The days that were just plain

The Days That Were Just Plain-

Journal

By Christine Kat Wang

November

Tuesday

In case you're wondering why I am in the dumb school play is NOT that I wanted to join but because Mum said so. She said that it was perfect to learn some things later and on in life. I practically begged mom not to sign me up because the school play is going to have LOT'S of singing and dancing which was totally not my thing. I don't do performing arts. Dad tried to talk me out of it. But again, mom actually won the fight. So practicing singing and dancing was all for today.

We started we warm ups. It was just boring ole' stretches we all do. Arden Gilbert was standing in the front row, dancing like anything. I don't like Arden Gilbert very much. She was basically a show off and she is completely dumb when it comes to common sense. She was flicking her red hair everywhere and GET THIS: I am in the SECOND ROW, behind Arden, next to my best friend, Jasmine. I have been Jasmine's friend since the start of year five since Fiona Mitchels, Nadia Harden and Sophie Rash basically ditched me in the spot ESPCEIALLY since they are ALL playing footy with the stupid, moronic boys at lunch. Whoever plays with them, simply become just like the boys: Stupid, dorky and totally pathetic. Anyway, Mrs. Vase is arranging a solo dance for Arden. Arden is SO happy, she is actually flicking her hair in people's eyes and mouth. Great. Just great. I have to sing and dance to this stupid song, 'Best of Both World's' but the most gayish singer, Hannah Montana. It SO not me or Jasmine. We move our bums and hips a lot in this stupid dance. We all have to sing each a solo. As if I will be doing that. It's bad enough to be behind Arden, getting itchy eyes from her long, prickly hair. But Mrs. Vase said I couldn't look for any more excuses because NO ONE will be getting kicked out. I sang my line as quiet as possible so no one will hear. Mrs. Vase stopped the music and glared dangerously at me. Then, she told everyone to shut up and go to the back of the room and I had to stand in the front of the class, getting told of by Mrs. Vase. "You better get your act, Carrie," she snapped wildly. "Sing it or bite it, it's up to you but don't expect me to get you an F for your report because you're walking right down the path!" screeched Mrs. Vase.

When it was lunch, Jasmine and I went to the canteen to buy some ice blocks queue. "I didn't want to be in this dance! It was my mum! She told me to sign up! And now Mrs. Vase is chewing me off?"

Jasmine obviously liked the whole dance just because it's by Hannah Montana. Arden and Lyra, another girl who likes dancing and singing and spotlight were behind us and hearing me. Arden was worse. She came up to me and did another hair flick. It speard along my face. I heard Lyra giggling. Those girls were both in the stupid CA spa thingie and Choir. We went to the tree and sat under it. Suddenly, Noah and Vikki, two annoying girls who I don't really want around came chanting to us. "D'you have any money?!" Vikki squawked, grabbing Noah's arm wildly and laughing. Jasmine liked hanging out with Noah and Vikki so they all three ended up going away from the tree and away from me to share Jasmine's money, ditching me of course. Who'd be bothered to hang out with them? Is it because Noah is in CA spa and Choir as well? Or is it because Vikki and do cartwheels and flips? I got horse-riding and no one thinks that it's special. Cross everything. Who cares if someone has a voice like a canary like Vikki? Who cares if Noah is a great dancer like Arden? Doesn't anyone think that riding can have some privileges? Anyway, I ended up walking around the playground, pretending to be interested in something. Jasmine is obviously wiping Noah and Vikki's bums all day. I guess I could play with the Sophie group. But they are playing footy or something with the boys. Oh, maybe I can play with Sally… but I realized she hadn't had a shower in days and her hair smells funny. Cross everything.

Wednesday

I have a brother named Joe who is twice as annoying as anything. Today, he totally messed with my deodorant. I have to find a way to pay him back for that. Yesterday, I slept at 11:30pm so I guess that's pretty late and I slept in, making my brown hair getting bed heads. Last night I was SO sure I set my alarm at 7:30am. But Joe somehow turned my alarm off. It was totally evil for him to do so. So, I had mum barging into my room, waving her arms about and screaming and squawking yelling that she had slept in too, and we were late for school. I told her Joe had something to do with it. He had messed with my deodorant and set my alarm clock off. Not to mention he 'accidently-on-purpose' spilt orange juice all over my homework. Mum said she'll chew him out one day. One day? So I'd obviously got told off by Ms. Smith today.

