It's My Life

by Melody Carlson

  Praise for Melody Carlson's

  Diary of a Teenage Girl, Caitlin Book 2:

  It's My Life

  “Melody has done it again! Teens won't be able to resist Caitlin's latest diary. Teens will identify and laugh with Caitlin and gain spiritual insight from this fresh glimpse into the heart of a very real teenage girl.”

  HEATHER KOPP, AUTHOR OF LOVE STORIES GOD TOLD AND I STOLE GOD FROM GOODY TWO-SHOES

  “This book inspired me to persevere through all my hardships and struggles, and it also brought me to the reality that even through my flaws, God can make Himself known in a powerful, life-changing way.”

  MEGHAN MCAULAY, 14-YEAR-OLD REVIEWER

  “I definitely recommend It's My Life to teens. Even if you haven't read the first book, it's very easy to pick up what's going on. I was surprised at how easily I could relate my own life to Caitlin's. I really got involved with the book. I could hardly put it down!”

  HEATHER SCHWARZBURG, 16-YEAR-OLD REVIEWER

  “What an awesome way to convey what teenagers are faced with in today's world. It's My Life captures the expressions and feelings every teenager may face and the inner struggles they battle as they try to find a solution. A must-read not only for teens but adults too.”

  KORINA MOYER, YOUTH STAFF VOLUNTEER

  Diary of a Teenage Girl, Caitlin Book I:

  Becoming Me

  “From the first page, Diary captured me. I couldn't stop reading! This is a brilliant, well-crafted imaginary journey to the heart of a sixteen-year-old. I can't wait for the sequel!”

  ROBIN JONES GUNN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE GLENBROOKE SERIES, THE CHRISTY MILLER SERIES, AND THE SIERRA JENSEN SERIES

  “As I read Diary…I felt as if I had been given a gift–a ‘backstage pass’ into the life and heart of Caitlin O'Conner. It is a wonderful and mysterious ride as we are allowed a rare chance to travel alongside a teenage girl as she lives in the real world. This is a unique and refreshing read–fun and entertaining, while at the same time moving and insightful. Read and learn.”

  GEOFF MOORE, CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN RECORDING ARTIST

  “Creative and impactful! Diary drew me in as my concern for Caitlin and her friends grew stronger each page I turned. It gave me the inside story to issues I see in my own life–and among my friends and peers. I recommend this book to every teenage girl going through the struggles of peer pressure, dating, and other temptations we face in life.”

  DANAE JACOBSON, 16-YEAR-OLD REVIEWER

  “Melody Carlson writes with the clear, crisp voice of today's adolescent. Diary of a Teenage Girl is sure to please any teenager who is struggling with peer pressure, identity, and a desire to know and understand God's will. A moving, tender story that will be remembered…and loved.”

  ANGELA ELWELL HUNT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE IMMORTAL AND MY LIFE AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL MOM

  “Melody Carlson captures the voice of teens today in a character we can all relate to. The unique peer perspective makes it very effective. Integrating the crucial message of the gospel, it forces us to weigh issues and causes us to look at a young person–in reality, ourselves–objectively. It challenges, convicts, and leaves us with hope for the future. I highly recommend this book.”

  ANGELA ALCORN, COLLEGE STUDENT, COAUTHOR OF PRINCE ISHBANE'S LETTERS, AND DAUGHTER OF RANDY ALCORN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DEADLINE, DOMINION, AND LORD FOULGRIN'S LETTERS

  “Carlson succeeds in weaving Christian beliefs into the plot with a light hand–and it's a darn good read!”

  NAPRA REVIEW SERVICE

  “As a teacher I found Diary to be a realistic look into the lives of Caitlin O'Conner and her friends. This book is dynamic, challenging, and fun!”

  JAMI LYN WEBER, MOTHER AND FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER

  ONE

  Friday, July 13 (I'm back…)

  Is it just me or is this world going totally nuts?

  Okay, before I get carried away, let me first say how good it feels to pick up a pen and write in my diary again. I thought I wanted to take a little break from writing in my diary during the summer–you know how it gets with work and sunshine and fun stuff to do. Anyway, I somehow imagined I was too busy to keep writing about my life. Big mistake, Caitlin! The thing is, I need to write about my life. Like, it sort of clears out my heard or something–makes things more understandable. Almost like praying, but not quite the same.

