Chapter 5 - Stuck in 'da Middle (Friendship Problems)

two of your best friends are fighting. you don't want to get on a side, but you DO want them to stop their argument. it's not that easy being stuck in the middle. now what?

do you just say, "stop!" or "cut it out!" - i have wanted to say that before. the truth is, they won't be that happy if you just yell. also, your friends are facing a hard time. they also want to stop fighting. try to calm them down. remember in chapter 1 where i said tips to calm down. tell them some of these tips.

you may have had it up to here. perhaps you could talk to one, or both, of your friends and explain that they need help. tell them that you are going to ask a school counselor about it. they are there to help you. soon, if you can't help anymore, try to tell an adult. they can SURELY help on that.

Chapter 4 - Kindness Counts!

not only should you show kindness to your friends, but also the people no one likes. do you know anyone who doesn't have a friend? help her. even if your friends are grossed out that you are hanging out with her (or him), just wait until you see her (or his) smile!

you could start a whole line of friendship, because people will notice she is kind and will be her friend and will go to be her (or his) friend! and then you can go back to your old friends (but still be her friend!). maybe they are her friends too, and then you and your friends can all play together.

people will notice that it doesn't matter what you look like or if you have a disability. everyone is a person who needs friends! so remember that you can have more than just one or two friends.

we interrupt your regularily scheduled programming...

to bring you kyra and her best friend, mayia - the newest inductee's to the national junior honors society!

chapter 3 - lost & lonely

all of your friends get A's. but you try your best and get a B.

or, all of your friends went somewhere cool this summer, like disney world or mexico, and you just went to your friend's house & to visit your grandma who lives in georgia, or west virginia.

then they ask you, "where did you go this summer? i went to mexico!" or they say, "i got an A in math! what did you get?"

but you don't think you're ready to tell them you just went to raleigh, or that you got a B. but you don't want to hurt their feelings, either, by saying "no! this is none of your business!" what do you say?

if you want, you could just say, "um, i didn't go anywhere fun, but i went to raleigh." if you're uncomfortable saying that, just say something like, "well, nowhere as fun as kentucky." or "i'll try to tell you later." but the truth is, it does not matter. it is your life, and you know that even though you only got a B you did your best. and no matter what, remember that you probably had just as much fun as her, even if you didn't go somewhere fancy!

Chapter 2 - Your Own Idea

You just saw a movie with your BFF. As you walk out together, she tells you how dumb the movie is. But you have your own idea that it was good. Then you feel like you don't have a good idea because your friend thinks otherwise, and you think she will laugh at you. NEVER think that her idea is better than yours! Remember that she is a friend, and friends tell each other the truth.

Even if she laughs at you, tell her how it hurt you and ask her if she can try not to laugh. No matter what anyone says, remember that you did what was right. Besides, it doesn't matter who has the longest hair or who has the best opinion. You are special the way you are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Chapter 1 - Annoying Folks

OK. Everyone runs into someone they don't like. But, the thing is, do you treat them properly? Here are a few ways to avoid getting in trouble.

Well, have you ever got mad at someone and they got mad at you? The first thing I would say is to change the subject. But people sometimes just say, "That's not what we were talking about, so be quiet!" If that happens, try to explain to him or her, and say that you would like to stop yelling, and that is why you changed the subject.

Now, if you are about to go off and yell at someone, take a few deep breaths and calm down. If you still can't calm down, take a seat. Make up a happy poem in your head and repeat it. Then once you have calmed down, go up to the person, say you're sorry, and explain to them what you were about to tell them.

Just remember, no matter what, just calm down and think about what would be best to do.

the introduction

clearly i am unfit for human consumption. so for the next bit, i am going to be posting, chapter by chapter (beginning with the introduction), the book that meg is writing.

'Footloose & Fancy Free - A Guide for Girls'

-by Meg Mulder

OK. First you should know who I am. I am a girl, just like you. Like everyone, we all have problems. This guide will tell you a lot. From dealing with annoying boys to an extra on clothes. All you need to do is turn the page. And read the page. OK?

- Meg

balloons

the times that slip

are lost

chance and fate move on to greener pastures

sunnier streets

higher climes

and leave me

in their rising shadows

gazing at what i hoped

drift off

like a balloon let go at a fair -

it's bright color fading into black.