::text:: Question

So, how long until we hit 18 and I can legally leave this shithole of a city?

And they say I'M the drama queen. You haven't given it a chance. Open up to people.

Thanks for reaffirming my belief that New York sucks the soul out of people. See you at home, CG.

Please Jack. Just try. I know the situation isn't ideal and things aren't the best, but at least try to make the best of it. It wasn't easy for me either, but I got involved in something. I heard Haley Archbald's trying to start a historical society. Get in with that. It'll make things easier.

I'll be home a bit later than usual. I have to pick up some new strings for my guitar. Do you want me to make dinner?

No, I want you to be social and find something that makes you happy. There's got to be something.

So no dinner. I'll just grab something on the way home then. See you there.

I'm telling Mama you need to go back to therapy. She's asked me to keep her informed.

You can tell her but I'm not going.

Then at least try to find something. I saw you looking at Haley a few times during chapel. She seems nice enough, talk to her.

Is that an ultimatum? Find some stupid, shallow hobby or have Mom bully me back into sitting on a couch for an hour and saying nothing?

She makes you go because she's worried about you and she can't be home a lot.

And like I keep telling you both, I'm fine. My grades are some of the best in the school. I have a job at the library. I am a functioning member of society.

Except you have no friends.

Is that really so much of an issue?

Yeah. We're worried about you. And not because we think you're going to snap. We're worried about you because you seem so lonely.

I'm not lonely. Just because I'm not BFFs with Manhattan's social elite doesn't mean I'm lonely.