Gwen’s Journal
May 29, 1999
I can’t believe how this year has flown by. Travis graduated tonight. I don’t think I have ever cried so much in my entire life! He is gonna go to college in Oklahoma City. Nice town, only 3 ˝ hours away. He promised to visit some weekends and most holidays. That means that Eric, Ashley, and Randi are gonna be seniors next year! Damn, why did I have to make friends with people older than me! Plus, I found out that Trav asked Keren on a date last night. Finally; I thought it would never happen. I am kinda torked off that he waited so long to do it but I guess that is how it goes.
On Monday, the girls from ‘up north’ get here. I talked to Cass last week and everything was set and ready. The great thing is that they aren’t leaving until September 5! I’ll get to spend a whole summer with my best friends. The good news is that they don’t know about my other friends yet…
The guys get back tomorrow night! I have heard great things about their recent tour. They had like 5 concerts in Tulsa or nearby cities. (And of course I went to everyone!) I haven’t talked to them since Tay’s birthday but they are still doing great! I’m surprised Tay hasn’t snagged a girlfriend yet!
*****
After writing in her journal, Gwen got up from her bed and walked downstairs. As she walked, she rubbed the back of her calf muscle. Her leg still hurt where the dirt bike landed on her only 7 months earlier. She kinda of smiled a little when she thought about how bad Zac fussed over her after she broke her leg. It brought them to be even closer friends. In fact, Gwen spent more time talking on the phone to him than to the other two.
She sat down at her computer and logged onto the Internet, going straight to Yahoo chat. She had done this very often in the last few months since most of her friends were gone or busy. She never really talked to anyone; she mostly just commented a few times or watched other peoples’ conversations. She went in under her screen name, ITEARTKBACZ_99. It stood for the first letter of her friends’ names from youngest to oldest: Ike, Travis, Eric, Ashley, Randi, Taylor, Keren, Bridget, Amy, Cassidy, and Zac. The 99 was just a number to Gwen, but it really was meant to be her greatest year in Tulsa. She watched the chats as usual and was about to log off again when someone sent her a PM. It was from someone called Torn_73.
ITEARTKBACZ_99: It’s the names of my friends. So a/s/l?
Torn_73: Um…15 female from West Tulsa. You?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Fourteen female from West Tulsa. (Shocked and dismayed)
Torn_73: No way! That has never happened to me before! So…do you chat very often?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Not really. There is just no one to really talk to. So give me the scoop on your life.
Torn_73: Huh?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Description? Hobbies? Favorites? Friends? Interests?
Torn_73: Well…..I am a cheerleader at Middleton High School across town. I have short dark hair with blond highlights. I am about 5’2. I like to read, rollerblade, baby-sit my neighbor’s kids, play my guitar, sing, and write poetry. I love almost every kind of music (except Manson!) especially boy bands and 80s music. Favorite band…Hole, Garbage, or Metallica. I can’t decide. One weird thing about me is that I have a major crush on Grant Hill from the Detroit Pistons. Now, your turn.
ITEARTKBACZ_99: I was a cheerleader until I moved from Illinois last year. I am homeschooled so I am not involved in any school sports. I have light blond hair 2 inches past my shoulders and blue eyes. I am about 5’9 ˝. ( I am taller than most guys my age!) I am involved in karate, kickboxing, singing, playing piano and drums, reading, rollerblading, writing songs, the Internet, and just listening to music. I love all kids of music too! My favorite band is Aerosmith and Collective Soul, but I have grown a liking to Hanson in the past couple of years. I love to torture my brothers and I could be considered a tomboy. (not by appearance of course!)
Torn_73: Cool! Hanson huh? I have heard of them and a few of their songs. Not really bad. They live in town don’t they?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Yeah! Actually, they live next door.
Torn_73: I believe ya! I bet a lot of girls are jealous!
ITEARTKBACZ_99: So, do you have any siblings?
Torn_73: I have a stepsister who is 23. My parents got divorced a year after I was born. I have never really seen my dad. I live with my mom and her husband Bill. How bout you?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: I have a half brother John who is 19 and goes to Brown University. I also have 2 twin brothers who are 13 and a younger sister Madisin who is almost eleven. I feel bad for John cause his mom died when he was born and my dad married my mom when he was 2.
Torn_73: I know what he went through. So the question of the day, you have a BF?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Sorry to say no. My ex boyfriend died in a car crash a couple of months after we broke up and I moved away.
Torn_73: Man, you’ve had it rough. That’s sad. Well, I actually have never had a real boyfriend. Most of the guys I know are scum!
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Man, I feel like I have known you my whole life. Do you want to come over to my house tomorrow?
Torn_73: Yeah! That’d be great! Where do you live?
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Um…1453 Willow road.
Torn_73: Cool, only 10 minutes from my house. I have to get off now but I’ll see you tomorrow!
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Alright! By the way, I never caught your name.
Torn_73: OH sorry! Winnie.
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Gwen. Nice to meet you!
Torn_73: You too. Bye.
ITEARTKBACZ_99: Bye.Torn_73: Hey 99! Interesting screen name!
Gwen logged off and smiled. Another great friend. Her own age this time! She was so excited that she called up Amy. She wasn’t home so she relaxed a little and collected her thoughts. Soon, the phone rang. “Hello?” “Hey Gwen, its Zac!” “Oh hi!” she chimed back, “Where are you?” “We’re on the plane home actually. We should be into town tomorrow at 8 a.m.” “Great! How is everyone?” “They are getting along! So, have your friends gotten there yet?” Gwen rolled her eyes. She knew it was coming. “No, they’ll be here on Monday.” “Have you planned out their surprise yet?” “Yeah, its pretty much set.” “Okay. Gwen I gotta go. The line is getting pretty bad.” “Okay. Give my love to Ike, Tay, and your parents!” “Will do! See ya Gwen.” “Bye Zac.”
She hung up the phone with satisfaction. This was gonna be a great summer.
I Will Remember You
Chapter 11
