Susan： I dont know， Fred…

Fred： What do you mean， you dont know？ Its our 10th high-school reunion？ Whats there to think about？

Susan： Well， Im taking into account all the people wholl be there that Im not particularly fond of.

Fred： What？ ①Are you telling me you re still holding grudges from a decade ago？ Youve gotta let that go Suzie.

Susan： ②No， its not about the past， its about social media， and how some of our old classmates love to show their success by rubbing our noses in it.

Fred： Yeah， its true. Some of em like to brag about their achievements. But honestly， I cant really blame them. I get it. Id certainly be proud and eager to publicize having risen to the top of my field or accomplishing some other lofty personal or career goals. Its only natural.

Susan： Easy for you to say. Youre a shining example of success， Mr. law firm partner， married to a swimsuit model. But look at me. Im single， obese and struggling to make ends meet. So please forgive me for being embarrassed to show my face there， after gaining so much weight and losing so much face already.

Fred： Well， for the record， I married and divorced a swimsuit model. And forgive me for saying， but I think you need to get your eyes checked， cuz you still look great. ③And while your career may not be exactly what you had in mind， at least youre following your dreams and not settling for something less.

Susan： ④I know youre just trying to butter me up so Ill go， but I wouldnt be caught dead at that party looking the way I do these days. Maybe the 15th anniversary will be more feasible…

Fred： Come on Suz， dont give up so easily. You need to remember that the whole purpose of a reunion is to reminisce. Im sure youre not the only one in our class who longs for the good ol days.

Susan： Thats true. And it would be nice to catch up with some of the girls from our debate club. We did have some fun times back then.

Fred： Yeah. And just stay positive. Set aside all the things in your life that you wish were better， and focus on all the things youve got going for you like your health， and your family and friends！

Susan： Thanks Fred， for showing me the light. You really are a good friend. Maybe I will go after all.

蘇珊：我不知道，弗雷德……

弗雷德：“你不知道”是什么意思？你不知道什么？你是说我们的10周年高中同学聚会吗？有什么好纠结的呢？

苏珊：嗯，我在想将要到场的所有同学里面有些我不太喜欢的人。

弗雷德：什么？你是要告诉我都十年了你还耿耿于怀吗？该释怀了，苏西。

苏珊：不，与过去无关，而是社交媒体上我们的一些老同学老爱向大家炫耀自己的成就，让我们自惭形秽。

弗雷德：对，确实如此。有些人喜欢吹嘘自己的成就。不过，坦白说，我倒不怪他们。我能理解。如果自己晋升到了行业内的最高职位或者达到了崇高的个人或职业目标的话，我肯定也会觉得很自豪而且也会想公布天下的。这不过是人之常情。

苏珊：你说得轻松。你自己本身就是个光辉榜样，法律公司合伙人先生，娶了个泳衣模特。可我呢。单身，肥胖，日子过得精打细算。所以请原谅我羞于在同学聚会上露脸吧，我已经够胖够丢脸的了。

弗雷德：嗯，需要说明的是，我是和一个泳衣模特结过婚但又离了婚。请原谅我这样说，不过你是不是该检查下你的眼睛，因为其实你的外形还不错嘛。而且尽管你目前的事业也许未能达到你的期望，但起码你是在追求自己的梦想而不是在将就。

苏珊：我知道你这样恭维我是想让我去参加聚会，但我现今这个样子打死我也不去。或许15周年聚会还可以考虑一下……

弗雷德：别这样苏西，别这么轻易就放弃。你得记住，聚会的根本目的是为了叙旧。我相信你和我们班的同学一样都怀念过往的美好时光。

苏珊：那倒是。和以前辩论会的那帮女孩子重聚确实挺不错的。我们那时候确实有过一段非常快乐的时光。

弗雷德：对。心态要保持正面。抛开那些不太如你愿的事情，多想想你已经拥有的东西，譬如说健康的身体，你的家人和朋友。

蘇珊：谢谢你弗雷德，谢谢你给了我信心。你是一个真正的好朋友。也许我终究还是会去的。

Smart Sentences

① Are you telling me youre still holding grudges from a decade ago？ 你是要告诉我都十年了你还耿耿于怀吗？

hold a grudge： have or bear unfriendly feelings toward sb.（对某人怀有不满、怨恨情绪）。例如：

Ever since the unsuccessful promotion， Greg seems to hold a grudge against Mrs. Jones and Mr. Tang.

格雷格自从那次晋升失败后，他似乎对琼斯夫人和唐先生心有怨恨。

② No， its not about the past， its about social media， and how some of our old classmates love to show their success by rubbing our noses in it. 不，与过去无关，而是社交媒体上我们的一些老同学老爱向大家炫耀自己的成就，让我们自惭形秽。

rub sb.s nose in sth.： remind sb. repeatedly about his/her failings or mistakes（揭他人疮疤，向某人反复提及不愉快的事）。例如：

The email scandal is going to haunt Hillary Clinton because her opponents will surely rub her nose in it during the campaign.

希拉里的电子邮件丑闻将会阴魂不散，因为她的对手肯定会在竞选中反复提及这事。

③ And while your career may not be exactly what you had in mind， at least youre following your dreams and

not settling for something less. 而且尽管你目前的事业也许未能达到你的期望，但起码你是在追求自己的梦想而不是在将就。

settle for something less： accept sth. that is less satisfactory（将就）。例如：

My brother is really stubborn and he is not about to settle for something less than what hes due.

我哥很固执，他不会随便将就，放弃他应得的。

④ I know youre just trying to butter me up so Ill go， but I wouldnt be caught dead at that party looking the way I do these days. 我知道你这样恭维我是想让我去参加聚会，但我现今这个样子打死我也不去。

would not be caught dead in （doing） sth.： would never do sth.（绝对不会做某事）。例如：

My mother wouldnt be caught dead without makeup on at work.

我妈不化妆绝对不会去上班。