Vishal, Prianka
PRIANKA
Yo
VISHAL
Wut up
PRIANKA
I had a meeting with guidance bc I was so upset about what’s going on w/ Arjun
Is his fam talking to peeps there bout what is happening
VISHAL
I think so
IDK
PRIANKA
How r u
VISHAL
Ok
PRIANKA
U seem bummed
VISHAL
Well I really don’t wanna go to India this summer either
Also just bummed for my cousin
Like shouldn’t we be past this
Feels crazy
PRIANKA
IK what u mean
We will help
Sometimes peeps r scared bout what they don’t know
VISHAL
Yeah
PRIANKA
Well we can make sure it doesn’t happen here
& try to embrace all our differences
Like w/ the journal thingy
@ 1st I thought it was kinda dumb
But now I kinda like it
VISHAL
Yeah
PRIANKA
We can commit 2 being a tolerant place
VISHAL
Def
What is wrong with the world?
Why are people so cruel
Angry and mad and intolerant?
Why is it hard to be different?
What would it be like if we were all the same?
I can’t even imagine it.
I don’t think I want to.
—Prianka Basak
LUVVIIIEEESSSS
GABRIELLE
U guys - my dad is still bugging me about Austin
IDK what 2 do
PRIANKA
U def don’t want 2 go
GABRIELLE
No
My dad is cool but all summer alone w/ him & no friends would be way awk
+ I want 2 b w/ u guys
But TBH I am a bit scared 2 b away from home
CECILY
Ok 1st don’t stress about that bc u will b w/ us
2nd IDEK if my parents will agree 2 it
They r never into us leaving home + they r sooooooo overprotective
Remember when we went 2 the movies alone 1st time last yr & we caught them sitting in the lobby when I went out 2 pee
GABRIELLE
LOL that was ridic
PRIANKA
Totes ridic
CECILY
PRIANKA
We need 2 get our moms 2gether
If 1 agrees then all will agree
GABRIELLE
But I am nervous
What if I am so homesick?
PRIANKA
I think u will totes b fine
CECILY
Me 2
Pos I will host a brunch this wknd for us & moms
PRIANKA
OMG amazing idea
GABRIELLE
K
PRIANKA
So pumped
GABRIELLE
BTW did u guys see Colin’s haircut
He looked sooooooo cute
CECILY
I didn’t see him today
PRIANKA
Me neither
Sooooo speaking of boyz . . .
Did u see how Vishal was playing basketball with all the boys at recess today
He’s really good at it 2
CECILY
No didn’t notice
GABRIELLE
I did
They get so sweaty even though it was cold out
Why r boys so sweaty
PRIANKA
LOL IDK
GABRIELLE
Still cute when sweaty tho
PRIANKA
What happened w/ Vivian Reese
GABRIELLE
IDK haven’t heard anything else
PRIANKA
Me neither
GABRIELLE
Cece
PRIANKA
I think she left us
GABRIELLE
LOL
I gtg 2
PRIANKA
Smooches
Dear Diary,
I have neglected you because of my school journal. I am sorry.
I feel like my head is spinning lately. I never know what I want to do. Like, my dad wants me to go with him to Austin this summer. But my friends want to do a camping trip. I also feel kind of bad leaving my mom all summer. And I’m scared to go away from home, but I was kind of the one in charge of starting the idea for the trip. Why did I do that??
And then there’s Colin. He always stays home for the summer. What if we could hang out a lot at the pool and stuff? Maybe we could really get together. Like a real couple. I love him so much. And he talks to me a lot more now.
How do I decide what to do? HELP!!!
Love,
Gabby
From: Cecily Anderson
To: Mama Anderson, Prianka Basak, Manjula Basak, Gabrielle Katz, Diana Katz
Subject: BRUNCH AT CHEZ ANDERSON SATURDAY
Hi moms and BFFs,
Mama Anderson and I are hosting a brunch Saturday to discuss summer plans. Be there or be square! LOL. 11am. We will have bagels and lox and muffins and fresh-squeezed OJ.
How can you say no to all that?
You can’t.
