Do Not Open

Authors Note: This creative piece is a journal entry from the main character from the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

The Party (a.k.a the worst night ever)
Dear Journal,

So tonight was the “Big Party” I was so excited about before, it was…not so fun. Here’s how it went. Andy and I were dancing and we started making out, It was amazing I actually felt like I was living. I was so excited to enter high school with a real boy friend; I thought Rachel would be jealous. But then he asked me if I wanted to do it, but I refused, then he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride, I decided yes, I thought to myself what could really happen? Well tonight was the night that I got raped, by Andy Evans. I needed to call the police, but that turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life. I busted the whole party with everyone there, even my best friends. I’m scared, what if everyone hates me forever? Well write you back soon to tell you how the first day of high school goes.
Melinda

First day of high school
Dear Journal,
I wore a skirt that I hate and everyone hates me except for a new girl Heather. She's really annoying, she's a wannabe of The Martha's but I just pretend to be nice to her. My teachers are weird….really weird, except for my art teacher Mr. Freeman he's pretty cool I guess. All the Plain Janes have been absorbed into different groups, but then there's me.
Melinda
Rachel and Andy

Dear Journal,
Rachel and Andy are dating and I hate them both. Well I don’t necessarily hate Rachel all that much, but Andy is a whole different story. I wish I had the voice to tell Rachel what Andy did to me, but I can’t, not yet.
Melinda

Depression
Dear Journal,
Heather left me for The Martha’s but I honestly don’t really care. I have no friends, I’m kind of failing school and I skip it sometimes.
Melinda.

I Tried
Dear Journal,
Today I tried to tell Rachel about the assault with Andy, obviously she didn’t believe me and she thought I was some type of physco…cool. Rachel asked Andy if we knew each other and he said no, they both think I’m jealous of their relationship, ew.
Melinda

Relief
Dear Journal,
I am no longer an outcast. Andy got caught trying to rape me again in the closet I said no, I actually stood up to him, I am so proud of myself. In addition Rachel believes me and thankfully dumped him...I think my friends and I are back to being the Plain Janes again. I feel actually happy again, people are right; you do have to speak up in order to be heard.
Melinda