PRAISE & ACCOLADES FOR THE
INTERNET GIRLS SERIES
New York Times bestselling series
San Francisco Chronicle bestselling series
Publishers Weekly bestselling series
School Library Journal:
Both revealing and innovative, this novel will inspire teens to pass it to their friends … nonnarrative communication can be a great way to tell a story.
Publishers Weekly:
Myracle’s approach is creative … an engaging quick read … readers will cheer.
Booklist:
Myracle cleverly manages to build rich characters and narrative tension without ever taking the story outside of an IM box.
Kirkus Reviews:
A surprisingly poignant tale of friendship, change, and growth. Perfectly contemporary. ROTFL.
Teen magazine:
Changing the way you read.
OTHER BOOKS BY
LAUREN MYRACLE
ttyl
l8r, g8r
bff
The Infinite Moment of Us
Shine
Bliss
Rhymes with Witches
Luv Ya Bunches
Violet in Bloom
Oopsy Daisy
Awesome Blossom
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Thirteen Plus One
Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks
Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances (with John Green and Maureen Johnson)
How to Be Bad (with E. Lockhart and Sarah Mylnowski)
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress.
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1141-1
Text copyright © 2006, 2014 Lauren Myracle
Book design by Maria T. Middleton
“Chet Baker’s Unsung Swan Song” by David Patrick Wilcox. Copyright © 1991 by Irving Music, Midnight Ocean Bonfire Music. All rights administered by Irving Music, Inc. / BMI.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“Sunrise, Sunset” words by Sheldon Harnick, music by Jerry Bock. Copyright © 1964 (renewed) Mayerling Productions Ltd. (administered by R&H music) and Jerry Bock Enterprises for the United States and Alley Music Corporation, Trio Music Company, and Jerry Bock Enterprises for the world outside of the United States. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
Originally published in hardcover in 2006 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. This edition published in 2014 by Amulet Paperbacks. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Amulet Books and Amulet Paperbacks are registered trademarks of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Amulet Books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact [email protected] or the address below.
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To all the girlies—and yes! even a few guys!—who shared their IMs with me or emailed me about life in general. Yahootie!!!
CONTENTS
Sat, Nov 20, 4:45 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Nov 20, 5:16 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Nov 20, 10:32 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Nov 21, 11:01 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Nov 21, 7:42 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Nov 21, 7:59 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Nov 21, 8:04 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Nov 21, 8:10 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Nov 22, 4:17 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Nov 23, 7:31 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Nov 23, 8:03 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Nov 23, 8:25 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Nov 23, 9:20 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Nov 24, 4:30 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Nov 24, 5:41 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Nov 24, 6:30 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Nov 25, 11:45 AM E.S.T.
Thu, Nov 25, 2:45 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Nov 25, 7:06 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Nov 26, 11:00 AM P.S.T.
Sat, Nov 27, 10:38 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Nov 28, 4:05 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Nov 29, 5:15 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Nov 29, 9:33 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Nov 30, 10:18 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Dec 1, 4:33 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Dec 2, 7:17 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Dec 3, 4:15 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Dec 4, 11:09 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Dec 4, 11:52 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Dec 5, 9:18 AM E.S.T.
Mon, Dec 6, 10:15 AM E.S.T.
Tues, Dec 7, 9:09 AM E.S.T.
Tues, Dec 7, 10:53 AM E.S.T.
Tues, Dec 7, 1:48 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Dec 7, 3:45 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Dec 7, 4:12 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Dec 9, 9:14 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Dec 10, 4:44 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Dec 11, 10:00 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Dec 12, 3:30 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Dec 13, 5:23 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Dec 14, 4:09 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Dec 15, 6:59 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Dec 15, 7:12 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Dec 16, 2:02 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Dec 16, 2:04 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Dec 17, 10:01 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Dec 18, 10:21 PM P.S.T.
Sat, Dec 18, 10:33 PM P.S.T.
Sun, Dec 19, 2:11 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Dec 20, 3:25 PM P.S.T.
Tues, Dec 21, 10:30 AM E.S.T.
Wed, Dec 22, 4:43 PM P.S.T.
Thu, Dec 23, 6:02 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Dec 24, 3:33 PM P.S.T.
Sat, Dec 25, 1:01 PM P.S.T.
Thu, Dec 30, 11:33 AM P.S.T.
Fri, Dec 31, 5:30 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Jan 1, 11:34 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Jan 1, 9:01 AM P.S.T.
Sat, Jan 1, 4:42 PM P.S.T.
Sat, Jan 1, 6:01 PM P.S.T.
Sun, Jan 2, 10:54 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Jan 2, 11:13 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Jan 2, 8:20 AM P.S.T.
