Chapter 6: Spencer

Empty Musings: Spencer's fourth entry

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Hey Book, I'm back! I'm sure you've missed me, so let me catch you up on how things have been rollin' here

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Cassi is still being her weird squirrelly self. We all love my little sister, Book, but I'm sure the folks would love her even more if she wasn't so hard on the furniture.

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I'm taking my role as 'only brother' pretty seriously. As the lone guy in the house (well, other than Dad) it's my job to pick on my big sister and protect my little one, right?

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Okay, so Charity and I don't have as bad of a relationship as it looks in the photos. We're actually really good friends...

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So I wasn't too surprised when she asked me to go downtown with her one day after school. I was hoping we were heading to the mall but she had the taxi drop us off at this girly store.

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"Spence," she told me as I was scoping out the place, "We're gonna do something about that outfit of yours. Socks and sandals are so... ew."

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I just kind of stood around like an idiot for a few minutes as she loaded me down with clothes. What am I? Some sort of pack mule? I thought we were gonna go hang out with our buds at the mall, not go looking through overpriced and ugly clothes.

If she buys me anything pink, I'm gonna noogie her till she leaves for college.

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At least the checkout girls are cute... or at least I thought they were until Laura called the red-headed chick "Alvin". Ack! She's a dude! And I thought the red head was the cuter of the two of 'em.

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There's some sort of beauty shop in the back, and Charity convinced me to take a spin in their chair. She said that since I had new clothes I needed a whole new look.

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I wasn't sure about letting some guy who looked like he'd showed up for work in his pajamas mess around with my hair. Charity said it was just his 'uniform' for the salon and that I'd be fine.

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That's the last time I trust her for any fashion advice.

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I do not think this is the sort of 'whole new look' Charity wanted for me.

Gawds, I hope none of my buds see me like this.

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After convincing me to give the weird hairdresser one more chance, Charity threatened to rip the dude's lips off if he screwed up again.

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The threats apparently worked, since my big sis didn't beat the snot out of him (she'd have probably kicked his ass good too, the jammie wearing wuss) and I didn't scream when he showed me the mirror. Hopefully this new look will help me get the chicks.

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Speaking of getting the chicks, I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked out of the salon. There was this cute little red head browsing the formal racks...

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and she turned out to be Genesis! Whoa! She'd told me a few days ago that her birthday was coming up. Well... she grew up real nice. She said she'd been looking for me in the halls at Parnassus Academy today.

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I didn't realize she was going to the Academy now and I couldn't believe I'd missed her in the halls. How could I have missed her? I mean... Wow. My stomach felt like it was somewhere around my knees the whole time I was talking to her.

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So, thinking I was being sneaky and all, I asked her if she wanted to snap some pics with me in the photo booth. She seemed nervous about something and kept glancing around like she was looking for something. I figured it might be a little more private in the booth and she might feel more comfortable talking to me there.

I know what you're thinking Book, but I didn't try any funny stuff in there. I was a real gentleman.

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Still, Genesis seemed awfully preoccupied the whole time. We didn't talk much. I didn't even get a chance to ask her if she wanted to go out for ice cream or anything.

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She told me "bye" real quick like and left before I was able to ask her what was wrong. She had this kinda concerned look on her face too.

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Was it something I said Book? Geez, I hope I didn't screw anything up. We were great friends as kids, and I could really like Genesis now.

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So I went out and called the taxi to take Charity and I back home. She'd been chatting it up with the girly checkout dude and it was real hard to tear her away from him. I wanted to get home quick and give Genesis a call to see if I'd screwed up or something.

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Well, Mom was on the phone when I got home, so I figured I'd give Genesis a call when she got done. I didn't get a chance though, Book, because something... well... came up.

But I'll have to tell you about that later. I think I hear the phone. It might be Genesis.

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Chapter 5: Genesis

Empty Musings: Genesis, second entry

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Dear Diary

Sorry it's been a while since I last wrote, but things have been really busy here. The first day at a new school is always rough. You'd think after all the new schools I've had recently I'd be old hat at this. Ha. I wish. Still, I made lots of new friends my first few days.