  Anyway, back to the world going totally nuts. Or is it me? You see, I've been working at my dad's advertising firm (actually I'm just a part-time receptionist, and not doing such a bad job if I do say so myself). But lately it seems like all these older guys have been hitting on me. Okay, now I know that sounds all narcissistic (a word I just read in a magazine, which means you think the whole world revolves around you, which I don't really think, by the way). But I don't think I'm imagining it either. I mean, Todd Alberts (who's probably at least twenty-five) even asked me if I wanted to go get coffee with him today. Now, it's not that I'm not flattered (because, believe me, I am!). But sheesh, I'm only sixteen (well, almost seventeen) for Pete's sake! But in Todd's defense, I doubt that he even knows my age, and he's probably just being friendly. And I'm sure if he knew I was still in high school he'd run the other way–and fast. But here's the honest truth–it feels pretty good to be noticed like that. And yet at the same time, it bugs me that it feels good. You know, like I should be above those sorts of feelings. Especially after making my vow to God about sex and dating. It's like I just wish those feelings (you know, feeling interested in a cute guy) would all just go away, once and for all. But they don't. So why is that?

  Well, to make a long story short, I nicely told Todd thanks but no thanks (not in those exact words!). And now I feel kind of bad because he actually looked sort of hurt and disappointed. But maybe someone in the corporation will set him straight about me and how old guys like him shouldn't go around hitting on high school girls. Big laugh!

  But now that I've vented over something pretty unimportant, let me get to what's really bugging me. It's Beanie Jacobs, my supposedly best friend. I say supposedly because lately she's been treating me like I've got smallpox or something. I mean, every single time I call her to invite her to go do something, she makes some totally lame excuse not to come. Okay, I know she's pregnant and not feeling too cool lately, but it's not like it's my fault, and all I'm trying to do is to be the good friend that I've promised her I would be.

  Like tonight, for instance, I just wanted someone to hang with. You know, go to the mall or something simple like that, and she says, “Sorry, I can't.” Just like that. Not even an explanation, apology–nada, nothing. Well, instead of me grilling her like I usually do, I just said, “Well, fine!” and hung up–bam! Which, to tell the truth, left me feeling pretty rotten inside. Because I know she doesn't need that from me or anyone else right now.

  But, I ask you, how far backwards is a person supposed to bend for her these days? I mean, it's not like she's a whole lot of fun to be with right now. And now she's all worried about putting on weight and getting fat, which, if you ask me, she should've considered before she got all hot and heavy with Zach last spring! Okay, there I go getting all preachy and judgmental again. And Beanie accuses me of doing that a lot lately. In fact, she even sarcastically calls me “Sister Caitlin” sometimes, which totally fries me!

  So anyway, I called up Andrea LeMarsh, after being turned down by Beanie, and we went to the mall and hung out and had a really fun time (at least when I wasn't feeling guilty about Beanie). Andrea and I both got these totally cool Hawaiian print bikinis–and we imagined ourselves wearing them on some sandy beach in Mexico next month when the youth group goes on their missions trip. (Okay, I know we're primarily going there to help poor people and stuff, but
we plan to have some fun along the way too!) But the whole time we're shopping and joking around and having a great time, I'm thinking how fun it would be if Andrea were my best friend instead of Beanie. And just thinking those kind of thoughts makes me feel really, really low. Because I do know that despite Beanie's prickly disposition of late, she really does love me, deep down, and she needs me too.

  So, here's my struggle: Just because my best friend has totally messed up her life by getting pregnant, does this mean I must also sacrifice my summer, my fun, my life just to hang with her while she's being all depressed and glum and tired? I mean, I do believe in loyalty and I'd never stop loving Beanie or caring for her. But what I want to know is: Is it really my responsibility to see her through this whole pregnancy thing? Good grief, it lasts nine months (practically a lifetime in teen years!). And quite frankly, the idea of hanging with a girlfriend who's obviously starting to look pretty pregnant (not to mention how she never seems to care about her appearance anymore!) is starting to wear on me.

