The Fall

Leanne Gregg

Dear Angelo,

You looked lovely today in your pink pinstripe polo shirt that you wear with the collar flipped up. It’s quite jaunty. I hope I am not being too forward in saying that.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

I wrote a short post card to Angelo today. He looked very fetching as always. He has the eyelashes of a cherub, which are only outshone by his honey brown irises. I almost waved to him, but when he looked I pretended to bat away a passing gnat. Love is imminent.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

Bad news. It turns out that our yearly Promenade is drawing nigh at South Fork School of Higher Learning and there is quite the competition for Angelo’s arm. I must “up my game” as Lisa so bluntly put it. She insists that all the Jane Austen novels I had been reading before my fall from the top of the pyramid has affected my personality in some fashion. She told me that I should stop wearing lace collars and petticoats at the very least. I don’t want Angelo to view me as some sort of strumpet, but I shall consider her advice.

Best,

Maya

Dear Angelo,

I would be honored if you would agree to be my escort to the “80’s Night of Lovin’” promenade in a fortnight’s time. I do hope that you agree. Just send word with your messenger post haste. I will be eagerly anticipating your reply.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

I wrote to Angelo again, this time in earnest. I sent my letter to him via Kathy. She advised that I did not send it to him via carrier pigeon as I had earlier intended. She also advised that I did not put my family seal on it. I did, however. A lady must keep up appearances after all.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

I did not receive word yet from Angelo’s messengers. I worry that my letter was lost on its passage. Kathy assures me it was not. Today, she advised me to use lip rouge to make my lips appear “pouty” and “kissable.” I looked like a woman of the night. I did get extra corn chowder from the indentured cafeteria servant today, however. Perhaps I am missing out on something.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

I still have not heard from Angelo. Lisa suggests I try to “text” him. I doubt the reliability of this technology. She also suggested that I try wearing denim pants. Granted, they are easier to maneuver through the hallways than petticoats, but I feel very masculine in them.

Best,

Maya

Dear Maya,

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Angelo

Dear Diary,

I am shocked and appalled at Angelo’s response to my query. It was vulgar, it was perverse, and it was very late. I do not even desire to go to the Promenade with him. I shall find another suitor — one with more gentlemanly graces. Today Trish loaned me her form-fitting sweater to wear with my new denim pants. Lisa also insisted I wear the lip rouge. Michael Donaldson said that he “would tap that.” Lisa explained that this meant I looked quite fetching.

Best,

Maya

Dear Angelo,

I feel as if your obscene response to my query was vastly unwarranted. I would normally not even deign that sort of smut with a reply; however, I want you to know that you cannot be allowed to write things of that ilk to a lady without harsh penalty. Therefore, Scott VanSnyder will be obliged to fight a duel with you at daybreak to defend my honor. You may use either revolvers or rapiers. Choose wisely and be prepared for tomorrow.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

Lisa refused to let me challenge Angelo to a duel with Scott VanSnyder. She aptly pointed out that Scott had not agreed to fight to the death. She also mentioned that “someone would die,” and it would most likely result in my expulsion from this institution. I do not wish that. Lisa also suggested that I stop “being so damn weird” and “start talking like everybody else.” Word. Went to see Dr. Fitzsimmons again — he and my mother spoke for some time alone. She then took me to Dr. Shu for “acupuncture.” It is a Chinese therapy I do not very much enjoy.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

Promenade — “prom” is less than a fortnight — -two weeks away. I still am “a dateless loser.” I do not know what to do. Kathy was kind enough to offer the companionship of her younger brother Ted. Ted is a “nice kid,” but he is only 12 years of age. I would be a laughingstock. I believe I am getting better with my speaking abilities. People don’t look at me with as much confusion as of late.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

Only five days until the prom. I’m beginning to give up hope. I did wear some new clothes today that I got at the shopping mall. I noticed Angelo staring at me in study hall again. I looked away. I’m glad I never challenged him to a duel, even though he is a “jackass” as Lisa would say.

Best,

Maya

Hey Maya Baby

“Wat up? Are we still down for the prom? My date got mono and you’re damn fine now — it’s hard to believe you were acting like such a dork after you fell on your head. Hit me up with your digits.”

Peace,

Angelo

Dear Diary,

Today I got a note from Angelo asking me to attend the prom as his date. I do not think I will. He is a jerk. I would rather not attend prom at all than appear on the arm of such a Neanderthal. He is pretty though. Quite pretty. His dark hair curls just above his pink earlobes in the most becoming manner. Dr. Fitzsimmons gave me a prescription today. He claims it will help me. I don’t know about him.

Best,

Maya

Yo Maya,

“Why the silence? You goin’ with me to prom or wat? Kimmie’s got her sister’s I.D. We’re gonna do this shit up right.”

Peace,

Angelo

Dear Diary,

Today I received another note from Angelo. I don’t know what to say. I have the opportunity to attend prom with the socialites of the school. It would really be quite the evening. It’d be “pretty sweet” as Lisa told me. I am a little concerned about Angelo’s intentions, however. I worry he will become intoxicated with spirits and try to ravish me — I mean “get drunk and try to get some” as Lisa says. I have much to consider.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

I decided not to accept Angelo’s offer to escort me to the prom. Even though it was my one chance to go to the prom with someone that is a member of an elite social group. Lisa told me that I used to be part of this group before my alleged “fall” from the pyramid. I don’t know about that, but then again, I don’t remember much. Instead I asked Wally Masterson to take me to the Prom. He was very sweet to me today when he helped me with my homework. English seems to be getting harder and harder. I think it’s these pills or something. Lisa says that going with Wally will ruin my reputation even more, but he is much nicer than Angelo. Besides, I invested heavily in taffeta.

Best,

Maya

Dear Diary,

Whoa. So, I went to bed last night and when I woke up today I had a killer headache. I feel like I had a huge-ass hangover, but mom told me I went to bed at 8 p.m. like I had been every night! I think the pills Dr. Fitzsimmons gave me finally kicked all the way in. I can’t believe that I was actually going to go to Prom with the Wallster. He is such a tool. I’m totally going with Angelo now. Coach says I can cheer with the squad again now that I’m “normal.”

Luvs,

Maya

Dear Diary,

Last night was Prom and it kinda sucked. It started out great. My dress was killer. Angelo looked hot in his tux. Everybody was watching us the whole night, which was great — until Angelo, and Jessica started making out in the corner! I guess she didn’t let mono keep her away from Prom ‘cuz she showed up with Keegan. I hope that Angelo gets mono. He deserves it. I was so humiliated! Wallster was there though with some of his friends. He said that he wasn’t mad about me going with Angelo, which was cool of him. He’s actually kinda funny and kinda adorable when he’s wearing long-enough pants. Turns out he actually likes Jane Austen. I think I’m going to re-read Pride and Prejudice.

Luvs,

Maya

LEANNE GREGG‘s most recent work has been published in Bartleby Snopes, Used Furniture Review, Linguistic Erosion, and Eskimo Pie. When she’s not working as fiction editor of Literary Orphans, you can find her training her two cats to do her chores.

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