Page 54 of Girls Will Be Girls
That’s probably why I’m drawn to people like Casey and Frida. They are so sure of themselves, so confident and kind, that it’s easy to be around them. You know for sure that there’s no pretense, no analysis needed, because what you see is exactly who they are.
Frida was my first real friend. The first girl who liked me. The first person who made me feel like I could belong somewhere.
She is the biggest girl’s girl you will ever meet, and I look up to her a lot.
She never saw me as competition. As a rival to step on top of to get higher. She has always treated me like the sun shines out of my ass, like she’s so lucky to be my friend. She never made me feel bad for how I used to be, and instead showed me how amazing female friendship is.
When we became roommates, we didn’t know each other at all. I knew I wanted to start writing about something other than finance, and I had taken the first leap to do that, but I don’t know if I would’ve gotten this far without her. She encouraged me so much. It was almost scary how much she believed in me, in this virtual stranger.
I had always associated being a girly girl with certain things — I think everyone has — but Frida is somehow the antithesis of your classic girly girl, while also being the girliest girl I know.
It’s made me realize that to fit into girl world, it doesn’t mean we have to all be exactly the same. We don’t all have to like the same things, or only wear certain styles or colors. We don’t have to love Taylor Swift if we don’t, or rewatch Gilmore Girls every fall. But the beauty of being a girl — about letting ourselves be girls — is we’re allowed to like that. We’re allowed to love what we love, and no matter what, we’re accepted into the fold. Aslong as we accept each other, don’t judge each other, and just let everyone have their own thing.
We’re all connected by this innate experience that is girlhood, no matter what.
It’s been the greatest discovery of my life, realizing what a privilege it is to be a girl.
It feels more metaphorical than physical, in a way. Like anyone can be one of the girlies because girls don’t gatekeep. You just have to accept to be accepted.
I’m still working on it. Working on being a true member of the girlies. But having people like Frida and Casey openly welcome me into the ranks makes me think I’m definitely doing something right.
Casey opens up the packet of chips and peels the foil off the melted chocolate before dipping a strawberry in the sugary goo. I copy her, fighting a similar moan to hers when the juicy, chocolatey flavor explodes in my mouth.
“I read your articles, by the way.” She says after chewing. “I am obsessed with the one you wrote about the best country bars for cowgirls across the country.”
“Really?” I try not to blush at the compliment.
“I intend on visiting each and every one once I graduate.” She nods with intent.
“I think that may be the biggest compliment I’ve ever had,” I say, and I mean it. “You will not be disappointed, I promise you,” I assure her. “That is possibly my favorite article I’ve ever written, and not purely because I had the best time researching it.”
Casey bites into another strawberry. “Your job is so cool.”
“So, what are you studying?” I ask.
“Majoring in marketing, with a minor in sports management.“ She says. “I can’t decide what I want to do after school, so I just picked things I like to cover my bases.”
She tells me how she goes to college in Austin, how she got in on a Volleyball scholarship, but doesn’t intend on playing professionally after school. She loves football just as much as volleyball, but only watches it because — in her words — she’s not crazy enough to play it.
I tell her more about my job, what activities I’ve done since being here, and about living in New York. She talks about her dream to visit every state, have a drink and donut in each one, and how excited she is to turn twenty-one this Saturday. I tell her I’m going toIslands in the Lakethat night, she squeals and tells me that’s where her party is too, and how she’s dreamed of going to that bar her entire childhood but Willie is the biggest stickler for the rules so hasn’t even let her step foot in it.
After I promise to come to her party, we read the magazines she brought, eat the pastries I bought, swim in the lake, get dinner from a taco truck Casey loves, and stay out until the sun sets.
It’s not until I’m lying in bed that night after such an amazing day that I think about Lou again.
And I decide I’m done with this whole thing.
10
CAN I EVER JUST BE WHELMED?
Frida:
Have you bagged the cocky journo yet?
Louisa:
I’m angry at him