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Allyn Fleig's family has been in Muse Ridge since the beginning. She was actually born here and she makes sure she tells everyone about it! I don't know if she should be proud of that or not. I mean, from what I understand, this isn't the sort of place to be proud to be from. I guess it started a while ago as some guy's dream of an "ideal community". When all the people he'd sold land to showed up to move in, he lit out for parts unknown with their money. Well, all the people who were tricked into moving here were too stubborn to pack up and move back and they decided to make a go of it here. Now it's starting to get popular as a 'bedroom community' for the military base. But in Allyn's case, if her family's been here since the start it means they were foolish enough to fall for the whole scheme. Not something I'd be boasting about.

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Carl's family moved here a couple years ago. His dad is Dr. Kim, once of the chief surgeons over at Muse Memorial hospital. Carl wants to be a doctor just like his dad. He's in all the honors classes with me. We take turns copying each other's homework. *giggle*

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When I first met Spencer, I had to do a double take. I mean, he's green! Turns out all his family's green: his dad, Dr. Severn, and his sisters Charity and Cassiopeia. His dad moved here from the town by the military base, which is where his family's from. Considering how much Dad dislikes aliens I can understand why we didn't move there now. The place must be crawling with green folks. Still Spencer is awesome fun. I just better not let Dad know about him. He'd go crazy if he found out my best friend is an alien. Or half alien. Or whatever Spencer is to make him green.

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Anyway, school was going pretty good for me. Then one day when I was getting off the bus Dad asked me to go put on my pretty dress because we were having a special guest tonight. He said to wait out front and greet him when he showed up, because Dad had to cook dinner.

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I'll admit, I got a little distracted and didn't notice the big car pull up at first. I was expecting a general or somebody from the military base, but this odd guy in a strange suit got out. Turns out he was a headmaster for Parnassus Academy. If Dad and I impressed him, I might be accepted into the private school. Carl just got accepted there the other day.

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I was excited about getting into private school, but it seemed like the headmaster was doing everything he could to prevent it. I tried to ask him some questions about the school, but he wouldn't talk to me. Then over dinner he started talking about all this global peace stuff. Um... hello... don't let the fancy suit fool you Mister Headmaster. Dad's like special forces or something like that over at the base. He's not too keen on any sorta talk that might result in him losing his job.

Well, at least Dad didn't burn dinner.

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Despite everything, we did something right (or the headmaster didn't try hard enough to rile Dad up) and I got accepted to Parnassus Academy. Yay! Spencer goes there too, although he just had his birthday so he's in the upper grades now.

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I just had to stick this picture in here diary. Doesn't Dad look sharp in his fancy suit? I don't think I've seen him ever wear it before.

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Most of the time he doesn't look so nice and polished. If he's not getting all sweaty working out then he's coming back from work all dirty and grubby and stuff. But I guess when you're protecting the Sim World from mad scientists, criminal masterminds, and evil overlords, you're bound to get a little stinky.

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Dad's been earning promotions left and right, which means he's been hitting the books even more than I have. Sometimes it feels like I'm still at school. I've got kids trying to cheat and peek over my shoulder there too.

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Parnassus Academy turned out to be not too much different from Euterpe Elementary. Recess is longer and the classes are more fun. I could do without the itchy uniforms though.

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I was hoping that classes might be a little more challenging there, since public school was really easy for me. Well, I'm sure that once I hit the upper grades, things will pick up for me. Speaking of which...

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Tonight was my birthday. Hello Teendom! We invited just a couple friends over to celebrate. Carl and Allyn, and Carl's uncle Pao. I wanted to invite Spencer, but I figured that was just asking for trouble. I'm sure that vein on Dad's forehead would start throbbing fit to burst if some green guy showed up on the doorstep claiming to be my best friend.

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And the most important part of the whole night, blowing out the candles and making that wish. I had no idea to wish for. Allyn says she's going to wish for a nose job or implants when her birthday comes around next week. Er... no thanks... I'm sure I'll think of something.

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Hey, that went well, didn't it? Dad even managed to find some pretty cute clothes for me. You can't hear him Diary, but he's complaining that I'm going to drive him prematurely gray.

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I don't know why he'd be thinking that, even if I did grow up really cute. I'd never do anything to worry him. I love my daddy.

