Authors: Debra Moffitt
The Forever Crush (14 page)
Earlier, Bet had captured Ms. Russo and Mr. Ford on video. They sliced into the cake with a fancy ribboned knife and then sweetly fed each other bites. When Edith and Mrs. Percy returned to the table, they handed us each an extra slice wrapped in a paper wedding napkin.
“For under your pillow,” Mrs. Percy said.
This made absolutely no sense to any of us.
“You don't know about that?” Edith asked. “You put the cake under your pillow and you'll dream about the person you're going to marry.”
“A silly old tradition, but you never know,” Mrs. Percy said.
I wondered if that meant I would dream of Forrest that night. The band struck up another slow tuneâno wordsâbut I could pick up on the melody enough to know it was about leaving your heart in San Francisco. I felt a little like I'd left my heart on that bench outside in the winter garden. But I also felt like I had ripped off a bandage. Better to have done it quickly so I could move on.
Thirty-seven
11:58 p.m.
2 minutes until midnight
Hardly anyone, except a few dullsville teachers, left the wedding early. Why not stick around for the big moment? Balloons, confetti, noisy party horns, and silly hats had been provided. I felt increasing tension as the moment approached. I didn't want to be anywhere near Forrest at midnight for fear of the awkwardness. And I didn't want to see him get any Happy New Year hugs or kisses from anyone else.
Piper felt the same way about Dylan, so she and Kate and I agreed we'd hug each other at midnight and then scoot directly outside together.
“Jemma still hasn't told us her good news,” Kate said.
“I completely forgot about that,” Piper said.
“At midnight, I'll tell,” I said.
Inside the tent, it was hard to navigate because so many people positioned themselves on the dance floor to have a clear view of the countdown clock. At one minute, I really started to feel nervous inside. The seconds ticked off so quickly and before I knew it, my two best friends and I were arm in arm counting, “Three, two, one⦔
“Happy New Year!”
The crowd erupted. It wasn't quite Times Square, but it sure felt like it to us. Confetti was flying, balloons were dropping, and horns were blowing. The band immediately started playing “Auld Lang Syne,” heavy on the saxophone. The three of us weaved our way through the crowd, picking up a hug here or there, until we finally had a clear path and were again outside in the quiet winter night.
“Let's find a falling star and wish on it,” Kate said.
We looked up at the sky together. What I would wish for, I had no idea. Then suddenly, I knew. It was the perfect wish for a night of new beginnings.
“I know you're not supposed to tell people what you wish for, but I'm going to tell you,” I said.
“Please let it not involve a boy,” Piper said, “I'm just about done with boys.”
“Yeah, right. We'll remind you about that at
your
wedding,” Kate said.
“What I'm wishing for is that, in five months, I will be the big sister to a healthy, wonderful baby,” I said.
Kate and Piper reacted as if I'd just won an Olympic gold medal. There was hugging and screaming and more hugging and I started to cry. They were not sad tears or purely happy tears, because I was still unsure about everything. But they were, for sure, hopeful tears.
Our conversation erupted in a million different directions. They said I'd be a great big sister and there were jokes about diaper changing. They said they'd help me babysit. Then we marveled over meeting Edith and the excitement we shared for the next pink step we would take together.
“Viva la babies!” Piper said, blowing her party horn.
“Viva la big sisters!” Kate called out, punching her fist in the air.
It was my turn. I stood on a bench for dramatic effect, even though it was hard to hoist myself up there in my silver dress and heels.
“Viva la best friends forever!”
Ask the PLS
Pink pearls of wisdom from our Blog
In just a short time, the Pink Locker Society has received 30,000 questions from girls. Here are some of the best questions and best answers from the army of Pink Locker girls out there!
Overweight and Unhappy
Today's question is a tough one.
Dear Jemma:
I am overweight and I don't know what to do. People make fun of me.
Signed,
Anonymous
I get pretty upset thinking about people making fun of our friend. Though we have some control over the way we look, it's very hard when people criticize you for something like body shape. Here's my best advice for her:
1.
Get help figuring out if you are actually overweight.
You can get an idea by using a BMI calculator. It can help to have a parent help you with this. Don't panic if your BMI score puts you in the overweight category. It's just a piece of information that will help you, your parents, and your doctor figure out what to do next.
2.
Talk to your doctor.
If you are not at a healthy weight, your doctor can suggest steps to take. And if your weight is OK, your doctor can tell you that, too.
3.
Know you are not alone.
Kids can't do it alone when it comes to eating healthy and getting enough exercise. Those two things are really important! Your parents, other family members, doctor, and others can be part of the team that helps you reach a healthy weight. And don't go it alone when it comes to people making fun of you. Tell a parent or a teacher. Ask your friends for advice and support.
4.
Be healthy either way.
Whether someone is overweight or not, they will be healthier if they do simple things like â¦
⢠eat a healthy breakfast
⢠cut out soda
⢠get lots of activity
Think pink!
Jemma
And here's what other girls had to say:
Remember that you are beautiful the way you are, and it matters more on the inside anyway. When people make fun of you, look them in the eye and say, “Knock it off.” If the harassing continues, alert an adult. Hope this helps!
All I can say is love that body, move that body. Work out often and eat your daily meals.
