be back in school tomw
ILY
From: Priscilla Melford
To: Edward Carransey
Subject: Victoria Melford experiencing social cruelty
Dear Mr. Carransey:
My daughter, Victoria (sixth grade), is being excluded at every turn. She is new to the school. As you know, we had to move midyear. Victoria joined the dance committee to meet new friends, but they do not include her in plans outside of school, despite many attempts. She is consistently left out of group texting communication. It is affecting her schoolwork and she is experiencing immense anxiety.
Also, it seems the students are overly concerned about dates for the Valentine’s Day dance. This is not appropriate. I do not feel that dates should be allowed for a sixth-grade dance.
I would like to set a meeting with you to discuss what can be done about these two issues.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Melford
Live, laugh, love.
Unknown, Prianka
NO CALLER ID
Hello Prianka
BARF BRAIN!!!!!!!!
PRIANKA
??? Who r u?
CREW
PRIANKA
Any1 else get BARF BRAIN text?
CECILY
No . . . But stomach bug going around obv
GABRIELLE
I didn’t
PRIANKA
GUYS, this is serious
Mystery texter
PLEASE HELP
Remember what Mr. Carransey said about social cruelty
CECILY
Ask who it is!
PRIANKA
I DID
BFFFFFFFF
GABRIELLE
Nice note in my mailbox, Pri
PRIANKA
HUH
GABRIELLE
I know ur handwriting, silly!
My mom thought it was sweet
PRIANKA
So did it work
GABRIELLE
IDK but thanx
Unknown, Prianka
NO CALLER ID
BARF BRAIN
PRIANKA
WHO IS THIS??!!
ANSWER ME
I AM GOING 2 CALL THE POLICE
NO CALLER ID
Calm down
PRIANKA
TELL ME
NO CALLER ID
Ok, it’s Vishal
Vishal, Prianka
VISHAL
Sorry
PRIANKA
Huh . . . Y did u just text me BARF BRAIN
VISHAL
My brother did from his phone
HAHAHAAHAHAAHAHA
SoRrY
I was using his phone & then he stole it
TOLD U I COULD FIND OTHER NUMBERS
HAHAHAHA
PRIANKA
Bye
PRIANKA
It was Vishal’s brother . . . WEIRD
CECILY
That is weird
GABRIELLE
GUYS, u r never going 2 believe this
Ya know how Mrs. Hughes lives next door & my mom and her exercise 2gether sometimes
CECILY
Yeah?
GABRIELLE
Welllllllllll, some of the moms called school & complained that our grade is getting too crazy with dates & stuff 4 the dance & they may not even allow dates AT ALL
PRIANKA
What!!!!!! That is crazy!!!!!!!!
Cece, did Ingrid’s grade have dates?
CECILY
Umm . . . I think so.
GABRIELLE
Who do u think complained?
CECILY
No idea!!!
PRIANKA
This is crazy
Did u guys tell ur moms we were going to ask boys to the dance
I didn’t
MINE would FLIP!
CECILY
I didn’t . . . IDC if I bring a date
Do u guys?
I just wanna have fun with every1
GABRIELLE
IDK how to ask some1 2 be my date!!!
My mom would prob freak & then try to make us move even more
CECILY
We need 2 get 2 the bottom of this
But here’s the thing - peeps don’t all have 2 do the same thing
If some1 wants 2 bring a date, fine
If not, also fine
Ya know?
Every1 is going CRAZY.
PRIANKA
I KNOW
WIGO?!?
madness
CECILY
OK
KEEP CALM, PEOPLE, KEEP CALM
Going to bed now XOX
PRIANKA
Night night
GABRIELLE
MWAH
From: Priscilla Melford
To: Sixth-Grade Parents Association
Subject: Valentine’s Day Dance
Dear fellow parents:
It has come to my attention that some of the students are trying to bring dates to the Valentine’s Day dance. I do not feel this is appropriate, and I think the administration needs to get involved.
Please add this to the agenda for the PA meeting on Thursday.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Melford
Live, laugh, love.
Dear Diary,
Colin talked to me in math today. He asked when the quiz was. He also asked me if I am going to Vishal’s party. I am freaking out. I have to tell my friends I like him, but I am so scared because what if he doesn’t like me? I don’t know what to do.
Love,
Gabby
Prianka, Cecily
PRIANKA
Cece, u there?