Jasmine is still jack-hanging out with Noah and Vikki, totally ignoring me. It was so unfair. There seems to be a magnet where Jasmine and Vikki lure together. No, Jasmine goes to Vikki. Today at lunch, Jasmine and Vikki stood in front of me while I was sitting down, slurping my slushee when they went hand by hand, giggling away from me. It was like they wanted me to see them ditching me. And they skipped off, giggling. I guess the only way is to make a NEW best friend. The only person I know is Jade Russell, I mean, she is my back-up friend. Jade lives on a farm, where I want to visit but can't. She is quite slim and fat, her black hair in a plait and tanned skin all smooth. It seems a bore, hanging out with her. All she wants to talk about is how her chickens got their own private pens. I had enough so I told Jade that I was going to the loo. I met Vikki and Jasmine on the way. They giggled and they were both eating ice blocks from Jasmine's money. Nice catch, I thought to myself. Then, they were about to go away when I didn't allow them to. I asked them why did they ditch me and why did Jasmine really ditch me for some geek. But I guess Vikki must've heard and looked really upset and strolled away quickly. Jasmine groaned and looked at me. "Uhhhhhh! You had to wreck it, didn't you?! We weren't ditching you! Now, you made Vikki angry and now she going to go all…" Jasmine said, annoyed about me. Suddenly, the bell went and Jasmine pushed past me rushly.

Thursday

The problem with Jasmine and I are seriously going high. This morning in LFTT, Jasmine, who was sitting next to me, marched up to Ms. Smith's desk and ask-

'Could I sit next to Vikki, since she has an empty seat next to her?'

And guess what? Ms. Smith said-

"Yes!"

This is totally unfair because that means Vikki, Noah and Jasmine will be altogether. After all, Noah is next to Vikki and Jasmine is going to be next to Vikki. So, without saying another word to me, Jasmine packed up her books and stuff and went to sit next to Vikki. They even did secret handshakes they made up. Like, whatever. Mum rang the school office and said that I forgot my LUNCH AT HOME!!! So, for all the embarrassment, mum had to drive to school, march into the classroom and say-

'Honey, you forgot your lunch,'

 

Saturday

I had nothing to do in the morning so I decided to ring up Jasmine. Until I remembered about the fight but that totally BLOWN IT because I just realized that AFTER the phone call. Jasmine seemed to go all crazy on the phone. She asked why I phoned her and all that stuff. Also, Vikki and Noah are at her house, playing games like Secret Pals. That totally bites because that's OUR secret game; now the word's speard and now it's THEIR secret game that it was supposed to be only Jasmine and I's. I felt anger flush through me until Joe called from upstairs. He yelled that an email that was supposed to be mine had popped up on his account and told me to get off the ruddy phone and answer my ruddy well email. I was too upset to say anything. All I did was frown and slam the phone shut without saying good-bye to Jasmine and stormed upstairs. I felt like crying. It was just so mean about what they did. And why did they? It didn't make sense. I went to Joe's room where his computer was. He was on the seat, staring at the unknown email. I rubbed my eyes from my tears and looked at the screen. It was from Jasmine, Vikki and Noah.

Monday

This is horrible. I feel so miserable. Mum cheered me up for a while and made me strawberry and vanilla cupcakes and took me and Joe to an ice-cream. It was so mean to get that stupid email from THEM. Vikki, Jasmine and Noah.

Dear Carrie,

We know that you are very upset that we 'ditched' you. We didn't. We wanted to have some fun. Cool fun. Want to join OUR SECRET CLUB? Shhhh! Don't tell anyone: The Secret Friends are in order. Don't tell anyone! If you like to join, please tell JASMINE. Only. Please. If you're mad, please go shove heaps of horse manure.

Now, this totally sucks. I don't want to be in their own little private stupid club fun. Today, in the morning, I had the perfect plan. I really wanted everything to go back to normal so, during math; I got out my notebook and wrote something on it…

Dear The Secret Friend Girls,

Sure, I'll LOVE to join you're puking club. It'll be SO cool! Thanks so much for inviting me. You are so the BEST! Thanks for making my day so cool. From, The Totally Awesome CARRIE!

Then, I ripped it out of my notebook, folded it and told Jade, who was sitting across me to pass it on to Vikki, Jasmine and Noah. Put I WAS writing in pencil and forgot to rub out 'puking'. Great, Jade had already passed it to NOAH; not Jasmine! Then, as I was concentrating on the sums on the board, I realized the email: Give it to Jasmine only. Oh no! Icky Jade has given it to Noah. Great plan, I thought to myself. Very great. I AM angry. Angry at Jasmine. How could she ditch me like that? Then, that phrase flashed through me like thunderbolt: If you are angry, go shove up heaps of horse manure.

