You Know What's Weird?

I'm nervous about tomorrow.

Probably because of the party, but I mean really, is that a big deal?

My brain happens to be screaming 'YES. YES, IT IS.'

I don't know. It probably has something to do with the fact that all of my guests, save one, are males I've known since Jr. High.

Daniel and Andrew are for sure coming to play assorted crap at my house, Kyleigh's going to be very late, and...

Well, fine. I haven't called Morgan yet. But he's invited.

Which may be why I'm nervous.

So I was kind of sitting here, thinking about how everyone listed above, except MORGAN, has been inside of my house at one point - whether it was before or after the fire. And then, being lost in my own thoughts, I remembered why, and one of my stupider moments:

I hated Morgan. Plain and simple. And until a minute ago, going through my old Xanga (beware.), I found out.

And it made me laugh.

"Morgan... (The rest of you don't have to read this.) I don't get it. What in the freaking -another place other than heaven- are you trying to do?! Tell me what's going on, in writing, email it to me, and then we can talk. I don't want to jump in here with you saying... crap... like 'i didnt say what you said i said you want me to go to hell'. Oh. My. GOSH. First of all, quit putting wirds in my mouth, even if they belong there, and if you have that big of a problem, put your head between your legs and kiss it. I don't need this. I tried avoiding you, but then you use me as a game and are always trying to talk to me. You say you didn't use me? You knew me for TWO WEEKS beofre you asked me out. Here's the deal: I was letting you down easy, buddy. I absolutley did not want to go out with you. So, tell you what? Tell me what you want me to do. I'm past listening though. Been there, done that, failed. And, oh, by the way, learn to spell and punctuate."

Ohyyeaaaah. I was an idiot.
But you know, neither one of us could actually remember why, a year later, we were fighting.

...Which might be good. I was a little bit of a pain.

Anywho. I remember once, he came to the rental house after the fire and after that comment to be friends. I hated him enough to where I tried to avoid going outside to see him.

But I think when I finally did, it blew over. :)

WOW, things have changed.

:\

You guys are amazing. No lie.

And it turns out that she's not having services --- that's what she wanted.

So we're not going to Houston.

And I'm depressed about that.

But as long as I don't think about it, I'll be fine.

:)


---

Ps --- Here's a favorite quote of mine for you, Katie:

"Time is too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too long for those who grieve,
Too short for those who rejoice,
But for those who love, time is eternity."

-- Henry Van Dyke

---

Pps, and kind of gag---

They're going to make movies of the Mediator Series (YES!) by Meg Cabot.
The books are amazin', btw. Go read.

Anywho, they're considering ZAC EFRON for the Jesse part.

WHAT?

Jesse is MEXICAN.

And really, can you see the word 'Querida' rolling off his tounge smoothly?!

...On that same note, I think the most awkward part of Hairspray for me was his line: "Sorry, little dahlin'. I didn't see you there."

"Dahlin... DAHLIN... daaaahhhllinnnnn..."

*shiver*

She's Gone.

♥Patsy Cox♥
I miss you already.
You were always there somehow,
and now I've got to learn to make
my own cinnamon rolls.


I just can't really believe this.

HEARTATTACK

I'm going to fall on the floor and die.

Even better, I'll die HAPPY.

[01:09] morgantil16: man

[01:09] morgantil16: i want to go out with you, but we never see eachother and we hardly ever talk

I was like, wanting to cry and laugh and fall over all at the same time.

So now, I'm on Mission Spend Time With Morgan, Even If That Means Dragging Him to Church.

And in case you want to see the whole conversation, which steals the cake for amazing, just ask. If not, highlights below. That completely... Aaaah....

---

[00:16] elderberryness: soooo.
[00:16] elderberryness: did you get to do anything exciting today?
[00:16] morgan: i went to a party
[00:16] morgan: which was gay
[00:17] elderberryness: man. :P
[00:17] morgan: :)
[00:17] morgan: i was the designated driver
[00:17] elderberryness: haha. very nice. :)

[00:31] elderberryness: I miss you. & algebra. & movie charades.
[00:33] morgan: haha
[00:33] morgan: i miss you too
[00:33] morgan: and all that
[00:33] elderberryness: haha.
[00:35] morgan: yeah
[00:35] morgan: so hey
[00:35] morgan: do you like me?
[00:36] elderberryness: haha.
[00:36] elderberryness: yes.
[00:36] morgan: :-D
[00:36] elderberryness: :D
[00:37] elderberryness: did you really have to ask?? :)
[00:37] morgan: i was jsut makin sure
[00:37] morgan: :)
[00:38] elderberryness: ;)
[00:38] elderberryness: oh okay.

