PRIANKA
I don’t even think Sami is doing the ranking anymore
Btw, Cece, why did Mara drop out of swim team
CECILY
IDK
I think she’s doing some weekly community service thing
PRIANKA
Oh
VICTORIA
Anyway back to my drama
GABRIELLE
I agree w/ Pri
Just ignore & it will pass
Rip up the note & move on
VICTORIA
But why is this even happening again
It’s like the thing @ Vishal’s party last year w/ the mystery texter
PRIANKA
No this is just dumb drama
CECILY
Pri is right
We gotta listen to Michelle Obama
VICTORIA
???
CECILY
When they go low we go high
VICTORIA
Oh right
VICTORIA
But still
Feels stressful
CECILY
IK
GABRIELLE
K guys
Time 2
VICTORIA
Gabrielle, Sami
GABRIELLE
Why did u leave Victoria that note
SAMI
What note
GABRIELLE
In her locker
SAMI
IDK what u mean
GABRIELLE
Ok
I know u left Victoria that note
Cecily, Gabrielle
CECILY
OMG, Gabs
Sorry picked up ur phone by mistake
U left it on the bleachers
I saw text from Sami
She left Vic that note
& u knew it was her
GABRIELLE
Omg
Why r u reading my phone
CECILY
I picked it up by mistake
CECILY
Why don’t you lock your screen
GABRIELLE
UGH IDK
U DIDN’T HAVE TO READ IT
This is OOC
From: Gabrielle Katz
To: Cecily Anderson, Prianka Basak, Victoria Melford
Subject: Us
Dear Cecily, Prianka, and Victoria,
I don’t even know how to write this. I told Coach Wembly that I’m dropping out of the swim team.
I just need a break from our little group. We’ve been BFF since before we were even born (except for Victoria) and I think I just need some space. I still love you guys but it feels like I want to do different stuff from you all. I just want to branch out a little bit. I felt really good about myself when I made so many new friends over the summer camping and I feel good about making new friends at school, too. I think it’s okay to have more than one group, especially since we have been BFF for literally forever. I hope you’ll understand.
Love, Gabs
WIGO???
VICTORIA
Um
Is it time for another intervention
PRIANKA
LOL no
Just let it be
No friend drama
How many times have I told u guys this
VICTORIA
Ok but it’s awk & sad
PRIANKA
Did u ever hear the thing that goes if u love someone set them free?
It’s kinda like that
CECILY
Too busy 2 deal
Need 2 practice play lines
VICTORIA
K
Friendships by Prianka Basak
Things are shifting
But I feel calm
Friendships are changing
But I accept it
People try and make drama
But I stay away
The only thing I can control
Is myself
I stand by that
Strong
Fierce
Independent
Confident
No time
for
anything
less
From: Sami Mollinsky
To: Miriam Seelbaum, Hannah Postel, Hannah Fletch, Gabrielle Katz, Eloise Modkin
Subject: WOOO
So excited you’re all sleeping over Friday. Gabby’s first sleepover with us! Woo! We’ll continue secret project that will not be named. Bring snacks and your comfiest pj’s.
Hugs! Sami
From: Elizabeth Anderson
To: Diana Katz, Manjula Basak
Subject: RE: Our girls
Hi, ladies,
So glad we got to meet for coffee. I love our plan for the weekend after Thanksgiving. Hopefully we’ll have some snow. Let’s keep it a surprise for the girls. We’ll keep them close whether they like it or not. :) Question is: What should we do about Victoria? Are we being too exclusive?
Love, Elizabeth
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Monday: 3:30–4:30
Tuesday: 3:30–5:30
Wednesday: 3:30–4:30
Thursday: 3:30–6:00
Friday: work on lines @ home
Go go go Joseph!
Ms. Golota & the theater department staff
Dear Journal,
Technically I’m supposed to be writing a rough draft in here on my reflections of the school trip but I can’t focus on it. The only thing that is on my mind is what’s happening with my friends. I guess that ties into the trip, though. I just feel like I’m being pulled in two different directions. I want to be friends with Sami, Miriam, Eloise, and the Hannahs but I also love my cozy, comfy little group where they get me and they know me. I want to branch out so badly but I also don’t. It doesn’t seem possible to be in two different groups especially when Sami is the leader of one. Who knew she had so much power? She definitely didn’t last year. I don’t even know where this has come from. This feels terrible and stressful and I know I hurt my friends’ feelings. Also I was excited about the swim team so I don’t even know why I dropped out. I just feel like I want to do different stuff but I don’t even know what I want to do. I feel like Sami is definitely pushing me into stuff but I still want to be friends with Miriam and the Hannahs and their group. I wonder if that makes me the worst person ever.
