CHAPTER 11
Juliette
Over the weekend, Alex (alias Juliette) sent three emails to Becky and got three replies. Jimmy was visiting his Grandparents so Alex used the computer at the local library. This suited him, as he didn’t want Jimmy reading Becky’s personal thoughts (he felt guilty enough as it was) or laughing at his pathetic typing speed.
At first, Alex found writing like a girl hard work. He thought about the way his sister said stuff and tried to put his thoughts in her words. It took him a good ten minutes per paragraph, and they were no literary masterpieces, but the more he wrote the better he became at his new persona. As Juliette he found out more about Becky Tonella than he ever imagined. He found out too much.
Dear BeckyT,
Hey! This is Juliette, the 13–year–old girl from Perth you were chatting to the other night. I’m looking to make some cool friends on the net. Are you cool? Don’t answer that question. Anyone who says they’re cool probably isn’t, and if they say they’re uncool they probably are!
I like hip hop music. Not the kind with lots of swearing and gangstas getting shot in the hood and stuff like that, but songs with meaningful lyrics and cool rhymes, about life in general, and love too I guess. Also, the rhythm helps me when I’m skateboarding. I sing to myself and it stops me thinking about falling off!
I also like movies, and my fav actor is Leonardo DiCaprio. [Alex thought he’d better throw that in.] Please tell me your hobbies and what you think of high school. I think it kind of sux! All the kids at my school are into being popular. They think they’re so cool, but they don’t realise I’m cooler!
Please write back.
Juliette.
Dear Juliette,
Thanks for your email. You sound funny☺. I won’t tell you how cool I am (very☺) cause you might think I’m up myself☹.
I don’t mind hip hop music, but I’m more into bands like Sunk Loto and Limp Bizkit. I even saw them live at the Big Day Out last year, but I was too scared to go into the mosh pit.☹
[This surprised Alex. He thought Becky would be the type to like bands such as Human Nature and Backstreet Boys.]
I’m finding high school heaps hard to get used to. My old primary school in Brisbane had a swimming pool and gymnasium, and I had lots of friends there. My family had to move to Logan City, and my new school is a bit of a hole☹. I know what you mean about kids trying to be popular, it’s the same here. There’s a boy named Billy Johnstone, he’s cute but he’s so up himself. There’s a few nice kids, though.
Let’s keep in touch.☺
BeckyT
PS. I like Leo too but I think Joshua Jackson is cuter.
Dear Becky,
Thanks for writing back so soon. You sound cool, but only coz you think I’m funny!
Sunk Loto and Limp Bizkit, hey? You’re hardcore, girl! You’d fit in well with some of the boys down the skatebowl.
I’m sorry to hear your new school is a hole. Why did you have to move? Billy Johnstone sounds like a first class loser. If I was there, I’d be tempted to punch him. I’m small, but I can punch!
You said there were some nice kids at your school. Are any of them boys? I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment. A nerd likes me, but I don’t really like him and he keeps embarrassing me in front of everyone. As my mum says, growing up is complicated. I do have a best friend, though. Her name is Jemma. She’s the excitable type, but makes me laugh.
Well, I hope to hear all the goss soon.
Juliette.☺
Dear Juliette,
Thanks for saying I’m cool, though you’re only stating the obvious! You also called me hardcore. I’m flattered! I don’t think I’m hardcore, I just like fast music every now and then. Sometimes I even like top 40 stuff, especially when I’m in the mood to dance.
[I knew it, thought Alex.]
We had to move to Logan City cause my dad was having trouble with his business. We had to sell our nice house in a nice suburb and buy an old one in a poor suburb. It sucks but as the song says, “Say la vie”. My mum is still a bit mental over the whole thing, but she’ll get over it.
I don’t have a boyfriend either. Billy Johnstone asked me out but I have more taste than that.☺ There is one nice boy at school. His name is Alex Jackson and he’s a skateboarder, so you’d like him. He’s small and a bit of a dope, but for some reason I kinda got a crush on him. Still, it doesn’t matter. After stuff that happened with my dad I don’t really trust men any more. I think they’re all two–faced liars.☹
The nerd that likes you sounds like my friend, Sarah Sceney. She’s a brain and she’s liked Alex for five years and she keeps embarrassing him in front of everyone. Even though she’s my friend and she’s nice, I feel sorry for him.
Hear from you soon.
BeckyT☺
PS. Do you have brothers or sisters?
I don’t.☹
Dear Becky,
Wow! It’s only been one weekend and I feel like I know you already! I’m glad to hear you have a crush on Alex Jackson, coz he’s a skateboarder. If he asked you, would you go out with him?
It sounds like you’ve got a bad attitude towards the male race. How did that happen? I think there are some stuck–up guys but there are also some nice ones. Just coz your dad or someone did a bad thing, doesn’t mean all boys are bad! Do I sound like a shrink or what?
I have one sister, who’s 11. She’s okay, though she’s the queen of gossip. I’m glad we’re finally at different schools.
Well, Mum’s calling me for lunch so I better go!
Seeya,
Juliette
PS. What happened to your dad’s business?