[00:53] morgan: dude im cold
[00:54] elderberryness: mwahah. I'm under blankets. :D
[00:54] morgan: haha
[00:54] elderberryness: pretty toasty. :)

[00:56] morgan: ive been single for like 5 mo.
[00:56] morgan: its driving me insane
[00:56] elderberryness: wow, really?
[00:56] elderberryness: haha.
[00:56] morgan: yeah
[00:56] elderberryness: maaan.
[00:56] morgan: its like a new record
[00:57] elderberryness: I beat you. :)
[00:57] morgan: lol
[00:57] morgan: well for me anyways
[00:57] elderberryness: lol
[00:58] elderberryness: mine is seven years. :D
[00:58] morgan: darn
[00:58] morgan: you win
[00:58] elderberryness: haha. of course. ;P
[00:58] morgan: uhm
[00:58] morgan: so your not allowed to
[00:59] elderberryness: well, okay. so there's this really long story that's insanely stupid involving my mom a couple months back.
[01:00] morgan: ?
[01:00] elderberryness: and she denied saying that I couldn't.
[01:00] elderberryness: pretty much.
[01:00] elderberryness: and then said that I just had to be picky.
[01:00] elderberryness: which is retarded.
[01:00] elderberryness: :)
[01:00] morgan: hmm
[01:00] morgan: that makes no sense
[01:01] morgan: but its cool anywayz
[01:01] elderberryness: oh.
[01:01] elderberryness: basically, I'm free.

*!*!*!*!*!* ABOVE: OH MY ASLKDJASLDKSJ. Seven months. Dude, that's since MAY, when I LEFT. D: *!*!*!*!*!*!

[01:02] morgan: so who else do you like?
[01:03] elderberryness: god, you really want the whole list?
[01:03] elderberryness: just kidding.
[01:03] elderberryness: no one. :)
[01:04] morgan: ohrlynow?
[01:04] elderberryness: ohrlyyeah.

[01:09] morgan: i want to go out with you, but we never see eachother and we hardly ever talk
[01:10] morgan: which is gay
[01:10] elderberryness: i know it. and I hate it.
[01:10] elderberryness: and I'm really really really tempted to make you come sing with us on sunday. :D
[01:10] morgan: dang
[01:10] morgan: yeah

[01:10] morgan: well i gtg
[01:11] morgan: but i guess ill tty when ever i can
[01:11] elderberryness: ookay. :(
[01:11] elderberryness: yeah, same.
[01:11] morgan: goodnight
[01:11] elderberryness: you too.
[01:11] elderberryness: Don't let the bedbugs bite. :)
[01:11] morgan: :)
[01:11] *** "morgan" signed off at Fri Dec 28 01:11:49 2007.

----------

AND I KNOW THAT WAS FREAKING LONG.
But if you read it, you're totally filled in. <3

It's Been Over a Week

So it's now socially acceptable to post this and fangirl over it and make it obsessed over by millions...

...of Lauren's brain cells.

[00:50] elderberryness: Merry dayafterChristmas. :)
[00:51] morgan: merry day late to you too:]
[00:51] elderberryness: Sooo, how was your yesterday?
[00:51] elderberryness: Oh... day before.
[00:52] morgan: pretty good
[00:52] morgan: and yours?
[00:52] elderberryness: same, same. :)
[00:54] morgan: awesome
[00:55] elderberryness: yep. :]
[00:55] elderberryness: loving the break?
[00:55] morgan: yes and no
[00:56] elderberryness: ohh?
[00:57] morgan: yeah
[00:57] elderberryness: why? :P
[00:57] morgan: i have no one to spend it with
[00:58] morgan: :(
[00:58] elderberryness: awww. D:
[00:58] elderberryness: you should come over and break Michael's new Guitar Hero for me. :D
[00:59] morgan: play it til i break it?
[00:59] morgan: i love it!
[00:59] elderberryness: haha, sure!
[00:59] elderberryness: those songs keep getting stuck in my head.
[01:00] elderberryness: I actually woke up to them this morning.
[01:00] morgan: hahaha
[01:00] morgan: is it gh3?
[01:00] elderberryness: yahh.
[01:01] morgan: haha
[01:01] morgan: im learnin one of the songfs off of it eright now
[01:01] elderberryness: woowww.
[01:02] elderberryness: I suck at it. I tried in walmart once, and found out that i'm not finger-eye coordinated.
[01:03] morgan: hahaha
[01:03] morgan: well what r u doing tomorrow?
[01:04] elderberryness: either being stolen by someone and going late Christmas shopping (wooo...) or staying here, cleaning, and making sure Michael doesn't blow his fingers off.
[01:04] morgan: oh
[01:04] morgan: okay
[01:04] morgan: nvm trhen
[01:05] elderberryness: :\
[01:05] elderberryness: why; what're you doing tomorrow?
[01:05] morgan: i was coming over but i geuss not
[01:06] elderberryness: jeeeez.
[01:06] elderberryness: you really need to, though. everyone but you has actually been here.
[01:06] morgan: seriously
[01:06] elderberryness: mhm.
[01:07] elderberryness: I think you're the only one my mom's like, 'morgan? ohh, wait, the one at golden corral?'
[01:08] elderberryness: except she's also forgotten who Daniel is, but that's just because he hasn't been INSIDE the house.
[01:08] morgan: oh
[01:08] morgan: haha
[01:08] morgan: so then no to tomrrow?
[01:09] elderberryness: I really don't know.
[01:09] elderberryness: it totally depends on what I have to do.
[01:09] morgan: oh
[01:09] elderberryness: ya. :/
[01:12] elderberryness: I've really got to get my permit. it's killing me.
[01:12] morgan: yeah
[01:13] morgan: well look atr it this way
[01:13] morgan: i got my lisence
[01:13] morgan: ahaha
[01:13] elderberryness: ahah. trrrue. :P
[01:15] morgan: lol
[01:15] morgan: well i gtg to bed
[01:15] elderberryness: mmkay. :)
[01:15] morgan: ill ttyl
[01:15] morgan: hey
[01:15] elderberryness: yeah?
[01:15] morgan: you know me #?
[01:15] elderberryness: aaahh... maybe.
[01:15] morgan: [hisphonenumber]
[01:15] elderberryness: if it's in my cell, yeah.
[01:15] elderberryness: okay. :)
[01:15] morgan: okay
[01:15] morgan: well call me tomorrow if we can hang
[01:16] elderberryness: totally. :D
[01:16] morgan: awesome
[01:16] morgan: well off to besd
[01:16] morgan: gnight
[01:16] elderberryness: nightynight. :)