CECILY
Doing sci lab
Wuz
PRIANKA
Have u left any more notes
CECILY
Yea but we need 2 keep doing it
My mom had dinner w/ Gabby’s mom 2night & I think she really wants 2 move
PRIANKA
NOOOO
CECILY
We will keep working on it
Gtg do this lab
Don’t be mad, but Mara is coming over after school again tomw
She asked me to hang out
K, promise? Don’t be mad
PRIANKA
Calm down
Weren’t u the 1 who said to stay calm
I’m not mad
CECILY
OK
XOXOX
PRIANKA
Xo
From: Colin Hayes
To: Cecily Anderson
Subject: BEST BADMINTON PARTNERS EVER
Yo. I am in study hall and had an idea. What if we suggested to Mr. Peeds and the gym department that we start a badminton team? We are so good! I think kids would be into it. And maybe that would help fulfill my community service requirement?
Probably not. HAHAHA.
Peace out,
Colin
Prianka, Gabrielle
PRIANKA
Hi, Gabs
GABRIELLE
Hiiiiii
PRIANKA
I think we need emergency sleepover this weekend
Cece is hanging out w/ Mara after school again tomw
Don’t tell her I told u
Maybe Cece does want to be friends w/ them . . . & she’s trying to break away from us
And Victoria is trying to hijack us
Don’t want 2 be mean 2 her but she is sooooo annoying
GABRIELLE
Ok this is a big deal!!!!!!!!!!
PRIANKA
IK
WE NEED TO FIX THIS!
From: Darlene Lakely
To: Cecily Anderson
Subject: Valentine’s Day Dance Logistics
Hi, Cecily,
I wondered if you could meet five to ten minutes before lunch on Wednesday so we can discuss some logistics about the dance.
Thank you,
Mrs. Lakely
Mara, Cecily
MARA
Was so much fun 2 hang w/ u
CECILY
had fun 2!!
MARA
Good luck w/ Mrs. Lakely meeting
I’m sure it is nothing major
CECILY
Fingers crossed
Also Colin Hayes wants 2 start a badminton team
So funny, right?
MARA
THAT WOULD BE SO FUNNY
LMK what happens w/ Lakely
EMERGENCY SLEEPOVER
GABRIELLE
Sleepover sat?
PRIANKA
CECILY
From: Cecily Anderson
To: Colin Hayes
Subject: Badminton Team
I like your idea. Just so busy now with the dance stuff. But maybe we can do it closer to the spring.
Victoria, Cecily
VICTORIA
Still didn’t get invite 2 Vishal’s party
I emailed him & he didn’t wb
What should I do????
CECILY
Sometimes is weird
Don’t worry
VICTORIA
I AM SO STRESSED
Also ur friends don’t respond 2 my group texts
What is wrong w/ me??
CECILY
Phone dying
Let’s talk tomrw
CECILY
U guys, this Victoria thing is making me crazy
She’s really hurt
We need 2 respond or just be nice or something
IDK!!!!!
PRIANKA
But IDK her!!!!
GABRIELLE
SAME
TBH I feel bad but we don’t have any classes 2gether besides gym + Eng
She asked 2 switch & be my badminton partner but Mr. Peeds said no
I am stuck w/ Becky Willard
She’s so much better than I am & I think she hates me
Also, I am already so stressed with hw
CECILY
OK
Let’s talk about it @ sleepover
READING LOG
It’s been nice having a break from reading log, hasn’t it? Here are my pages. Can we hang out sometime? —Victoria
I kind of missed reading log, to be honest. I’m really stressed because we may be moving. I feel like Wanda! :( :( :( I’ll let u know when I am free to hang. —Gabby
; Cecily, Mara
CECILY
So the Mrs. Lakely meeting wasn’t that crazy but she is concerned about dates thing
She wanted to know what I thought about it
MARA
What do u think
CECILY
IDK
People r getting kinda crazy.
& some peeps might not have a date . . .
MARA
Yeah. Hmmm . . .
Well, we still have time
I gtg finish English essay
C u tomw
CECILY
Bye bye
From: Beverly Flam
To: Priscilla Melford
Subject: Meeting to discuss Victoria
Dear Mrs. Melford:
I wanted to set up a time to meet in person to discuss how Victoria is adjusting to her new school. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience.
Kind regards,
Beverly Flam
Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
—Unknown
Vishal, Prianka
VISHAL
What do u think peeps should do at my party
PRIANKA
Ummmm
VISHAL
Snacks + video games
PRIANKA
I never knew there was a video game emoji! COOL!
VISHAL
So?
PRIANKA
Will try and think of ideas
From: Kimberly Higgins
To: Victoria Melford
Subject: GUESS WHAT?
V-girl:
My phone got taken away bc I got a C in math. But I can still email. LOL!
Guess who asked about you today? Mark Carlyle! Remember him? He was like “I haven’t seen Victoria around.” And I was like “That’s because she moved!”
LOL LOL LOL
LOVE YOU TONS!
K-girl
Mom, Prianka
MOM
Prianka, get downstairs this instant. Texting seems to be the only way to reach you these days, which is very disappointing. Love, Mom