Tag: coming of age

A 1989 First Love Diary Entry Inspired by a Song That Changed Everything

This 1989 first love diary entry takes us back to a moment when a song, a feeling, and everything in between collided.

Sometimes a song doesn’t just play in the background…
it becomes part of a memory.

March 23, 1989

Dear Diary,

Today was the BEST day.

Mom took me to Strawberries Records & Tapes after school. I had been waiting for Madonna’s Like a Prayer album to come out, and it finally did.

I had saved enough money to get the tape, my favorite Bop magazine, and a Sweet Valley High book. I begged Mom to take me as soon as I got home from school.

She did.

As soon as we got back, I opened the cassette and put it into my jambox.

I glanced around at the posters on my wall—Madonna, a few of my favorites from Bop magazine, and even some Block 213 ones—making sure they were all ready for the best concert ever

As I suspected, I loved every single song on the album. I’ve already started learning all the words.

But one song caught me in a way I didn’t expect.

Cherish.

It’s such a happy, upbeat song, and for some reason… it made me think of Josh.

Josh is in town. I haven’t seen him yet, though.

I don’t even know if I will.

Today I was in my room singing along to Cherish like I always do, using my hairbrush as a microphone and pretending the posters on my wall were my audience as usual.

I didn’t even think about who might be outside my door.

I had my door shut.

At least… I thought I did.

At some point, I noticed it was cracked open, and I have no idea when that happened.

After the song ended, I walked over and peeked out into the hallway.

I heard voices coming from Mitchell’s room.

One of them sounded like Josh.

What if he heard me singing?

Oh my gosh. I would be so embarrassed.

Then Mitchell’s door opened.

And there he was.

Josh.

He smiled at me.

Then he walked over, hugged me, and kissed my cheek.

“Hey, Emma,” he said.

I could feel my cheeks getting hot.

He’s done that before…

But this time, it felt different.

I can’t really explain it.

But I was glad he did it.

Mitchell just rolled his eyes and told me to turn the music down a notch.

Uh oh.

Did that mean they heard me?

Josh smiled a little and said, “It’s good to see you, Emma.”

Then he followed Mitchell down the hallway.

I watched him walk away.

I don’t know why, but something felt different about him.

Not bad… just different.

But I was still really happy he hugged me.

And kissed my cheek.

And I couldn’t stop thinking about it after.

View Emma’s Playlist Blog Here

Read About Unfinished Melody Here

Listen to the song that inspired the diary entry here: Cherish – Madonna from the Like A Prayer Album

The New Kid – Part 1

Every story has more than one side.

This is the first entry in a new Unfinished Melody character story series set within the world of Emma and Josh.

For now, I’ll let you decide who’s telling this story.

Some people spend their whole lives getting what they want. Others learn to take opportunities when they appear.

He was always the popular guy.

Well liked.

Smart.

The kind of person everyone remembered.

The kind of person everyone wanted to be around.

I told myself it didn’t bother me.

It did.

I was the popular one at my last school.

I would be the popular one here too.

At least that had been the plan.

Then I met him.

Some people don’t have to work for anything.

Things just seem to fall into their laps.

Don’t get me wrong.

I had things.

Friends.

Good grades.

People who knew my name before I walked into a room.

At my old school, I knew where I fit.

Here, I was just the new kid.

Nobody cared who I used to be.

Nobody cared what I’d done.

Everyone already had their place.

I was still trying to find mine.

Some people didn’t seem to have that problem.

They already belonged.

Like they’d always belonged.

Think you know who’s telling this story?

Leave a comment with your guess before Part 2 arrives. I won’t confirm or deny any theories… yet.

Unfinished Melody – Learn more about Emma and Josh’s story. Get Your Copy Here – Paperback, Kindle Unlimited and Kindle

Explore the World of Unfinished Melody here.

🔗 Connect with me and explore more from the Unfinished Melody universe: JRenaeSinclairAuthor – Linktr.ee

Emma’s Diary: January 1, 1992 – New Year’s Eve with Adam

✨ Author’s Note:
Some of Emma’s diary entries serve as companion pieces to moments in Unfinished Melody and its sequel, offering a deeper look into her past and the memories that still shape her story. This entry from Emma’s Diary 1992 takes us back to a New Year’s Eve she’ll never forget…

January 1, 1992

Dear Diary,

Last night Adam and I went to a New Year’s party, and it was seriously so much fun.