Besides, he already has the guard dog. He just needs to get the shotgun now.

Well, I've got to run Diary. I've got cake to eat. I can't wait to see Spencer's face when I run into him in the halls at school tomorrow.

TTFN *smooch*

Genesis Lillard

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Chapter 4: Genesis

Empty Musings: Genesis, first entry

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Dear Diary

Well, Dad's done it again. This is the fourth time he's moved us since... well, since Mom died. How long has it been? Two years or three? Or has it been four already? Anyway, Dad bought a house this time, so maybe we'll be actually staying here for a while.

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He's got a pretty important position at the top secret military base near here. This place Dad's moved us to barely qualifies as a town. I mean, it's got schools and a hospital and a couple shops, but it's in the middle of nowhere and some really strange people live here. I guess it was some sort of artist's colony once. There's a nice town right near the base, but Dad didn't want to live there. "Too many aliens," he grumbled, and you know how he is about aliens.

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He still blames them for Mom's death. I mean, I really doubt that any of the ones in the town by the base had anything to do with the alien technology that Mom was studying just before the accident. Dad's still really hung up over her. Diary, did you know he's still wearing his wedding ring?

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And he brought her with us when we moved. He's done it every time. I still don't know whether I should be creeped out about it or not.

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I mean, it's nice in a way to know that she's close by and not forgotten and lonely in some cemetery where no one is around to visit her. Sometimes I even feel she's sorta still here, watching over us.

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I'm sure Dad has his reasons for keeping Mom's urn with us. Maybe having her near still inspires him or something. Or maybe he's just having problems accepting that Mom's gone. Maybe he thinks he can bring her back or something. Right after she died, I remember him telling me about when he was little like me and he and Uncle Brandon were living in Pleasantville with Grandma and Grandpa. There was an old voodoo priestess there who could bring people back the dead. I hope Dad's not trying to find some voodoo lady to bring Mom back or anything.

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I mean, while I'd love to have Mom back I'm just not sure bringing back the dead is right. I realize Dad's still probably having a hard time coping. It's not like it's been any easier for me. Well, maybe it has been. I was real young when she died, and I don't remember her very well anymore. And I've still got Dad. But Dad... Mom was like his world. I guess I can understand him not being ready to move on quite yet. Not sure I understand the want to bring her back though.

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Poor Canus just wishes Dad would quit being so moody all the time. He's happy he finally got a big yard so we can play with him, but... Dad never does.

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Our mail carrier sure wishes we'd play with him more and wear off all the extra energy... that or keep Canus tied up. *giggle*

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So Diary, things have settled back into their usual routine. I'm doing lots of studying. My birthday is coming up soon and I've got to start thinking about college. I can't start too early working on those scholarships. That's another reason why I hope we stay here a while. I don't want to be changing school every year I'm in high school.

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And I'm eating lots of muffins once again. Not like Dad doesn't fix dinner or anything, but you can only eat spaghetti so many nights before you've gotta have some variety. I've tried to get him to watch that "Grill of the Golden West" show a couple times to get some new recipes, but he freaks out every time he sees the chef. She's green ya know.

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He hired a nanny again too. Brenda seems pretty cool and actually likes doing stuff with me unlike Marsha, my nanny at the last place we lived. I think I scared her. She kept muttering about me being 'too old for my age' and 'talking like an adult' and weird stuff like that. I didn't like Marsha anyway; she spent more time on the phone than she did paying attention to me. Brenda takes really good care of me and the house.

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Though, like Dad, her cooking skills do seem to leave a little to be desired. But she makes awesome cookies, even if they are a little burned.

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Dad must be really close to a promotion. He's been studying like crazy the past couple nights. I think he would've studied right though dinner if I'd let him.

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So it kind of surprised me when he put down the manual he was studying and asked me if I wanted a bedtime story. He hasn't read to me in ages. He even remembered my favorite one too. "Little Pinto, Pony of the Wild West."

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Maybe this will be a good move for us. Maybe this place will help Dad and I figure out how to be a family again.

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I'd like to write more Diary, but I've got to run. Today's my first day at Euterpe Elementary and I don't want to miss the bus.

Later Diary!

Genesis Lillard

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