Sun, Jan 2, 11:45 AM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 3, 3:30 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 3, 6:01 PM P.S.T.
Mon, Jan 3, 9:55 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 3, 10:00 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 4, 4:37 PM P.S.T.
Wed, Jan 5, 7:45 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Jan 5, 4:45 PM P.S.T.
Thu, Jan 6, 6:04 PM P.S.T.
Fri, Jan 7, 6:50 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Jan 8, 11:45 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Jan 8, 3:33 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Jan 9, 12:50 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Jan 9, 2:24 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 10, 8:35 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 10, 11:39 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 11, 10:34 AM E.S.T.
Wed, Jan 12, 8:44 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Jan 13, 10:35 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Jan 14, 7:02 PM P.S.T.
Mon, Jan 17, 12:23 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 18, 6:40 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 18, 6:55 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Jan 19, 5:05 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Jan 20, 4:04 PM P.S.T.
Sat, Jan 22, 8:00 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Jan 22, 5:07 PM P.S.T.
Sun, Jan 23, 11:23 AM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 24, 5:22 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 24, 5:36 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 24, 6:30 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 25, 9:59 AM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 25, 2:07 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Jan 25, 9:41
PM E.S.T.
Wed, Jan 26, 3:35 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Jan 26, 6:48 PM P.S.T.
Wed, Jan 26, 7:20 PM P.S.T.
Thu, Jan 27, 3:46 PM P.S.T.
Fri, Jan 28, 10:03 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Jan 29, 11:33 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 31, 4:02 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Jan 31, 8:24 PM P.S.T.
Mon, Jan 31, 9:15 PM P.S.T.
Tues, Feb 1, 6:33 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 1, 8:11 PM P.S.T.
Wed, Feb 2, 4:44 PM P.S.T.
Wed, Feb 2, 5:21 PM P.S.T.
Wed, Feb 2, 5:30 PM P.S.T.
Thu, Feb 3, 6:02 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 3, 9:33 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 4, 6:59 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 4, 11:59 PM M.S.T.
Sat, Feb 5, 12:04 AM M.S.T.
Sat, Feb 5, 11:00 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Feb 5, 7:29 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Feb 5, 7:43 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Feb 5, 8:12 PM C.S.T.
Sat, Feb 5, 8:14 PM C.S.T.
Sun, Feb 6, 10:00 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 6, 11:23 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 6, 12:01 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 6, 7:33 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 6, 10:01 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 7, 4:05 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 7, 4:49 PM E.S.T.
A CONVERSATION WITH LAUREN MYRACLE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sat, Nov 20, 4:45 PM E.S.T.
SnowAngel:
hey there, zoe-cakes. r we studs or what?
zoegirl:
yahootie!
SnowAngel:
i have a total adrenaline buzz going, even tho i am completely and thoroughly exhausted. my muscles r gonna be crazy sore tomorrow.
zoegirl:
i hear you. can you imagine how in shape we’d be if we did that every day?
SnowAngel:
we could call it the winsome-threesome workout-of-the-century. we cld make an exercise video and rake in oodles of cash.
zoegirl:
even my toenails are tired
SnowAngel:
*flops onto pretend bed and groans*
SnowAngel:
i told chrissy what we did, and she was like, “u ran up the escalator at peachtree center? that super-duper long one?”
zoegirl:
okay yes, but the critical point is that we ran up the *down* escalator. you did explain that to her, didn’t u?
zoegirl:
that’s gotta be the longest escalator in the world. seriously, it’s as long as a football field.
SnowAngel:
i nearly lost it when maddie stopped for a breather and the escalator took her down, down, down. she was all, “noooo! i’m losing ground!”
zoegirl:
hee hee
SnowAngel:
but in the end we conquered it, cuz we can do ANYTHING, baby.
SnowAngel:
it’s like in “the cave” by my buds Mumford & Sons. “but i will hold on hope … and i’ll find strength in pain!”
zoegirl:
god, i love Mumford & Sons.
SnowAngel:
i know. and that one particular song—it’s like therapy every time i listen to it.
zoegirl:
i like the line about wanting to live life as it’s meant to be lived.
SnowAngel:
i do too, and how even when things are hard, we just keep going.
SnowAngel:
and do u know HOW we keep going? or at least how *i* keep going?
zoegirl:
how?
SnowAngel:
cuz of u and mads.
zoegirl:
awwwww
SnowAngel:
it’s true. true blue, me and u, and don’t forget to add maddie 2.
