Seventh-Grade Love

When I was thirteen, I was wildly in love with a boy in my grade. I pretty much never talked to him or about him, just admired him from afar. And wrote about him in my journal constantly.

One night I carelessly left my journal open on my bed and left the room for a few minutes. In that short space of time, my sister Katie (formally called Katherine) sneaked into my room and read my journal. As soon as she left, my sisters Hannah and Kristen followed suit.

I'm not sure how it all went down after that, but somehow I found out about their trespass and was absolutely, completely, wanted-to-die mortified. Katie must have believed she'd be in serious trouble if my parents found out, because apparently she was willing to strike a deal. When I was going through some boxes today, I found this gem of a contract:

We (Sarah and Katherine) have an agreement. Katherine will never ever (until at least Sarah is married) breathe a word of this startling piece of news she has just discovered. If Hannah and Kristen say something she will swear it is not true. She will not say anything pertaining or referring to this incident. Nor will she talk about it in her journal or in her sleep. If she breaks this agreement she will lose Sarah's trust and it may be hard to gain it back. Katherine will also pay Sarah $15 in real American money. If Katherine keeps this bargain, Sarah will keep silent on all accounts.

[Signed]

Sarah Jane
Katherine Lynn

It only seems right to break the silence now that I'm married.