“Um, sure.” Again, I shrugged.
“Isn’t Friday the thirteenth bad luck in America, where your parents are from, Maggie?”
“Yes, but I’m from here, so it doesn’t matter. All that bad luck stays in America anyway.”
“Okay. So, will your anniversary be annually or every Friday the thirteenth?”
A smile and heat spread on my face as I finally understood why Killian was choosing that date. It wasn’t only that it was thatweek, but he wanted to celebrate it multiple times a year. With a smile, I replied, “I think Killian would want it every Friday the thirteenth.”
“That’s so romantic—” She sighed. “He’s changed so much since you joined our school, Magdalena. I mean he doesn’t talk to anyone else but at least he’s not so scary anymore. And he hasn’t fought Mael in so long. You guys are so cute. I’ll wear my best dress.”
Dear Diary
Killian and I finally convinced our parents to get together. They met, and everything worked out fine! Daddy even laughed a few times.
Killian got to see my house, my room, my baby brother and sister. It was the most-fun and -awesome day of my life. We played chase and hide-n-seek all day and night while Daddy barbecued for all of us. Killian’s mommy is so beautiful, like a movie star. His uncle is a little too quiet. I don’t like people who are too quiet. They are never too quiet for a good reason. There’s always something bad there. I also didn’t like how Killian seemed around him. He seemed... tense. I don’t know what’s the right word. I mean I’ve never seen Killian afraid of anything so it couldn’t be that.
But it’s perfect because this means I only have to miss him tomorrow, Sunday. On Monday we will be together again.
Anyways, I can see it already. Our wedding… the two families together, weekend get-togethers.
I haven’t dared to tell anyone, but I’ve been trying to look up more details on the details of how Irish Travelers do weddings. And Killian has taught me a few words of his language! I’m so excited.
I’m working so hard in school so Daddy sees that I can stay focused on my career goals and keep all my grades up while being best, best, best friends with Killian.
Love,
Magdalena Michaelson
(Fifth Grade, 10 years old)
Dear Diary
I’m worried. Killian has been sick the whole week, but he insists on coming into school despite it. He has grown even more clingy to me than usual. He always has to hold my hand, he follows me to the door of the girl’s bathroom, during recess, we lay on the grass, and he hugs me. These things usually wouldn’t bother me. I mean we’re practically extended body parts of each other but
He said it was because he didn’t want to miss me, but… I think there’s something else happening. Today, he had a very bad fever. He seemed so pale, so tired. I’ve told him to go to the doctor or at least the school nurse, but he keeps saying it’s nothing like that. He had deep shadows under his red swollen eyes. I know he’d been crying.
He couldn’t even walk right.
But when we were out in the field, he fell asleep on my lap, didn’t even eat and then he woke up crying. Seeing him like this... it hurt my heart do much I ended up crying too. I hugged him and told him I got him, that everything would be okay, but… I don’t understand. Why won’t he tell me what’s really going on. Why won’t he tell me the truth?
Love,
Magdalena Michaelson
(Fifth Grade, 10 years old)
Dear Diary
Only when I’m at school with Killian do I feel like everything is going to be okay because he calms me. I don’t know how but just sitting close to him has turned into something I need every day. Not sure that’s okay. Without him, I’m a complete mess, like the ocean at night in the middle of a thunderstorm.
Killian wasn’t at school yesterday, so I was in a very bad mood. He’s been sick often lately. I wanted to punch everyone in the face, especially when the other students teased me about missing him. I ignored them for as long as I could, then Sophie wouldn’t stop. No matter how many times I told her to, she didn’t, so I naturally waited for the opportunity to take my revenge. I watched her and stayed close. After class ended, she went to the bathroom, and I followed her. When she placed her hand on the frame of the bathroom stall, I slammed the door so her hand would get smashed by it. She screamed, but before she could even remove it, I slammed it again.
I asked her if she wanted me to stop, and of course, in between the annoying loud crying, she said yes. I kept the door open so she could remove her hand and asked if she knew what the word “stop” meant. She nodded. I was about to walk away, given that I had made my point clear, but then a rush of urine came down her thighs and pooled on the floor beneath her, soaking her socks and shoes.
The look on her face… She was as red as a tomato, and the tears wetting her face had pasted her hair to her cheeks. Why did I enjoy that so much? She was already a mess, but then with the pee… I mean, at first, I wasshocked, but then I couldn’t stop laughing at how much I’d humiliated her after she’d teased me all day.
Sigh… I knew I’d get in trouble for it. Daddy and I got called into the principal’s office when he was dropping me off. Of course, in the principal’s office I denied knowing what Sophie had accused me of, but from the way Daddy was looking at me, I knew Daddy could see through me. So, when we got home, I was expecting to be punished, but instead, we just had a talk. And for once, I was honest. Dad’s shocked expression stayed for a little too long. But then, when I told him how ugly and helpless Sophie looked, he chuckled too. It made me feel closer to him.
