12 year-old Carrie, pay less attention to things that don 't matter. The boy you think you can 't live without today? Well...you won 't so much as remember his name. He 'll be replaced with a man you 'll love heart and soul but would never pick for yourself,so stop trying so hard. And I know you think you 're not smart enough, but get an education anyway; tenacity will push you every time you 're afraid. Many are the bumps and bruises ahead, dear sweet girl,and trustworthy friends are few (hold onto those two!). Stay focused on the single step in front of you and--when 20 years has come and gone--almost every bit of what you think will crush you now won 't matter