Folded Notes from High School

asked her if she was okay. I went to give her a hug, and she kind of slapped at my arms. Which admittedly took my breath away. And then she said that you told her my aunt and uncle were the heads of admissions at NYU and that you agreed with her that I forced them to reject her from the University. Don’t get upset. I know you never said that, my sweet friend. And I know I would never in a million years do anything like that. But Tara kept choosing not to believe me, and she started screaming in my face. That’s when Kathy Connery showed up and just said, “Everything cool here?” That’s when Tara sort of snapped. She forgot about me and turned all her rage on Kathy. Why? I have no idea. She just started calling her a “slut” and a “townie.” Then she started swinging, and that is when you and the divine Pammy showed up.

But Matt, none of that matters. Truly. The only thing that matters is you healing.

See you tonight.

Big hug,

Stacey

Christopher!

Can you believe what that Kathy Connery did to me? Don’t you wonder how any living human guy could hook up with her?? She is so gross and such a violent person! You haven’t checked in on me, so I’m not sure if you’re up to speed. Don’t worry, Kathy at least had the decency to tell Mr. Flaherty that everything is settled, so there is no threat of suspension (for her, obviously) and everything will go on as scheduled, including and most importantly me as Maria in West Side Story. Thank god for my claddagh ring . . . it really came in handy when I needed to defend myself!!

Your Once-Again Girlfriend,

Tara

T,

I heard about everything that happened in F Hall. Real happy you are okay and not that I know Kathy all that well, but good on her for smoothing things over with Mr. Flaherty. So, it’s all settled, right?

Love ya,

C.P.C.

Christopher,

Yes, it is all settled! There’s nothin’ to look at here, folks. Carry on, ya know what I mean? And yeah, wicked smart that Kathy Connery spoke the TRUTH to Mr. Flaherty. Girls like that are what bring towns down! Don’t you agree? Not like you “know her all that well,” but I’m sure you agree.

xoxo,

Tara

Stef,

Q even believe? Even Christopher is like, “That Kathy Connery is disgusting! What kinda girl starts fights?”

So, do you want the exact middle seat in the front row for West Side Story? Or, like, a few seats to either the left or right? Totally your call, but being a theater snob I truly think front row cuts off some of the show. Your best bet is third or fifth row CENTER! But you tell me, k?

Write back as soon as you can ’cuz tickets are sellin’ wicked fast and I want my best friend to have the exact seat she wants.

Love you just as much as you love me,

Tara

Hey Tara,

It’s pretty spectacular what 24 hours and a ton of chamomile tea bags can do. My face is just about back to normal. Sure, I still have a gash on my cheek from the locker I crashed into, but both Joy and Stacey think it looks cool and that having a really long, really big slice on my face will only add to the authenticity of my portrayal of Tony. So in some absurd way I want to thank you for TRIPPING ME.

I was walking down F Hall with Pam, and we saw you and Kathy throwing punches at each other. Knowing what I know (from you), I thought to help. Thank god Pam got in the middle of you two, because I bet Kathy would have more than cauliflower ear if she hadn’t. But when I ran over to help, you saw me. I saw you see me, and you threw your friggin’ leg out specifically to TRIP ME. Again, I have a great gash that will make my performance even stronger, but really? You TRIPPED ME? Why would you do that?

But most importantly . . . the thing I cannot get out of my head . . . the thing that is making me mad in a way I don’t think I’ve ever been mad before is that you lied to Stacey. You lied to her and told her that I agreed with you that she used her family connections to make sure you got rejected from NYU!!! Are you kidding me?

First of all, Tara, I thought YOU rejected NYU! I thought YOU CHOSE NOT TO GO THERE! You know, because “No Quad,” etc., etc., etc. You tried to pit me and Stacey against each other! Lying to her that I told you I AGREED with you that Stacey made sure you didn’t get in there!! What planet are you living on?! Nice try trying to sabotage my friendship with Stacey, but it didn’t work and NEVER WOULD!

I am so mad at you right now! After everything we’ve been through together you do this! To me! Why??

See ya around,

Matt

Dearest Matt,

Oh my GODDDD, you tripped? Babe, I am so sorry to hear that! The whole Kathy Connery thing was so chaotic, and then when that giant woman got involved I just lost my perspective. Like, totally gone! Matt, I would never trip anyone, let alone you! Are you sure Kathy or the Note-Readin’ Candy Store Gossip didn’t trip you, or maybe your sneaker sole caught a floor tile? You know these cheap, waxy floor tiles are prone to trippin’ people up.

You got a gash on your face?