Dear Manny,

What happened to us? We used to be best friends through thick and thin. Remember that, Manny? Remember? I do. We made that promise in the third grade, when J.T. purposely spilled his grape juice on you and I stuck up for you. Why'd you drop that promise?

Even though we didn't always agree about stuff, we always managed to stick together. Real friends always come back to each other after they've been in a fight. I tried to come back, Manny, but you pushed me right back out. I didn't fit into your new popular lifestyle. I remembered you telling me in the seventh grade that popularity isn't everything. I guess it is now.

I know we talk now. I know that. And I know we still hang out, have sleepovers, do each other's toenails... but it doesn't seem the same, yo know? We don't laugh at J.T.'s corny jokes anymore together... we don't roll our eyes at Toby's pathetic attempts to make me crush on him anymore together... we're not best friends anymore.

I'll miss you, Manny. I'll miss the old Manny. The Manny who would see right through my fake cheerful act right now. The one who would be calling me to ask me how I am. The new Manny pretends not to notice.

Bye, Manny. Have fun with your new popular friends. Just don't come crying to me when they stab a knife in your back. Remember when I said that? Except this time, it's true. Don't come crying to me, because I'll already be dead.

Love,
Emma

Emma felt a little sense of sastifaction. She had been itching to say that to Manny ever since ninth grade. It was too bad she couldn't see Manny's expression when she read it.

' Why are you doing this, Emma?' the logical part of her brain argued. ' You have so much to live for! '

" No, I don't, " she argued back. " I have nothing to live for. NOTHING!"

She screamed the last part out and with a quick motion of her hand, wiped everything off her computer desk.

Breathing heavily, she sat on her bed for a moment, staring at the knife lying on it. She picked it up and then saw her list.

" I still have to write more letters," she whispered. " I have to."

With that, she placed the letter titled ' Manny ' on top of the other three letters and got a new piece of paper out.

4 letters down; 5 more to go.

NEXT UP: SEAN