Do you SEE that timestamp?! ONE. IN THE MORNING.

Ugh, I love it.

[ps -> Anyone heard of 'Superchick'? <3333333]

A WHOLE WEEK

WITHOUT POSTING?!

Oh, man, I'm so bad.

But FINALS. And AUDITIONS (I got a part. Not important at the momento.)!

Whatever.
:)

So there's this 'Secret' thing that hit my brain like a truck on steroids, requiring me to write down these so-called secrets that are really heartfelt and meaningful. Some that I've actually had told to me, but not by anyone on here or that I know now.

Anna knows about it, and she demanded that I post one of them, so here. It's not the best by FAR, but it's something that some really old black *NOT RACIST, HERE* woman would say randomly, and helps get the jist of the idea.

Oh, child, it was so long ago!
I was young, prob’ly in kindergarten, and this guy – this old, grandfather-looking guy – he comes out of the house and looks and me and smiles and says, “Lissa, darlin’, you’re growin’ up soooo fast,” and all I could think of was how I could possibly know him, and why was he calling me Lissa.
I mean, my name ain’t Lissa, right? It’s Claire.
Anyway, I don’t say anything and feel stupid for running away like that when maybe I did know him or something and I torture myself with the idea all night about all the things that could’ve happened.
So I vow to myself I’d do it the next day, and end up falling asleep at three in the morning, finally happy with myself, but when I go back the next day, he’s not there; there’s some other kid on the porch; probably around twenty-ish. But he’s drinking a beer, looking out at the street and watching me pass by, smilin’ easy and the like, his yellowed teeth looking bright against his chocolate skin.
And me, bein’ in kindergarten at the time, yell out, “Hey, mister, where’s the old guy that was here yesterday?”
And the guy, you know what he does, he laughs and takes another drink of his beer. “Girl, he don’t go outside.” He says all knowingly and I almost move on, but I don’t. Instead, I say “Yeah he does! He'd been out here yesterday an' called me Lissa!”
When I say the name ‘Lissa,’ his dark face goes somber and he doesn’t seem like he thinks I’m just a mixed-up kid. Kind of like… Like this.
And then he just kind of frowns and says, “Well, is your name Lissa?” and I tell him no; that it’s Claire Hagerston from three blocks down Flower Street. He kinda’ looked at me and shook his head. “Sorry, child, I don’t know why he called you Lissa. Lissa’s been dead for over three years.”
“Who was she?” I ask, curious. Take my advice, child, and don’t ever be curious. Curiousity killed the little girls who ask too many questions, as far as I’m concerned. Nothing that you hafta’ ask ain’t worth knowing.
“She was my sister,” He said, and threw his beer off of the porch, all angry like. “Go away, kid! Scat!” It scared me, ‘cause he started off of the house and chasing me, but let me go about three lawns down.
But now, now that I’ve lost Betta, I know what he was going through when the thought was brought up by that kindergartener from three blocks down Flower Street.


...If you've ever read 'House on Mango Street,' it's something like that except vignettes in other people's eyes, with a kind of forward from the narrator.

Well, Hm.

