PRAISE & ACCOLADES FOR THE
INTERNET GIRLS SERIES
New York Times bestselling series
San Francisco Chronicle bestselling series
Publishers Weekly bestselling series
School Library Journal:
Both revealing and innovative, this novel will inspire teens to pass it to their friends … nonnarrative communication can be a great way to tell a story.
Publishers Weekly:
Myracle’s approach is creative … an engaging quick read … readers will cheer.
Booklist:
Myracle cleverly manages to build rich characters and narrative tension without ever taking the story outside of an IM box.
Kirkus Reviews:
A surprisingly poignant tale of friendship, change, and growth. Perfectly contemporary. ROTFL.
Teen magazine:
Changing the way you read.
OTHER BOOKS BY
LAUREN MYRACLE
ttyl
ttfn
bff
The Infinite Moment of Us
Shine
Bliss
Rhymes with Witches
Luv Ya Bunches
Violet in Bloom
Oopsy Daisy
Awesome Blossom
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Thirteen Plus One
Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks
Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances (with John Green and Maureen Johnson)
How to Be Bad (with E. Lockhart and Sarah Mylnowski)
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Myracle, Lauren, 1969–
L8r, g8r / Lauren Myracle. — [10th anniversary edition]
pages cm — (The Internet girls)
“Originally published in hardcover in 2007 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS.”
Summary: Throughout their senior year in high school, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela continue to share “instant messages” with one another about their day-to-day experiences as they consider college, sex, the importance of prom, and the inevitable end of their inseparable trio.
ISBN 978-1-4197-1143-5 (pbk.)
[1. Instant messaging—Fiction. 2. Friendship—Fiction. 3. Interpersonal relations—Fiction. 4. High schools—Fiction. 5. Schools—Fiction.] I. Title. II. Title: Later, gator.
PZ7.M9955Laad 2014
[Fic]—dc23
2013038414
Text copyright © 2007, 2014 Lauren Myracle
Book design by Maria T. Middleton
This Page: “Blackbird” © 1968 Sony/ATV Tunes LLC.
All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing,
8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Quotations from “Big Bunny” used with permission from Amy Winfrey,
www.big-bunny.com copyright © 2006 Amy Winfrey.
Originally published in hardcover in 2007 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. This edition published in 2014 by Amulet Paperbacks. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Amulet Books and Amulet Paperbacks are registered trademarks of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Amulet Books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact
[email protected] or the address below.
115 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
For all the real live Zoes, Maddies, and Angelas out there.
Never stop loving your buds!
CONTENTS
Tues, Feb 7, 4:49 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 7, 5:17 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 7, 6:11 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 7, 11:01 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 8, 10:02 AM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 9, 4:15 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 9, 9:11 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 9, 9:53 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 9, 10:20 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 10, 4:33 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 10, 4:40 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 10, 6:10 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Feb 11, 11:01 AM, E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 12, 10:00 AM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 12, 11:23 AM, E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 13, 4:15 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 13, 4:46 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 14, 5:02 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 14, 8:42 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 15, 6:33 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 15, 10:39 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 15, 10:47 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 16, 10:14 AM, E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 17, 9:06 AM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 17, 9:45 AM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 17, 5:18 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 17, 8:18 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Feb 18, 9:45 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Feb 18, 1:18 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 19, 10:09 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 20, 5:55 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 20, 6:04 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 21, 4:33 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 21, 10:00 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 22, 4:14 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 22, 4:36 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Feb 22, 4:45 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 23, 11:01 AM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 23, 5:14 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Feb 23, 5:48 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 24, 11:07 AM E.S.T.
Fri, Feb 24, 4:14 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Feb 26, 7:01 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 27, 9:02 AM E.S.T.
Mon, Feb 27, 5:13 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 28, 4:34 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Feb 28, 5:15 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Mar 1, 5:01 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Mar 1, 11:30 PM E.S.T.
Thu, Mar 2, 9:55 AM E.S.T.
Fri, Mar 3, 6:17 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Mar 4, 10:09 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Mar 5, 3:30 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Mar 5, 9:33 PM E.S.T.
Mon, Mar 6, 6:14 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Mar 7, 5:15 PM E.S.T.
Tues, Mar 7, 11:50 PM E.S.T.
Wed, Mar 8, 11:04 AM E.S.T.
Thu, Mar 9, 4:45 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Mar 10, 8:17 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Mar 10, 9:09 PM E.S.T.
Fri, Mar 10, 10:33 PM E.S.T.
