CECILY
Ing?
R u home
I could get up from my bed and see but I am too lazy
INGRID
Almost home
Went for a run
CECILY
U r running & texting @ the same time
INGRID
NO LOL
Cool-down walk
INGRID
You ok?
CECILY
Yes come by my room when u get home
Wanna talk 2 u
INGRID
Sure you’re ok?
CECILY
Yes
3:31 PM
INGRID
Wait why are you texting me when we are standing right next to each other
CECILY
Bc Mom is def eavesdropping
But she’ll prob see these texts
She has that app where she can see all my texts
CECILY
That’s why I delete them all right away
Not that I have so many secrets but YKWIM
We can’t hide from our all-knowing, snooping mama . . .
INGRID
K hold
So what’s going on?
OK, writing is slower than texting but prob safer. Be patient. So all of this stuff feels like no big deal but then when I add it all up it really starts to upset me and stress me out. I think Mom is on this weird concerned-about-me stretch so I am trying to not make her more concerned which is why I didn’t want to talk out loud.
Okay . . . So talk to me. Or I mean write to me. Ha!
Well, first of all, it was just supposed to be Mara and me going to the volunteer summer corps thing but now Victoria is coming, too, and so is Mae, and it feels like too many people going to something together. I like to branch out and meet new people and Mae is already stressing that she doesn’t know anyone and can we do everything together and blah blah blah.
Okay. Got that. Tell me everything at once and then I can address each issue.
Okay. So there’s that. And also I wasn’t invited to Hannah Fletch’s bat mitzvah and I really wanted to be. It’s gonna be super fancy and fun and I am so so upset I wasn’t invited. Pri and Gabs were but Victoria wasn’t and I’m trying to stay chill but still so upset. So that’s another thing. Also I just feel like everyone is always leaning on me and saying how I know everything and can rule the world but it’s too much. I guess those are the main issues but I wanted to talk to you about them.
Okay. Well, first of all, I get the thing with Mae and the trip. But this is always what happens. There’s tons of anxiety before you go and when you get there it’s totally fine. She’ll probably branch out a little and you obviously will and everyone will get settled and it will be fine. I don’t think she’ll hang on you for the entire time.
As for the bat mitzvah, yeah, it sucks. That definitely happened to me a bunch and it was really upsetting. I remember when everyone in the grade got invited to Becca Emanuel’s. Well, I guess not everyone, but it felt like that and I was so bummed. I made Mom and Dad sit up with me until like 1 a.m. one night crying about it. Seriously! Do you remember this? It was a big deal at the time but then everyone got over it, including me. Maybe the kids at school wore the giveaway for one day and that was it. I mean, it’s not fun to not be included, but you’re right, it is something that will happen. Here’s the thing, Cece my love. You’re awesome. You did such a fab job with the International Women’s Day thing. And you’re def the smartest kid in the grade and you’re just amazing. Middle school isn’t the best and you’re still crushing it. Middle school is just this weird in-between little slice of life that’s awkward and messy and frankly kind of dumb. Everyone just wants to get through it, but you’re really making a difference! You’re doing more than just getting through it. And that’s why people look to you so much. You’re such a role model! Of course that’s hard.
And yeah, it sucks about Hannah Fletch, but it’s not like you were ever really friends with her. And isn’t it kind of weird to have that fancy of a party for a thirteen-year-old? I mean, it is weird. And the whole thing that went down with her friend Sami—best to stay away from that group, if you want my honest opinion. So what else can I tell you?
Yeah, I do kind of remember. Ingrid, my wise and amazing older sister, what would I ever do without you? I’m so glad we had this “chat.” I really should come and talk to you more often, LOL. Can we do a sister sleepover like we used to when we were little and camp out in one of our rooms in sleeping bags on the floor and try to stay up late?
Sure, that would be fabulous. Name the time and I’m there.
K, will do.
Also I still need to watch the clip from the IWD thing on the Today show. I know they didn’t interview you and you’re still upset but YOU MADE THE WHOLE THING HAPPEN. And I am so proud. Viewing party tonight?
YES FAB YES