I wore this really sparkly outfit—like, a lot of sequins. Probably too many, but I didn’t even care. And I sprayed on my Electric Youth perfume (of course), so I felt pretty cute for once.

Olivia was there with Cameron, and we all hung out for a while. There was punch and a ton of snack trays and just… people everywhere. It got kind of loud, but in a good way.

Adam and I danced a lot.

Like, a lot.

But there was one song that felt different.

It was To Be With You. I’ve heard it before—I already liked it—but last night… I don’t know. It just hit me differently.

Adam pulled me a little closer when it came on, like he always does when we dance.

Nothing new.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

But the way he looked at me this time…

Like I was the only person in the room.

At one point he leaned in and said something in my ear, and I laughed, shaking my head because it was so him.

And then he kissed me.

Just like he’s done a million times before.

Easy.

Familiar.

But for some reason… it felt different.

I’ve kissed him so many times, I’ve lost count.

But last night…

I realized something.

It’s not overwhelming.

It’s not confusing.

It’s just… steady.

And maybe that’s what love is supposed to feel like.

Maybe it’s supposed to feel like something that stays.

Later, when things started to wind down, we ended up sitting a little closer than usual.

Not really thinking about it.

Just… comfortable.

There was a moment—just a small one—where everything felt really quiet between us.

Like we both knew what we were thinking without saying it.

Adam looked at me for a second, then just smiled and brushed his thumb along my hand.

And that was it.

We didn’t say anything about it.

We didn’t have to.

Adam drove me home. (Mom let me stay out until one so we could ring in the New Year.)

When we pulled up, the porch light was still on, and I could see the living room light glowing through the window.

He walked me up to the door like he always does.

“I had a really good time tonight,” he said.

I smiled. “Me too.”

He looked at me for a second, like he didn’t want the night to end yet.

“Sleep good, Emma,” he said softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said.

He leaned in and kissed me—soft at first, and then a little more playful, like he always does, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

I stayed there for a second after he pulled away from me, watching him walk back to his car.

And for the first time in a long time…

I didn’t feel like I was waiting for something else.

Want to hear the song mentioned in Emma’s Diary 1992? Listen here: To Be With You – Mr. Big

Interested in listening to the whole Emma & Adam playlist? Listen here: Emma & Adam’s Playlist – YouTube

Want to read more Diary Entries? Read them here: Emma’s Diary

Emma’s Diary – June 25, 1990

Some memories don’t fade… they linger in the quiet moments.

In this diary entry from 1990, Emma reflects on love, music, and emotions she thought she had left behind.

Inspired by “If Wishes Came True” by Sweet Sensation: YouTube Video

Some memories don’t fade… they just get quieter.

June 25, 1990

Dear Diary,

Today I cried.

Like… really cried. Not just a little.

And I don’t even know why it hit me like that.

I turned on MTV, and there he was.
Josh.

Blue eyes. That smile. His hair all curly like it used to be.
He looked the same… but also not.

They were interviewing Block 213, and I just kind of froze. I didn’t even change the channel. I couldn’t.

I don’t know why.

I mean… I’m with Adam now. I’m supposed to be over all of that.

But then the interview ended, and a song came on.
If Wishes Came True.

I almost changed it. I really did.

But I didn’t.

And I think that’s when everything just… hit me.

I just sat there listening, and all I could think about was him.
About us.

And then I started crying, and I couldn’t stop.

It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen him. Not really seen him.
The Sunday dinners stopped, and Mom said it was because he’s on tour, but… I don’t know. It feels like more than that.

I miss those dinners.
I miss Mrs. McGuire.
I miss all of them.

I miss him.

And I feel so bad even writing that.

Because Adam is so sweet.
He’s good to me, and he makes me happy.

And I do love him. I really do.

But it’s just… different.

I don’t think I ever stopped loving Josh.
I think I just got used to him not being here.

And now I feel horrible for crying over someone I’m not even supposed to have anymore.

I wish I didn’t feel like this.

But I do.

Anyway, Adam is coming over soon.

I just needed to get this out.

My eyes are probably so puffy.

Hopefully he won’t notice.

…Yeah, right.

He’ll definitely notice.

I should probably find some concealer.

Or something.

I just… don’t want him to ask why I was crying.

Read more about Emma here: Emma’s Diary

Want to know what the story is all about?

Get your copy here: Unfinished Melody — Amazon