TBH 2

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TBH 2 Page 5

by Lisa Greenwald


  I will make sure some of the money we raise goes to refugee families settling in Yorkville.

  Bye!

  Cecily

  I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. —Louisa May Alcott

  CPG4EVA

  PRIANKA

  U guys r never going to believe this

  R u there

  Hellloooooo

  CECILY

  Hi sorry

  PRIANKA

  Gabs

  GABRIELLE

  Hi here 2

  Sorry

  What happened

  PRIANKA

  Ready

  CECILY

  Yes just tell us

  PRIANKA

  K so at the end of the movie we were waiting for our rides and we were all just standing around and then Victoria goes to Arjun “I know this is gonna be weird but I wondered if we could, like, go out?”

  And then Arjun was like “but we are out right now”

  And then Victoria said “I mean like as a couple”

  And then Arjun was like “oh, um, ok that works”

  LOL LOL LOL

  GABRIELLE

  OMG

  CECILY

  I KNOW

  PRIANKA

  It was soooo funny

  CECILY

  What did Vishal say

  PRIANKA

  He was cracking up so much

  GABRIELLE

  This is so so funny

  PRIANKA

  I think Arjun is so overwhelmed

  He went from major bullying in his old school and then moved and now there is a girl in love w/ him here

  CECILY

  And did u hear he is going to speak at an assembly

  About racial tolerance and stuff

  PRIANKA

  IK

  It was Victoria’s idea

  This is so crazy tho

  GABRIELLE

  I think it’s good

  Yorkville is a nice place

  CECILY

  Def def def

  GABRIELLE

  What’s up w/ u & Vishal, Pri

  PRIANKA

  WDYM

  GABRIELLE

  IDK

  R u a couple

  PRIANKA

  No clue

  CECILY

  We don’t need to all have bfs, Gabs

  GABRIELLE

  I know

  Was just asking

  Sheesh

  U r obsessed with telling us what to do about boys

  CECILY

  I’m just saying

  GABRIELLE

  I don’t have a bf

  CECILY

  But u kissed Colin

  GABRIELLE

  Yeah but still

  PRIANKA

  K I gtg, girlies

  See u tomw

  CECILY

  Bye

  GABRIELLE

  Xoxoxoxox

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  GABRIELLE

  That was awk

  PRIANKA

  IK

  I AM IN LOVEEEEEEEEEE

  VICTORIA

  U guys

  I am in luv w/ Arjun

  4 real

  & I know he came here 4 a bad reason but I kinda feel like it was meant 2 be

  PRIANKA

  LOL

  Silver lining

  VICTORIA

  Yeah bc we R THE SILVER GIRLS

  GABRIELLE

  LOL

  Glad u r so happy, V!

  * * *

  Journal Assignment

  At lunch today, go up to a classmate you don’t know very well. Ask questions about them—the first three that come to your mind. Write down the questions and the answers and how you felt about this exercise. Have fun!

  WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

  GABRIELLE

  OMG u guys

  This journal assignment is ooc

  I can’t just go up 2 any1 in the grade

  CECILY

  U will be fine

  GABRIELLE

  At 1st I was so into this journal stuff bc it was a good way to bump up my average

  But now I am so

  PRIANKA

  LOL it is a bit nutty

  CECILY

  Guys, it’s not a big deal

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  GABRIELLE

  Ok I know we said no side chats

  But srsly what is up with Cece

  She’s like so cold and weird

  Always saying how she is so busy bc 6th grade rep

  Puhleaaaaaasssseee

  PRIANKA

  IK

  Maybe we need 2 speak 2 Ms. Brickfeld

  GABRIELLE

  Hmmm

  Dear Journal,

  So I went up to Sanda Yanusz at lunch today. I don’t know her at all. I didn’t even know her name. We weren’t in the same elementary school. I just looked around the cafeteria and picked a person and said, “Hi, I’m Gabby. Can we talk for the journal assignment?” And she said, “Yes! I was so scared to go up to someone and I’m so happy you came up to me!”

  We talked for ten minutes. She has two brothers and they’re identical twins. Her favorite food is pizza and I also said, “What’s one cool thing about you that not many people know?” She said, “I actually really like bugs! They don’t scare me at all and I love to watch them. But I don’t tell people because it seems so embarrassing.”

  I really liked this exercise. I think I will say hi to Sanda in the hallway all the time now. And hopefully she says hi to me too!