I'm overweight and I lost weight by riding my bike to school. It helps you get exercise and it helps the planet by creating less pollution!
Just get with a group of friends and stand up for yourself. That's the only way to get through the jungle called life without being eaten!
Late Bloomer Blues
Hello pink friends!
I know we've talked about this before, but I think it's worth bringing up again. Being the “late bloomer” can be hard. I know, I know, you early bloomers will say being the first one with boobs and a period, etc, is hard, too. I'm sure that's true. But today, we're going to talk about the slower-growing girls out there. If you've read the books, you know I'm one of you!
Dear PLS,
Hi PLS. I love your book! I'm going into grade 7 and I still don't have my period. Quite a few of my friends already do. I feel so young. Any advice?
Question Girl, 12
Number one, I'd say that it's important to remember that periods happen in a wide stretch of time. Some girls are early, like ten, and other girls are later, like fifteen. It's normal, normal, normal that some girls will be later than others.
But what I think Question Girl is saying is that you still have to deal with being the less-developed one every day. I know how you feel, Question Girl. Some people might tease you about being a late bloomer. Even when they don't mean to hurt your feelings, sometimes they do. Also, no one likes feeling left out. If everyone is talking about “my period this and my period that,” it's like you're not a member of their secret club.
But remember that you're part of this secret club, The Pink Locker Society (wink-wink). And also remember that you're always growing, little by little. Here's a fun activity that will prove it. Get out some photos of you over the years. Go from your cutie-pie baby stage, to preschool, to kindergarten, and on up.
Pay special attention to the last few years. Do you have a different hairstyle now? Maybe you've changed the kind of clothes you wear. And I bet you'll see that you've grown and changed quite a bitâeven though you'd still like to change and grow even more.
Think pink all you late bloomers!
Jemma
And here's what other girls had to say:
Don't worry about it. I started my period only a month ago and I'm going into grade nine! Talk about late! It doesn't matter when you get your period because everyone will have one eventually! LOL
It seems really unfair that we girls have to go through all this stuff, and boys have to deal with, like, nothing.
Well, think about the big picture. If you get it now, you will have it until you are in your 50s. Talk about A LONG TIME!!
Middle School Advice Needed FAST!
Hello all you middle schoolers! If you already have a year or more of middle school under your belt, this question is for you. Our friend KGirl, 11, is starting middle school and she's pretty worried. Here's her question:
Dear PLS,
I am starting my first year of middle school and I'm sooo nervous and worried. I'm worried I'll be late to class, I won't make new friends, and I'm scared to change with everyone else in the locker room. I will have eight new teachers. What if they don't like me? PLEASE can you give me some tips and advice about middle school? Thanks!!!
KGirl, 11
Don't you just want to give KGirl a hug? I'd say it's true that middle school has new challenges: lockers, switching classes, more teachers, etc. But it's also heaps more fun than elementary school. There are so many cool things to doânew clubs, activities, sports. Even eating in the cafeteria is more fun, I think.
Any more advice for KGirl? Also, at your school this year, please tell me you'll be nice to the sixth-graders. They need our help. Remember, even if you feel very mature now, you were once a sixth-grader, too!
Think pink!
Jemma
And here's what other girls had to say:
I felt the same way when I first started middle school. Considering I am now going into high school, I think I survived! I had four minutes between each class and surprisingly made it to each one. It doesn't seem like much, but it's a lot longer than you need. If you stop to talk to a friend on the way there, make it short. By the end of the year, I promise you will have all of this figured out.
I'm starting middle school this year too. Instead of being nervous, I decided to be excited! I can't wait! I know all these middle school things will be new, but I don't think about that part. Just chill. Relax! My plan is to make a great first impression. And, to get a “buddy” to help me through everything. Like, where to go and what to do. One of your “already” friends, who you can depend on.
Be sure to get a schedule and a school map so you can familiarize yourself with the school and teachers before the first day. There are students coming from lots of different schools. Just think how many people you will meet!
;)
Get healthy, girls!
Learn more about exercise and eating right
In
The Forever Crush,
Kate feels terrible when she learns that some of her classmates think she's fat.
No matter what you weigh, everyone can get healthier by eating more nutritious foods and being active for at least an hour each day. Try these Web sites for tips, ideas, and encouragement!
Learn to cook and you'll eat healthier. No artificial flavors. No Blue #17. Just 100 percent delicious. Even better if you can grow some of your own food. These resources can help you get started with recipes, cooking skills, and garden basics:
Dive into nutrition at MyPyramid.gov. You can unravel the mysteries of the U.S. Food Guide Pyramid and get solid advice about what to eat.
Discover the secrets of head-to-toe health at BAM (Body and Mind), a Web site from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Want to become a runner like Jemma? We think you can do it! Join Girls on the Run and they'll help you train for your first real race.
About the Author
Debra Moffitt lives in a house full of boysâwith three sons and one husband. She was a newspaper reporter for more than ten years and is now the kids' editor of KidsHealth.org. That means she gets paid to write about stuff kids care about, like pimples, crushes, and puberty. She'd like to thank all the girls who visit
www.pinklockersociety.org
. You've asked 30,000 questions about growing up and have given tons of kind, thoughtful advice to one another. That's thinking pink!