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The Early Chapters

Answer side by side

What did you get wrong about me in the early days?

The question sits across the top; you each answer on your own page. Whoever writes second reads the first answer before writing — agree, argue, or correct the record.

Why this question

The misreading — shyness for arrogance, confidence for not caring, quiet for boring.

And once you’ve both answered

What finally corrected it?

Answering it honestly

  • Whoever writes second reads the first answer before writing — properly, not a skim. Your page can agree, argue, or correct the record.
  • Be specific. Dates, places, what was playing, who else was there. Wrong details are welcome; they're evidence.
  • Don't negotiate a joint version. Two accounts that refuse to match are worth more than one polished one.

And the house rule, whatever the mode: leave a blank rather than write a lie. A blank can be filled later; a lie sits in the archive forever, and you both have to live with the paperwork.

More from The Early Chapters

How quickly did this friendship go deep — and why do you think it could?

Pick the early story about us that has been most improved in the retelling — and write down what actually happened.

What was the first time you realised we were going to be proper friends?

Worth keeping both answers?

The Archive of Us holds your version and theirs, side by side — the two-voice record of a friendship, kept privately for the two of you. You can open a printable document whenever you like.

Send them a seat