TBH, This Is So Awkward Read online

  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: [email protected]

  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

  PRIANKA

  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