If you missed the earlier chapters of my life read them starting here.

I forgot to mention that in 5th and 6th grade I learned to lie to my parents about where I was going (they didn’t care for some of my friends) as well as sneak out my window. I thought I was pretty good at it because I rarely got caught.

…Well, okay, I can remember some very specific instances where I did get caught… Once I was on my way back to house, heading to jump over the fence and Dad jumped out of the bushes. I think my heart leaped out of my body that day. I was more mad about him scaring me than I was at him catching me. Another time I sat there lying to my parents about where I had been and all along they had already talked to my friends parent and knew the truth. I still sat there denying it…

So pre-adolescents was rough on me. Probably the hardest years on me in school. Trying to find my niche, learning who was a real friend and who wasn’t.

Jr High started. This is me in 7th grade. I remember my orange metal locker and who lockered next to me. I remember that I was “going out” with some popular hottie. I was quite uncomfortable with him and I don’t remember ever having much of a conversation with him. Once the popular hottie asked me to kiss him like a “real girlfriend” and I stood there gripping the handlebars of my bike like a scaredy cat. It felt like he waited for hours for me to kiss him but it was probably only a few minutes. I finally just pecked him and told him I had to go. I fled like my pants were on fire. Yikes! what was I doing? I surly didn’t feel very good about things.

My good friend and I started walking home from school. It was about a 2 mile walk and we started meeting other kids along the way. Once particular day there were two boys hollering at us. One was a redheaded freckle faced boy and the other a little tow head. They asked us our names and for some silly reason I told them my name was Amelia. Friendship began and the freckled face boy asked me out. I had a dilemma. I was still going out with Popular Hottie.

About that time, my great grandmother Amanda died and we were going on a trip to attend her funeral. I wrote Popular Hottie a note saying that I had to break up with him and then said yes to Freckle Faced Boy and then rushed out of town. I kind of felt like a weenie because I took the chicken way out with Popular Hottie and always felt bad about it. But… it was a turning point in my life though. Those long walks home from school changed my life.

You see, I changed friends. I stopped hanging out with the Sneaker Outters. I didn’t have to hop out of my window any more to be with them. I didn’t have to lie about where I was going and I was also very comfortable with Freckle Face. I loved those freckles and we had good times. Looking back I’d say those freckles saved my life. We went out for the rest of 7th grade and gosh, I think it must have been true love, as true as 12 year old love can be, because he wrote me the most romantic note ever!

“Dear Amelia- (he did know my real name but Amelia became a little pet name)

I’ve got something real important to talk to you about… I love you so much. I have never felt this way about anyone in my entire life. I can never stop thinking about you, not that I mind. If we were about 10 years older I would ask you to marry me. I love you so much. I never get sick or bored with you. Believe me I would rather not have anyone around when we walk home but I don’t think we have much choice since they spy on us and watch every move we make…

I have never been happier in my entire life since I’ve liked you. You are cute, pretty, attractive, stunning, gorgeous, beautiful, lovely, loving, sensitive, considerate to others, great personality, funny, intelligent, wonderful, everything I want in a girl and the girl I love so dearly. (I didn’t want to keep writing how cute you are. I would have to cut down the whole Brazilian rain forest and make paper from the trees to write what I like about you.)

…I will always love you. I can’t tell you how much I love you. I can’t express how much. There isn’t a word for it. I can’t sleep at night just thinking about you when I do sleep I dream about you. I love you….. (the note goes on for about another 10 I love yous.) Love, Freckle Faced Boy

P.S. I love you.”

I’m pretty sure he forgot that he wrote those words because at the end of 7th grade he called and broke up with me. I was stunned but okay with it.

Life continued and Freckle’s friend, we will call him Piano Boy, asked me out. I said yes because I couldn’t think of any reason not to. He was actually in my neighborhood. I knew his family quite well and took piano from him mom. We hung out at his house a lot. I remember that things were quite good for a while. I had a great group of girl friends and a fun boy to hang out with.

We spent the summers hanging out at the park and playing volleyball and tackle football. I loved thinking that I was tough enough to tackle the big boys.

The next two year are a blur to me. Yes, it was two years with Piano Boy. I remember the red 70’s shag rug in his basement, the smell of his house, and the sound of him playing the piano. I have saved a note from him as well but it kind of makes me want to ralph. Actually I don’t really want to write about it. I seem to have made myself forget.

The romance ended around the end of 9th grade. We were having a girls sleepover on the tramp and playing truth and dare. One girl said the Piano Boy had just asked her out that day. I was in totally shock because I had just been a Piano Boys house earlier that day. We marched on over to his house in those late night hours and rapped on his window. I remember how pitiful he looked sitting there with his sleepy, sunken head.

So that was the end, and I was happy to move on.

Besides all the boys stuff that happened to me, I had some other fun adventures. In 9th grade I began the Spring Board Diving team. You see, I really wanted to be a gymnast but not having the money, time or support for it I thought diving would be the perfect thing for me. I caught on naturally and remember the thrill of winning my first meet. We got to leave Jr High early to make it over to the high school for diving practice. It was a great outlet for me and I quit piano. (thank goodness!)