TBH 2

by Lisa Greenwald

  CECILY

  IDK

  I didn’t notice

  PRIANKA

  K

  Vishal, Prianka

  VISHAL

  Yo my cousin comes tonight w/ his fam

  I thought it would be nice if I met him at the airport w/ some peeps from school

  Would ur friends want 2 go

  PRIANKA

  Um I can check

  Ok to ask Victoria 2

  We r trying hard to include her in stuff

  VISHAL

  Cool

  MY GIRLZZZZZZZ

  PRIANKA

  U guys want 2 go meet Vishal’s cousin @ the airport w/ me tonight?

  Vishal wants peeps to go & welcome him & make him feel included after what happened

  No pressure

  But LMK

  VICTORIA

  I can def go

  My mom can drive 2

  Want her to pick everyone up?

  GABRIELLE

  I can’t

  Dinner w/ my dad 2night

  Sorry

  CECILY

  I’m in!

  Thx for picking me up, V!

  What time, Pri

  PRIANKA

  Um like 6pm?

  Cool?

  VICTORIA

  Perfect

  CECILY

  Same

  Vishal, Prianka

  PRIANKA

  Victoria, Cece & I r gonna come w/ u

  Cool?

  VISHAL

  Yes

  Fab

  PRIANKA

  V’s mom is driving us

  We will meet u there

  VISHAL

  K - Delta arrivals terminal

  PRIANKA

  K

  MY GIRLZZZZZZZ

  GABRIELLE

  I am so sad I am missing this

  But I can’t cancel on my dad

  PRIANKA

  It’s ok

  NBD

  GABRIELLE

  I hate to miss stuff tho

  Even V is going

  PRIANKA

  LOL

  We r being better about including her

  But don’t worry - we r not replacing u!!

  CECILY

  Yes

  Proud of us

  GABRIELLE

  I gtg

  Good luck @ the airport

  TRUE CONFESSIONS

  VICTORIA

  Ummmm Vishal’s cousin is SO funny and cute and awesome

  PRIANKA

  4 real?

  U think so?

  VICTORIA

  YESSSS

  CECILY

  LOL

  We only talked to him for 5 min

  VICTORIA

  I could tell tho

  PRIANKA

  Haha ok

  Go 4 it

  CECILY

  Every1 is SO SO boy crazy

  PRIANKA

  Want me 2 tell Vishal u think Arjun is cute?

  VICTORIA

  Noooooo

  Def not

  Promise u won’t????

  PRIANKA

  LOL

  Promise

  VICTORIA

  Don’t LOL

  PRIANKA

  Ok

  MEMO

  From: Mr. Carransey, Principal, Yorkville Middle School

  To: All Yorkville Middle School Students & Parents

  Some of you may have heard that we received a grant from the state to purchase new laptops. They will be available for students to borrow for taking notes in class and for use in study halls and in the library.

  I want to remind you and your children that these laptops are only intended for schoolwork and research. Students must treat them carefully and adhere to all the guidelines in the student handbook.

  Edward Carransey

  Principal

  Yorkville Middle School

  Be the change you want to see in the world. —Gandhi

  PRIANKA

  Ummmm u guysssss

  U know what this means right

  We can totes iMessage in study hall now

  CECILY

  No way

  We will get in so much trouble

  I bet they will disable it somehow

  GABRIELLE

  Omg

  I can iMessage u guys all day longggggg

  Dream come true

  CECILY

  U guys

  No

  We r going 2 get in so much trouble & get comps taken away

  GABRIELLE

  I can send Colin love iMessages all day long

  Haha JK

  CECILY

  N e way - can we puhlease go back 2 discussing camping trip?

  GABRIELLE

  BRB

  PRIANKA

  I gtg set the table

  Talk latersssss

  Smooches

  * * *

  Journal Assignment

  Now that you have written three characteristics and discussed with a peer, please write about the experience. Did your peer agree with the characteristics? Did he or she have different ones to add? Do you feel that you see yourself in the way others see you? Please take some time to think about this and free-write in your journal.

  Cecily, Mara

  CECILY

  R ur friends as boy crazy as mine

  MARA

  LOL kinda

  CECILY

  So weird

  MARA

  I agree

  CECILY

  R u home

  MARA

  Yup

  CECILY

  K I’m coming over 4 a bit

  MARA

  Arjun, Prianka

  ARJUN

  Prianka?

  Vishal gave me ur # in case I get lost

  I’m not lost LOL but I do have a ?

  R we allowed to iMessage during the day?

  PRIANKA

  Hi

  No we can’t from school comps

  Where r u now

  ARJUN

  Caf

  Lunch now right?

