Passing notes.

Joanne has taken to writing full-length letters in my notebook during our study periods, so, a few weeks ago, I decided to do likewise – only, I did it over the school email system. I just found the email I sent in my outgoing mail, and I must admit, it made me giggle.

I do believe that it said something like this:

To: Joanne
Subject: RE: my cw

I feel it is high time I wrote you a letter, as yours have been a source of entertainment to me over the past few months. However, being the geek that I am, no NORMAL letter would do – it’s email or nothing. Yes, yes. I know it’s all very ironic, given that this is STUDY and all, and that I actually have more than enough work to be getting on with, but – frankly, I feel that, if I worked hard, I would just demoralize everyone with my stunning brilliance. Or, maybe it’s something to do with the fact that I can’t be bothered. Oh, heck. My kidneys hurt.

I wonder if the teachers monitor our emails? I mean, in the name of “child protection”? But maybe it’s like The Trace in Harry Potter…the Ministry of Magic can tell when he’s performed magic because they’re legally allowed to trace him, until he comes of age…and then it has to be lifted. I hope the Email Tracey Thingy has been lifted from me, otherwise I might get a certain talk we’ve discussed in the past. Tut.

Thingymajig keeps this room very cold, doesn’t she? It’s reflective of her personality. The cheek of her! Do you think she would have spoken to us like that if the wall hadn’t been there? I don’t. I reckon she’s afraid of you-know-who – another Harry Potter reference. I think I’m obsessed! I wonder if The Kraken has ever appeared in Harry Potter? I know there’s a giant Squid in the lake, like, but I’m not sure if it counts.

Ahhh! No more computers for us, ’cause thingymajig is throwing us out.

Love ya,

Billy

Her response, however, made me feel very ashamed of myself.

I don’t mean to be rude but I actually do have work to do. I think your actions are actually quite disgraceful. With the exams being only 5 academic weeks away. tuts to you. i will talk to you in 5 weeks when it is more appropriate.

You see, this is exactly why I always say that Joanne swims in a pool of common-sense.

Awkward Hug

The day the Upper Sixth English Classes handed in their coursework was a great one. We all felt so liberated. Joanne and I were beside ourselves with joy. That’s why, when we came out of English Room One to find Joel standing in the corridor, we all started having a ridiculously cheerful conversation about something that was of no consequence at all.

“…and I just about died off!” finished Joanne, flailing her arms about in that oh-so-dramatic way that only she can get away with. Joel and I laughed appreciatively, and then fell silent. Nobody spoke. It was one of those terrible, awkward moments when you just want the ground to open up and swallow you…except -

“This is crap!” I exclaimed, making the other two jump. “That awkward silence wasn’t awkward at all!”

Joel looked thoughtful for a second, then said, “Maybe we should try again.”

And try we did, but it didn’t seem to work. Joanne, the only person I know who actually swims in a sea of common-sense, came up with a theory. The reason it didn’t feel awkward when we fell silent, she mused, was that it simply wasn’t. The three of us were so comfortable with each others’ quirks, and so familiar with each others’ personalities, that we didn’t need to talk to communicate. She blows me away, Joanne. She really does.

With this in mind, we had another moment of silence, which I ruined by smiling so widely that Joanne laughed. I couldn’t help it. It felt like we were all having some sort of weird group hug!