Zeke asked her how it was going. He tries to act normal around her, but, like me, he’s always wondering if she’s been drinking. It was eight o’clock in the morning, so chances were good that she hadn’t.
“Good morning,” she said groggily. “You both look so sweet.”
Zeke grinned at her. I felt pretty good too. It was nice to see Mom completely sober.
“Your father wants us to have a family dinner tonight,” she announced. She stood up straighter and threw her shoulders back. “So be there.”
Mom can do a great imitation of Dad.
“We already had a family dinner this week,” I said. “What’s up?”
“He must need us to do something for him,” she concluded.
Of course she’s right.
I wonder what he wants.
I hope I don’t have to talk a lot about the script.
After Dinner, Before Homework
The family dinner is over. Fortunately, it didn’t go on too long. Dad has a business meeting tonight so he left before dessert. Sometimes our family dinners are like a business meeting—with Dad in charge.
Dad announced the subject of tonight’s “meeting” before Pilar served the first course. “We’re having a party here next Friday for the cast and crew of Love Conquers All,” he said. “It’ll be a kick-off for the film.”
“Couldn’t you have it at that new restaurant in Santa Monica?” my mother suggested. “The one—”
“Eileen,” Dad interrupted, “we have a big house so we can have parties like this. Besides, you won’t have to lift a finger for this one. The studio is making the arrangements. Caterers and all. Even a piano player.” He gave my mother a stern look. “All you have to do is pull yourself together and look good.”
My mother turned from him and poured herself more wine.
I told Dad that I have a Vanish practice next Friday night and asked if I could be a little late to the party.
Now Dad’s stern look was directed at me. “I don’t ask that much of you, Maggie,” he said. “You can do this one thing without complaining—or sneaking out.” He was remembering that I had sneaked out of the opening night party for his last movie.
“I wonder if Tyler Kendall and Felicia Hope have some romantic thing going,” my mother said.
I shot her a grateful glance for changing the subject.
My father said he hoped Tyler and Felicia were romantically involved. It would be great for publicity.
I hope so too.
T.K. and F.H.
Two phonies in luv.
They deserve each other.
“Hey, Dad,” Zeke put in. “Did Tyler Kendall drive his own car in Protect and Serve? Or was that a stuntman?”
“He’s only fifteen,” I said. “He’s not old enough to have a driver’s license.”
“But they’d let him drive in a movie,” Zeke said. “So did he, Dad?”
My father told Zeke that he didn’t produce Protect and Serve so he didn’t know. “You’ll have a chance to ask Tyler that yourself,” Dad answered.
“Cool!” Zeke exclaimed.
My father smiled at Zeke. At least one family member was excited about his party.
9:34 P.M.
Am going to call Amalia right now and tell her that I’ll have to miss practice, and why. Don’t want Justin to think it has anything to do with him.
10:00 P.M.
Amalia is too much! She thinks it’s great that T.K. and F.H. are going to be at my house.
I reminded her that they are just movie stars and that there will be a lot of other people at the party. “Movie stars are in their own self-involved world,” I told her. “They aren’t normal.”
“But Tyler was discovered just last year,” Amalia argued. “He was an ordinary guy before that. Didn’t he live on a farm or something?”
“Sure,” I said. “In a town named Santa Claus. Santa Claus!”
Amalia laughed and said that Santa Claus, Indiana, was a real town and not a Disney kind of place with elves running around.
She’s right, of course.
To get off the subject of Tyler, I brought up the subject of Brendan.
“I was just talking to him,” she said. “He was the person on the other line when you called.”
I said I was surprised that she hung up on him to talk to me.
“Of course I did,” said Amalia. “Brendan understands. I’ll call him back later.”
Amalia’s old boyfriend, James, would have had a fit if Amalia had interrupted a phone call with him to talk to someone else.
But not Brendan. He’s a nice guy.
And Amalia is the best.
She’s going to try to change next Friday’s rehearsal to Thursday so I won’t miss it.
Monday 4/26
3:30 P.M.
On my way to work at animal shelter. Stopped to buy fruit smoothies for Piper and me. Writing on my Handy. Getting used to the itty-bitty keyboard.
Sunny and Dawn were waiting for me by my locker this morning.
“We heard that you’re having a party for Tyler Kendall,” Dawn said.
Word sure does travel fast.
I explained that my father was having the party and it wasn’t just for Tyler. Then I made them promise not to tell Jill. “And really,” I added. “It’s no big deal.”
“Every girl in America is in love with Tyler Kendall,” Dawn said. “And he’s going to be at your house. Of course it’s a big deal.”
Sunny grinned at me. “So what are you going to wear?” she asked.
The bell rang for homeroom.
I told them Tyler Kendall is not going to notice or care what I wear. And that the only people who care how I’m dressed for these events are my parents.
Sunny was still smiling. “I’m on the case,” she said. “Don’t worry.”
If helping me figure out what to wear makes her happy, I’ll let her help me.
