Twelve Septembers

1997-2001

September 26, 1997

Dear Diary,

CALVIN AND I ARE GOING TO PROM!

Look at me, sounding like such the girly girl. But it's so exciting! He said that he had to borrow my history book, which should have been my first clue. He hates to study as much as ever. When he returned it, I found a note that asked me to prom. I know it seems so early but I am just thrilled. The prom takes place on our three-year anniversary and it's the perfect way to celebrate. Candace, of course, is going with Jessica and their group. I should be even more lucky that Calvin asked me, so I didn't have to go alone. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time, but I only care about the company. I'm not fussed over makeup or dresses, but maybe I'll style my hair into a pretty bun.

Honors classes, meanwhile, are getting more demanding. Candace somehow found space in her gossip-clogged brain to study honors English, and we're in a class together. We have a group project. Figures. During our first meeting, she apologized for not talking to me as much lately. Then she wanted to hear all about Calvin. I talked about those blue eyes, and his knack for getting into trouble.

Speaking of trouble. I am almost ashamed to write this, but I feel like I should. Calvin taught me how to pull pranks on the first week of school. Together we snuck into the kitchen and poured noodles into pots of boiling water, just like Calvin did in first grade. We got away with it, too. I guess nobody would suspect me of doing such a thing. They didn't flood the kitchen or anything, but they did set the smoke alarms off and I got out of math class. We snuck a high five when we got outside, and there was something so...fun about it. Don't tell anyone!

Anyway...I tried to steer Candace back to the project, but all she wanted to hear about was Calvin. Finally, I guess I just sort of snapped and yelled at her to focus; that I wasn't going to do the whole project myself. She yelled at me back, saying that I was nothing but a bookish bore, and left my house. I guess I'm doing the project alone after all. How typical. But instead of working, I went to Calvin's. He knows all about...people. Hobbes was there too, listening in. He mentioned something about how glad he was to be a tiger. I can't say that I blame him. I wonder if Mr. Bun feels the same way about being a bunny. I wish Calvin's old transmogrifier of his still worked so we could transform.

Sue

September 8, 1998

Dear Diary,

I'm moving. For all of next summer, anyway. Dad might be getting transferred soon and we're going to Washington state for a few months to see if he likes the job offer. Can you believe it? One of us finally gets transferred after Calvin and I grow to like each other. It's just the way life works. But really, it will be an exciting change of pace if we move. The girls at my school are so shallow and self-centered, as are a lot of the guys. Calvin is my only reprieve from all of that, but I think football is getting to his head a little bit. He's actually starting to enjoy the game, but is determined not to let his dad know. He spends lunch talking to me about punts and kicks and lots of terms that I don't understand.

We did have an exciting moment when his old babysitter appeared in the football stands. Some woman-Rosalyn, I think her name was-appeared with her young son and Calvin recognized her immediately. He punted the ball right into the audience towards her face. I can't even imagine what sorts of trouble they got into when we were kids, and I don't think I want to know! It seemed ridiculous for a high-school guy to get revenge on his old babysitter, but that's Calvin for you. After the game, his mom was clearly on his path for kicking Rosalyn in the face, so we hurried off to the diner afterward. This diner was on the wrong end of town. Mom would kill me if she knew I went there. There were all sorts of tough guys hanging around, but I managed to ignore it and have a good time anyway. After all, I was dating the football player.