6/21
Well, the "party" last night was a bust. Dad made sure of that. I just wanted to order pizza and buy some ice cream, but Dad had the small get together catered. There were only eight of us, Ducky wasn't even there (I don't know why). Why can't he just leave me alone? I'm fourteen years old for crying out loud. And after spending all my life watching my parents host parties, don't you think that I can host my own party for seven people?
Apparently not.
But bad hostess moment was when I totally forgot that Dawn's house in Stoneybrook burned down. And I made myself look like an idiot, and I think Mary Anne felt like and idiot. I'm so self centered.
Anyway.
Tonight was Vanish rehearsal. We've got auditions for the 4th of July Bash this weekend, and Amalia has us practicing nearly evening night. Last night was a free night, and we've got another one Thursday, but other than that, every evening is booked for Vanish. Thank God there's no school, I couldn't balance all of that.
Claudia caught a ride with me. Carol was taking Kristy, Stacey, Mary Anne, Sunny, and Dawn to the movies. I told them not to see Operation Death. I was dragged to the premiere, and it's horrible.
The reason we have the free night Thursday is that I'm stuck going to another premiere. I hate summer, every week is another LA premiere. This week, it's Mr. Murder and that doesn't sound exactly promising.
Anyway, Claudia was really cool in the limo. She didn't make a big deal out of it, and I was extremely grateful (I wonder if Dawn warned her). But she did open and close a few of the compartments and the bar that's now full of those tiny bottles of Pepsi. But she didn't babble on and on about it.
Rehearsal was normal, I was awful. My throat kept drying up, and I couldn't hit the high notes.
"Maggie," Amalia said to me at the first break to the trough, "you've got to relax. You know that's all it is. Feel the music."
She's pretty keyed up over the 4th of July Bash. I know she wants us to make it, it'll be great exposure, plus we get paid.
"I know, I'm sorry," I muttered.
"Get some water," she advised. "Then, chill out. It's just rehearsal. Don't even think about the audition. It's not until Saturday."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. And that's the point, Maggie. Don't worry about it."
So I guzzled down half a bottle of water, and got back up and I was hitting the right notes on the keyboard, and my throat wasn't dry, but I still couldn't hit the high notes.
I swear, every time we rehearse, I'm expecting Rico or someone to just say "Sorry, Maggie, you're not good. You should just leave." It never happens, and they're really patient with me, and Amalia won't let me quit.
We practiced and practiced, and we were there until nearly ten-thirty. Amalia got into the limo with Claudia and me, because it was way too late for her to be walking home.
"I saw you talking to Rico," Amalia said, looking at Claudia.
What? This is new.
"Yeah, I introduced myself," Claudia said, looking a little flushed.
"And...?"
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Claudia likes Rico," Amalia said. Then she covered her mouth. "Oops, sorry, Claud."
"No, it's okay. I don't really mind. Everyone will find eventually, I guess. I just hope Rico doesn't."
"You don't?" Amalia asked. "Then how will he know when to pick you up?"
Claudia laughed.
"Really, Claudia," I said, "if you're interested, you should go for it. If you wait too long, it won't make any difference."
"If I wait to long I'll be back in Stoneybrook," she replied. "Which, why am I even dealing with this if I'm only here for six weeks?"
"Because it'll make these six weeks even more memorable. And even if you want to do long distance, Dawn living out here is a great excuse."
Claudia laughed again. "I'm not really interested in doing it long distance. He's... just so cute."
Now, I don't think Rico's that cute, but maybe it's just because I've known him for so long, and never thought about him like that. Plus, I'm with Tyler (you know, that's still weird to think about) and when you really like someone, it's hard to look at someone, even someone attractive, and think "I'm attracted to him."
I looked at Amalia and I could tell she was thinking the same thing since she had Brendan, which he left for camp today, but seemed to be taking it well. However, she also looked extremely excited for Claudia.
Maybe it was just the idea of seeing two people come together. We don't really have that now, and who are we going to set up? Sunny? The queen of never ending boyfriends? Not that Amalia and I are into setting people up.
My words aren't making sense anymore. I need some sleep.
6/22
Ugh, I'm so glad I don't have anywhere I need to be this morning. My throat is raw. I'm going to kill Amalia for keeping us there all night. I just thought about how lucky we are that Rico's parents and their neighborhood are really cool with practice sessions going on until all hours of the night.
I'm going to beg Amalia for a short practice on Friday, because if we're out practicing, how the hell am I supposed to sing Saturday afternoon?
Pilar brought me some tea with honey, and it doesn't seem to be helping. Oh, god, I have practice tonight too.
I'm going to see if Sunny or someone wants to come to practice tonight, because I'm sure that Claudia will want to come tonight as well. She shouldn't have to sit alone, or look like... I don't know, a groupie or something. But wouldn't the guys love that? To know that they have a groupie.
Dad came in and asked me why I was out so late. Since when is quarter to eleven late?
"Dad, it's summer," I told him.
"But you have a job," he replied.
"I don't have to be there until eleven. When they open. It's nine-thirty."
"Don't get snippy with me, young lady."
Snippy? Young lady? What brought this on?
"I know how to budget my time, Dad," I said. "That's how I can juggle a job, band practice, my friends, and during the school year, homework, and Inner Vistas."
"That's enough from you, Maggie. Or maybe you won't be able to go to your little band practice."
"Dad, you can't do that. I have a responsibility to them! We're auditioning for the 4th of July Bash this weekend, and you know how big that is."
Dad paused. He did know how big the Bash is. We've been going to the Bash for years, and if we could play there, it would project us from just some local band known throughout our school, we would be known all throughout Palo City, and maybe even get invited to play at larger events.
Wait.
Today's date is... the 22nd?
Amalia's birthday is July 8th. I hardly have anytime to get her a present.
Oh, to wrap up the story, Dad ended up not threatening me with taking away Vanish rehearsals.
Crap. What am I supposed to get Amalia for her birthday? She hasn't even hinted to something that she might want. Maybe she has. I am so self focused.
I'm also screwed.