  PRIANKA

  Yes

  Wait outside 4 me

  Be there soon

  Prianka! Arjun is so so so so cute. He made me laugh at least 6 times during lunch. Can we go bowling the 4 of us this weekend? You, me, Vishal, Arjun? Double date? Hee hee. WB. XOXO Victoria

  Victoria! Don’t write me notes in class. SO going to get in trouble!!!!!! Text me tonight and we can discuss. XO Pri

  Dear Journal:

  I sat next to Ayelet Birnbaum so we shared our characteristics with each other. She agreed about all of mine. She also said that she thinks of me as an “old soul,” which is a term her grandma uses. She says I seem really grown up and mature. Maybe the most mature one in the grade. This made me sad for some reason. I don’t want to seem old, especially since I still feel like a kid. Like, I am the only one who doesn’t care about boys or going out with anyone. How can I seem so grown up when I feel so young?

  I agreed with Ayelet’s characteristics. She’s really kind and empathetic and she’s always thinking about other people. But she thinks of herself as shy and I was surprised to hear that. She always seems to be talking to people.

  This was an interesting exercise.

  —Cecily

  CAMPING HERE WE COME

  CECILY

  U guys we r all signed up 4 camping trip

  Did ur moms tell u

  PRIANKA

  Yesssssss

  So pumped but now that Arjun is here Vishal is staying in Yorkville 4 summer so I feel kind of bummed to miss hanging w/ them

  We r still going to India for 3 weeks @ the end of summer btw

  CECILY

  U’ll have fab time w/ us

  And u can hang w/ them when we get back & b4 India

  I AM SO EXCITED!

  TENT TIME w/ my BFFs

  GABRIELLE

  LOL

  PRIANKA

  Gonna be awesome
r />   Btw do u know Victoria loves Arjun

  She wants us 2 do a double date

  CECILY

  4 real

  R u going to

  PRIANKA

  Maybe

  I want Arjun 2 meet friends & feel comfy here

  GABRIELLE

  Yeah that’s true

  U guys should do it

  CECILY

  Super awk tho - what if Arj doesn’t like her like that

  GABRIELLE

  It’s only a few hrs tho

  I gtg

  CECILY

  Love uuuuuuuuu

  GABRIELLE

  Mwah

  PRIANKA

  Tata, luvies

  Dear Journal,

  I didn’t get to finish this in class today. I was paired up with Victoria for this week’s assignment. And it was interesting to do this with her since we have had our ups and downs since she moved here.

  She agrees that I am determined, especially with Colin. LOL. Why do I bring Colin into every conversation? I can’t help it. (This is prob TMI for a teacher if a teacher sees this, so I’m sorry.) She also thinks I’m friendly.

  When we started talking, she told me that she really wants to fit in and that she’s a good listener and hardworking. I agree with all of those things, but I told her she shouldn’t try that hard to fit in because she’s doing okay with it.

  XOXOXO Gabs

  CECILY

  Omg did u hear what happened

  Mara was group iMessaging w/ Mae & Marissa on the school comp during history

  All have in-school suspension tomw

  GABRIELLE

  What

  She just told u??

  CECILY

  Yes

  She came over crying

  Her mom took her phone away 2 4 a rlly long time

  PRIANKA

  Omg we def cannot ever try it

  CECILY

  Def not

  They r super serious about it

  Hi, Arjun. What did you bring for lunch today?

  BAGEL AND CREAM CHEESE. YOU?

  Egg salad. So gross. Right?

  I LIKE EGG SALAD. :)

  Mrs. Gaines just looked @ me. See you @ lunch.

  From: Cecily Anderson

  To: 6th Grade Students

  Subject: Booths for SPRING FAIR!!!!!

  Thank you so much for sending in all of your booth ideas!

  Here is the complete list!

  Please complete the online poll with your top 5 choices.

  BOOTH IDEAS:

  THROWBACK Pin the tail on the donkey

  Fortune-teller

  Guess the number of jelly beans in the jar

  Decorate a cupcake

  Oreo-eating contest

  Fastest texter contest

  Nail art

  Nerf basketball

  Marriage booth

  Magic 8 Ball booth

  Mancala competition

  Jump rope

  Photo booth

  Get the ball into the cup of whipped cream

  Pie-in-the-face game

  Knock down the bowling pins

  Dunk tank (DUNK MR. CARRANSEY)

  Spray hair dye

  Water gun through the hole of a paper plate

  Three-legged race

  Soda taste test: Coke or Pepsi

  Yorkville pizza taste test: Tomato & Company or Jennie’s

  Thank you,

  Cecily Anderson, 6th grade rep

  I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. —Louisa May Alcott

  Dear Outdoor Explorers participants:

  We are SO excited you signed up for an Outdoor Explorers camping trip this coming summer! In this packet, you’ll find a packing list, a roster of your group participants, FAQs, a safety waiver for our adventure and ropes course (completely standard), and other medical forms to fill out.

  Please return all paperwork with your deposit by May 15.

  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email or call!

