Weird Girl and What's His Name

by Meagan Brothers

[Angie]

YES!
+I would probably have been friends with Rory in high school. He's fat, gay, nerdy, and likes an older man. He would have finally gotten me to watch the X-files. Probably multiple times.
+Rory only has one secret from his best friend, Lula. And that is that he's dating his older boss. When she finds out, they fight, and she disappears. Where did she go?! Why did she go?! Rory is determined to find his friend, but he also has his own issues to deal with. Like breaking up with said older man, dealing with his alcoholic mother, deciding if he wants to be on the football team, etc.
+About half way in, the narrative switches to Lula. Are we going to find out why she left and where she went?! Yes, along with what she's up to now, because a lot changed over the summer. It wasn't surprising at all, but most importantly, I wanted to know why she came back.
+Crushes are messy. Friendships are messy. But we do our best.

NO!
-All of "You're probably wondering..." transitions in Lula's chapters were annoying. Just tell us what happened! Of course, we're wondering! Isn't that the point?! Although sometimes it's like, "You're probably wondering why I'm hiding in the bathroom." No, I wasn't, because I didn't know you were hiding in the bathroom?
-Lula's description of a fat woman was uncomfortable and unnecessary. She quickly reminds us that her best friend "is huge" so she's not fatphobic. That's not how that works. I'm not even sure why this description was included to the extent that it was?
-I think this would have worked better as an alternating POV, rather than having the first 40% be Rory, and the rest Lula. I was really invested in Rory's story and he basically disappears, except for when they finally make up at the end.