Minty: "It's so relatable that you feel that cringe, but when your voice shakes like that... it makes me wonder. Behind all that disgust at the old writing, do you feel a sense of protectiveness over that younger version of you? Like, do you ever want to reach back into the pages of the book and tell that girl, 'It's okay to be this cringey, it's okay to be this obsessed'?"
[A few people in the front row look at you with very soft, kind eyes, waiting for your response.]
Yvonne: "I do want to reach back to her! But of course not to tell her that it's okay to be cringey or it's okay to be this obsessed! The cringe that we feel recalling our past selves is a sign that we've matured. At least... [Awkwardly]that's what I read in social media. I want to reach back to her to tell her that life is not all about romantic love or being in a relationship or looking for someone to be in a relationship with. Life is much more than that! Live your life! Do some exciting stuff that excites you! Being a teenager is too short to spend it with finding love in such a young age!"
Yvonne: "Oh, it feels so good to finally said that knowing that I'm already in my twenties! [Laughing]"
[The audience breaks into a spontaneous, loud round of applause—some people are even cheering and nodding vigorously. A group of young girls in the back row are nudging each other, clearly taking Yvonne's words to heart. The energy in the studio shifts from nostalgic to incredibly empowering.]
Minty: [Clapping her hands together, beaming with pride] "Preach! Can we get that on a t-shirt? 'Life is more than a denim jacket!' I love that so much. You're so right—the cringe is just growth in disguise, and seeing you standing here in your twenties, looking back with that kind of wisdom... it's like a victory lap for your younger self!"
[Minty waits for the cheers to simmer down, her expression becoming a bit more reflective as she picks up on Yvonne's point about wasting time on young love.]
Yvonne: "[Laughing] Wait, what? 'Life is more than a denim jacket'? [Giggles]"