 Hi, so this is an excerpt from a piece that I'll have at at S15 Fest at my table, so Click. In case you're wondering, no, this is not me. This is Annabelle Lee. I named her after the beautiful object of affection in Edgar Allen Poe's poem. She's everything I wish I was. Beautiful, popular, exciting. My real name is Annabelle Romo, 16 years old, unattractive and terribly average. We moved to Santa Ana at the beginning of summer break. My dad got a better-paying job and decided we should start fresh. Both of my parents work odd hours. When they are home, they're usually asleep. That would make me a latchkey kid. Meaning it's usually just me all alone in this big empty house. But from time to time, I do see signs of their existence. Eat up, sweetie. I can't wait to hear about your new school. Love, mom. PS, the cake you left for us was so yummy. So now, here I am, the new kid in school. A new kid in a new school. Who doesn't know anyone. But it didn't take long to figure out who the popular girls were. Like Elizabeth Freese, who was lucky enough to be born with the beauty gene. My imaginary self goes to imaginary parties with imaginary hostesses. TJF, I can't wait to have fun this weekend at Jen's party. Annabelle Lee shares pretty much all of my personal interests. It's like she's me. Only better. Luis Ramirez. He's cute. Luis Ramirez liked your post. Luis Ramirez commented on your post. Your poetry is really beautiful. You have an old soul. Luis Ramirez liked your photo. So I think I'll hang out with the guys and shoot some hoops while I wait for you. OK, it's just I'll be working on this project pretty late. I know I just want to make sure you get home safely. That's very sweet of you, Danny, but I'll be fine. What kind of boyfriend would it be if I didn't take care of you? Elizabeth, well, look who's here. Carmen, little Miss Edgy, a pleasure seeing you, too. You wouldn't happen to be starting your science for a project early, too, would you? Of course I am. But just so you know, I intend to win first place along with all that prize money. Not that I need it. I just didn't keep you company. No, it's OK. It's nothing I haven't dealt with before. Finally, he's gone clingy much. Hey, there, cutie. I was wondering if I could get to know you better. I get the feeling that you might be someone special. I get the feeling that you're really special, too. Let's chat some more soon, OK? I have to admit this feels really good. Hey, Eddie. Hey, Adrian. So, Sarah, what do you got planned for us today? Obviously, something awesome, I guess, as I eat. Whatever, Eddie, prepare to be wowed again. Need a hand? Yeah, thanks. This looks pretty hard. I totally took a dive there. Sarah, you're one crazy chick. Just who's Colin? Who crazy? I wanted to ask you something. What? You want your hat back? I know about that one. I think I've started a new trend here. No, I was wondering if you're going home coming down with anyone. Well, I wasn't planning on going. I was thinking that, you know, that maybe you could go with me. I mean, together. So what was that about? You know, you're super red, right? You can't tell anyone, OK? That depends on what it is. Adrian asked me to homecoming and I said yes. Oh, freaking way, Adrian, that kid. I'm going to text mom. She'll be so happy. You never dated before. She's going to be like, I, my mejita is finally a woman. I told you not to say anything. I do love L.O.L. Geez, Eddie, seriously, how the hell does the whole family already know? I'm not responsible for what mom does. Come on, time to go home. So the homecoming dance is coming up. Did you want to go again this year? Hey, sorry, I was just reading this new article on some really fascinating stuff about wild type C elegans. Wild type C, is that like herpes? No, they're the subject of my science fair project. I told you that yesterday. Sorry, babe, it's not really my thing. I must have zoned out. So yeah, homecoming, sure, why not? How was basketball? Me and Steve won. That's nice. Baking is by far my favorite thing to do, and I bake for just about any occasion. I love that you start with all these different ingredients and change them into something new, something completely different. What are you up to? Thinking of you. I would prefer to have someone else to bake for, but knowing a cute boy wants to talk to me seems like a good enough reason to bake a cake.