  Well, now it's plain to see what a rotten, selfish, low-down (and yes, I'm sure, narcissistic) person I truly am. But isn't this my life too? Don't I have the right to do what I want? To hang with whomever I please? I mean, it's my life!!!

  And yet, I know (deep down inside of me, someplace where I want to just plug my ears and cover my eyes sometimes) that this is definitely NOT what Jesus would do. I know, good and well, He would NOT treat His friends like that. Sheesh, He wouldn't even treat His enemies like that. And I can just imagine what Clay would say to me right now. In fact, I still vividly remember that time (just a couple weeks before he was shot and killed) when he told our youth group about how he wanted us to love one another like Jesus did, by putting each other above ourselves. And sure, it might sound nice and easy, but let me tell you, it's really not.

  Oh, crud, I still have soooo much to learn about being a Christian.

  DEAR GOD, IT SEEMS I'LL NEVER GET THIS RIGHT. ONE MINUTE I THINK I'M DOING PRETTY WELL, AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW I'M HAVING TOTALLY SELFISH AND SHALLOW THOUGHTS. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO REALLY CHANGE?

  Saturday, July 14 (oh, brother!)

  We had another car wash today (to earn more money for our Mexico trip). And naturally I didn't even bother to invite Beanie since she's made it perfectly clear that “no way, no how” is she going with us down to Mexico in August. Not that I blame her. I doubt I'd want to go either if I were in her shoes. So anyway, not wanting to bother Beanie, I called Andrea and then drove over and picked her up in my freshly washed car (no need to waste the youth group's time on it!), and we headed over to the minimall where we'd prearranged to hold the wash.

  Well, last night Andrea and I both decided we'd try out our new bikinis today. (I mean, why shouldn't we enjoy them while it's hot and sunny and we're getting all wet anyway?) And to our pleasant surprise, they didn't hurt business at all. Man, you should have seen how many cars pulled over being driven by guys who obviously wanted to flirt. (We were halfway tempted to hose a couple of 'em down, but then we might've missed out on some tips.) So as you can imagine, it was a pretty successful fund-raiser. In fact, the best car wash event we've had so far this year.

  But here's the clincher. After it's all said and done, Josh Miller (the guy who broke my heart last spring before I gave up dating completely) has recently joined our youth group and is now planning to go to Mexico with us. So anyway, he pulls Andrea and me aside like he's got something really important to tell us. So I'm thinking he's probably going to say something nice about how hard we worked and all, which makes sense due to the fact he's in charge of the car wash today (because Greg Thiessen, our regular youth group leader, had to be the best man at his brother's wedding).

  So anyway, we cheerfully come over to listen, and then he says, “You girls think it's wise to be showing so much skin around here?” I mean, he just says this totally weird thing without even batting an eyelash.

  Of course, I get all indignant and say, “Just what do you mean by that?”

  Then he sort of shrugs and says, “Well, it just seems a little un-Christian to go around half naked like that.”

  Now that really makes me mad and I snap at him, “Sheesh, Josh, we've been working real hard here today, and we're just trying to be cool and comfortable, and all you can do is snipe at us!”

  “Yeah, I know, Caitlin.” He suddenly looks slightly uneasy, like maybe he wishes he'd never brought this ridiculous subject up. And for some reason his discomfort pleases me a little. (Okay, you already know I'm human!)

  Then he says, “But you should really think about us guys. You know, we're supposed to be your brothers.“Then he sort of laughs but not quite. “Maybe you sisters should have a little mercy on us.”

  “So, are you suggesting our appearance creates some kind of a temptation for you?” asks Andrea in what seems a fairly flirtatious way (although she's just like that sometimes, and I don't think she even totally realizes how she comes across).

  “Maybe,” says Josh, then he reaches over to me and flips the string tie that's keeping my bikini top on. “You know, I'd think you'd be especially uncomfortable with something like this, Catie. I mean, what with your commitment to sexual purity and all that stuff.”

  Well, I'm sure my eyes must've flashed some sort of very un-Christianlike message right then, but somehow I managed to answer in a rather quiet, albeit hostile, tone. “Since when does what I wear in any way reflect my personal beliefs or convictions?”

  He shrugs again. “I don't know, Catie. It just seems to me you're sending out some pretty weird mixed messages.” Then he walks away and starts coiling up the hoses.