Sat, Mar 11, 9:44 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Mar 11, 9:57 AM E.S.T.
Sat, Mar 11, 11:00 PM E.S.T.
Sun, Mar 12, 11:00 AM E.D.T.
Sun, Mar 12, 11:09 AM E.D.T.
Sun, Mar 12, 4:02 PM E.D.T.
Mon, Mar 13, 5:25 PM E.D.T.
Tues, Mar 14, 8:17 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Mar 15, 5:15 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Mar 15, 9:03 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Mar 15, 9:20 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Mar 16, 1:03 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Mar 16, 4:19 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Mar 17, 10:10 AM E.D.T.
Fri, Mar 17, 5:16 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Mar 18, 12:46 AM E.D.T.
Sat, Mar 18, 3:33 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Mar 18, 3:50 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Mar 18, 11:32 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Mar 19, 8:19 PM P.D.T.
Tues, Mar 21, 3:33 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Mar 23, 6:12 PM P.D.T.
Fri, Mar 24, 10:00 AM P.D.T.
Sat, Mar 25, 3:21 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Mar 25, 5:55 PM E.D.T.
/> Sun, Mar 26, 2:20 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Mar 26, 9:31 PM E.D.T.
Mon, Mar 27, 10:04 AM E.D.T.
Mon, Mar 27, 8:15 PM E.D.T.
Mon, Mar 27, 8:17 PM E.D.T.
Tues, Mar 28, 5:14 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Mar 29, 4:50 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Mar 30, 8:12 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Mar 30, 8:49 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Mar 31, 9:58 AM E.D.T.
Fri, Mar 31, 7:25 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 1, 11:01 AM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 1, 11:18 AM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 2, 11:01 AM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 3, 1:05 PM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 3, 5:52 PM E.D.T.
Tues, Apr 4, 7:27 PM E.D.T.
Tues, Apr 4, 8:19 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Apr 5, 5:55 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Apr 5, 9:12 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Apr 6, 8:08 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 7, 9:00 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 7, 10:09 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 8, 1:12 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 8, 2:02 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 8, 9:15 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 8, 10:56 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 9, 12:12 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 9, 12:59 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 9, 1:45 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 9, 9:18 PM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 10, 10:12 AM E.D.T.
Tues, Apr 11, 5:15 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Apr 12, 8:12 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Apr 13, 8:13 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 14, 4:02 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 14, 9:00 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 15, 6:13 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 15, 11:23 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 16, 12:02 AM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 17, 11:43 AM E.D.T.
Tues, Apr 18, 9:19 AM E.D.T.
Wed, Apr 19, 10:45 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Apr 20, 7:12 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 21, 6:30 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 6:30 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 6:58 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 10:33 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 10:46 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 11:15 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 11:17 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 11:20 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 11:31 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 11:35 PM E.D.T.
Sat, Apr 22, 11:50 PM E.D.T.
Sun, Apr 23, 10:02 AM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 24, 8:45 AM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 24, 9:01 AM E.D.T.
Mon, Apr 24, 3:55 PM E.D.T.
Tues, Apr 25, 5:45 PM E.D.T.
Wed, Apr 26, 4:45 PM E.D.T.
Thu, Apr 27, 6:08 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 28, 4:55 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Apr 28, 4:59 PM E.D.T.
Fri, Sept 4, 4:30 PM P.S.T.
A CONVERSATION WITH LAUREN MYRACLE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tues, Feb 7, 4:49 PM E.S.T.
zoegirl:
maddie!!! i’m so excited, i can’t sit still! i can’t believe i’m going to see doug in 2 hrs!
mad maddie:
i hear ya—even i’m kinda excited to c the guy. i wonder if he’s changed?
zoegirl:
do you *ever* check his instagram? he’s gotten tanner. his hair is longer. he is even more handsome than he used to be, which seems impossible.
mad maddie:
deeper changes. like, changes on the inside.
zoegirl:
it’s been SIX ENTIRE MONTHS. *6 months* of no doug!
zoegirl:
aye-yai-yai—what if he doesn’t like me anymore?
mad maddie:
oh, please. doug is doug is doug, and no semester at sea is gonna change that.
mad maddie:
anywayz, haven’t you guys been skyping every single day?
zoegirl:
that’s true, but it’s still different from being with someone in person.
zoegirl:
what i liked even more than skyping—maybe—were the snail mail letters he sent. well, snail mail postcards, mainly, from all the different places they docked. sooo romantic.
