Cast of characters, thus far...

Albus - First and only love. Bona fide dork. Has the facial hair style of a 40-year-old professor. Plays stalkers in underground plays. Gives the best hugs. Calls me beautiful even when I know he's lying sometimes. Frequently thinks he is a squirrel. I am waiting for the day when he will put a ring on my finger.

Scarypretty - Best friend, or one of them. Nineteen. Getting married someday. Lives far away. Has frequent bouts of paranoia that are not entirely irrational. Expresses affection with sarcasm and acts of grievous bodily harm. Enjoys grabbing her friends in inappropriate places.

Glitter - Another best friend. Nineteen. Strange imagination. Enjoys doodling masterpieces and posing for odd pictures. Frequently spouts inside jokes in front of outsiders. Does not know many of my deepest secrets. Tells true ghost stories.

Duck - Sister. Seventeen. Socialite. Very into pink. Watches home movies with unheard-of enthusiasm. Cuts out words from magazines. Enjoys the Disney channel entirely too much. Wants a kitten.

Regina - Oldest friend. Seventeen. Often mean to boys. Sticks black-and-white photos onto her desk. Obsessed with Tim Burton films. Home being constantly remodeled. Has many long-distance friends. Prone to kicking round things around fields.

Chunk - Ex-friend. Twenty. Started ignoring the world when he discovered online dating. Passive-aggressive. Used to be in love with me, then proceeded to hurt me with his silence. I hate him, but can't get him out of my head.

Pigeon - Friend of eternal optimism. Nineteen. Spreads smiles and music to those she meets. Sometimes slow on the uptake. Frequently late. Will listen as long as you need her to. Frequents cafes and coffee houses.