Work Text:
The Summer of '06
"Hi, my name’s Julia. The summer of 2006 changed everything. I was a sweaty teenager with a friend group of 4 including me, Wayne, Raj, and Mary Kate, but she likes to go by MK, so we call her that, it sounds tuff.
May 20, 2006
(Julia’s POV)
Last. Day. Of. School. FINALLY I was done with eighth grade — no more pop quizzes, no more cafeteria “mystery meat,” no more teachers who thought “have a great summer” could heal academic trauma. High school would be the next stop. Which sounded cool… I guess? Maybe I could pick up some boys. MK would say it was tuff. When I would ask her what that means, she would say there are two different types of tough. Tuff, and tough, and to this day I don't know the difference.
As I walked home, my mom opened the door with that face. You know the one that says “I’ve got bad news but I made peace with it before telling you” face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice in a tone that knows something is up.
Mom sighed. “Jules, listen… I can’t send you to Whitewood this summer. It’s just too expensive.” My jaw dropped. Dropped. To. the. Floor. NO CAMP? What?! Whitewood wasn’t just camp, it was where all my friends beside the crazy 4 would go. Where every girl would find their first love!
Mom tried to sound peppy. “Hang out with your friends! Raj, Wayne, and Mary Kate!”
“You know she goes by MK,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Y’know, she wouldn’t think this is tuff!” I retort, trying to use MK humor? But failing miserably.
Before she could start lecturing me about “why is that not ‘tough?’” I stormed upstairs, dramatic enough to deserve background music. I threw myself onto my bed, grabbed my trusty Nokia, and snapped it open. Ugh, this summer will be a nightmare.
Julia:
"hey guyz, free 4 the whole summer! wanna chill?"
Then I waited. Staring at the screen like it was a waitlist to get tickets for THE Kelly Clarkson concert. Finally:
Wayne:
"Ya brotha! Im down!"
Well of course Wayne was, and Raj will probably tag along as they can't spend 2 minutes away from each other or one of them will probably melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Raj:
"im freeeee. mom cant send me 2 camp “2 expensive”
Finally, someone who understood the struggle. Kinda ironic, since Raj usually went to Muskoka Woods — the camp that probably served steak for breakfast. I gripped my phone tighter.
“Come on, MK, don’t do this to me…” If it was just me and those two weirdo’s… i’d probably kill myself.
MK:
"oh yeah im free, aint doin shiizzzzz XD"
Thank. God.
me:
"twistee treat 2morrow? heard there r good dealz ;)"
raj:
"settled!"
I flopped back against my pillows, grinning. At least I had MK. She was the kind of friend who could turn “boredom” into “i just had the time of my life.”
My stomach growled like a feral raccoon. Dinner time. I sighed, glancing at my Hello Kitty clock. 6:30. I trudged downstairs, the floorboards creaking like they were gossiping about me.
Mom turned from the stove and smiled. “Well, look who finally decided to come out of their cave!”
“Ha ha,” I said flatly, but the smell of garlic and onions was enough to soften my inner rage. She glanced over.
“You know money doesn’t grow on trees, right?”
“I know,” I muttered, staring at my socks. “I just… really wanted my Pre-CIT year. Everyone’s gonna be there.”
It wasn’t just that, there would be unforgettable memories, Sing Songs, boys, friends, But nonetheless, this was supposed to be my summer.
She sighed, stirring the pan. “I get it. But im sure you and your friends can use your little imaginations and make this a summer worth remembering!” she said, before going back to the food.
I rolled my eyes at her, but maybe she is right. Maybe this could be a summer worth remembering. With the four of us, AKA the crazy 4, we can do anything! I smile to myself and think about how tuff tomorrow will be.
I cant wait.