mad maddie:
speaking of romantic, what’s doug gonna say when angela and i show up at the airport with you?
zoegirl:
er … hi, maddie? hi, angela?
mad maddie:
he’s not gonna be pissed?
zoegirl:
why would he be pissed?
mad maddie:
that it’s not just the 2 of you
zoegirl:
course not. 1st of all, his parents are going to be there. and 2nd of all, i’m way too nervous to go by myself.
zoegirl:
i have to have my maddie and my angela—he knows that!
mad maddie:
how’s he gonna feel, waltzing back to school in the middle of our senior yr? is that gonna be weird for him?
zoegirl:
PAST the middle of the year. i was *supposed* to have him back at the beginning of the semester.
mad maddie:
i’m still reeling from the unfairness of that, btw. let’s pretend i was the lucky 1 who jaunted off to Sea the World. would the administrators let ME take an extra month off to travel with my parents? i don’t think so.
zoegirl:
but you don’t have straight As like doug—no offense.
mad maddie:
none taken. i’m proud of my Bs.
zoegirl:
doug’s mom called it “cultural enrichment.” that’s the excuse she gave the school. but i say he’s seen enough of the world. now he needs to see ME!
mad maddie:
ah yes, now it’s time for him to be enriched in OTHER ways, nudge-nudge, wink-wink.
zoegirl:
maddie!!!
zoegirl:
i’m just glad we’re going to be together again. i mean, he had a great time, and i’m proud of him for doing it, but he’s definitely ready to be home.
mad maddie:
god, and i am definitely ready to NOT.
mad maddie:
seriously, if i could graduate tomorrow, i would. i’d be like, hasta la vista, baby! g-bye, atlanta—hello, santa cruz!
zoegirl:
*if* you get in. which you will. i hate that you want to go so far away, though.
mad maddie:
blame angela. if we hadn’t gone to california with her over the summer …
zoegirl:
too ironic. she escapes california to move back to atlanta, and now all you wanna do is escape atlanta and move to california.
mad maddie:
U.C.S.C., here i come. go, banana slugs!
zoegirl:
is that honestly their mascot?
mad maddie:
it honestly is their mascot. it’s 1 of the many cool things about them—their whole who-gives-a-damn attitude about typical college stuff like rah-rah football teams. that and the fact that they’re 3,000 miles away, heh heh heh.
zoegirl:
oh, wow
zoegirl:
maddie … i just realized something
mad maddie:
what?
zoegirl:
things really are changing, aren’t they? we’re seniors, we’re going to graduate in 3 months, we’re all going to go our separate ways …
mad maddie:
and this comes as a surprise?
zoegirl:
no … i just don’t know if i’m ready
mad maddie:
i sure as hell am
mad maddie:
repeat after me: change is good
zoegirl:
omg—no *way* did you just say that!
zoegirl:
if angela were here, she’d be rolling on the ground.
mad maddie:
pardon me, but all i said was that change is good. why is that funny?
zoegirl:
oh, mads. aren’t you the one who was outraged when they switched brands of soap in the girls’ bathroom?
; mad maddie:
the old kind was better! it smelled like lavender!
zoegirl:
and you have a fit if you can’t start the day with your pop-tart and dr pepper. i thought you were going to stage a riot that day the drink machine was out!
mad maddie:
i’m a growing girl. i need my caffeine.
zoegirl:
and every time facebook changes its layout, you swear you’re going to shut down yr fb page forever
mad maddie:
your point?
zoegirl:
my point is that you *hate* change
mad maddie:
no i don’t
zoegirl:
yeah, you do
zoegirl:
it’s cute
mad maddie:
i thought we were talking about marching off into the big bad world, not what kind of soap comes out when you squirt the thingie in the bathroom. and all I was saying is that we can’t stay in high school forever, even if we wanted to.
zoegirl:
i know that. but it still feels huge.
mad maddie:
anywayz, no reason to get worked up about it now. there’ll be plenty of time for weeping and gnashing of the teeth before it’s over.
zoegirl:
i already gnash my teeth—that’s why i wear a mouth guard at nite. my dentist says it’s the curse of being an overachiever.
mad maddie:
an overachiever? YOU?
zoegirl:
haha
zoegirl:
hey, can i tell you something stupid that’s totally not worth dealing with, but at the same time i’m kind of disturbed by?
mad maddie:
shoot
zoegirl:
it has to do with jana. still wanna hear?
mad maddie:
oh god. not THE J-WORD.
zoegirl: