Once Upon a Time: True Stories of an Aspiring Writer

Childhood Writings: BFFS

 This is actually partially based off a series by a super cool author named Lauren Myracle. I worked on this sporadically. This should give you an idea of how my characters work in my life. I loved them so much that I still use them! Here they are when they stay in touch during their time at college.  

Additionally, I used a lot of inspiration from life. Polly's social situation, for example, was based on mine, but I'll write an entry about that later. Even the groundhog is based on my favorite commercial mascot. Sorry about any formatting problems; also, I don't have an option here to put each character's dialogue in different texts like I do normally. And this barely scratches the surface of their fun adventures...

I truly regret to inform you (and myself) that this story seems to have been lost to time when I was transferring files from my old to new computer. However, this snippet has been saved, so enjoy.

***

Friday, September 6, 4:48 pm EST

Group message from lalea to: shan_the_man; pollypeep
lalea: ladies! we're all online! let's set up a chat room!
shan_the_man has entered the chat
pollypeep has entered the chat
shan_the_man: ok, guys, did u get the gus commercials I sent u? I sent u both different ones to be more diverse.
lalea: yes, I did, but I had absolutely no desire to watch a talking groundhog. homework is more important. sorry, charlie.

lalea: I'm actually sitting in study hall, trying to work. but I could use a pick-me-up honestly. so whatever.
pollypeep: wait, wait. gus is a GROUNDHOG?
shan_the_man: why, yes. did you not get my email?
pollypeep: oh, it went to my spam folder I think. cause, you know, it evidently involved a talking groundhog
lalea: polly thought gus was my lover, by the way

shan_the_man: ha. that's awesome.
pollypeep: lea!
shan_the_man: in fact, I bet it would be a good commercial for when a valentine's day scratch-off game comes out. he does interact with people in them sometimes, u know.. like there's this one where he's part of a bowling league with a few other human guys.
shan_the_man: lea and gus, lovers forever...
lalea: ok, now I'm starting to regret bringing this up
pollypeep: you sent me the bowling ad today!
shan_the_man: u watched it? yay!
pollypeep: anything to make my bff happy
lalea: wait, what happened in the bowling one?
pollypeep: gus was playing a game of bowling with some other dudes and they got down to the final frame, and they were trying to decide what the prize would be. of course, they played for a scratch-off game, cause that's what everyone plays for in bowling. he even had his own little bowling ball, which I have to admit was adorable.

lalea: guys, I miss our conversations. even if they're really weird, which they can be (groundhogs, for instance). they always make me smile and realize what great friends I have. u guys are lucky because u still get to see each other every day, but I don't.
shan_the_man: I take it ur still not a fan of gus? that was a pretty abrupt topic switch.
shan_the_man: and you know, it's not like polly and I see each other 24/7. we have different classes. but we are roommates. ok, u have a point
lalea: no, I mean it. they help me chill-ax after a stressful day at school.
pollypeep: aw! *wraps friends into big teletubby-style hug, then throws lea a look of concern*
pollypeep: was today stressful, lea? tell us all about it!
lalea: ok, but if u get all grandmotherly on me as you are doing now, I reserve the right to remain silent
pollypeep: gotcha. carry on
lalea: ok, so this college sports thing? who knew it would be just as stressful as being IN classes??? first of all, there's the practices, which are like 2-3 hours a day. then there's time in the weight room twice a week. and that's not including the games. our coach is basically the drill sergeant of college soccer. since we're #10 in the country, there's a LOT of pressure to be good and do everything perfectly. like if I don't do a drill right or get a goal on the first try, i have to run an extra lap. and have u seen the size of those fields???
pollypeep: yikes. i think I'll stay in my room and chillax, thanks
shan_the_man: why do you have to lift weights for soccer anyway?
lalea: I don't know; something about being generally toned or something. anyway, a lot of these girls come from club soccer and highly talented high school programs, so they're used to training harder
pollypeep: what's wrong with the p-town lightning bolts? our team WAS talented. and you're a great athlete anyway!
lalea: not good enuff to get out of extra laps I guess. and coach is going to give us the starting lineup this afternoon. I'm so nervous my stomach is curdling.
pollypeep: *imagines old, chunky green milk and turns up nose* lea, I do enjoy your stories, but please, find a better word choice next time

lalea: ok, then, CHURNING. that better?
pollypeep: too late, rotten milk is already in my nose. anyway, look on the bright side. if ur not on starting lineup, u won't have to work as hard. besides, don't take it personally. our nationally ranked men's soccer team has no freshmen playing right now. I saw the roster at the last game
lalea: anyway, that's enuff about me. polly, do tell shani about ur encounter in art class today.
pollypeep: what encounter?
pollypeep: oohhhh, that one. she'll just yell at me. don't make meeeee! *puts on whiny face and tears up*

shan_the_man: oh please, I know I'll never get anywhere talking to u anyway
shan_the_man: but please, do tell about this new hot find of yours
pollypeep: c, it's not like u don't already know it's about a guy. ok, here's the picture: dark eyes, medium stature, dark hair with unsightly curl on forehead and bushi-ness at the sides of his head (but that can be overlooked eventually I suppose), not to mention a very soft, sweet voice. he is AMAZING, shani, and the exact guy I can see myself with!
shan_the_man: erm, by any chance, u didn't talk to him yet, did u?
pollypeep: well, no, it was only the second day
shan_the_man: psh
pollypeep: what? it is!!!
shan_the_man: but u won't talk to him, ever. because that is not what u do. u follow them everywhere and annoy them but u won't talk to them
pollypeep: oh yes I will. right, lea? you'll back me up!!
lalea: well...
pollypeep: "well??"
lalea: well, maybe since this is ur first year in college, you'll be inspired to try something new and verbally flirt with him

pollypeep: that's better. thank u

pollypeep: although it's hard to talk to guys if u can barely even hear what they have to say to u, but I can get better at that! soft-spoken guys= adorbs. he was right by my lunch table this afternoon and I could barely hear him!
shan_the_man: really? I guess ur friends were talking pretty loud, huh?
pollypeep: well, actually, i had work to do. so no friends today!
lalea: I thought you vowed at the smoothie scene not to be one of those people who worked at lunch
pollypeep: well, it's college. plans change. people change.
shan_the_man: whatevers. but girl, if u don't hurry up and sit with people, all the good freshman girls will be taken!
pollypeep: oh, psh. I have plenty of friends. like u!

lalea: and girls at college, right?
pollypeep: of course. like you. 
pollypeep: I love my besties, forever and ever!!!