  —Gabby

  Arjun, Victoria

  VICTORIA

  Arjun, I had soooo much fun @ movies w/ u

  Did u have fun

  Where r u

  Helllooooooo

  Victoria, Prianka

  VICTORIA

  Hi, Prianka

  Do u know where Arjun is

  PRIANKA

  LOL

  He’s here now

  My mom had a bunch of fams over

  R u jealous LOL

  VICTORIA

  Grrrr

  He didn’t respond 2 my texts

  PRIANKA

  He’s not looking @ his fone

  Don’t worry

  Gtg bye

  HELP ME

  VICTORIA

  U guys I need ur help

  I think Arjie hates me already

  NICOLE

  Y

  VICTORIA

  He didn’t respond to my texts today

  I found out where he is but still

  KIMBERLY

  Calm down, V

  He’s obv busy

  Of course he likes u bc u r awesome!

  NICOLE

  Yeah!!!

  VICTORIA

  K deep breaths

  NICOLE

  LOL

  VICTORIA

  Bye smooches

  Dear Journal,

  I have been so busy with Spring Fair I didn’t get a chance to do this journal entry. I went up to one of the girls who sit at the back table in the cafeteria. Everyone thinks they’re so popular but I don’t know if they really are. I ended up talking to a girl named Phoebe McGellin. She wasn’t super friendly. I asked her what she’s most proud of and she said that her dance team got second place in a competition. Then I asked her what she’s most scared of and she said getting struck by lightning. Then I asked her what her favorite movie is and she said she doesn’t really have one.

  It was an okay experience but it’s hard to talk to someone you don’t really know. She said she knew who I am since I’m the class rep.

  I think one thing I’ve realized this year and especially since doing this journal is that I feel really different from everyone else. I may not look different but I just don’t feel the same as the rest of my grade.

  I don’t know why. And maybe no one knows I feel like this. Maybe even my own friends don’t know. I like being the class rep and running meetings but I feel like
I am kind of on the outside looking in. I bet everyone thinks I am so confident since I am on student council. But I don’t feel that way at all.

  —Cecily

  SQUAD

  PRIANKA

  OMG

  A news team just showed up at Vishal’s house

  Apparently there r stories like Arjun’s fam all over the country and they r doing a story on it

  CECILY

  4 real?

  Horrible

  R U SERIOUS

  PRIANKA

  YES

  Will tell u more later

  GABRIELLE

  Wait sorry I am slow & missed this whole thing

  CECILY

  Scroll up xoxo

  Gabby—will you marry me at the marriage booth at the fair? —Colin

  Colin—I will consider it. —Gabby

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  GABRIELLE

  Pri, u there

  PRIANKA

  Yo

  GABRIELLE

  Colin asked me 2 marry him @ the fair

  PRIANKA

  OMG

  GABRIELLE

  I’m not telling Cece

  She will get upset

  PRIANKA

  Ok

  Well mazel tov

  GABRIELLE

  LOL

  SQUAD

  CECILY

  U guys, did u see the list 4 camping trip

  Sooooooooo excited

  PRIANKA

  I am soooooooooo excited but I can’t forget to buy the flashlights and the shower caddy

  Vishal and Arjun are gonna be so bored w/o me LOL

  CECILY

  LOL we r going 2 have best time

  PRIANKA

  Hello CAMPING PREP STARTS RIGHT NOW

  GABRIELLE

  Yeah about that . . .

  PRIANKA

  What

  GABRIELLE

  I feel like I haven’t been totes honest with u guys . . .

  I’m getting rlly nervous

  CECILY

  Gabs, it will be gr8

  PRIANKA

  Better than gr8

  Uber fab

  GABRIELLE

  Just sooooo nervous

  I don’t really like all that nature stuff LOL

  IDK about the adventure course stuff

  PRIANKA

  U can’t bail, Gabs

  CECILY

  We will be there w/ u

  GABRIELLE

  IK

  I gtg talk l8r

  Prianka, Cecily

  PRIANKA

  OMG CECE

  I think Gabs is gonna bail

  CECILY

  Stop

  PRIANKA

  No 4 real

  CECILY

  Stop side chatting, Pri

  PRIANKA

  K fine bye

  Cece, this is gonna be OPERATION CONVINCE GABS SHE HAS TO GO ON THE CAMPING TRIP. I’m writing you a note since you hate side chats. We will leave a note in her mailbox every day like we did with the Yorkville ones. Okay? Write back and let me know you got this. XOXOXOXO Pri

  Pri—yes, I got your note. But calm down. She’s just nervous. Let’s not freak out yet. She’s still going. We just need to reassure her. We don’t need to do the mailbox notes.

  Love you, Cece

  Vishal, Arjun

  VISHAL

  Yo

  U ready for ur big speech

  ARJUN

  No, dude

  Why am I giving a speech again

  VISHAL

  LOL IDK

  ARJUN

  & why so soon

  VISHAL

  No 4 real u will be gr8

  ARJUN

  This is wack

  VISHAL

  No stress, bro

  U will crush it

  ARJUN

  LOL thank u

  Peace

  VISHAL

  Peace, bro

  Gabs, are you still nervous about the camping trip? Please don’t be. We will have the best time. Also what is this sub even talking about? I have no idea. I love you! Pri

  I am nervous and excited and I have no clue what he is talking about either. But I am so scared we are gonna get in trouble for passing notes, so don’t write back to this one. OK? But I love you. XO Gabs

  From: Arjun Gobin

  To: Victoria Melford

  Subject: SPEEEEEEEEECH

  Hi Victoria,

  Will you read my speech and tell me what you think? I’m really nervous. I didn’t even show this to Vishal yet. Thanks for your help.

