Zest's diary, age 12
Zest is the main character of my novel-in-progress.
March 17, 1992
Soooo. I got this diary for my birthday. Seems totally lame to give me something like this right now. It's dated, so it will have two empty months.So stupid.
I doubt I'll use it anyway. Benny would just steal it. He steals everything.
April 30, 1992
Stuff is happening in California. The police beat this black man, and somebody video taped it. And yesterday they decided what the police did was okay. And the black people are mad. They're burning stuff and killing people and it isn't even safe to drive a car to get away.
I'm glad I'm in Texas.
June 6, 1992
Today is Benny's brithday and he is a total jerk. Him and Mark and Shane were stupid acting and tried to pull up my shirt. STUPID JERKS. But I know his friends got him a JOINT for his birthday. Yes, a J-O-I-N-T.
And if you try reading this, Benny, I'm going to tell. Maybe I'll tell anyway.
So THERE.
August 26, 1992
Ha, I'm writing in my diary. The thing is, I met a boy at the church retreat last weekend. And he was 16! Like, with a car and everything! He is a total fox, and he liked me! We made out on the floating dock after dark. We could have done more, but stupid Layla saw us and shouted.
I had to tell him I was 15. I couldn't act like I wasn't even in high school.
DON'T FORGET! Your birthday, is 1977, not 1980!!!!!
I'm in love.
He better call!!!!
Zest loves Ray!
August 27, 1992
Sooo, Ray called last night. And mom and dad weren't home! We got to talk for two hours and I didn't even have to stretch out the cord and hide in the pantry! Benny was off with his stoner friends.
We talked about sex, sex, sex! He's so much more experienced than I am! It's scary! I called Tina and asked her what she thought, and she said, what you lied to him! Stupid Tina. I'm not going to talk to her anymore.
Oh, I hope he calls again today!
August 28, 1992
I'm going on a date with Ray! I had to lie and say I was meeting Tina at the mall. I'm not even going to tell her. I'll just have mom drop me off. We're going to go see Honeymoon in Vegas, which opens tonight! I'll write later!
August 28, 1992 -- later
I am soooooo in love. Oh my God. We didn't even see much of the movie. I think we embarrassed the people behind us! Ray was all over me! I can't wait to be alone with him somewhere! I'm trying to figure out where and how!
I was late running out to the car when my mom picked me up, but I don't think she suspected anything.
August 29, 1992
We figured it out. Tina is the best friend in the WORLD. She is going to cover for me, say I'm spending the night with her. And I'm meeting Ray instead! Next weekend! SIX more days. Horrible, long, awful days!
August 30, 1992
Talked to Ray. We are meant to be together 4ever. He feels it too. I can't believe it's only been a week!
I just, I just wish he had a different name. I don't like Ray. Benny calls him Gay Ray. Says he walks like he has a corn cob up his butt. And he DOES talk a little weird. Sort of countryish, or something.
I hate Benny.
Sept. 2, 1992
Just a few more days until I get to see Ray! We have it all figured out. I'm going to Tina's, And then we're going for a walk. And Ray will pick me up. And Tina will say I went home. It's perfect!
I still don't know what to wear! Tina and I snuck to the panties section of Target while we were shopping and I bought some black lace ones. They are so awesome. Ray is going to love them! I'm glad Tina understands things now. I know she's never kissed a boy, but I've kissed lots and I can tell that Ray is THE one.
Sept. 5, 1992
So much has happened. I don't know if I can even write it all now. I went with Ray. And I messed up.
March 17, 1992
Soooo. I got this diary for my birthday. Seems totally lame to give me something like this right now. It's dated, so it will have two empty months.So stupid.
I doubt I'll use it anyway. Benny would just steal it. He steals everything.
April 30, 1992
Stuff is happening in California. The police beat this black man, and somebody video taped it. And yesterday they decided what the police did was okay. And the black people are mad. They're burning stuff and killing people and it isn't even safe to drive a car to get away.
I'm glad I'm in Texas.
June 6, 1992
Today is Benny's brithday and he is a total jerk. Him and Mark and Shane were stupid acting and tried to pull up my shirt. STUPID JERKS. But I know his friends got him a JOINT for his birthday. Yes, a J-O-I-N-T.
And if you try reading this, Benny, I'm going to tell. Maybe I'll tell anyway.
So THERE.
August 26, 1992
Ha, I'm writing in my diary. The thing is, I met a boy at the church retreat last weekend. And he was 16! Like, with a car and everything! He is a total fox, and he liked me! We made out on the floating dock after dark. We could have done more, but stupid Layla saw us and shouted.
I had to tell him I was 15. I couldn't act like I wasn't even in high school.
DON'T FORGET! Your birthday, is 1977, not 1980!!!!!
I'm in love.
He better call!!!!
Zest loves Ray!
August 27, 1992
Sooo, Ray called last night. And mom and dad weren't home! We got to talk for two hours and I didn't even have to stretch out the cord and hide in the pantry! Benny was off with his stoner friends.
We talked about sex, sex, sex! He's so much more experienced than I am! It's scary! I called Tina and asked her what she thought, and she said, what you lied to him! Stupid Tina. I'm not going to talk to her anymore.
Oh, I hope he calls again today!
August 28, 1992
I'm going on a date with Ray! I had to lie and say I was meeting Tina at the mall. I'm not even going to tell her. I'll just have mom drop me off. We're going to go see Honeymoon in Vegas, which opens tonight! I'll write later!
August 28, 1992 -- later
I am soooooo in love. Oh my God. We didn't even see much of the movie. I think we embarrassed the people behind us! Ray was all over me! I can't wait to be alone with him somewhere! I'm trying to figure out where and how!
I was late running out to the car when my mom picked me up, but I don't think she suspected anything.
August 29, 1992
We figured it out. Tina is the best friend in the WORLD. She is going to cover for me, say I'm spending the night with her. And I'm meeting Ray instead! Next weekend! SIX more days. Horrible, long, awful days!
August 30, 1992
Talked to Ray. We are meant to be together 4ever. He feels it too. I can't believe it's only been a week!
I just, I just wish he had a different name. I don't like Ray. Benny calls him Gay Ray. Says he walks like he has a corn cob up his butt. And he DOES talk a little weird. Sort of countryish, or something.
I hate Benny.
Sept. 2, 1992
Just a few more days until I get to see Ray! We have it all figured out. I'm going to Tina's, And then we're going for a walk. And Ray will pick me up. And Tina will say I went home. It's perfect!
I still don't know what to wear! Tina and I snuck to the panties section of Target while we were shopping and I bought some black lace ones. They are so awesome. Ray is going to love them! I'm glad Tina understands things now. I know she's never kissed a boy, but I've kissed lots and I can tell that Ray is THE one.
Sept. 5, 1992
So much has happened. I don't know if I can even write it all now. I went with Ray. And I messed up.