Love, Gabby
From: Sally B. Wembly
To: Yorkville Swim Team
Subject: Our commitment
Dear swimmers:
I know the season can be long and YOU’RE ALL DOING SO GREAT! I am so grateful for your dedication to our team.
Unfortunately, a few of our swimmers have dropped off the swim team. I encourage you to stay committed.
Here’s your Sally B. Wembly approved inspirational quote: “I wouldn’t say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and put the work and time into it.” —Michael Phelps
PS I was reminded that I never responded to the answers about my middle name . . . no one guessed it . . . it’s BEATRICE!!! :)
Go Yorkville!
Coach Sally B. Wembly
Feeelingssssss
VICTORIA
I’m not counting this as a side chat since Gabs has basically decided to leave the group
VICTORIA
Obv I’m super hurt by this
CECILY
I know
We r, too
We’ve been friends since before we were even born
PRIANKA
Yes
CECILY
That’s all u have to say, Pri
PRIANKA
Told u
Not getting involved
CECILY
But this is Gabs
CECILY
Our bff
PRIANKA
IK
She’ll come around
CECILY
U r being so weird, Pri
PRIANKA
Sorry
I gtg
Prianka has left the chat
VICTORIA
What is up w/ her
CECILY
No clue
Everyone is wacky pants
VICTORIA
4 real
CECILY
I gtg study play lines & do hw
VICTORIA
Don’t goooo
CECILY
I’m sorry, Vic
Pls don’t stress
It’ll all work out
Mwah
VICTORIA
Mwah
From: Jane Marburn
To: Diana Katz
Subject: Gabby’s behavior
Dear Ms. Katz:
I’m writing because Gabby has been exhibiting some unusual behavior lately. She’s chatting incessantly during class and does not seem to pay attention to warnings and discipline. She received a check minus today for poor behavior and eye rolling. This seems very unlike her, and it’s troubling. I wanted to touch base and see if anything is going on at home. Please feel free to email back or call the main office.
Thank you,
Ms. Marburn
English teacher
Imagination is more important than knowledge. —Albert Einstein
Gabrielle, Mom
MOM
Gabs, please come down and talk to me
GABRIELLE
Busy
MOM
This isn’t a choice
Come down now
GABRIELLE
I’m doing hw
MOM
Immediately or I take your phone away for a week
GABRIELLE
Coming
Ugggghhhhhh
GABRIELLE
Guys I got in trouble for poor behavior in Ms. Marburn’s class
SAMI
Don’t worry she’s a witch
GABRIELLE
My mom is so mad
MIRIAM
Oh sorry, Gabs
GABRIELLE
I’m not allowed to go out w u guys 4 Halloween
ELOISE
BLARGHHHHHHHHH
HANNAH P
Yeah that stinks
HANNAH F
I get in trouble every day tho
I’m over it
GABRIELLE
Yeah but my mom isn’t over it
SAMI
So annoying
This school is too strict
At my cousin’s school they call teachers by first names and it’s super chill
ELOISE
Jelllllyyyyyyyyyy
GABRIELLE
That sounds cool
SAMI
Don’t show anyone those lists btw
SAMI
Looking @ u, Gabs
GABRIELLE
I won’t
Promise
SAMI
Looks like Ayelet Birnbaum is our winner of our girl ranking system
Let’s be friends with her
MIRIAM
This is awk now, Sam
SAMI
No it’s not
I mean we could’ve made ourselves the winners
But we didn’t
SAMI
& I never made the Loser List LOL
Maybe next time LOL
HANNAH F
Honestly this is getting too weird
HANNAH P
Yeah ur taking it way too seriously
ELOISE
I am so confused by this TBH
SAMI
Whatever guys
It’s just a fun thing
Ugh
GABRIELLE
I gtg
GABRIELLE
Mom is limiting phone time
MIRIAM
Bye, Gabs
From: Elizabeth Anderson
To: Diana Katz, Manjula Basak
Subject: Our trip
Hi, ladies:
Okay, we’re all booked! Weekend after Thanksgiving! We’ll plan to leave Friday morning no later than ten so we can get to Millcreek Mountain House for lunch. Then the girls will go to the “teen camp” they have, free of charge! The three of us will get massages. We can do snowshoeing—pray for snow! There’s tons to do. Check the website. Really looking forward to this.