I think I want to be Elizabeth Ellis in this years play production.

That's right --- we're auditioning for "Up The Down Staircase," a cute comedy you can read more about in my 'Drama Experience' links.

Elizabeth is over-dramatic, precise, and very well-read. She has the uppermost respect for teachers and thinks she's slightly more intellegent.

And wow, does her writing make no sense at all!

But I love it! I LOVE her dramaticism and her anger and her ferociousness towards the English language!

(When I get a script for whatever part I do (or do not) get, I'll post some quotes.)

Very funny girl, that Elizabeth.

Creepity-Prettity.

So is it just me, or is this actually not bad?



I don't know. I'm kind of like, "Wow, this is pretty loud and cool and just flat out listening-worthy", but at the same time, I'm also sitting here thinking about how it's like one of those trance songs that you have to listen to a million times even though you kind of don't like it.

Repetitive, but awkwardly fitting.

Reminding Me of....?

Dear Katie La-MAZING-sie:

I love you.
I need you.
You make me whole.

...Aka, THAT WAS SO COOL! I LOVE DANNY AND I LOVE TIANNA. *fangirls*

:D

So because you showed me that, it reminded me (just in the first few paragraphs) of something I'd written pretty similar, actually, when I was experimenting with writing accents! It was about three FIGURATIVE uncles taking care of a nineteen-year-old who's investigating into a string of murders. (this is where it loses it's similarity) In order to do so, she has to gang up with a group of small-town detectives, under the cover of being a college intern with exemplary marks. The one who helps her the most, a young collegate student who's sister is one of the top detectives in the state, actually turns out to be a witness and, when she looks at his records, she realizes that, like her, he doesn't exist; he's a governmental secret, and his supposed sister is actually a FBI agent looking at the case, too. The only way to find out what he is and what he's doing is to get him to tell her, which he's sworn that he won't. The killer, on the other hand, has also figured that the station's been overrun by specialists, and plans to go after the trio.

Yeah. It was one of those random doodle things I wrote at school last year - In Algebra, of course. And I was taking a look at it, laughing, and then got back into it, so now I'm picking at THAT one again...

Anyway, it's all your fault.

So thanks.

A ton. :D

Love,
Lauren Renae

---

“Too strong,” Alvan insisted. “A little more of that Aussie twinge and it’ll all be perfect.”
I nodded and slipped my ray-bans to the top of my head. “Is there any way you three would actually escort me into the airport this time?”
Geoff, Alvan, and Daton smiled. They, too, had missions to attend to, as their suits served as props and uniforms all at once, but as my official mentors, were my escorts and cover for anywhere I went.
“I’m ‘fraid not, m’dear.” Daton said, checking his watch. “We’d be expected in Britain by the next twent’ay-four hours.”
Geoff chimed in, smiling generously. “And even with good weather, that’s pushing the envelope a little too far, especially with this bloody Brit an’ ‘is accent.”
I sighed and nodded, putting on my most innocent smile. Geoff was the first to hug me as I kissed both of his cheeks with a fake happiness. “I’ll miss you all, my favorite uncles.”
Daton and Alvan both hugged me at the same time. “I know dear, I know, but when we meet again, hopefully it’s back on the plane to your homeland.”
I laughed, finishing up the completely fake ‘have fun’ kissing scene. “Ah, but do I really have a homeland anymore? Just because I picked Australia doesn’t make it any more of my home than where I was born.”
Daton slid the dark glasses back on my nose. “None of us do, swee’hart. One a’ the perks of this bloody job.”

Great Escape

EDIT:

I just realized I was moaning about Katie --- But just in case, I DO NOT MEAN KATIE WHO LIVES IN MAINE. I mean Katie in Europe. :)

-----

I love this song. I do not lobe it, I love it.

I've decided that I'm going to take over the Moore High School Paper as Supreme Editing Goddess. They have NO grammar, no punctuation sense, and no capitalization capibilities. I mean, SPELL CHECK IS FREE, PEOPLE.

Anywho, the only reason I read the paper is because of this one kid who's big into the controversial issues. I like him; his style of writing's upfront and crazy-convinced.

Ahah. Auditions for the Straight Play are tomorrow, which is slightly irritating, since I just discovered I'm going to be absent so I can help cut down tree branches after this stupid storm.

I think I have this sign that everyone but me can see on my forehead that says "Free Listener for Strangers; Tell Me All of Your Personal Problems!" I swear, Thad did it, Katie [*see opening note*] did it, and today, David was ranting about his girlfriend to me.

...I don't even really KNOW David.

But it's cool, just because of this conversation we had today after one of my Pheobe lines that concerned connecting hamburgers to a pharmacist (In case you're wondering - "Hamburger, McDonalds, Old McDonald had a farm, my dad's a pharmacist!"); also known as the "Everything's Related" Law*.

