FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Julie's house party
Hiya, long time no see ... I hope they're not working you to death down there in "the office." I've hardly seen you at all this summer. There's a party at Julie's house tonight so was just wondering if you wanted to go. I don't really want to go on my own ... anyway I'm sure you're busy in that office doing whatever it is you do so just ring me when you get a chance or e-mail me back.
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie S
UBJECT: Re: Julie's house party
Rosie, this is just quick e-mail real busy. Can't go out tonight, promised Bethany would go to cinema. Sorry! You go and have fun, Alex
Rosie,
Hello from Portugal! Weather here really hot. Dad got sunstroke and all mum does is lie by the pool which is really boring. Not much people here my age. Hotel quiet (on front of postcard) and it's right on the beach as you can see. You would love to work here! I'm bringing home a collection of those little shampoos and shower caps and stuff that you love. The bathrobe is too big to fit into my bag. See you when I get back, Alex
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Catching up?
Heard you got back from your holidays last week, haven't heard much from you lately ... fancy goingout tonight to catch up?
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Re: Catching up?
Sorry have been so busy since I got back. Got you pressie. Can't go out tonight but will drop your pressie by before I head out.
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Re: Catching up?
Didn't see you last night, I want little shampoos ha ha.
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Re: Catching up?
Heading to Donegal for the weekend, Beth's parents have a little "hideaway" there. (That's what they call it.) Will drop your pressie by when I get back.
To the most inconsiderate asshole of a friend,
I'm writing you this letter because I know that if I say what I have to say to your face I will probably punch you.
I don't know you anymore. I don't see you anymore.
All I get is a quick text or a rushed e-mail from you every few days. I know you are busy and I know you have Bethany, but hello? I'm supposed to be your best friend.
You have no idea what this summer has been like. Ever since we were kids we pushed away every single person that could possibly have been our friend. We blocked people until there was only me and you. You probably haven't noticed, because you have never been in the position I am in now. You have always had someone. You always had me. I always had you. Now you have Bethany and I have no one.
Now I feel like those other people that used to try to become our friend, that tried to push their way into our circle but were met by turned backs. I know you're probably not doing it deliberately just as we never did it deliberately. It's not that we didn't want anyone else, it's just that we didn't need them. Sadly now it looks like you don't need me anymore.
Anyway I'm not moaning on about how much I hate her, I'm just trying to tell you that I miss you. And that well ... I'm lonely.
Whenever you cancel nights out I end up staying home with Mum and Dad watching TV. It's so depressing. This was supposed to be our summer of fun. What happened? Can't you be friends with two people at once?
I know you have found someone who is extra special, and I know you both have a special "bond," or whatever, that you and I will never have. But we have another bond, we're best friends. Or does the best friend bond disappear as soon as you meet somebody else? Maybe it does, maybe I just don't understand that because I haven't met that "somebody special." I'm not in any hurry to, either. I liked things the way they were.
So maybe Bethany is now your best friend and I have been relegated to just being your "friend." At least be that to me, Alex. In a few years time if my name ever comes up you will probably say, "Rosie, now there's a name I haven't heard in years. We used to be best friends. I wonder what she's doing now; I haven't seen or thought of her in years!" You will sound like my mum and dad when they have dinner parties with friends and talk about old times. They always mention people I've never even heard of when they're talking about some of the most important days of their lives. Yet where are those people now? How could someone who was your bridesmaid 20 years ago not even be someone who you are on talking terms with now? Or in Dad's case, how could he not know where his own best friend from college lives? He studied with the man for five years!
Anyway, my point is (I know, I know, there is one), I don't want to be one of those easily forgotten people, so important at the time, so special, so influential, and so treasured, yet years later just a vague face and a distant memory. I want us to be best friends forever, Alex.
I'm happy you're happy, really I am, but I feel like I've been left behind. Maybe our time has come and gone. Maybe your time is now meant to be spent with Bethany. And if that's the case I won't bother sending you this letter. And if I'm not sending this letter then what am I doing still writing it? OK I'm going now and I'm ripping these muddled thoughts up.
Your friend, Rosie
FROM: Alex
TO: Rosie
SUBJECT: Buttercup!!
Hey Buttercup, you OK? (Haven't called you that for a long time!) I haven't heard or seen you in a while. I'm sending you this e-mail because every time I call by your house, you're either in the bath or not there! Should I begin to take this personally??! But knowing you, if you had a problem with me you wouldn't be too shy to let me know all about it!
Anyway, once the summer is over we'll see each other every day, we'll be sick of the sight of each other then! I can't believe this is our last year in school! It's crazy! This time next year I'll be studying medicine and you will be hotel manager woman extraordinaire! Things at work have been crazy. Dad kind of gave me a promotion so I've more to do than just filing and labeling! (I answer phones now too.) But I need the money and at least I get to see Bethany every day. How's your job as chief dishwasher at The Dragon? I can't believe you turned down babysitting for that. You could have stayed in all night and watched TV instead of watching your hands turn to prunes while you scrape off egg noodles from a wok.
I really miss you Rosie, I miss all our chats and jokes, things aren't the same without you! Mum was asking for you she said she wants you to call around to her. Oh and Sandy misses you too!
FROM, Rosie TO: Alex SUBJECT: Moonbeam!
It's not because I hate Bethany that I'm not seeing much of you (although I do hate her), it's just that I think Bethany dislikes me just a little. It could have something to do with the fact that a friend of hers told her what I wrote about her in that (not so) private instant messaging thingy in computer class last year ... I don't think she liked being called a slut, I don't know why ... some women are just funny like that. But I suppose you already know that she'd heard what I said that day. (Speaking of computer class, Mr. Simpson got married this summer, I'm gutted. I'll never look at excel in the same way again.)
Anyway it's your birthday soon! You have finally reached the grand old age of 18! Want to go out and do some legal celebrating? (Well, legal for you anyway) Let me know.
PS: Please STOP calling me Buttercup!
FROM: Alex TO: Rosie SUBJECT: 18th Birthday
Rosie, Good to hear you're alive after all, I was beginning to worry! I would love to celebrate my 18th with you but Bethany's parents are taking me and my parents out for dinner to the Hazel. How posh is that??!
Sorry Rosie, another night definitely.
Dearest Alex, Well whoopdeedoo for you Fuck Bethany Fuck her parents Fuck the hazel And fuck you Love your best friend Rosie
FROM: Rosie
TO: Alex
SUBJECT: Happy Birthday!
OK then well, enjoy the meal. Happy birthday!
FROM: Rosie TO: Alex SUBJECT: DISASTER!
I can't believe this is happening! I was just talking to your mum; called over for a chat and she told me the bad news. I can't believe it, this is the worst news ever! Please call me when you can, your boss keeps telling me you can't take calls during working hours - QUIT! Mr. I never EVER want to work in an office.
Get in touch with me as soon as you can, this is so terrible, I feel awful!
Continues...