The truth is, I do need to buy something for the party. My size twos will be too tight on me now. And my clothes from last year are too loose. Besides, they aren’t trendy enough. Dad likes me to look up-to-the-minute, fashion-wise. Mom does too.
I’m glad I’m going to the shelter. Dogs and cats don’t care what your clothes look like or what size you wear.
6:30 P.M.
Mom and Dad are at some big benefit tonight, so Zeke and I had dinner in the kitchen. I told him about the two puppies that were dropped off at the shelter today. They are the cutest mutts I’ve ever seen. One is black with brown spots and the other is all black. I hope we find homes for them soon.
Pilar made a stir-fry with shrimp. It was yummy. I ate too much and feel stuffed. Tuna sandwich for lunch and the smoothie at work.
STOP IT, MAGGIE.
I have to stop keeping track of what I eat.
And not be so hard on myself if I do.
Ducky just called. He’s going to drive me to the mall after school tomorrow and help me pick out my outfit for the party.
“You have to look smashing for that dinner, Maggie,” he said. “And who better than Sunny and me to help?”
If Ducky had his way I’d wear foxy high heels and a glittery shirt to the party. Sunny’s taste runs in the direction of short, tight skirts and halter tops. Still not my style. The problem is, I don’t have a style.
“Sunny is so into this,” Ducky said. “We have to do it.”
“Of course,” I agreed.
I better study.
Big math test tomorrow.
Tuesday 4/27
10:00 P.M.
Going to the mall was a big production. A party of its own. Dawn and Amalia came with us.
Went to Ducky’s favorite store first. Everything was glitter and retro. There was nothing in that store that I would wear to a Dad event or anywhere else. We had fun, though. Sunny bought a great-looking pair of shorts. I think it’s the first time she’s bought anything for herself since her mother died.
Next we went to Clarisse—this store
Dawn loves. I tried on a couple of things. I kind of liked a shiny pink dress.
“It’s okay,” said Dawn.
“But not perfect,” Sunny put in.
“And our Maggie has to look perfect,” Ducky declared.
As we left Clarisse I suggested that we check out Rudolph’s. “They carry Dana Lane dresses,” I told my friends. “Those usually look okay on me.”
“Dana Lane dresses are the best,” Amalia said. “But Rudolph’s is so—”
She stopped herself midsentence.
I know Amalia was about to say that Rudolph’s is expensive. It is. And none of my friends can afford to shop there. I was embarrassed that I had brought it up. But it was too late. We were already walking into the shop.
The first thing I noticed was how quiet the store was and how noisy we were.
Ducky headed straight for the gowns.
Dawn threw herself on the white leather couch. “I’ll supervise from here,” she said.
Amalia took a deep breath. “It smells so wonderful in here. Like lilacs.”
Sunny headed for a shelf with fancy hats. I hoped she wasn’t going to start trying them on.
Ducky held up a shimmering black number and called, “This would look great on you, Maggie!”
A slender woman in a black suit came out from the back.
“Can I help you?” she asked in an icy voice.
Dawn jumped up from the couch.
Sunny pointed to me. “She needs a dress,” she said. “For a party.”
Ducky held up the black gown in front of me. “You have to try this on,” he insisted.
“That gown costs two thousand dollars,” the woman said as she took it from him.
Amalia gasped and Sunny giggled. Dawn was backing toward the door.
“A good gown like that is an investment,” said Ducky. He was trying to act serious, but I could tell he was about to crack up.
“Perhaps you would find what you are looking for at Clarisse,” said the salesperson. “It’s across the way.”
“We were just there,” said Ducky. “No luck.”
“We thought Rudolph’s would have the perfect dress for Maggie to wear to this party for Tyler Kendall and Felicia Hope,” Sunny said. “The party is at her house, so she has to look perfect.”
“Perfect,” repeated Ducky.
The salesperson suddenly gave me a big phony smile. She knew who Tyler Kendall and Felicia Hope were. And she’d finally recognized me. I had been there lots of times with my mother, who spends a fortune at Rudolph’s.
“I’m sure we have the appropriate thing for you, Ms. Blume,” she said. “I’ve just put out some new Dana Lane dresses.” She looked me over. “I have one that would be perfect on you.”
“Perfect is good,” said Ducky.
I was pretty annoyed with the way the woman had treated us. I wanted to leave. But I saw that Sunny was having a terrific time. Now she could try on every hat in the store.
Sunny winked at me as she put on a big red hat. “Is it me?” she asked.
“Definitely,” I said.
I followed Snobby Salesperson to the Dana Lane dress section.
I tried on a few things and we picked out a gray-green dress. Meanwhile, Dawn and Amalia each tried on a gown. They looked like princesses.
My dress is formfitting without being tight. And it has a neat neckline. I bought gold sandals to go with it. (Mom has since given my outfit her seal of approval. So that’s taken care of.)
After I bought the dress and the sandals, we had pizza in the food court.
“Rhinestone earrings would go great with that dress,” Dawn told me.
“And silver spangle bracelets,” added Amalia. “I’ll lend you mine.”
I love Amalia’s spangles. It’ll be fun to wear them.