XOXO Cecily Anderson
I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. —Louisa May Alcott
Gabrielle, Victoria
VICTORIA
Gabs, u there
GABRIELLE
Yea
VICTORIA
What’s up
Did u think of any booth ideas 4 spring fair
I want 2 do something w/ u guys
GABRIELLE
Still brainstorming
Sit w/ us @ lunch tomorrow & we can discuss
VICTORIA
Ok yay
GABRIELLE
What r u doing 4 summer
VICTORIA
IDK pos going back 2 Philly 4 a bit
GABRIELLE
I am trying 2 fig out plans
Cece & Pri want 2 do this camping trip but TBH I am scared 2 go away from home
I kinda told my friends that but not rlly
I don’t think they get it
VICTORIA
Hmmm
GABRIELLE
Any advice 4 me
VICTORIA
Will think
Don’t fret my
GABRIELLE
LOL what
VICTORIA
Don’t fret, my pet
I heard it once
GABRIELLE
LOL OK
From: Diana Katz
To: Manjula Basak, Elizabeth Anderson
Subject: Brunch?
Ladies,
What are our dear daughters plotting? Should I be worried?
X Diana
VNK BFF4E
VICTORIA
Guys, I feel like I am finally doing ok here
I sat w/ those girls @ lunch today and it was soooooo much fun
We text & stuff & it feels normal
I still miss u guys tho
Any1 there?
KIMBERLY
Hiiiii
We miss you 2
We r trying to find a wknd 2 come visit u
NICOLE
Yessssss
Working on it
VICTORIA
K cool
KIMBERLY
Come back & spend summer in Philly
NICOLE
Yes do it
VICTORIA
IT MAY WORK OUT
MORE ON THAT LATER
KIMBERLY
Bye
NICOLE
Tata
From: Cecily Anderson
To: 6th Grade Students
Subject: SPRING FAIR!!!!!!
Dear classmates:
Thanks to everyone who came to the planning meeting today, and for those of you who could not attend, there is still time to get involved!
In case you don’t know, here is some information about Spring Fair!
First of all, Spring Fair is one of Yorkville Middle School’s most cherished events. It’s a chance to celebrate a successful year, raise money for our wonderful school and local charities, and have tons of fun together.
Yorkville students are in charge of creating and picking the booths, and each grade will be able to add 5 booths to the fair. The parents’ association takes care of the big stuff like the bouncy house, the Ferris wheel, and the mega slide.
You can submit your booth ideas to me via email or write them down and give them to me in school.
I will then send a list of all the ideas to everyone, and the booths that get the most votes will be at Spring Fair.
Let me know if you have any questions.
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
BRUNCH WITH MAMAS
PRIANKA
On our way to Casa Anderson
GABRIELLE
Samey samey
CECILY
Yayyyyyyyyy
C u luvies soon!
PRIANKA
K so what is r strategy 4 this
CECILY
We convince moms we need 2 go on camping trip & get away for a bit on our own
& bond w/ nature
& become independent & be all together
PRIANKA
Yea totes
Also learn about the environment
& no screens which Mama Basak will
GABRIELLE
K
Got it
BRUNCH WITH MAMAS
CECILY
OMG what are they talking about
I know it is weird 2 text under the table but srsly WTH
GABRIELLE
I know
Who is Janet?
& why r things sooooo hard 4 her
CECILY
LOL
PRIANKA
Guys, they totes know we r texting
They just did that awk mom smile @ each other
CECILY
We need 2 get back on camping trip topic
This is verrrryyyyyy awk
GABRIELLE
Put phones away & start eating muffins
PRIANKA
LOL LOL
Vishal, Prianka
VISHAL
Yo my cousin is srsly so freaked out
He won’t go to school now
His parents don’t know what 2 do
He may come visit me 4 a bit
Where r u
From: Elizabeth Anderson
To: Manjula Basak, Diana Katz
Subject: Summer
Hi, ladies,
So what do we think? I’m a little apprehensive, since Cecily has never been away from home for more than a night or two, and this is three weeks! But maybe she will be okay since she will be with your girls? I should have figured this day would come; almost all of Ingrid’s friends went away for the summer. And this camping trip does seem like a wonderful experience for them.
Dinner this week? I’ll make a reservation at Sea Grill. Tuesday or Wednesday better?