It went something like this:

"Okay... For example: Fabric ---> Apple ---> Elephant ---> Jeans ---> Pie!" and then he did a cartwheel.

It was the funniest things in the world.


*To me and the involved.

Awful-Beautiful

So today was pretty basic.

I found out we're going to read Antigony next semester, so shoot me now. I hate that stupid thing - especially after seeing it performed. It's pointless and absolutely garbage-esce.

Speaking of, though, I PROMISE I MEAN NO HARM TO *cringe* EDWARD. I was just, ya know, having a moment where I thought I might die. Because really, he looks like a crackhead in his pictures. But I've been assured he can act and that he's not really all that crackhead-like.

Thank the Lord.

Aaahhhmmm... Oh, so semester tests (aka Finals) are coming up next week to my utter joy. I'm completely going to fail the one for Chem, especially since I'm on the verge of doing that anyways WITHOUT the fricking test.

That's causing me stress right now. It's the only class doing so.

In SciSem, we're going to build boards over Christmas break (starting next Friday). Mine is HUGE - It's about eight feet tall and takes forever to move. I've promised that I'm starting my project at the end of the week/over the weekend, just so I'll have it done by district time.

...Can you smell the upcoming stress?

Aaah, let's seeee...

Oh, when I got to school this morning, and on the way there, it was SNOWING. GENUINE SNOW. Not the microscopic crap that blows around in the wind. Of course, when I'm walking to a class, the amazing, blissful snow turns into PELTING sleet, and, well, you know how well THAT usually goes over.

Like I told Kifer and Kim who were laughing at my frantic hand motions, IT HURT.

...I think he likes her, by the way. And you know what? That's cool.

Because as much as it hurts me to say this (which it also doesn't either, so whatever), I think I'm okay where I'm at and don't want anyone to lean on at the moment. It's high school - where change happens within the hour; where people can be loving and vicious all at once.

And I'm so tired of dealing with that.

So, officially, I'm not blogging boys for the next week.

(As a side note, SHUT UP. I KNOW.)

I think that next year I'll be more used to and relaxed to the idea of a living hell, but until then, it just seems like everything's piling on and that I have no person (in Oklahoma; you all are SAINTS) to run to and just scream at randomly.

...Not that I blame them, you know. Not many people like being screamed at randomly.

Ky and I are walking over to Santa Fe (our old elementary school) tomorrow to talk to Mr. Goodner (my old AND AMAZING sixth grade teacher) and Mrs. Ward (my old PE teacher who got me into the Jump Rope stuff) to find out when I need to be up there to help host Musicals for the sixth/third graders and when I can guest at the Jump Rope for Heart. I miss elementary school so bad. Even the SMELL of the campus makes me ache in a good way.

Casey's birthday is soon. I'm excited!

Every year on her birthday, we exchange really awesome gifts --- Mostly because we don't want to spend money on Christmas AND birthday gifts, and her birthday's Dec. 20. We just kind of negotiated the whole thing out because we're both living on crap salaries. :D

Ooh, hey, Happy Midnight! :)

Dear Stephenie, Pt. 2

Dear Stephenie:

WHY?!

And okay, look, I understand you had "no say in the matter whatsoever," but if you'd said, "Oh, wait, no, he really doesn't look like Edward, let's pull in someone else," MAYBE I'D UNDERSTAND YOUR FAILURE.

I am so mad at you right now.

---

Ladies, meet Edward Cullen:

He usually looks worse; I had to DIG for this.

...Debating whether to even see the movie? Who, me?

Ice Storm, Oklahoma, and All That Nonsense.

Yeah. We had the biggest ice storm in the world.

Well, okay...Maybe not in the world. But in the U.S... For last week.

Anyways, I'm off of school AGAIN today (I was yesterday, too) because of the icyness, though it's starting to come off of the branches and not look like a warzone anymore, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Here's some pictures of the ice --- Most are blurry because my camera sucks hind-end.

These are my parent's cars --- The other side was more impressive, but I was cold and not allowed off of the porch without having to change from flip-flops. This is the tree out front with all the ice. It's huge-ormous, and tall, and it was TOUCHING THE GROUND, it was so heavily filled. We thought it would break.

Just to get a good look at how thick the ice was on the trees alone:

The other form of transportation - This is on the back porch; Michael's scooter and bike, literally coated with ice.

and FINALLY... Our house. Well... A part of it. It's rained constantly, so this picture was, unfortunately, taken in it, but just to show you how thick those icicles are... It's crazy.So you get the gist.

And we got power three hours ago, after not having it for 36.
Ahaha. It was cold.
And insane.
Oh, and our roof is leaking randomly.

[If you google "Oklahoma Ice Storm," I'm pretty sure you can find more amazing pictures. It's been a crazy-faced two days.]

OH, the Weather Outside is Frightful...