  Well, Andrea and I just stood there and laughed at him; then we took down the car wash signs, got into my car, and I drove off–fast. Because I was still irked. And all I could think was: The nerve of that guy! After all our hard work, all he could comment on was our unacceptable attire. Who does he think he is anyway, God's fashion police? I mean, grow up, Josh Miller! All of which I expressed to Andrea, but she just threw back her head and laughed. She hadn't taken one single word seriously. She just thought the whole thing was a joke.

  But I really don't think Josh was joking. And to be completely honest, I must confess that he has actually got me to thinking about what he said. And I'm wondering if he might not be partially right about me sending those “mixed messages.” (Although I refuse to admit as much to him just yet.) And at the same time I still wonder, what right does he have to judge me in the first place?

  I mean, is he trying to imply that just because I made a promise to God to remain sexually pure, that I should go around dressed like a nun or something? How fair is that? Why shouldn't I dress however I want? Last time I checked it was still my life. And if he's got a problem with my appearance, he can just look the other way! Can't he? Or maybe not. I'm not entirely sure anymore. But I guess I will consider what he said, and I'll try not to be too mad at him for saying it. I suppose he was just trying to be honest, even if he was pretty irritating and judgmental about it. And maybe I'll even ask Greg about all this tomorrow in youth group. Or maybe not.

  Well, I do know this, I will ask God about it. Because, it's like Clay used to say–convictions are a personal thing–they need to come straight from God and directly to you–no middleman needed.

  DEAR GOD, SHOW ME WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT THINGS LIKE STRING BIKINIS AND THE LIKE. AND SHOW ME HOW YOU WANT ME TO LIVE. AND THEN HELP ME TO BE WILLING TO OBEY. AMEN.

  TWO

  Sunday, July 15 (a little ranting)

  As usual, I saved Beanie a seat next to me in youth group today. But when she came in, Andrea and I were in the middle of an intense conversation and so it might have appeared that I was ignoring Beanie, but I wasn't. Not consciously anyway.

  Naturally, Beanie took offense (Aunt Steph says it has to do with her hormones being all mixed up right now), but she huffed off and sat all by herself in the back of the room. And that made me mad. I didn't see why s
he had to act that way. So after youth group, when she stormed off without even saying hi, I never even went to look for her. I figured if she wants to act like a child, I'd just let her. She'll have to grow up soon enough as it is. Which brings me to another weird thing that I've been trying not to think about. Lately, Beanie has been talking like she might actually keep her baby. I think that somehow, probably from baby-sitting little Oliver or something, Beanie's gotten this crazy idea that she'd make a good mom. Now, I'm not saying she wouldn't, but why in the world would anyone in her right mind want to be stuck with taking care of a baby when she's only seventeen???

  So, for me to say that Beanie and I haven't been exactly seeing things eye to eye lately is a gross under-statement. If you ask me, I think she's living in another universe, like Baby La La Land or Barney World or something. I mean, who does she think is going to support her and her baby? Certainly not her mom, Lynn, who hasn't called her once since Beanie moved out. And I've even heard that the government doesn't have too many welfare funds available for single moms these days. And this brings me to another sore subject. Zach. Now talk about an amazing disappearing act–you'd think he'd moved to another planet. But no, he still lives in town and still works for the parks, last I heard. And I'm sure he still plans on using his athletic scholarship to go to college, where he'll probably forget all about this baby business. But do we ever see him at youth group anymore? No! Does he ever call Beanie? Think again! Arggh! It just makes me so furious, I can hardly even write his name in my diary without tearing through the paper.

  But while I'm ranting, let me say this–it takes two to make a baby. And, without a doubt, Beanie has done her part. (Although she's admitted to me that doing “it” really wasn't that much fun.) But it seems totally unfair that she now has to bear this thing alone! But that's what she's determined to do. She says Zach's only solution to her pregnancy (despite that “great” talk he had with Pastor Tony) is still abortion. And according to Beanie, he wants nothing to do with her or the child he's fathered unless she agrees to “terminate the pregnancy” (his terminology not mine!). And what totally sends me is that I used to really admire that guy. Now I think he's nothing but a great big hypocrite, not to mention a totally selfish jerk!