  Yours in the outdoors,

  President, Outdoor Explorers

  From: Cecily Anderson

  To: 6th Grade Students

  Subject: Booths for Spring Fair

  Hi everyone,

  Wow, you all filled out the online poll so quickly! Thank you! Here are the 6th grade booths. Each grade gets to pick five so that’s why we had to narrow it down. But all of them were good ideas!

  So . . .

  Marriage booth

  Magic 8 Ball booth

  Dunk tank

  Fastest texter

  Decorate a cupcake

  It’s going to be a great fair! Come to the meeting on Friday to sign up to help out with a booth and/or bring food donations.

  I also want to tell you all about Mara Wilder’s idea for an inspiring-messages wall! Everyone will have a chance to add a Post-it to the wall. So please be thinking of nice, kind, inspiring, hopeful messages!

  Thank you,

  Cecily Anderson, 6th grade rep

  CAMPING OMG!!!!

  GABRIELLE

  OMG OMG OMG

  PRIANKA

  What

  GABRIELLE

  The camping trip packet

  It is really happening

  CECILY

  So so so so so so excited

  GABRIELLE

  Same BUT SO SCARED NOW

  CECILY

  This is my 1st time really away from home except like staying at my grandparents’ house

  PRIANKA

  Me 2

  GABRIELLE

  Well u guys know I went to sleepaway camp 4 a week when I was 8 and I cried the whole time

  CECILY

  We r going to have the best time

  Best 3 wks of our lives!!

  OMG u guys

  GABRIELLE

  What

  CECILY

  Every1 is obsessed w/ marriage booth

  Literally every1 voted 4 it

  So weird

  I don’t get it

  PRIANKA

  Why

  I think it’s cool

  CECILY

  So weird

  Why r kids thinking about getting married

  GABRIELLE

  It’s just like a jokey booth, Cece

  No one is really getting married

  It’s like you just walk up to the booth with a friend and have a little pretend marriage ceremony & get a certificate

  CECILY

  IK

  Still weird

  Can’t we think of other stuff that’s more interesting

  Arjun, Victoria

  VICTORIA

  Hi

  ARJUN

  Hi

  R we allowed to iMessage in study hall

  VICTORIA

  We can use computers

  And it’s not a class

  ARJUN

  Ok

  VICTORIA

  So what’s up

  ARJUN

  Nada

  Trying to catch up on math hw

  VICTORIA

  Cool

  IDK what

  Dear Mara,

  I know you are still without your phone, so I figured I would write you an old-fashioned letter. But I’m just putting it in your mailbox because why waste a stamp when I live next door? HAHA. Anyway, how are you? I am excited for Spring Fair. Also, do you want to try a backyard campout when it gets warmer? I’m going on a camping trip this summer and I want to prepare. Write back and answer my questions. :) XOXOXO Cecily

  From: Edward Carransey

  To: Priscilla Melford

  Subject: Computer privileges

  Dear Mrs. Melford:

  Victoria was caught messaging with a peer during study hall. This is not allowed under any circumstances. She will serve an in-school suspension tomorrow in the library. Her computer privileges will be revoked for one week.

  Please see me if you have any questions.

  Thank you
,

  Edward Carransey

  Principal

  Yorkville Middle School

  Be the change you want to see in the world.

  —Gandhi

  GABRIELLE

  Guys, let’s play a game

  3 people u wld marry @ marriage booth

  Ready?

  PRIANKA

  Vishal vishal & vishal

  GABRIELLE

  LOL cheater

  PRIANKA

  U

  GABRIELLE

  Colin Colin & Colin

  PRIANKA

  LOL LOL

  GABRIELLE

  Cece?

  U there?

  PRIANKA

  Cece wld marry ummmm

  Who wld Cece marry?

  GABRIELLE

  Well she does

  PRIANKA

  LOL

  Cece, where r u

  From: Nicole Landenor

  To: Victoria Melford

  Subject: WHERE ARE YOU

  Vic, where are you? You haven’t responded to any of my texts or emails. Are you okay? What’s going on with Arjun? Please write back!!!!!! I WILL CALL YOU TONIGHT.

  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Nic

  Dear Journal,

  This sums up how I feel rn . . .

  xoxo Cecily

  BFFAEAEAEAEAEAEA

  CECILY

  Sorry I missed ur texts from b4

  BUT I DON’t WANT TO MARRY ANY1 or a

  All u 2 think about is boys

  PRIANKA

  Sheesh

  Calm down

  Also not true

  I also think about world peace

  & Vishal’s cousin & tolerance

  GABRIELLE

  Same

  And I spend a lot of time on our journal assignments

  PRIANKA

  Same

  CECILY

  U guys know what I mean

  PRIANKA

  We luv u, Cece

  GABRIELLE

  WLYSM

  CECILY

  MY GIRLZZZZZZZ

  VICTORIA

  U guys, I am not allowed to text or call or anything

  Stole phone back from my mom’s drawer just 2 text this

  No time for emojis