But man, is it DELIGHTFUL.

No school tomorrow because the ice is horrid --- Meaning that I'm HAPPY.

THE MUSICAL IS
OVERRRRR.

Rock on.
But I miss the fun.

McDonalds at Midnight

So maybe not midnight, but whatever. McDonalds at ten at night doesn't sound as catchy.

We have a Super Wal*Mart just three minutes away, with a McDonalds in it. I volunteered to go with dad to get some stuff, and as we were checking out, Michael and I were given five bucks and told to get two chocolate ice creams for us and a cherry icy for him.

This is how it went, because I'm too tired to really make sense of it:

(we're walking over to the McDonalds)
MICHAEL: Oooh, you just wanted to go so you could check out the guy at the counter.
ME: (sarcastically) Oh, yeah, totally.

As it turns out, he's amazingly cute and close to my age. But also, I didn't care. Because I wanted my ice cream and cute guys are usually jerk-ish.

(up at the counter)
GUY: (smiles) Hi, how're you?
ME: (stunned, hesitates) Um. Great.
GUY: That was sarcastic...
ME: (awkward laugh) Yeah, it's been a long day.
GUY: I totally understand. What can I get for you?
ME: Um. Do you have icys?
GUY: (raises his eyebrow, steps backwards and looks at me worriedly as he points to the icy machines that are RIGHT OUT FRONT)
ME: Wow. Um. Yeah. Okay. That was stupid. I'll take the red one.
GUY: (laughs) Anything else?
ME: Um, a small chocolate shake.

He rings it all up... And then I realize I totally forgot the other shake - AS he's finishing up the order, giving me my dollar sixty-seven back.

ME: Oh, hey, Michael, you wanted a shake, too?
MICHAEL: (eyeing me with contempt) YES.
ME, TO GUY: (sigh) My fault. I need another small chocolate shake.

He laughs and orders another one.

GUY: Okay, that'd be $1.85
ME: (looking at the money in my hand) Crap. Michael, take this change back to dad and have him give me a dollar instead.

So Michael runs off, and I'm left hanging out awkwardly at the counter.

ME: Um, well, here's a dollar.
GUY: (laughs at me) Don't worry about the change.
ME: (stares) Are you sure?
GUY: Yep. I'll take care of it.

*SHOCKAGE.*
It was like, HOLY CRAP. I HAVEN'T SEEN A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS LIKE THIS IN FOREVER.
And of course, my wonderful father's coming over to pay with his card as I meet him in the middle and have to say "nonoonononoit'stakencareofwe'releaving."

His response: "What, did you flash him?"

We all said thanks to the guy and I got teased all the way home, but really, how cool was that? Oklahoma's supposed to be one of the states with the nicest people, but WOW.

On the way out he smiled and nodded at me. Like, "Take care of yourself, retard. See you in two days when you come to Wal*Mart at an unhumane time again."

Lauren's Rules to Writing

(based on her fifteen years of novel-reading experience, and the .001 percent* of the world's books she's actually read.)

NUMBER ONE:
NEVER REUSE AN ENDING YOU'VE WRITTEN BEFORE (AND SUCCESSFULLY GOTTEN PUBLISHED SO THAT THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS IT). I don't mean as in "she gets her guy," I mean, for example, things like (lord knows I love her) Meg Cabot's books, where more than once she uses the ending where the guy the heroine was "too unpopular for" becomes interested in her 'for her spirit' and they live happily ever after. It gets old, and so many of them do it. 'Geek falls for Prom Queen,' 'To Hate is to Love,' 'Not in His League, but He Loves Her Anyway'; the list goes on.

NUMBER TWO:
EVIL NEMISES CAN'T ALWAYS BE SORRY. How many times, at the end of some book series, or just some book in general, do you see this?! In non-fantasy books, you can't exactly just kill off the bad guy, so when he/she is done chasing after the good guys, they're just suddenly sorry and have seen the error in their ways. No way, hosea! An example of this (another killer, because I love it again) would be in the most recent Maximum Ride book, where, while the bad guy still may die, they're sorry and confessing that they actually did it because they were jealous, even though they've hunted the main character since BEFORE book one. I understand that they may have a good heart, but after nursing a grudge for that long, how do they just give up?

NUMBER THREE:
GOOD GUYS AREN'T ALWAYS NICE, EITHER. There is no one out there (and I'm saying this because book characters are supposed to be modeled after people) who doesn't have a bad day - and not the kind where your hair won't fix right or you failed a test; I mean hardcore PMS, storming-and-you're-without-a-coat-but-you're-stuck-outside, everyone hates you days? It actually happens a lot! In books like (ow, ow, ow...) Artemis Fowl, though maybe he can get a code wrong once in a while, he's a GENIUS with a MANSION and a BUTLER who never hates him or calls him an annoying little brat. On the other hand, books like Harry Potter and Inkheart are all for the bad days; Harry more than once almost tears his friend's heads off to their shock and anger, and as for Inkheart, who knew you could be betrayed and left by almost everyone in almost one day?

