We are the zany "authors" of Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School. We will put your freak-out on pause as we give helpful hints, scary switch solutions, and lingo lessons on how to navigate middle school. Our solemn promise is to to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth - so help us good fairy of popularity.
Full Name: Lucy Anne Pringle
Biggest Dream: To be popular and have a boyfriend with a one-syllable J name like Jim, Jake, or Joel; to be invited to Kandi Klass’s annual birthday sleepover party*
Favorite Word: Ew!
Favorite Color: Bubblegum pink
Biggest Fear: Being ignored
Siblings: Older sister, Lilly (sixteen years old and thinks she’s all that), and younger sister, Lacey (six years old and soooo annoying!)
Three Words to Describe Self: Bouncy, spazzy, chatty
Thing I Love about Self: Kinda cute toes
Thing I Hate about Self: Eyebrows are bordering on a unibrow but too scared to pluck
Birthday: April 23
Most Valued Possession: My faux Coach purse
Three Things I’d Take on a Deserted Island: My faux Coach purse, autographed picture of Justin Bieber purchased on eBay, Taylor Swift CD
Obsession: Astrology and my less-than-perfect complexion making me feel like Zit-zilla
Biggest Annoyance: Being perpetually grounded to the Tower of Pringle
Secret: I’m 99.9 percent positive everyone at Madison Heights thinks I’m a dork
Bestest Bestie: CeCee Cruz
Luv Her Cuz: She has great specs appeal
Favorite Book: Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham
Favorite Movie: The Princess Diaries (reminds me that dreams do come true)
Hobby: Going to the mall; reading Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and CosmoGIRL
Favorite Food: Cinnabons and Taco Bell (not together, but wouldn’t be opposed)
*Kandi Klass is the VIP queen bee of Madison Heights Middle School. She is the standard by which all other MHMS girls are measured and both my idol and the bane of my existence. Her birthday is April 2—the day of her annual birthday sleepover party. It’s my absolute dream to be invited. If only she knew I existed …
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Full Name: Cecelia Elena Cruz
Biggest Dream: To seek the truth and see that good conquers evil (Okay—I’m an over-the-top fantasy geek)
Favorite Word: Tolkienesque
Favorite Color: Magenta
Biggest Fear: Failure to achieve my middle school* scholastic quest
Siblings: Older sister, Cora (fifteen and a sophomore in high school)
Three Words to Describe Self: Quiet, brainy, trendsetter**
Thing I Love about Self: Astute observer of the human condition
Thing I Hate about Self: I hiccup when I get nervous (the superloud kind)
Birthday: August 28
Most Valued Possession: My Lady of Guadalupe locket from my great-grandmother
Three Things I’d Take on a Deserted Island: My Lady of Guadalupe locket, iPod, family photo
Obsession: In lieu of any magical crystal amulet, I shall never be without my Blistex
Biggest Annoyance: People who don’t use the gifts bestowed on them and who are mean for no reason
Secret: I have a belly ring (Shhhhh …)
Bestest Bestie: Lucy Pringle
Luv Her Cuz: She makes me laugh and reminds me not to take myself so seriously
Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings
Favorite Movie(s): The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
Hobby: Editor of school newspaper
Favorite Food: Twizzler Nibs
*Middle school is kind of like Middle-earth. It’s a magical journey filled with elves, dwarves, hobbits, queens, kings, and a few corrupted wizards. Word to the wise: pick your traveling companions well. Ones with the courage and moral fiber to persevere. Ones who wield their lip gloss like magic wands when confronted with danger. This way, when you pass through the congested hallways rife with pernicious diversion, you achieve your desired destination—or at least your next class.
**Irony alert—I’m a class-A brainiac, but my clothes are way fetch! (Take that, Gretchen Wieners!)