XO E
Gabrielle, Victoria
VICTORIA
Gabs
Want 2 go 2 the movies tomw
LMK
Gabrielle, Victoria
GABRIELLE
Hi sry
I know u texted like 2 hrs ago but just saw this
I can’t tomw
Told my mom I’d hang w/ her
Pos next wk tho
VICTORIA
K no prob
SUMMMERRRRRRRRRR
CECILY
Sooooo
I think they r on board
What do u guys think
PRIANKA
My mom seemed unsure on drive home
She really wants this family time in India
But I don’t
It’s fun there but so intense
Family together 24/7
After a few days I am so
GABRIELLE
My mom is excited about it
She thinks it will be fun
Need 2 tell my dad tho
CECILY
Well absolute last day to sign up is 4/1
So we need 2 decide soon
Think of the campfires and the hiking and all the nature
Omg I know this is soo cheesy but
I
PRIANKA
LOL LOL
Cece’s new nickname is Nature Girl
GABRIELLE
LOL
But also ack
CECILY
Why ack
GABRIELLE
IDK just feels stressful
PRIANKA
IT WILL BE FABOLICIOUS
Changing topic tho
Vishal is still freaking out about his cousin and the bullying
His cousin may come here
GABRIELLE
Like move here or visit
PRIANKA
IDK
I gtg text him back
Brb
GABRIELLE
Pri & Vish r def gonna get married
Don’t u think
PRIANKA
LOL
CECILY
IDK
Vishal, Prianka
PRIANKA
Sorry
Was at a brunch
Tell me what’s happening
VISHAL
His hood is just rlly racist
Peeps r soo mean 2 him
They spray painted his house
His fam may come stay w/ us for the rest of the year
And pos move here
PRIANKA
So awful
VISHAL
IK
I’ve never seen him like this
So messed up
PRIANKA
I want 2 help
But I gtg now
VISHAL
Peace
Dear All-Wise and Powerful Saraswathi:
Please, God, let my mom agree to the camping trip.
I can’t be the only one not allowed to go.
Please please please.
Will you even see this prayer.
I have no idea.
I hope you get it.
I love the family in India but I am almost 12 and I need to be with my friends.
Do you understand the plight of an 11-year-old almost 12-year-old?
Thank you.
XOXO Prianka
Journal Assignment
Please take a few minutes to write down three qualities that you would use to describe yourself. Share with the person sitting to your right.
Three characteristics to describe Gabrielle Sara Katz:
1.Friendly
2.Determined
3.Energetic
From: Douglas Katz
To: Gabrielle Katz
Subject: Summer plans
Hi Gabs,
Mom says you want to go on a camping trip this summer. That definitely sounds fun. I won’t be mad if you don’t come to Austin, but I do want to make a plan to do something fun the two of us this summer.
See you Thursday.
Love,
Dad
Cece, I totally forgot to do the math hw. Can u please please please help me w/ it at lunch? Wb. XO Pri
Pri, no prob. Did u bring lunch today? I did. So I won’t have to wait in line. Don’t worry!!!!! :) Smooches forever, Cece
Prianka Basak in three words:
1.Outgoing
2.Funny
3.Caring
Cecily Anderson’s three defining characteristics:
1.Ambitious
2.Responsible
3.Thoughtful
SUMMMERRRRRRRRRR
CECILY
I got the ok 4 camping trip
Did u know we can jump from this super high rock into the lake there
& sleep under the stars
And we get to cook on a real fire some days
PRIANKA
My mom is still gung ho on the India plan
Will beg her
CECILY
K
Let’s hopefully all sign up this week
PRIANKA
K
Praying
Gabs, u in
GABRIELLE
I think so yeah
Love u 2 4ever
CECILY
Same
PRIANKA
Same
Wait is it bad we r not inviting Victoria 2 come w us
CECILY
IDK
Prob not
We r nice to her but not BFF
GABRIELLE
Agree
She said something about pos spending summer in Philly n e way
CECILY
K good
Wait we didn’t discuss what happened in health
GABRIELLE
OMG I KNOOWWWWWW
But we r not supposed 2 talk about health outside of class
CECILY
It’s just b/t us
GABRIELLE
Yeah true
PRIANKA
Ewwww IK
Why was Ms. T like explaining everything in such detail
Like w/ the periods
GABRIELLE
IK & then Vivian Reese told that story about her sister
How it all leaked out when she was sleeping
CECILY
OMG
I am all about honesty
But I was like trying to & say TBH this may be TMI
GABRIELLE
TBH that was way way way TMI
PRIANKA
TBH that was beyond TMI
CECILY
TBH now I am LOL 4 real
PRIANKA
Me 2
GABRIELLE
Samey samey same
3 characteristics of Victoria Melford:
1.Silly
2.Nervous
3.Hyper
Prianka, Cecily
PRIANKA
Cece, do u think Gabs is being weird about the camping trip now