Twelve Septembers

1992-1996

September 28, 1992

Dear Diary,

I am so mad at Candace right now! She and her new friend Jessica have been teasing me all day about the fact that Calvin and I are friends. She said that guys have cooties and now I have them too. Instead of going on the swings with me like usual, they hung out together on the monkey bars. I am going to kill those guys. Calvin said that we should have a time travel adventure, but I pointed out that he didn't have his box. He suggested some more ideas, but I was so busy watching the girls laughing at me that I got angry and walked away from him. Are the girls right? Am I becoming a...guy?

I tried to invite Candace over so she could come on a time travel adventure with us, but she only laughed at me and said that I should get more into things like clothing and makeup. I said before that guys were morons, but now it seems like the girls in my grade are superficial. Boy, you really can't trust people once you reach a certain age.

Susie

September 12, 1993

Dear Diary,

Middle school has started and it's not as bad as I was expecting. I'm in a lot of honors classes, and I have lacrosse practice four times a week. This means I really don't see Calvin that much anymore. Come to think of it, we really haven't spoken much since last year. I guess I let my cootie fear get in the way. But we do have science together. I saw him messing around with Cameron and Bryant during our lab yesterday, so maybe he's finally relating to people. I must have been looking at them for a while because I saw him turn and look at me. I looked away quickly, because I don't want anyone to think I like him or anything horrible like that. Even Candace is getting into guys now. It's all she talks about at lunch anymore! Mom said I should just ignore it; that they're just jealous.

But it's hard to imagine Candace getting jealous of anyone! Did I tell you her dad got promoted? Her family moved into this really huge house, which I haven't gotten invited to yet. She tells Jessica all about her huge bedroom and indoor pool all the time. It's sickening, really! Honestly, I find Calvin a lot more interesting.

September 30, 1994

Dear Diary,

Boy am I confused right now. I danced with Calvin at the dance last night. Candace and Jessica went without me so they could meet some other friends, so what choice did I have? Up close, he's really not so creepy looking. He actually has some nice, deep blue eyes. But whatever. He's off limits anyway. He told me all about this girl he liked named Caroline, who is supposedly really pretty and likes comic books. It was a wonderful dance, with hardly any slow songs. Of course I don't like Calvin! Do I?

All Candace wants to know about me is Calvin. She wants us to get together now. She invited me to her sleepover, but she couldn't care less about my lacrosse games or my studies. All she wants to talk about is our relationship. Some of the other girls at the sleepover already have boyfriends! One tried to teach me the art of French kissing, but I don't want tips like that from someone my age! Girls are so weird. Wait, what? Did I just write that? I'm starting to sound like Calvin! Oh, they also gave me a makeover. Candace thought I should grow my hair out so I can attract the guys more. Well, maybe it will be a refreshing change. It's the most rebellious thing I've ever done! But it's not like Calvin even cares about these things.

-Susie

September 7, 1995

Dear Diary,

You know who surprised me at my game yesterday? Calvin! He was cheering on the sidelines, loudest of all. I have no idea what on earth inspired him to do it. I mean, we're pretty much best friends. But it's more of a thing you'd expect your boyfriend to do. I was hoping it would inspire me to score the winning goal, but it didn't. I'm sure my chance to score a goal will come one of these days.

By the way, Caroline isn't real! Calvin made her up to make me jealous! Guys are so weird. Like I care about a girl who reads comic books.

But it was a good thing he did. I was going to get a ride home with Candace, but Jessica invited her over for another sleepover. So Calvin's mom drove us home. She's a nice person, but she seemed overly happy that Calvin and I are friends. You'd think that she wants us to...I don't even want to think about it. Calvin is a friend. Nothing more. He sure is good looking though!

Susie

September 17, 1996

Dear Diary,

High school, to put it one way, is an experience. There's less cliques, but more backstabbing and drama. Even the honors girls are gossiping. I really thought they'd be smart enough to know better. I can't even talk to Candace anymore. She's changing quite a bit and I don't know that I like it. I'm pretty sure that stupid slam book going around in math class was hers. She and Jessica are meeting with their new friends during their lunch period. They go to the mall together and say cruel things about the other girls. It's so superficial. I caught them at Claire's last week and Jessica snorted at my "overall chic" look. Candace did nothing to stop them, except give me a sad look. That was enough for me, and so I left.

At least I had a great summer with Calvin. We spent a lot of time exploring the woods, like he used to do with Hobbes. But here's the best part. Calvin was feeling a bit nostalgic and wanted another trip in the time traveling box. So we did, and I found myself a victim of Calvin's imagination. The backyard transformed into a futuristic city, and the green leaves on the trees turned to chrome. It was truly amazing, and real. Calvin's old treehouse became a spaceship watchtower.

We climbed up it, scouting our landscape. Suddenly I saw something move around in the corner of Calvin's window. "Did you get a pet?"

He looked. "HOBBES! Susie, you helped me get Hobbes back!"

"How?" I was stunned that Calvin's stuffed tiger had come to life.

"You were in active participant in, let's say...imagination. Oh, Susie, thank you! I'd thought I'd lost him forever! We haven't spoken since the summer before fourth grade." I couldn't help grinning.

"You have to come see him again!" As Calvin was climbing down, though, I think he forgot that his treehouse was getting old. He slipped and fell right out of the tree. He eventually pulled himself up and we staggered into the house and up to Calvin's room.

"Hobbes! You remember Susie Derkins, right?"

A live, anthromorphic tiger looked at me from Calvin's bed. "Susie? Hot dog! I don't suppose she's your girlfriend, is she? The slimy girl is Calvin's girlfriend?" I still couldn't believe what I was seeing...or hearing.

"Shut up, fleabag. She's not a slimy girl," Calvin said.

"So you've matured? That's good to hear," said Hobbes. "I guess I'd get in trouble if I gave her a smooch, then?" Calvin said no, not anymore. So I leaned in and gave him a kiss. I felt a little silly, but I think it meant a lot to Calvin, because he kissed me as well. I'm still in shock as I write this. Because somehow, that kiss felt...well...good. Somehow I was more surprised by that kiss than by Hobbes' existence, so that should tell you something!

Then he sent me out so he and Hobbes could catch up. Calvin will be Calvin, but that's cool with me by now.

He's on the football team now, so we won't see each other a lot during the week. His dad said something about him wanting to build character. It's funny to see him be on the same team as Moe and not beat each other up. He also told me that his mom was really getting on his case about grades. Apparently, he's in danger of failing math. Go figure. But I'd rather have him do well...on the other hand, maybe I can tutor him? That's an idea! But now, it's time for me to do some studying of my own...learning football terms. Perhaps I'll look at it as a vocabulary assignment.

It's going to be a great year.

Susie