Love, Jenny. By A. Torres.

One.

Dear stranger:
I need a break. No, really. I do. Just. One. Big. Break. If there was a ranking of all the stressed-out people at Creekwood, I'm sure I'd be at the top of it. I swear, I'm gonna crack under pressure in any minute. And that's why I'm writing these letters. If I don't talk about how I feel, I won't last much longer. I'm not gonna lie, I don't have many people to talk to about these things. And if it wasn't for the spare hour I have before biology, I wouldn't even have time to write this. It's very necessary for me to let go of all the weight I've been carrying lately. And don't you think I'm complaining about nothing, I have many reasons to support my feelings. In fact, I'm going to list them below: A) My parents. B) My parents. C) Vice Principal Albright. D) Miss Thomas. E) My parents.
I understand my parents' insistence on me making my resume attractive in order to get into an Ivy League school, but many times it's unwarranted. "Have you finished studying for your trig test? Have you? It's still early, why don't you study a second time? Is this the fourth day in a row you've studied for it? It won't hurt you, in fact, give me your phone. Music distracts you." "Sleepover at Lake's? Didn't you find her annoying? I don't have time to take you out, there'll be more of those. You're saying they don't think you're cool and they'll hate you even more if you throw the invitation away? It's their loss." "At your age I already had a salary."
I'd be happy if they spared the lecture. I mean, I can't stand being around Lake for a long period of time and they probably did me a favor by not letting me go. Those are some of the situations that come to my mind.
Also, something indispensable to them is that I improve my social skills (although I don't think they quite understand the concept) to the limit. I had to sign up for as many clubs and sports as I could. Drama, volleyball team, the school newspaper's photography club, and the most insane of all: the Creekwood events committee. I get chills when I say the name. My other activities don't scare me as much, because few people depend on them, whether it's your team or your theater company. On the latter, the whole school depends on it. I told you, scary. Basically your job is to confect the most special moments of your school generation. To make everything work according to the plan and fulfill the dreams of those who have waited a long time to see them come true. It's lovely and there's no other feeling like seeing the illuminated faces of those who enter one of our elaborate productions. Because when you enter one of them, everything is possible. Time stands still. You'll be young forever.
Too bad we have such a mediocre administration at Creekwood High. Do you need a table? "You have to order it three weeks in advance." You want to talk to the Vice Principal? "She's not here, you will have to look for her in the auditorium." "We love the posters you've made for the winter festival. They'll stay here for a week, you can only put up 10 around and they're subject to approval. From there we'll give you a permit and you'll have to report every place where there's one."
And for all these things you have to deal with Diane. She's basically if "No" had a persona. She's the biggest hurdle in this job. Basically, if Diane says no, you'll have to solve everything yourself, or otherwise you will have to try to look for Mrs. Albright... who it'll take you a millenium to find. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. And that someone is us. Six individuals with little to nothing in common. First there's Ryn, the head of everything, it's her last year at Creekwood and basically we're all at her service, although that doesn't mean she actually does much. She lives in a vanilla fantasy in which she's the protagonist of everything. She's harmless and equally militant. Since her first job organizing the winter carnival turned out to be the place where Simon Spier made his famous declaration of love, the entitlement has gone to her head. Since then, she has shown the merit everywhere.
Then there are the twins, Jean and Laurel. It's going to sound terrible but despite knowing them for a year, I still don't know who's who. I think Jean likes fashion and Laurel's into philosophy. It doesn't help that they dress alike either.
And then there are my two favorite people in the world: Kevin and Mary Anne. How do you describe two such complex entities? I'll be brief.
I've known Kevin since kindergarten. In third grade, he accidentally spilled glitter on my backpack. It almost gave him a heart attack. I made fun of it and agreed that at least, my backpack would draw lots of glances to it. He's tall and very handsome, and whenever I get a chance to tell him I do it, although he almost always denies it. We've done everything together for seven years now. But lately, ever since we started high school, something feels off. Like if being with me was uncomfortable for him. I think he feels like he can't be entirely himself when we're together. I don't get it, I was one of the first people that he told he was gay. In fact, I think I was the second one to know, after Benji. Not even his mother had the honor. Since the end of last year, it has not been the same. He is curt with me and the vast majority of time we spend together is organizing extracurricular events. But I still love him just like always. And then there's the sassy redhead, Mary Anne. Apparently she always has something to say and always talks her mind, no matter how controversial it may be. She once had an intense political debate with Mr. Scott about the Vietnam War. Mr. Scott ended up crying.
Mary Anne came to Atlanta a couple of years ago. She moves a lot because of her parents' work, and although I appreciate her very much, I'm having a hard time trying to be attached to her for the same reason. I don't want her to go away and it hurts. I'm sure the day she does, I'll be left with no one to talk to. She understands me in every possible way. One of my biggest conflicts ever since I entered Creekwood High has been being tagged, attached to always be part of a single category. I don't want to sound cocky but I am pretty and fortunately taller than average. What stands out above all else is my peculiar personality. I am very open with everyone and the word shame is not in my vocabulary. During my first week of high school I tried to be friends with everyone. I failed miserably. Since then I have been marked. That kind of thing doesn't come naturally to me. I wish I was like Mia who doesn't even try. She is mysterious, independent and charming, the fascinating thing is that she doesn't even try. She's just like that. I would like to have that effect on people. Everyone would like to be with me, talk to me all day long. They would kill to be my friend. What wouldn't they give to be me? And Mary Anne understands this feeling. She makes me feel special no matter the day or weather. Of course, I haven't told her how I feel about Mia and popularity. It feels inhuman just to think about it. So stranger, there are only a few minutes left before my class starts. I have already told you how does my life works right now and the day looks promising. Today, as you may know, it's the winter festival. Almost everything is already set up in the municipal plaza and we'll only have to go supervise the administrative organization, so it's one less weight to carry. Oh, by the way, there is a new kid at Creekwood High. From what they say at Creek Secrets, I know he is cute, quite shy, and has moved from Texas. Kevin has already seen him and he's not very excited about it. Anne and I are expectant. Maybe he has something relevant to say, I'll try to photograph him soon for the newspaper.
Love, Jenny.