I told my friends I wished they could all come to the party.
“Me too,” they said in unison.
I had to promise them that I’d tell them all about it. Even if I have a lousy time. Which I probably will.
Ducky did a wicked imitation of Snobby Salesperson morphing into Phony Sweet Salesperson. Sunny laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks. She was having a great time. We were all having a great time.
It was when we were leaving the mall that my mood changed. I had noticed a couple kissing in front of the cineplex. The guy’s face was blocked by the face of the girl he was kissing, but he looked familiar. Just then, the kiss broke up and he saw me staring at them.
I turned and ran to catch up with the others.
The guy was Justin. I recognized the girl too. Her name is Nancy Mercado. She’s a freshman at Vista.
I didn’t say anything to my friends about what I saw.
I’m glad I saw Justin and Nancy together. Now I know who she is and that she’s his girlfriend. That’s a lot better than not knowing.
I just wish Justin hadn’t seen me see them. Ugh!
What’s the big deal that I saw him kissing Nancy Mercado? It’s a free country. It’s not like he’s my boyfriend. We hardly even talk.
So why do I feel weird about it?
Do I wish I were kissing him?
I wonder if the problem is that we never really broke up.
Or is it that we never really went out?
Why do I feel so awful about this? Why does it hurt so much?
I wish Amalia hadn’t bothered to change the band rehearsal to Thursday. I don’t want to see Justin. I wish that I didn’t have to see him at school tomorrow either. But, of course, I will. We’re always passing each other in the halls.
Wednesday 4/28
7:30 P.M.
Nancy Mercado came over to our table at lunch to talk to Amalia. Their families are friendly. Nancy was telling Amalia about her sister’s baby shower. In the middle of a sentence, Nancy switched to Spanish. Amalia started speaking Spanish too. Suddenly, Nancy went back to English and apologized to Sunny, Dawn, and me. I guess she could tell by the expressions on our faces that we didn’t understand what she and Amalia were saying.
When we were walking to our next class, Dawn said she thought Nancy was nice.
“She is,” Amalia said.
Then I said I thought Nancy and Justin were going out.
Amalia said Nancy hadn’t mentioned it to her.
“Maybe that was because Nancy knew that Justin and Maggie had a thing,” Dawn suggested.
“But that’s history,” I said. “And it wasn’t much of a thing anyway.” Then I changed the subject.
Amalia gave me a look that said, You just changed the subject. But she let me get away with it.
I wish I could tell Amalia about the confused feelings I have for Justin. But I don’t have the words to explain them.
I can’t even explain it in my diary.
Thursday 4/29
3:30 P.M.
I’m so nervous about going to band rehearsal.
Justin will be there.
Are we going to ignore each other?
Won’t everyone notice?
How can we go on being in the same band?
COUNTING
You…
Me…
And Nancy
Makes three.
Her plus you
Makes two.
One. Two. Three.
Was it ever you plus me?
One. Two.
What am I supposed to do?
One.
9:30 P.M.
Rehearsal was way too weird.
When Amalia and I got to Rico’s garage, Justin was already in his usual spot, tuning up his guitar. I thanked everyone for changing practice for me.
Rico, Patti, and Bruce said things like, “No problem.” Justin didn’t even look up from his guitar. I knew then for sure that he had seen me seeing him kissing Nancy.
After going over our old material, we practiced a couple of new songs.
When Rico called a break, I stayed at the piano and waited to see where Justin would go. But he didn’t
budge either. I figured he was waiting to see where I went so he could continue to avoid me.
Meanwhile, Amalia and Rico huddled in a corner to go over some Vanish paperwork, and Patti and Bruce made a beeline for the snacks.
Justin fiddled with his guitar.
I finally stood up and made my way to the garage entrance, which was as far as I could be from Justin without leaving altogether.
I heard someone behind me. I turned around and found myself face-to-face with Justin.
He handed me a soda.
I took it, said thanks, and turned around again.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Fine,” I answered, without looking at him.
“Big party at your house tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” was all I replied.
I didn’t say how I hate those parties. I don’t know if I ever told Justin that. What did we talk about when we were “going out”?
“Maggie, I think I should explain,” he said. “About Nancy. We’re sort of—”
I put up my hand to stop him and said, “You don’t have to explain anything to me. Really.”
“But I want to. I was going to tell you, and then you saw—”
I faced him and made myself smile. “Justin, that’s great. You and Nancy. She’s terrific.”
“I guess we’re sort of going out,” he said.
“Let’s go, guys,” Rico called. “We have a lot of material to cover.”
“Coming!” I replied, then flashed Justin a parting smile, and went back into the garage ahead of him.
The first number we played after the break was “Touching.” It killed me to have to sing it. I’d been thinking of Justin when I wrote it. Now all I could think was, it’s true. Justin was kissing Nancy. There’s no romance between him and me anymore.
How am I supposed to pretend I have all these romantic feelings when I sing?
That was one unpleasant band practice.
And Dad’s big party is tomorrow night. Argh!
I thought I was going to have fun this spring.