Dear Shiny New Journal,
In the past few years, my life has changed drastically in several ways. It started with my parents' divorce, which is something a lot of people my age have dealt with, so not something we have to necessarily dwell on. They were in love, they couldn't work it out, and they amicably split—and while my mother does have some anxiety dealing with my father now, neither harbors any sort of resentment. Then came the living with my sister and my mother on our own phase, which was actually pretty fantastic. We were clean, respectful, and wonderfully sophisticated. Even though my sister Lizzie is only 11, she is fairly mature and was as content with our household as much as I was. And then things changed.
Now, I'm not trying to say I'm angry about the change. It's just, there was already so much change! To go from happy family to happy family-minus-dad was an easy transition compared to the next stage: parental dating. Mom started seeing a new guy, which was great since she was happy, but sucktastic when it got serious. Suddenly I was saddled with a new stepdad and three new step-sibs. And I love my family, I really do. I still love my mom and Lizzie. I love my step-dad and how hard he tries to understand us. I love my newest, littlest sister, who no doubt with be a fantastic feminist someday with all these strong female figures running around. I love my new little brother, Edwin, who, as immature and unpleasant smelling he can be, is a genuinely great kid. And I tolerate Derek.
Derek, sadly, is my new slightly older step-brother, and I have dealt with his ridiculous shenanigans for months on end now. He's immature, obnoxious, and loves pulling pranks on his 'keener' step-sister, namely: me. And I'll admit it, I'm a pretty easy target. I'm a bit, to use Emily's words, 'neurotic.' I'm a clean freak, I love school, and I'm not so great with the boys. But that doesn't mean he has the right to prank, tease, or torture me 24/7! It's like he thinks about pranking me more than I think about cleaning and school and boys. And people think I'm the obsessive one.
In any case, there are two facts I've accepted in this time—truths universally acknowledged, if you will. The first is simple: despite the monstrous amount of instability in my life, I will always score perfect marks in school. It's just a staple of who I am as a person, and it's not apt to change anytime soon. The second fact is more less appealing: I never score against my step-brother Derek. It's something I'd love to change, sure, but, to be completely honest and rational, I doubt it's going to happen anytime soon. He's just too good at scoring, both at hockey and with girls (though I only know these things from rumor really, since I know nothing about hockey and tend to stay out of his love life. At least he's got the hockey trophies and the school reputation to back these reported facts.).
There are, however, a handful of things I can use to my advantage in this war I wage against Derek—one that frankly, he started against me, so it's not like I'm being like a purposefully bad person by looking out for these things. I'm not being mean, I'm just hoping to give him a taste of his own medicine. It's totally different. And to be honest, I don't need to take any sass from a journal. You're supposed to keep track of my thoughts, not make me over-think my actions and morals when it comes to revenge! Though it does seem Paul is right: getting my thoughts on paper really does help, and writing all this down does kind of seem just like a one on one with him. Go figure. Maybe I'll just call you Paul, too. Ha! Paul Two, get it?
I digress. I have found in Derek a weakness, and it is one I look very forward to exploiting: mice! It seems George neglected to tell my mother about the mouse problem this house seems to get every winter, when it's too cold for the little rodents outside. Now, this doesn't really bother me or mom, and certainly not animal-lover Lizzie, but the boys? I've never heard them shriek so loud and panicked before! This is going to be a good winter, I'm thinking. With Lizzie to help catch them, I'll have an arsenal of mousey friends at my convenience. Soon, I'll have a substantial mark on the Casey vs. Derek scoreboard.
So begins our journey together, Paul Two. It's going to be a crazy ride.
Love,
Casey