Well, I guess I am angry. OK, I am VERY MAD! How could they say (Type.) that?

Am writing this during history class. Feel bored because Miss. Smith is going in and out of the classroom, finding and getting things, so this journal is going to come in handy. It is JUST after lunch and something so horrible has happened. Fortunately, Jasmine, Vikki and Noah could spell out the 'puking' word that I had crossed out. So, when I was lining up in the canteen queue to get my water bottle drink, I didn't realize they were right behind me. But, Jasmine was. When I finally got my water bottle, I opened the lid, when Jasmine said, "Hey, look over there," it was the usual friendly voice I have heard until Vikki and Noah came along. I turned around, bottle still grasping in my hand, when SPLASH! Jasmine pushed the bottle toward my face and the water all splashed on my face. Vikki and Noah were laughing and whispered something to eachother with Jasmine and they all went skipping, arm by arm, hand by hand in the girl's toilet. They didn't mention anything about the club… until homeroom. When we were lining up, waiting for Miss. Smith to come by, Vikki came up to me and giggled. "Is your face dry? I hope so, cos' you looked like a drowned rat beforehand!" she said in a mocking voice. I swallowed hard, trying not to cry. Then, Noah came along and pulled Vikki's hair playfully. "Oh, don't get upset. It's NO OFFENSE!" Noah shrieked as Jasmine joined them. I knew that it was offensive. Jasmine doesn't look at me. She just looks at Noah and Vikki, laughing and joking along. Then, they all looked at eachother, then at me. Then, Jasmine nodded at Vikki and Noah and they all cheered, "YOU'RE NOT IN THE C-LUB! YOU'RE NOT IN THE CL-UB!"

I feel like pulling their hair off. Especially Jasmine's. Why was she so mean to me all of a sudden? I couldn't speak because then, Mrs. Smith had come by.

Tonight at home, things got better. Joe got grounded for messing with my deodorant. I'm in some hot water with mum but luckily, she forgot about it. I did something that really irritated her. She was cooking vegetables in the kitchen when I asked her a math question I didn't understand, she looked at my book for ONE SECOND SPLIT and FIZZ! Some water had popped into her eyes. Luckily, it wasn't seriously but my mum really told me off.

December

Thursday

The school's play is coming along at Friday. You see, Jasmine and I hadn't been speaking to eachother for a MONTH already so I guess I'm fine without her. The best thing about being in primary school is that no one takes much notice of you as you have no one to play with, or just a loner. I'm glad I'm not in middle school yet.

We did our school practice today. The dance and song is getting worse and worse by second. Worst of all, Mrs. Vase arranged our costumes. My one is totally stupid; an up-to-my-long-legs blue dress with purple frills. Not exactly 'poppy' for a pop song, right? When it was my part to sing, I didn't want to get chewed out by Mrs. Vase and I sang. Jasmine, who is dancing next to me, is taking no notice of me, anyway. The worst thing about MY costume is that it doesn't stand out from the crowd. Everyone else is wearing jeans or cool shorts or track pants or whatever and I'm here in a 13^th century dress. I don't think Mrs. Vase likes me at all. And worse, Everytime I move my feet, like today when my group of singers and I went on stage, since I was the ONLY ONE wearing a stupid long, super LONG dress, I tripped over Lily Mac, who tripped over her high heeled boots who tripped over Amie Ly, who tripped over Rakia Mystic, who needed to get an ice-pack from the office because she has 'scraped' her leg on the carpet, which the rest of us kids thought that that was impossible, scraping your leg on SOFT carpet. I could hear the giggles of Vikki, Noah and Jasmine. I tried to ignore them but it was really hard. After the practices I told Mrs. Vase that the dress was impossible to dance with. She obviously said I had to deal with it. Great. The dance is tomorrow and I had to face social embarrassment.