I think it’s for the best that Priscilla has her sister in town. I love Victoria but I’m not totally sure Priscilla loves us. :) Oh well. I’m glad we included them. When should we tell the girls?
Love, Elizabeth
Gabs, I miss you. I see you in the hallway with Sami and them and at lunch and I have to be honest, it kind of breaks my heart. What can we do? Love, Cecily
Cecily, it’s nothing you did. I just felt the need to branch out. I felt stuck with you guys and you never wanted me to rotate tables. I wanted that feeling I had on the camping trip of being friends with a lot of people. I don’t want to feel trapped with just a few. I think I am getting more social as I get older and I like that. I feel like I am more outgoing all of a sudden and less nervous. I still love you, duh. We have different interests now. We are growing up and we are different than we used to be. I just need some space. I want to have other friends. It’s just like you doing the play and how Pri is all into poetry with Sage now. This is my way to meet new people. Love, Gabs
Yeah, but you’re not even friends with us. You just ignore us. We can have different groups of friends. You’re right, I really like the cast of Joseph. That doesn’t mean I don’t talk to Pri and Vic. This is so silly. Why did you need to distance yourself from us entirely? We’re all really hurt, especially Victoria.
You don’t get it. You guys never let anyone branch out. So I had to totally distance otherwise I would have been stuck. I’m sorry but it’s true. You guys are only into our little group.
That is not true and now you’re doing the same thing. You left the swim team. Think about it. I was able to be friends with you guys and Mara, too. Take a look at yourself. I can’t believe we’re going to go trick-or-treating without you. :(
I don’t want to go trick-or-treating anyway. I wanted to go to the party in Sami’s neighborhood. Anyway, I’m sorry about all of this but I need to expand my horizons.
From: Edward Carransey
To: Eric Mollinsky, Anne Mollinsky, Andrew Seelbaum, Janet Seelbaum, Evelyn Postel, Marc Postel, George Fletch, Nina Fletch, Diana Katz, Douglas Katz, Ines Modkin, and Pierre Modkin
Subject: Meeting
Dear Parents:
Some very disturbing behavior has come to our attention. Please meet in my office at 9 a.m. tomorrow with your children.
Mr. Carransey
You must be the change you want to see in the world. —Gandhi
OMG
SAMI
U guys
Someone let that sheet get out
And someone found it
And brought it to Mr. C
Who was it
Tell me now
HANNAH P
Not me
HANNAH F
Me neither
ELOISE
Same
MIRIAM
I never even had the sheet
GABRIELLE
Same
U said u were keeping the only copy
SAMI
I sent u guys the pic
Anyone could’ve emailed it 2 someone
& printed it out
MIRIAM
We didn’t
SAMI
U r all lying
Now we have to go to a meeting with Mr. C & our parents
MIRIAM
I know
MIRIAM
So upset
GABRIELLE
Me too
SAMI
Whatever we’ll just deny it
HANNAH P
IDK about that
HANNAH F
Yeah let’s just be honest
& move on
SAMI
Guys this is serious
ELOISE
Wahhhhhh
MIRIAM
We know
From: Diana Katz
To: Elizabeth Anderson, Manjula Basak
Subject: Gabby
Ladies,
Gabby has gotten in serious trouble at school. Somehow she found herself mixed up with this Girl Rank thing. Do you know about it? I’m so disappointed in her. I’ve banned her from Halloween and now I may need to cancel this trip. Not sure she deserves a luxurious weekend away. I’ll keep you updated.
X Diana
Arjun, Victoria
ARJUN
Where have u been
Ur so quiet
VICTORIA
I’m here
Just trying to stay out of drama
ARJUN
Um
Do I cause drama
VICTORIA
Not really no LOL
Just trying to lie low
ARJUN
Ur funny
ARJUN
Ok
What r u doing 4 Halloween
VICTORIA
Trick or treating w/ my friends
U?
ARJUN
Same
Prianka Basak
Poetry Elective
Sometimes I wake up
In the middle of the night
And I can’t get back
To
Sleep
It’s as if a little
Animal
Is running away with my sleep
Snatching it
Like a scarf
And then I’m wide-eyed
Awake
Staring at the ceiling
I wish
That little animal
Would return
With
My
Sleep
Sage, Prianka
SAGE
Hey
U wanna go 2 the movies Saturday
PRIANKA
Let me double-check my schedule
LOL JK
I’m free
Sure
SAGE
PRIANKA
What are u doing for Halloween
SAGE
Soooo not a Halloween girl
U
PRIANKA
I always do trick or treating in my hood w/ my friends
If u change ur mind u can come