  Arjun

  Speech for Assembly

  Hi, everyone. Good morning. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Arjun Gobin. There are probably a lot of you who don’t know me since I’m new here.

  The area that I came from in Florida was really different from Yorkville. It was not a tolerant place at all. I was bullied based on what I looked like. People tormented me because of my religion even though they didn’t even know my religion. No one even took the time to find out. Kids I have known forever turned against me. I was told I was not welcome there. Eggs were thrown at my home.

  This all happened out of nowhere. I can’t say for sure why this started happening but it somehow became a normal thing. The school board and teachers and principal tried to step in but the cruelty continued. Eventually it became so difficult to stay there that my family and I moved here and we are staying with my cousins, my dad’s brother’s family.

  You’ve all been welcoming and kind to me. I’ve only been here a short time, but I can already tell that there are so many different types of people in Yorkville, different religions and ethnicities. It doesn’t even seem like a big deal to be different here.

  I wanted to tell you a little bit about what happened to me so that we are sure to never repeat it here. We need to embrace our differences and learn from one another. Sometimes I think people are scared of people who are different. So the only way to fix that is to take the time and talk to our peers and our classmates and our neighbors. Then we can work together to make our school and the world a better place.

  Thanks for listening and for welcoming my family and me to Yorkville.

  Have a great day.

  Guys, I have the best idea. I bought this notebook at the school store. We’re going to start a group packing list. I’ll write a few things, then pass it to one of you, then you write a few things and pass it to the next person. We’ll add stuff each day and then go shopping together or order online and we’ll all have what we need. Sound good?

  OOOOH I love a new notebook. Amazing idea, Pri!!! I am totally on board. We can pass it to each other between classes but let’s not make it a big deal so people don’t feel left out. LOVE YOU GUYS!

  Yes, I love this idea too!! This is definitely making me less nervous. Okay, I’m starting the list.

  Sunglasses

  Sunscreen

  Cute dresses

  SQUADDDDDDDD

  GABRIELLE

  Did u guys hear that Phoebe McGellin is marrying Emilio Carbonelli at the fair

  PRIANKA

  Whatttt

  How r u even keeping track of this

  CECILY

  Yeah and why do u care

  GABRIELLE

  CECE

  U R SO RUDE

  CECILY

  We don’t even know them

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  GABRIELLE

  Ok now things r really weird

  PRIANKA

  IK

  GABRIELLE

  We r never going to make it camping

  PRIANKA

  STOP

  U R JUST SCARED

  GABRIELLE

  Well Cece is being soo rude

  PRIANKA

  Calm down

  From: Cecily Anderson

  To: Gabrielle Katz, Prianka Basak

  Subject: What is going on?

  Dear Gabs and Pri,

  I am just going to c
ome right out and say this. I feel like things are really distant between us. I am not sure why. We had the drama with Victoria and we got past that. And we figured out our summer plan and I am really excited about it. I know you’re nervous, Gabs, but it will be great.

  But I feel like it always comes back to boys with you guys, and everyone is obsessed with this dumb marriage booth. And I just don’t get it. Is it possible to still be BFF with you guys if I’m not like totally in love with a boy? Are you bored of me? Have we outgrown each other?

  Love, Cece

  PS: Sorry so many questions.

  PPS: I really hope we can still be BFF.

  Arjun, Victoria

  VICTORIA

  Yo Arjun

  Just read ur speech

  AMAAAAZZZZZIIIINNNNNGGG

  ARJUN

  Really?

  R u telling the truth

  VICTORIA

  Yes so so so so good

  ARJUN

  Ok thank u

  VICTORIA

  U will be so great

  ARJUN

  I never shoulda agreed 2 this

  VICTORIA

  Yes u should

  Glad u did

  ARJUN

  Ok

  VICTORIA

  I gtg C u tomw

  ARJUN

  Ok bye

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  PRIANKA

  What should we wb 2 Cece

  I feel like she is so upset

  GABRIELLE

  Me 2

  I don’t want there 2 be drama b/t us

  PRIANKA

  Me neither

  That was obvs never our intention

  GABRIELLE

  But why does she get so upset w/ boy stuff

  PRIANKA

  IDK

  & I don’t like how she makes us feel bad about it

  GABRIELLE

  Same

  PRIANKA

  I will wb & say we should get 2gether 2 discuss

 

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