NUMBER FOUR:
THE MAIN CHARACTER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE NORMAL. I'm not talking about the fact that they're a regular joe, just the whole concept of something being different about them. It seems like it's been pushed a lot lately to use a normal, average character to put your reader eye-to-eye with, but looking back at Maximum Ride, who wasn't rooting for the winged girl with her winged posse, trying to fit in, but aching to stand out? In Midnighters, the whole plot of the series centers around a group of kids from Jinx, Oklahoma who are able to do special things, not to mention see 'The Midnight Hour'**, an hour where time is stopped at midnight exactly, everything but them and a whole heck-load of monsters frozen. Originality rocks the boat.

NUMBER FIVE: (the last -for tonight, at least-)
WHILE THE BOOK IS A GREAT ADVERTISING PLACE, MAYBE ADS SHOULD BE KEPT OUT. Brand names? Other book titles? Rockin' bands? In the book So Yesterday, the narrator tried his hardest to keep brand names out of the book - and for good reason. Not only does it seem kind of tacky to talk about things completely unrelated to the story, it also causes whatever the character was jammin' out to or reading for the millionth time to soar in popularity (ex: Twilight to Romeo and Juliet, Pride & Predjudice, Muse [guilty for a short time on that one], etc.) and influence the reader's choices if they really do start feeling like they could know/be friends with the main character. It really can't be prevented, but it's still a pain in the butt if you over-do it.

Mkay. Peace spoken. :)
Oh, yes, I just got done reading a horrifyingly lame book.

The musical isn't worth talking about right now***, so I'm trying not to remember that I have to wake up at five a.m. tomorrow morning to get ready for it. Especially since it's 12:17 at the moment. :)


* How cool would that be to actually KNOW?

** I really don't remember; the only reason I read it in the first place is because it took place in Oklahoma. Not many popular books do, and for good reason.

*** I love these things. But back to the real reason I put this one here... It's great, it really is, but it's kind of a let down for me. I don't have much to do besides sweat, dance for 15 minutes, and get dressed and undressed. It's just... not fun, which makes me sad. I so want next year to be here.

OH, WHOA.

"Hence the map throwing."

:DDDDD

I'm kind of loving it. A lot.

Just so you know, YOU'RE AWMAZDERUPEULOUS.

:)

(awesomeamazingwonderfulsuperfabulous)

-----------

You're DEAD.

What's the title of the NEXT one?!
"How I Left You Hanging and Wasn't Online to be Yelled At?!"

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. JERK.
AND THEN YOU MADE MY MATTHEW BE BAD AND YOU KILLED HIM AND DAMEK?!

What kind of friend are you?!
*cries, sobs, throws a hissy fit.*

Untitled, Because it's THREE A-FLIPPING-M.

INT.HOTEL BALLROOM.NIGHT

Two thousand kids dressed in all styles of formal wear are
dancing in the dark, rays of color blasting down to the
floor in time to the rhythm to the rap song playing from the
DJ stand in the corner. Ana walks into the room looking
forlorn, catching the eye of JEREMY and COLIN, who came with
ISA and MADRID, all of them wearing coordinating TUXES and
PROM DRESSES.

JEREMY
(to Isa)
Well that’s just wonderful. She’s
depressed again, and at Prom.

Isa groans.

ISA
What else is new. Not that I can
really blame her though, because
seriously, the way that Vitali’s
keeping Talon isn’t exactly doing
wonders to his future bride.

COLIN
(accusingly)
She doesn’t know she’s his future
bride at the moment, remember? She
hasn’t even said yes, not to say
that she won’t. He was going to ask
her, and she has the so-called ring
already, but he had to go off and
run an entire kingdom. Are you
getting the point, here,
numb-skull?

Isa puts her hands up defensively.

ISA
Chill, Col! They’re my brothers!
What am I supposed to do, up and
admit I love them?

MADRID
Hush, morons. She’s coming over
here.

JEREMY
(whispers)
Oh, that was lovely of you.

ANA puts on a smile and walks up to the group nonchalantly.

ANA
Hey, guys.

JEREMY, ISA, MADRID, COLIN
Hey!

There’s an awkward pause and Ana crosses her arms, narrowing
her eyes.

ANA
Tell me, honestly, you weren’t
talking about me.

COLIN
Honestly, we weren’t talking about
you...?

ANA
(laughing)
Yeah, okay, fine. I deserve it.
But, come on, it’s Prom and I’m one
of the only girls who’s interesting
enough for once in her life to be
asked out by close to everyone, yet
I came without a date.

