Confessions of a Teen Magazine Addict

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My journey into the world of crushes began rather unexpectedly at the age of 11 while I was at the grocery store. As my mom browsed through the produce aisle, I wandered over to the magazine section. There, my gaze landed on a vibrant magazine with “BOP” written in bold, pink letters on the cover. It was a magazine aimed at teens, and though I had seen it before, that day it captivated me. Sure, Kirk Cameron was plastered on the front, but it was the smaller image of Michael J. Fox that truly stole my attention.

I adored watching reruns of Family Ties, but it baffled me why I felt such a pull toward the show. Every evening at 7:30 p.m., I’d sneak into my parents’ room to watch it on their tiny TV, avoiding the living room where everyone else gathered. It felt like a secret I needed to keep until that fateful day when Michael J. Fox’s piercing gaze from the BOP cover made everything click. I was crushing hard. I needed that magazine!

When I spotted the $1.95 price tag, dread washed over me. I could almost hear my mom’s voice saying no. But I asked anyway, and her classic “Maybe later” was code for “Not a chance!” As I reluctantly prepared to return the magazine to the rack, I flipped through it one last time and landed right on a pull-out mini poster of Michael J. Fox. This had to be fate! Overwhelmed by hormones and longing, I did something I’d never imagined—I stole the mini poster.

My conscience screamed at me, “You’re stealing!” but my heart retorted, “But it’s for love!” After a quick scan of the store to make sure no one was watching, I carefully tore out the poster and stuffed it into my pocket. I was a bundle of nerves as we left the store, expecting to be caught at any moment. Yet, the moment I got home and saw his face looking back at me, all guilt vanished. I carefully flattened the poster and tucked it inside my Trapper Keeper, ready to admire him at school.

But soon, one poster wasn’t enough. On our next grocery trip, I spotted a new issue of BOP featuring Michael J. Fox again, and I couldn’t resist. This time, it had a centerfold that made my heart race. I stole it too, but the guilt was overwhelming. After that, I swore off thievery but quickly fell into a frenzy of collecting Michael J. Fox memorabilia. I realized I needed to explore other teen magazines, and soon my obsession expanded beyond BOP. Tiger Beat had wallet-sized cutouts that were irresistible!

Eventually, I managed to earn some money and purchased my first magazine—cutting out every Michael J. Fox article and pinup I could find. As the New Kids on the Block rose to fame, my magazine addiction surged. I discovered that Jerry, a classmate, had a stepmother who owned a bookstore and had access to all the latest teen magazines. He even sold the coveted Big Bopper magazine, which was entirely filled with centerfolds. I had a dealer!

Despite the walls of my room being plastered with posters—one wall dedicated to the New Kids on the Block, another to individual members, and a wall just for my ultimate crush, Donnie Wahlberg—I constantly craved more. One morning, I rushed to Jerry, only to find he had a YM magazine and a Thrasher—definitely not what I was looking for. I nearly lost it, demanding to know where the good stuff was, and learned that Lori had snatched them all up. I was determined to get back what I believed was rightfully mine.

That was the turning point for me. I realized my obsession had spiraled out of control. I eventually apologized to Lori for my jealousy and stopped pursuing the latest issues as fervently. By the end of the school year, I had taken down most of my posters, keeping only a couple of Donnie Wahlberg and replacing them with a massive poster of Mark Wahlberg in his Calvin Kleins.

Looking back, I feel a mix of nostalgia and embarrassment. I fondly remember the simpler days when my biggest concern was how to sneak a poster out of a store, but I also regret my childish antics, including stealing and my aggressive competition with classmates. So, to the girl who discovered a missing poster in her BOP magazine, I sincerely apologize. It was me.

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Summary:

This lighthearted reflection takes us back to the author’s youthful obsession with teen magazines, particularly the allure of Michael J. Fox. From stealing posters to navigating schoolyard rivalries, the tale captures the fervor and innocence of adolescent crushes. It serves as a reminder of the carefree days of youth, tinged with a little mischief and lots of nostalgia.