I know. Elena decided that we have to stop watching the news because it’s too stress inducing and stress is bad for the immune system. That says A LOT, considering she’s in love with Rachel Maddow.

Parisa

I wonder how Lizzy’s parents are feeling about all this?

Gabriela

I’m sure they feel guilty as hell.

I think Mr. Holcomb can tell I’m texting. I have to go.

Parisa

Okay. TTYL.

Four Hours Later

Parisa

Um, you there?

Gabriela

Yup. Eating vegan food for lunch yet again. Do you have an Andrew update?

Parisa

No, but I’ve been texting about it with Wes.

Gabriela

Oh.

Parisa

He said you guys are OFFICIALLY dating?

Were you gonna tell me?!

Gabriela

YES! I’m sorry! It just all happened last night and it felt weird to talk about with everything that’s going on with Andrew.

Parisa

Right, totally.

I’m happy for you, Gabs. I really am. I told you I would be. Did you think I wouldn’t?

Gabriela

No, of course not.

Parisa

Good. How did it all happen?

Gabriela

It’s so anticlimactic. I just FaceTimed him and told him that I had feelings for him, too. He was really excited. It was cute.

Parisa

Heart. Melting.

Wes is going to set the tone for the rest of your romantic relationships. You don’t want to go with someone tortured and dysfunctional for your first foray into love. You deserve someone who’s going to treat you like the queen you are. Dating Wes Bowen sets the bar high.

Gabriela

I just feel kind of sad that I wasted all this time writing him off. But I guess better late than never.

I’m not even really sure what dating will look like in a pandemic anyway. It’s not like we’re going to be seeing each other or making out or anything.

Parisa

Or going to prom

Gabriela

Or going to prom

Parisa

None of this is what we thought senior year would look like.

Even my mom started crying that I wouldn’t have a real graduation. And I’m not even convinced she would have been able to make it with her work schedule. LOL. JK.

Gabriela

This whole pandemic and quarantine and all this loss… it’s a lot to deal with for all of us.

Parisa

I keep trying to remind myself that my parents survived a revolution and basically escaped a war-torn country.

My mom had to hide with her family in the back of a pickup truck as they were driven to the Pakistan border.

So I guess I can’t complain that I’m trapped in Los Gatos and won’t get to put on a pretty dress for a school dance or have a proper graduation.

Gabriela