MADRID
You actually consider mine a date?

COLIN
Ouch. That was only kind of harsh
there, Maddi.

MADRID
Well, it’s true! You would’ve come
with Chaney had you been given the
chance!

COLIN
...Yeah, okay, I get your point.

ISA
Still though. Anyway, Ana, that
doesn’t matter. You’re here, you’re
available...

Ana slumps, and Isa smiles sheepishly at the other three,
who are frowning.

JEREMY
(quietly)
Nice one, Is.

ANA
Um, hey. Does anyone want a drink
or something? I think I’m just
going to go get some, um, kool-aid
or punch or... something.

ISA
(in a small voice)
Sorry.

Ana smiles cheaply.

ANA
No, no, it’s not your fault. I’m
sorry.

COLIN
I think we’re good on drinks.
Thanks, though. Hurry back.

Colin smiles kindly. Ana nods and walks away towards the
refreshment table.


INT.REFRESHMENT TABLE.NIGHT

Ana sits in one of the CHAIRS at the refreshment center, her
head in her hands, one of them gripping a plastic cup of
cherry kool-aid firmly. She’s one of many girls, most of
whom are gossiping about other girls on the floor or
dreaming about some already-taken guy.

There’s giggling and talking in the background as someone
approaches Ana.

TALON
Hello.

Ana looks up at him, but can’t see in the darkness and
through her makeup that’s smudged all over her hands.

ANA
(tiredly)
Hi.

TALON
Where’s your date?

ANA
Look, I didn’t bring one, and
neither do I want one, so please
just go away.

Ana puts her head back down.

TALON
Good, because I wasn’t asking to be
your date. I was just wanting a
dance, if that’s alright?

ANA
No. No, it’s not. Go away.

TALON
Fine; make me do this the hard way:
May I please have this dance?

Ana groans.

TALON
I’ll leave...

ANA
Please?

TALON
...If you dance with me.

Ana mutters under her breath, but stands up and puts her
drink down on the chair, turning to glare at him.

ANA
You really know how to make
enemies, you know it?

TALON
(dryly)
So I’ve been told.

He begins leading her away from the crowd by hand, though
she’s not noticing through her anger.


INT.HOTEL BALLROOM.NIGHT

Colin, Isa, Jeremy, and Madrid notice the two leaving the
building, Ana still carrying on the one-sided conversation,
and stare in awe.

MADRID
No way.

ISA
(giggling)
Yes way! Score for little Miss Ana
Marie! But Talon, oh no, he’s going
to be so heartbroken...

Madrid eyes Isa, annoyed.

MADRID
Is, sometimes I think you’re kind
of an idiot.

ISA
Yeah, I... Excuse me?

Jeremy and Colin glance at each other warily.

JEREMY
You’re thinking it and I know it,
so I’m going to stay away from the
over-used line, since I’m thinking
it too.

COLIN
(laughing at the spectacle)
Man, he’s good.


EXT.VERANDA.NIGHT

Ana’s mystery date leads her out to the Veranda, which is
empty except for a few couples dancing and a violinist.

ANA (cont'd)
...Why would you even be here
without a date, okay? Just please
give it up and go back to her.
You’re going to break her heart.

Ana turns to him, stopping him in his tracks, pulling her
hand away from him.

ANA
Seriously. I don’t even know who
you are.

TALON
Actually, you do.

ANA
(horrified)
Did Jeremy put you up to this, or
was it Maddie?

The silhouette pulls her to him and kisses her. Ana
struggles to pull away, but gives in, since he has her by
the forearms, and goes limp.

He pulls away, and Ana sees his smile for the first time.
She stares at him.

TALON
You look amazing tonight; it’s
already taken all of my willpower
to not just attack you and drag you
away from all of this.

ANA
(pauses in speechless shock)
Talon! You’re... You’re back?!

TALON
(laughing)
I told you I’d be, didn’t I?

Ana jumps into TALON’s arms, burying her face in his tux.

ANA
(crying)
I’ve missed you so much! Never
leave again! I love you!

Talon laughs chokingly, wrapping his arms around her.

TALON
God, I’ve missed you, too. The way
you’re so overly happy to see me
after I make life a living hell,
the way you laugh at me when I’m
trying to be mad at you, the way
you still fight for me when I
shouldn’t have a chance.

Talon kisses her hair.

TALON
I love you, Ana Marie Densen. I
love you so much that it hurts.

Talon laughs and holds her close as she keeps crying into
his coat hysterically, telling him that she never wants him
to leave her ever again and that she loves him. A few of the
couples eye them suspiciously before switching to more
interesting topics of gossip.

---------------

IN OTHER BREAKING NEWS:

SIXTY-FIVE BUCKS FOR A BRACELET?!
I can't!
Even if it's one I'd more than love to have!

Santa's even appalled!

D: