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Meg Oolders's avatar

Walt doesn't owe Erica an apology. But if she wants to give him one, I'm all ears.😏

And no one wants to kiss anyone in middle school, really. Just like no one really WANTS to drink, smoke, or drop acid. It's all peer pressure. Yes, you have urges, but along with them a healthy (and necessary) dose of fear. Because sixth grade is way too early for shit like that to go down. Hold hands first, for fuck's sake. Hugely underrated milestone. 😊

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Wil Dalton's avatar

Don’t be a hater! Nobody (except every other desperate student and every pop song and parents questions about crushes and tgif Friday sitcom lineup and his awaking hormones) was encouraging Walt to play a game for which he lacked a rule book and the agility to gain points!

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Wil Dalton's avatar

And! Spoiler alert: Walt will eventually discover he lives in the fictional universe where all mistakes teach you to be better and every regret increases your willingness for risk and accepting humiliations strengthens your confidence - it’s a nice place to be, actually. It works out for him! And for Erica, too!

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Meg Oolders's avatar

Hmm. So, you're saying my lack of confidence has to do with the fact that I didn't take enough risks and endure enough humiliation as a young person. 🤔 It's possible. Not that people were exactly lining up to lick my face in sixth grade. We're not all as lucky as Erica in that respect. 😉

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Wil Dalton's avatar

🤷‍♂️ I’d complain to your author

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Wil Dalton's avatar

Though! It’s never too late to do something humiliating :)

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Meg Oolders's avatar

Truth.

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Meg Oolders's avatar

Ha!

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Meg Oolders's avatar

P.S. Nice to see you back in my inbox, Wil.

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Amran Gowani's avatar

Middle school is truly nightmarish. Great entry in the series. Love the opening paragraph.

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Wil Dalton's avatar

Thanks, Amran!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Dang! Quarters was rough!

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Wil Dalton's avatar

Thanks Sherman!

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