Popular

Popular

Prologue

So many things make me feel weak. When people tease me. A dare I know is bad. Losing. Just to name a few. I am learning, focusing, on one thing. One thing that will help me. Being invisible. Not making a big impression. What is the latest fashion trend? Oh, that. Okay. I’ll wear that. That’s my life. Blending in.
But, diary, I haven’t told you the hardest part. It’s getting normal grades such as C’s and D’s. You would think that would be easy. But it isn’t. I’m smart. Real smart. Do you want to know what (10 x 2) x a = 1000 is? a = 50. Easy as pie. But not for most kids. To be invisible you should NOT have awesome grades. You SHOULD have normal grades. You DO NOT want to be teased and called smarty pants because then you will NEVER be invisible. NEVER.
Another thing that makes that hard. You don’t know when you get too “dumb”. You don’t wanna be called “dumb”. Because then you would be noticed too. So you have to find just the right combination. Not too dumb, not too smart. And that’s HARD.

My friends all pretend too. They pretend who they are, too. My friends are Marisa, Lilya, and Dora (who is actually called Lora. I managed to find out her real name by spying on her and then trying to squeeze some info out of Dora herself.)

The Day My Life Changed

“Hi, Thalia!” said my friends, in unison. “How ya doing?”

“Good, thanks!” I replied, “How ‘bout you?”

“Getting out of bed this morning was really tough!” said Marisa.

“Yea, for me too.” said Lila.

“I get up early to hop on the computer every morning. Sleep is for the weak!” said Lora.

We talked for a while. Then Lila suddenly yelled, “We’re going to be late for school!” We all quickly checked our watches. Lila was right! And Monday was the day when they had Ms. Okra for their social studies teacher. She was very strict about kids being late. We all ran to school. I suddenly thought, Oh, why did I hang out talking about stupid things when I could be at school, not running to it??

When we finally reached school, we were panting for breath. “OMG! We’re still going to be late!!” I shouted. All the other kids looked at me like I was weird. Marisa noticed. She said loud and clear, “Thalia, when did you care about school?” Both other girls agreed.  Then a girl came up to me.

Her nickname is Pet. I don’t now her real name. If I was myself I would be called something like Pet too. “Hello, Thalia.” she said shyly. “I’m Pruna. Pruna Lily Garden.” I started to say hi back. “H-” “Your not actually going to talk to pet!” exclaimed Marisa. “What?! I was about to talk to the pet?! She must be a hypnotised me or something! I don’t know what I was thinking!” I explained, trying to look confused. It worked. Suddenly, Pruna whispered, “My email’s prunealilygarden@gmail.com.” Behind my back, I signaled OK. I saw Pruna smile.

Touching My Heart

I started a chat with Pruna as soon as I got home. Here is the conversation:

Me: Hi! Is it ok to call you pet?
Pruna: ya
Me: Thanks!
Pruna: why do you let your friends push you ‘round?
Me: I long to be popular
Pruna: I used to be like you.
Me: Really?
Pruna: yes
Me: Wow
Pruna: :)
Me: why do u nt care bout bing popular?
Pruna: I learned that it doesn’t matter
Me: wanna b secret bff’s?
Pruna: why secret?
Me: cause me wanna b popular
Pruna: oh. u’ll learn it doesn’t matter.
Me: it does matter
Me: Uh oh pop BFF’s coming bye bye!
Me signed off chat
Pruna: Thalia! It doesn’t matter!


“Hi, Thalia” said my popular friends, “Whats up?” “Nothing much. Waiting for you.” I reply. “Then why..... IS PET’S EMAIL ACCOUNT ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN?!” screams Marisa, “WHY?!?!?!?” you don’t reply. but then you hear your phone vibrate. “Wait, gotta answer this text!” you say. The message says: Pet  cool, ‘greed? She doesn’t believe in popularity. I message + chat with her all the time. - Lilya  I type back yep. Pet is awesome!! I just had a 18 sentence chat with her! U made ma sign off. -Thalia “okay, you’re done answering that text message. Would you please get us some drinks?” asked Marisa. “Yep.” I said, relieved she hadn’t demanded that I give her an answer.

Marisa quickly went to the settings, and changed the setting “email chat history to...”  which was previously on None, to “email to marisa@populargirl.com.” She picked up Thalia’s phone..........

“Hi! Here’s the drinks.” I said Suddenly, Marisa exclaims, “Oh! Look at the time! I have to get picked up already! Sorry, Thalia.” And everybody runs out with Marisa. I quickly sign back on to chat

Me: Pet, you there?

Pruna: Still here.

Me: Is Lilya a friend of yours?

Pruna: No, she’s my worst enemy.

Me: OMG YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!

Pruna: What?

Me: :O Lilya texted me this mes: Pet  cool, ‘greed? She doesn’t believe in popularity. I message + chat with her all the time. - Lilya and I replied: yep. Pet is awesome!! I just had a 18 sentence chat with here! U made ma sign off. -Thalia

Pruna: Oh. She- oh- she’s just- ugh! <.>

Me: y

Pruna: You better learn to not like popularity fast

Pruna signed off. Sorry Thalia.

Me: Wow that is a very direct sign off.

Pruna Signed BACK on

Pruna: Hi again. my mom doesn’t like me chatting srry.

Me: What tis with te ‘Sorry Thalia’?

Pruna: U’R me nly F.

Me: N way

Pruna: y

Me: Gott hmewrk, b, cul!

Pruna: cul!

Pruna and me signned off.

The Next Day

I got up bright and early. I had to think about my decision. Maybe, just maybe, I could play it cool. Let’s see if the Gang with disregard it. I really, really, really hope they do. I would prefer to stay secret friends with Pruna.

As I walk to the regular meeting place, I see them waiting. “Hi, Thalia. Can you answer my question now? You know, about Pet’s email account being up on your  screen? Well?” says Marisa. “Um.... well.... we might want to hurry to school! We’re almost late!” I say, dodging the question and starting to turn to run to school. Lilya grabbed my arm. “Leaving so soon, Thalia? We’d be at school already if it weren’t for you! The least you can do is answer Marisa’s question? A single question! Well?” “Well...  look, it’s my beeswax, not yours! I’m allowed to keep some secrets, right?! So stop prying and let me go to school!” I say, half panicking. “My suspicions are confirmed. She was chatting with Pet!” says Marisa. Everybody doubles over in laughter. This allowed my to escape, so I ran towards the school, just as the bell started ringing. Late again!

“Is the secret out? You didn’t arrive with your ‘friends’” Pruna whispers to me as I run down the hall. “Yep, Pruna, the secret is out. I might as well be myself now.” I say, half smiling, half frowning.  "Guess so!! We gotta hurry to get there on time," says Pruna, backing up to walk beside me. We run towards the classrooms, side by side. “Pruna! You’re close to late! What a
surprise!” the teacher says, smiling down at Pruna. “Sorry I couldn’t help you! I was making a friend!” replies Pruna. “You made a friend? Is is her?” the teacher asks, pointing at me. “Yep!” says Pruna. “Congrats, Pruna! Hope you get very close!” says the teacher, then she checked the watch. Her eyes widened and she rushed to the desk. “Okay, everybody! Let’s get to work!” she said. Everybody rushed to their desks.