SnowAngel:
do u like my rhyme?
zoegirl:
very impressive
SnowAngel:
wait, there’s more! er, let’s c … since 7th grade they did not part, they stayed connected in their hearts. zoe’s the good girl, maddie’s wild, and sweet darling angela is meek and mild.
zoegirl:
meek? hahahahaha! mild? hahahahaha!
SnowAngel:
fine, miss brainiac. U find something to rhyme with wild.
zoegirl:
“and sweet goofy angela tends to act like a child”?
SnowAngel:
hey now!
zoegirl:
just teasing. you know i love you.
zoegirl:
i’ve just got kid-type people on my brain, because guess what? i got the job at Kidding Around!
SnowAngel:
wh-hoo! *happy dance, happy dance*
zoegirl:
there was a message waiting for me when i got home. i’m psyched.
SnowAngel:
ah, what joy, to be wiping noses and chasing toddlers. when do u start?
zoegirl:
um, don’t freak, okay?
SnowAngel:
why would i freak? ur not gonna say something to make me freak, r u?
SnowAngel:
wait a minute. don’t u DARE tell me u have to start tonight.
zoegirl:
the thing is … i do.
SnowAngel:
zoe! noooo!
zoegirl:
saturday night’s their busiest night! the director wants me to come in for training.
SnowAngel:
but we were gonna watch “Bridesmaids” again! and eat ugly carrots!
zoegirl:
i know, and i will miss eating my ugly carrot very much. but we can watch “Bridesmaids” tomorrow. that’ll be even better, because that way maddie can join us.
SnowAngel:
the point being that she has plans tonight too? yeah, rub it in. u’ve got yr job and maddie has her cousin’s wedding and i have a big old pile of poop. thanks a lot.
zoegirl:
angela, you are such a drama queen. and you don’t have a big old pile of . you have a delicious bag of carrots! with hopefully at least one ugly one mixed in for luck!
SnowAngel:
zoegirl:
you’re not really mad, are you?
SnowAngel:
of course i’m mad! *flames shoot from ears*
SnowAngel:
only not really, cuz this way i can watch as many episodes of “extreme makeover: home edition” as i want, and i will cry and it will be very emotional, if u would just TRY the show then u would c what i mean.
zoegirl:
umm … no
zoegirl:
but you know what’s weird? and i mean this in the nicest way ever. last year you would have been totally upset if i’d changed our plans at the last minute. i mean, truly upset, with all kinds of wounded hurt feelings. but this year, you’re so much more chill. why is that, do you think?
SnowAngel:
cuz i’m a junior, that’s why. *struts around in funky junior-ness* cuz i can drive, even tho i don’t have a car. cuz i choose to live my life the way it’s meant to be lived, even tho i will be all alone on a saturday night, and even tho there is seriously something up with my parents, not that they’ll admit it.
zoegirl:
there’s something up with your parents? explain.
SnowAngel:
it’s just this feeling i’ve been getting.
zoegirl:
like what? and for how long?
SnowAngel:
i dunno, maybe a week?
zoegirl:
a week?! why are you just now telling me???
SnowAngel:
it’s like they’re hiding something, i can’t explain it better than that. i keep thinking that maybe i’m making it up, but then i think that i’m not.
zoegirl:
hmm
zoegirl:
maybe it’s a *good* thing they’re hiding—like that they’re taking you to hawaii
SnowAngel:
i
dunno, that somehow doesn’t seem very likely.
SnowAngel:
but, whatever. i’m not gonna worry about it, cuz i’m the new and improved Chill Angela. u think they wld name a Barbie after me?
zoegirl:
definitely. for her accessory, she could have a tiny iPhone.
SnowAngel:
no, her accessory would be a tiny picture of u, me, and mads, cuz that’s why i’m chill for real. cuz no matter what, i’ve got u guys giving me my me-ness.
zoegirl:
maddie and i don’t give you your you-ness. you give yourself your you-ness.
SnowAngel:
“you-ness.” now there’s a word for ya.
SnowAngel:
my granddad’s name was eunice, btw
zoegirl:
your granddad? don’t you mean your grandmom?
SnowAngel:
nope, my granddad. only he spelled it “unus.”
zoegirl:
ugh. what were his parents trying to do to him?
SnowAngel:
his full name was unus faye. he went by U.F.
zoegirl:
i am so sorry to hear that.
SnowAngel:
yep
zoegirl:
well, on that note, gtg. wish me luck on my first day, which is really my first night!
SnowAngel:
good luck on yr first day which is really ur first night!
SnowAngel:
ta ta for now!
Sat, Nov 20, 5:16 PM E.S.T.
SnowAngel:
hey, maderoo. getting all dolled up for yr cousin’s wedding?
mad maddie:
my dear, the dolling is done. and fyi, i look fab.
Ttfn Page 1