Tuesday June 22 10:45AM
I just spell checked my entire journal so far, and I had 209 words spelled wrong. Out of 3 days worth of entries, and none of them had been very long.
I need to remember to spell check after every entry now. I'm really glad that Janine lent me her laptop for the trip. Not that she was going anywhere this summer. Extra credit classes, how exhilarating (Make sure that one goes threw spell check).
Of course "OH MY LORD, RICO IS SOOOOOO HOOOOOOT!" didn't go so well in spell check.
Let me repeat myself, tho. RICO IS SO HOT.
Last night, I went to Vanish practice with Amalia and Maggie. I'm going with them again tonight. I can't wait.
I feel sort of weird, though. I mean, I've only had really one steady boyfriend, out of all the guys I've dated. Not that I think anything like that will happen with Rico and me. For once, thing, I'm only hear for six weeks. For another, he's sixteen. Amalia told me that it didn't matter, that she dated a 16 year old (even tho he turned out to not be very nice), and Rico doesn't think about age. Stacey's dated older guys, Amalia dated an older guy, and they're all my age, why shouldn't I?
At the break during the practice, I went up to Rico.
"Hi," I said, taking a donut (when is the need for junk food bigger than when talking to a guy?). "I'm Claudia."
"Right, you're one of Amalia's friends," he replied.
"Yeah, I am. You guys play really grate."
"Thanks." He grabbed a donut too.
And then that was over.
Okay, it wasn't much, but it was something. Maybe he was as nervous as me? Probably not, he IS older. He's probably used to girls coming up to him all the time.
After practice was over at almost 10:30, he said good-bye to me. He actually said "Good-bye, Claudia" so it wasn't like he was saying bye to my general direction.
I've already planned out my outfit for tonight:
red tank top with spaghetti straps
black crop top (made from an old t-shirt)
red plaid pants
black Doc Martins (with red and white striped shoelaces)
For my jewelry, I was thinking my black velvet choker (for something a little fancy), and a pair of silver studs in my right ear, and the earring I made in the shape of a guitar in my left. I'm borrowing a studded belt from Stacey (I can't believe I only brought four belts with me!).
I really think I have the rock n' roll theme complete. I wish I'd brought the shirt with the guitar painted on it, but that's what I get for only packing three suitcases.
For now, we're going to the beach. I just bought a new bathing suit. A really cute blue one with white polka dots on it. I can't bring my laptop with me, because Janine made me swear that it wouldn't go near water. I guess that means I can't have around any bathrooms either. But it's been here in the rec room the whole time so far.
Tuesday June 22 10:05PM
I AM IN LOVE!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
I'll start from the beginning, but I had to get that out first.
Maggie called me and asked if I wanted to come to the practice, and I said yes, of course. She said asked if Dawn or someone would come along, just so I wouldn't have to be alone (Amalia is busy working with them, audition this weekend). Mary Anne said she was busy, and Dawn said that she promised her mom she'd call for a good long time. Kristy said she needed to jump start her summer reading, plus she got a little sunburnt at the beach today, and looked a little weary (She was asleep by the time we got home). I asked Stacey, who contemplated (one of my vocabulary words!) starting her summer reading too, but she decided to come along with me after I added that we get to ride in a limo.
I got dressed, and pulled my hair into five little ponytails and left the rest of it down. I covered the rubber bands with red ribbons. Then I realized that it didn't have the look I wanted, and pulled it out and left it down. It looked better.
Stacey and I compared lipstick shades, and I ended up just using a tinted lip gloss. Stacey wore... funny, I can't remember. I usually can remember everything. But Stacey did look ultra chic in black pants and a white men's tuxedo shirt. Stacey always looks like she's going to a Hollywood party.
Actually, that's what Maggie said.
"We're not going to a premiere!" she exclaimed, smiling at Stacey. I knew I looked like I was on my way to a concert, not a big party.
"Thanks," Stacey said.
We get to Rico's and go into the garage.
"Hey, you came back," Patti said to me. "Not just for the music and the good food, though?"
Oops. I was a little obvious, so I just went with it. I smiled.
"No, not just for the good music and the food."
She grinned. "Now that's what I like to hear! Maggie, you riled up the good one!" Patti leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I'll put in a good word for you."
I blushed as red as my tank top, I'm sure, but I said, "Thanks."
"And don't worry, I'll be subtle."
They start practicing, Amalia shouting encouraging things at them (Maggie mostly), and then suggesting songs for them to practice for the audition (I learned all of these terms from an old baby-sitting charge, Rosie Wilder).
"Come on, Amalia," Bruce said after almost two hours, "when are you going to give us a break?"
"Now, I guess," she replied, laughing.
I kept sitting my chair, feeling a little foolish. Stacey sat with me.
"Aren't you going to go talk to him?" she asked.
"I don't even know why I'm here," I said.
"Claudia?"
I looked up and there was Rico. My voice got stuck in my throat, and I don't think I would have even stood up if Stacey hadn't pushed me.
"Hi. Rico." I must have sounded like an idiot, but he acted cool.
"Want to go outside for a minute? For as long as slave driver Amalia will let us break, anyway."
I nodded, not trusting my voice to make coherent sounds. But I followed him outside the garage without completely making a fool of myself.
"I know you're only staying here for a few weeks, but... you seem interesting."
"So do you," I said.
Rico smiled. "I thought maybe... while you're here, we could hang out. After we get the job at the Bash- I'm thinking positive on it- I'll have a lot more free time. If you want to. Hang out, I mean."
I started to grin. "Yes! Yeah, definitely."
He started grinning too. "Great."
Their was a shout inside.
"That's Amalia. Break's over." He extended his hand to me. "Ready?"
I took it, and I felt like an electrical shock run up my arm, and we walked hand-in-hand inside the garage.
I suddenly understood why Stacey and Sunny liked older guys. Most 13 year old guys wouldn't hold your hand into a room full of his friends. And if he did, his room full of friends would start to hoot and howl like you were suddenly married or something.
When we walked back into the garage, no one said anything about it, but Stacey and Patti both grinned at me and Amalia winked. When Rico got back up with the band, Bruce leaned over and said something to him and he nodded. Bruce grinned and punched his shoulder.
Guy speak for "Congratulations."
After practice was over, before I left the garage, Rico kissed me on the cheek.
As Stacey would say I'M IN LUV!