Dear Diary, 30/1/98
Today at school, the worst thing happened while I was having lunch: An announcement came on the loud speakers; "Dear girls, this is a very important message, a disease has spread in the school, its called Lunar Spot. If you get the disease, you will not be able to talk and you will green spots on your face like pimples and YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE PREMISES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. And no one will be able to come in if they are not wearing a special suit and have a good reason FOR THREE WEEKS".
From Jenny
Dear Diary, 31/1/98
That morning I stayed in bed thinking about the horrible disease. My fear isolated me from my friends knowing that anyone could have the disease Lunar Spot, and that I could catch it from them with a blink of an eye.
Signing off
Dear Diary, 1/2/98
Everyone at school was acting like it was a normal school day, so I hid what I really thought. I also tried to blend in with everyone, maybe there were others like me: scared of what might happen and are hiding it as well.
Jenny
Dear Diary, 2/2/98
Gossip. It was spreading. The whole school knew about it in less than ten minutes. "Hey Jenny, have you heard that the virus has been going around like crazy?" My friend Maria asked me.
Talk to you tomorrow
Dear Diary, 3/2/98
While everyone was asleep last night I ran to the bathroom to check my face. I made sure that my body did not touch anything in case anyone with the virus had come in here before me.
Bye
Dear Diary, 4/2/98
That morning I was awakened by shock. All these weird words were going through my head. I wondered what these words meant. I wish I knew then so that I could get some more sleep.
Got to go
Dear Diary, 5/2/98
During the day I looked calm through a dictionary that was in my bag so that I could find out the meaning of those weird words. No such words were listed.
See you later
Dear Diary, 6/2/98
All this fear and confusion and not letting my emotions out led me to violent tempers, dangerous tantrums, yelling screaming, bashing others and myself against the wall and I even hit a teacher. When people hit me back it hurt.
From Jenny
Dear Diary, 7/2/98
When I opened my eyes I felt really, really sick… I could not talk either. Do I have the – no way, I can’t. (I looked at myself in the reflection of my scissors.) I didn’t have any green spots on my face – that’s a huge relief.
Love from Jenny
Dear Diary, 8/2/98
Today I was awakened by one of my friends: "I have it, I have it. Help me, help me!" Rubbing my eyes and yawning, I managed to squeeze out the words: "What is it?"
I opened my eyes. AHHHHHHHHH!
Jenny
Dear Diary, 9/2/98
That morning I found myself lying in a bed in a cold, dark room. It was so scary.
I must have the disease. The school nurse came in and gave me a needle. It felt like someone struck a thorn in me – if you have ever felt like that feels like.
Speak to you later
Dear Diary, 10/2/98
The day after they left me out of the scary room I completely lost my mind at the girl who gave me this disease. After I was finished with her she had a heap of bruises. While I started to kick some people I realised I was in a room with all the sick people.
Signing off.
Dear Diary, 11/2/98
After relaxing that night and thinking that I might as well make myself happy. I realised that the only way that I could do this was to find a cure for Lunar Spot. Got to go I have work to do.
Jenny
Dear Diary, 12/2/98
It's horrible! I can’t find a cure so I just gave up and no one will ever go with me in case they get the virus and fall in. I really wish that I was at home relaxing with no worries on my mind.
Bye
Dear Diary, 13/2/98
All these helicopters were parachuting people with special into the school grounds. I went to nudge my friends but nobody was there. If people are entering the school grounds then they must have a cure.
At least I have my diary to keep me company
Dear Diary, 14/2/98
Only five days till I can go home, or so I’ve been told. Anyway the doctors are here to test all the ones with the disease. There are rumours going around that there is a cure – not many rumours are true.
Got to go now
Dear Diary, 15/2/98
I’M CURED, I’M CURED!!! I wrote in huge letters and showed to everyone. I was jumping around like I was insane. But there is only one problem. I’m in Year seven and my last name is at the end of the alphabet. I’ve realised that because of this I will be one of the last ones to receive the treatment. Who care’s, I will still be CURED. Wait, before I sign off, have to admit that some rumours are true.
Love from Jenny
Dear Diary, 16/2/98
The cure is up to year nine now so it won’t be long. Maybe, I’ll receive the treatment tomorrow. My friend’s sister received the treatment and told me that it was extremely painful. I hope not…
I’m so excited
Dear Diary, 17/2/98
Today was the day that I got cured of Lunar Spot, or shall say; "I'm CURED, I'm CURED" But my first words were: "Freedom, peace and doctors". I went around and hugged everyone I knew and if I hated them I offered them my friendship. If they were already my friends I told them that I loved them.
Smiling Jenny
Dear Diary, 18/2/98
Today is going to be my last night sleeping here. In some ways I’m going to miss, but I’m generally happy that I’m leaving.
Speak to you tomorrow.
Dear Diary, 19/2/98
My mum and dad picked me up early in the morning. I received heaps and heaps of presents from everyone. I’ve learned my lesson now – I better watch what school I go to and who I hang around with.
Signing off Jenny
Letter home
Dear Mum and Dad,
I will just like to tell you that I’m fine and yes I do have the disease but that does not mean that you have to worry. We have been told that they will find a cure soon. The disease is called Lunar Spot. It causes you to have green, ugly spots on your face like pimples and you will not be able to speak. You might know this already from the news or somewhere else.
Anyway, I just want to ask if you will be able to send me a few things in a plastic bag, considering I’m getting pretty bored here with nothing to do here. We have talked about mainly everything we can think of. If you can find these things and send them to me, I would be so grateful. So could you send me some of my favourite CD’s, some cards, a couple of small games, my slinky, a few magazines, a camera since all my friends are here and I can take some great pictures of them. I would also like some pictures of you and the family because I miss you and that is the closest that I will get to seeing your faces for a couple of weeks.
Love from your daughter Jenny.
I miss…
I miss my mum and her wonderful cooking,
And how I can be naughty when she’s not looking.
I miss my dad and his cheeky wit,
And I miss his annoying cigarette being lit.
I miss my sister’s clever advice,
And I miss how with her nothing will suffice.
I miss my brother and his childish games,
And I miss how he turns everything into giant flames.
I miss my cosy bed,
And I miss how I can always relax my hurting head.
I miss my room where I can get quiet privacy.
And I most of all I miss all my end-less attention.