Olly: definitely no
Madeline: I’m not a princess.
Madeline: And I don’t need rescuing.
Olly: that’s ok. i’m no prince
Madeline: You think I’m pretty?
Olly: for a fairytale ghost spy princess? definitely
Saturday, 8:01 P.M.
Olly: how come you don’t log on until after 8?
Madeline: I’m usually not alone until then.
Olly: someone’s with you all day?
Madeline: Can we please not talk about this?
Olly: curiouser and curiouser madeline whittier
Sunday, 8:22 P.M.
Olly: here’s a game. fast five favorites. book word color vice person Olly: come on come on. type faster woman. don’t think just type Madeline: Sheesh. The Little Prince. Uxorious. Aquamarine. I don’t have any vices. My mom.
Olly: everyone’s got vices
Madeline: Not me. Why? How many do you have?
Olly: enough to choose a favorite one
Madeline: OK, your turn.
Olly: same list?
Madeline: Yes
Olly: lord of the flies, macabre, black, stealing silverware, my sister Madeline: Ugh. Lord of the Flies? I don’t think we can be friends anymore. That book is awful.
Olly: what’s so awful about it?
Madeline: Everything!
Olly: you just don’t like it because it’s true Madeline: What’s true? Left to our own devices we would kill each other?
Olly: yes
Madeline: Do you really believe that?
Olly: yes
Madeline: Well, I don’t. I definitely don’t.
Madeline: Do you really steal silverware?
Olly: you should see my spoon collection
Monday, 8:07 P.M.
Olly: what’d you do to get so grounded?
Madeline: I’m not grounded and I don’t want to talk about this.
Olly: does it involve a guy?
Olly: are you knocked up? do you have a boyfriend?
Madeline: Oh my God, you’re insane! I’m not pregnant and I don’t have a boyfriend! What kind of girl do you think I am?
Olly: a mysterious one
Madeline: Have you spent all day thinking that I was pregnant?
Madeline: Have you?
Olly: it crossed my mind once or twice or fifteen times Madeline: Unbelievable.
Olly: don’t you want to know if i have a girlfriend?
Madeline: No.
Tuesday, 8:18 P.M.
Madeline: Hi.
Olly: hey
Madeline: I didn’t know if you’d log on tonight. Are you OK?
Olly: fine
Madeline: What happened? Why was he so angry?
Olly: i don’t know what you’re talking about
Madeline: Your dad, Olly. Why was he so angry?
Olly: you’ve got your secrets. i’ve got mine
Madeline: OK.
Olly: ok
Wednesday, 3:31 A.M.
Olly: couldn’t sleep?
Madeline: No.
Olly: me too. fast five favorites movie. food body-part class Madeline: That’s only four. Besides, it’s too late for this. I can’t think.
Olly: waiting
Madeline: Pride and Prejudice—the BBC version, toast, hands, architecture.
Olly: jesus. is there a girl on this planet who doesn’t love mr. darcy Madeline: All girls love Mr. Darcy?
Olly: are you kidding? even my sister loves darcy and she doesn’t love anybody.
Madeline: She must love somebody. I’m sure she loves you.
Olly: what’s so great about darcy?
Madeline: That is not a serious question.
Olly: he’s a snob
Madeline: But he overcomes it and eventually realizes that character matters more than class! He’s a man open to learning life’s lessons! Also, he’s completely gorgeous and noble and dark and brooding and poetic. Did I mention gorgeous? Also, he loves Elizabeth beyond all reason.
Olly: huh
Madeline: Yeah.
Olly: my turn?
Madeline: Proceed.
Olly: Godzilla, toast, eyes, math. wait, is the body part your favorite on yourself or on someone else?
Madeline: I don’t know! It’s your list.
Olly: o yeah. all right, i’m sticking with eyes Madeline: What color are your eyes?
Olly: blue
Madeline: Be more specific, please.
Olly: jesus. girls. ocean blue
Madeline: Atlantic or Pacific?
Olly: atlantic. What color are yours?
Madeline: Chocolate brown.
Olly: more specific please
Madeline: 75% cacao butter dark chocolate brown.