Reading Response #3-Speak

• Keep a journal as if you were one of the characters in the book. It should be from their perspective.

Today I, Melinda Sordino, am officially an Outcast. It is the frst day of school. I can't find anybody to sit with or to talk to. This year is not starting out good. For instance, during lunch somebody got mashed potatoes all over my shirt! Also, all of my old "friends" don't even pay attention to me, ever since the incident during the End-of-Summer party. Sometimes I wish I hadn't called the police... But I can't change the past...

I met a girl named Heather who seems to want to be friends with me (finally somebody does!). When we had the day off of school for Colombus Day, she invited me over to her house. I think Heather might be my new best friend, but I'm not sure yet. I'll just have to wait and see....

In art today, we got an interesting assignment. We all get different subjects and we have to sketch, carve, draw, and do all of these things based on that single thing. My topic is a tree. Come on. A tree?! I mean, I learned how to draw one of those things several years ago! I have no idea why Mr. Freeman (my art teacher) gave me such an easy task. This is so stupid. I wanted to switch subjects but he wouldn't let me! Ugh. I'm just going to have to deal with it. 

Today, Valentine's Day, I am a loner once again. Heather ditched me for The Marthas (a group of girls who wear colorful polyester outfits and do good deeds for the school and everybody in it). She left me a note on my locker saying " 'Thanks for understanding. You're the sweetest! Good luck!!! Heather' " after she told me to not hang out with her anymore. My only friend. Gone. I can't stand it. I can barely believe it. I don't know what I'm going to do.

My grades are falling straight down. The only friend I thought I had used me to get to other people. I'm constantly getting screamed at by one adult or another. I have no friends. I got caught skipping school. My parents don't listen to me. Andy Evans is creeping me out. My life is a mess. I don't know how I'm going to fix it, but I'll keep you posted, diary.