Friday

Today's dance was REALLY BAD. The show was supposed to start at 6:30pm but Erin Macoy had stage fright straight away. So the show started at 7:00pm. Everything started badly. I tripped over my own dress WITH STUPID HIGH HEELS THAT MRS. VASE ARRANGED!!! Oh, and guess what? Joe was in the back rows, taking pictures to one particular person. Yup, you said it- Me. He took a picture of me tripping over the dress, and half way during the song, the same thing happened like yesterday. I tripped over Lily and Lily tripped over…

And Joe had taken a snap of it. When I realized how many humiliating photos he had taken, I didn't sing so Amine Ly had to do it for me. When we went back to the dance, I tripped over Arden, which closed the whole show down. Now, Arden is so angry at me because she 'thinks I have spoiled her red carpet walk downs and autographs from the audience.' also, I had a painful sting in my eye as I tripped over Arden. Yes, her red hair is as prickly as Cactus. Mum was not impressed, either. I told her that the dress and high heeled shoes were all Miss. Vase's idea. That simply did the trick. I am not signing into the next summer play.

Saturday

Did masses of homework and went to Jasmine's to explain. She was completely avoiding me. When I was near her house, I looked up the window and saw her upstairs near the window, playing Secret Pals with Vikki and Noah. The 'Secret Friend's Club' has obviously made a vital: Their meeting place is at Jasmine's house on Saturday. I felt really left out, but not as upset as last month because I am really used to this now. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Jasmine's sister, Janine had answered it. I really liked Janine. She was a complete bigger version of Jasmine. Long, golden blonde hair and chubby and bubbly expression. She seemed pleased to see me and called Jasmine down to see me. Jasmine made her entrance downstairs, when she saw me, my whole world flipped. She folded her arms and frowned. "You know, that dance yesterday was rubbish. You've completely ruined it for everyone!" she screamed when we were upstairs in her room. Vikki and Noah were there, teasing me. I thought I rather just go home but Noah added, "She's not part of our club, so why is she in here?"

So Jasmine had to hush me out so we could chew on eachother outside her bedroom. She says that I ruin everything. Like, being mean to Vikki and ruining class dances and plays. I told her that she ditched me for Vikki and Noah. But Jasmine shot back that she was 'just trying to make new friends' and said something that made my stomach go totally sick-

"You don't belong here, Carrie Parker! Not in my house! So I don't know why you're in my house right now cos' you shouldn't be. What a country hick
like you belong with US?"

I had felt tears blubbering in my eyes, praying them to not come out. Soon, Vikki and Noah heard and joined Jasmine too. They kept calling me names like 'country hick scrubbing horse manure' and 'loser of Loserville' and loner and stuff like that. Luckily, Jasmine's mum hadn't heard. So, I didn't like crying in other people's houses so I quickly grabbed my coat without saying anything to Janine on the way out of the door. When I got home, I punched my face in my pillow and sobbed. It was totally stupid about how that called me country hick. I don't live in a small country house ANYMORE or on a farm anymore with heaps of sheep and cattle or horses to clean every day. But I have to admit, I WAS born in a farm. But it's still not fair because I'm not completely dumb to be called country HICK. I have just realized that they weren't my friends anymore or even my true friends. Jasmine wasn't. She was just a ditcher and complete backstabber.

Tuesday

It has been a while since I haven't wrote in this book. Jasmine is totally off the hook. She is still not speaking to me which was totally unfair. SHE'S the one who called me country HICK and SHE'S the one who basically caused this whole problem herself. Last night after my swimming lessons, I tore up the 'Best Friends' card Jasmine gave me for my birthday this year in August and threw it away in the compost bins. And, I threw away the genie necklace she gave me two years ago AND I drew ugly pictures of her with Vikki and Noah in the Indian notebook she gave me. I hated her so much. We were really close friends until she backstabbed me on the spot.

Mum and dad are having relaxation at home. They are SO lucky. Juice, a swimming pool and a canopy shed with a garden swinger while Joe and I have to suffer from school. I got a D^t for my math assement so mum made Miss. Smith give me double the math homework as usual.

I have managed to make a friend and I guess it IS a friend I could trust- Jade. Yes, chicken crazy but at least she is a good friend. We are having a sleepover at hers tomorrow. While, Jasmine is still ignoring me, I guess that's the best for her to do. After all, I didn't need a long best friend in my life anymore. I didn't need Jasmine. Who cares about country HICK and loner and loser?

 

Wednesday

Last page of my journal so I am writing this in special pen.

If Jasmine and I EVER be friends again, I'll remind her that she's the one who called me a c_unt_ _ h_c_.

p.s- For Christmas, Jasmine, Vikki and Noah bought be a bag of dried up horse poo. Threw it out and told the principle and they got in SERIOUS trouble!

Yours,

Carrie Parker J