Dynamite's Diary - 23rd November 2021

Today was Lottie's birthday, so we spent some time at the nearby shopping mall. Yeah, her idea of a day where you get presents is one where you buy yourself MORE presents. Typical Lottie.

Well, at least it was a pretty cool day out. Loads of nice clothes shops to browse around. I found a few nice glittery tops to add to my wardrobe - honestly, it really needs sprucing up. Marlene and Smartie were getting into the whole clothes shopping deal as well. And of course Lottie had to buy herself the pink clothes. It's been her favorite color since she was a baby and it always will be.

We even got to go to the bowling arcade I took Steve to for our date. I completely WRECKED my mates there. Gemma got the highest score of the bunch and she was still twenty points behind me. And then we got ourselves some milkshakes since we were pretty tired afterwards.

It got pretty awkward at one point though. Dad called on my phone under the misconception that I was spending time with Steve, so I had to correct him.

"No, of course not Dad! That was at the beginning of the month, remember!"

I don't think he really got the message though, because he finished the call with "Well, he better not be up to anything funny! Or else he's gettin' knee-capped with a good ol' shotgun blast!"

Lottie was snorting away with laughter the whole time. And to make matters worse, I'd accidentally set my phone on loudspeaker. So EVERYONE in the milkshake bar heard it. No wonder they were smirking and chuckling away as we left the place.

So yeah, that was apparently the best birthday gift I could give Lottie. An embarrassing phone call with my dad. Given that the only other gift that I could get her was a small pink poodle plushie, I guess she needed a second present. And she got it, alright.

Lottie's planning to have a REALLY big party next year, and she's already planning. She says it will have a chocolate fountain, a country club, a DJ, decorations, you name it. I wonder how she's going to afford all that, but I guess her family's pretty well off.

Well, if only it was the same with mine. To be precise, with both my parents. Oh well, at least we have a good time together on my own birthdays. Sometimes.

As for the rest of the week, more work on the school play! We've definitely agreed to team up to make sure Kinsey doesn't try anything funny. Wouldn't want that to happen, right?

Dynamite's Diary - 22nd November 2021

Well, I've got some good news. Gemma, Smartie and I talked with the other background designers about our ideas and we've finally gotten somewhere as a result. In fact, we pretty much got most of it done today, and it's only the first day of the week. There's only a few bits that need to be painted still, but it will definitely be completed before the next rehearsal.

Kinsey's already starting her vendetta against the lead actress. She's tried to spread slut-shaming rumors about her, that she's been getting it on with every boy at school! Yeah right! Besides, I've hung out with Steve on nearly every single occasion at school, so I would know if he was flirting with another girl. He's not, BTW.

Great news though! Marlene was the one they tried to spread the rumors to first, and she easily defused them! She was all like "N-no way! Jamie's not like that at all! I've known her for two years and I've never known of ANY case of her flirting with other guys!" And so they quietened down and stop mentioning it.

Didn't know that Marlene had that connection with her. But still! Good old Marlene! She may be all super nervous most of the time, but she's a whiz when it comes to speaking up.

Marlene's decided to really up her game though. She says that she's going to go round and set the record straight to everyone who mentions the rumor. She's got guts, I'm telling you. We're a bit worried in case Kinsey targets her as a result, but we'll definitely be there for her if that happens. And Jamie too, I guess.

I'm just glad I don't have to confront Kinsey at the moment. As I said, I don't want to be kicked out of school again. It's just best to avoid any fights at school.

Otherwise, everyone's still chatting away about the musical and rehearsals are still happening. So not much else really. I'm sure it will be the same until opening night too.

Dynamite's Diary - 20th November 2021

Rehearsals are still going on for The Christmas Ring. Steve's been throwing his all into it, but I will have to admit this - he may be able to throw a ball, but he cannot throw a note. Sad, but true. Maybe that's why he got the role of comic relief.

Us background design people are still struggling to get the scenery sorted out. It's not that it's super hard or anything, it's that we can't decide on what it should be. Every single other member of the backstage crew (costume department in particular) finished their job about two weeks ago. Now our art teacher Ms. Mardy is getting super antsy at us and demanding that we get things done as soon as possible.

We actually had a discussion about it today over milkshakes. Well, my pals and I did at least. I'll probably tell the others next week.

"I mean, how many trees should there be? Two or three?"

"I was thinking slightly more."

"No way! That would just clutter up the stage! Besides, the drama department only has enough budget to use one background image so it should fit in with every scene in the play."

"Well, as long as it looks pretty, I'm fine with it," said Lottie. "Do whatever the hell you like. I'm only part of the chorus this year, so why should I care?"

So yeah, Lottie was a big help as always. Oh well, I'm sure we'll figure something out eventually.

Kinsey's been making disparaging remarks about the lead actress the whole time. Still going on about how she's "too ugly" for the role and that she has zilch talent whatsoever. Rumor has it that Kinsey's actually planning to sabotage her chances. Probably gonna frame her for cyberbullying or lock her in the changing rooms or throw a bucket of curry on her while she's onstage. She's done that sort of thing before.

As I said last week, I could confront her on the whole issue. But my mates say that one of the teachers will sort it out eventually. Besides, she hasn't done anything to me and my pals yet, so why get directly involved now? It's partly why I prefer not to get involved in school drama.

Ultimately, I'd rather avoid a confrontation with her at school. After that whole business with Mel Crombey, it's easier to not repeat things. That said, it wouldn't hurt to keep a look out so that the play doesn't get sabotaged. Especially since us lot are working on it too.

Now first we need to get that damn background sorted out.

Dynamite's Diary - 13th November 2021

Everyone at school's going crazy over the upcoming musical production. It's all that they've been talking about this week. No, it's not one that you'd know of - it's called The Christmas Ring and its one made up by my own school. You'd think it was a musical that already existed though with all the cliches rife in the script that Gemma showed me. Think of it as a strange cross between Oklahoma! and Guys & Dolls.

Even Steve's getting in on it ever since he landed a role. Before, he primarily talked about basketball. Now he's only talking about the play. He's even taking a break from basketball so he can focus on getting in role for his character.

I was initially worried that Steve would have gotten the role of the romantic lead. Just think about it! He'd then be kissing another girl! What if he then chose her over ME?! Urgh, the thought just disgusts me.

Luckily, Steve's actually playing a secondary role. He's more of a comic relief character than anything else. The guy who actually got the lead does look pretty hot himself, I will admit. Not that I would say that in front of Steve though.

Gemma and Smartie are working on the background design with me, so that's pretty cool. Meanwhile, Marlene's working on the costume design, which is great for her. She seemed really pleased with herself on the costumes she'd helped put together. Honestly, I agree with her. They really do look spectacular.

Lottie was super miffed because she didn't get the lead role. She's simply a chorus member instead. To be fair though, she would not have suited the lead heroine anyway. You know how plenty of female protagonists in these shows tend to be sweet and innocent soprano types? Well, not Lottie. It would be like that dream I had once where Dad played Christine in a random production of Phantom of the Opera. Don't ask. :-/

Kinsey seems pretty annoyed about not getting the starring role either. She's always ended up being the lead lady in past plays and she really enjoyed bragging about it to other people's faces. Now she hasn't received a role in even the chorus. Lottie claims that things haven't been looking up for her as much since the time people forgoed asking her about her new handbag in place of asking me about my dad.

And no, NOBODY'S forgotten about that little family revelation of mine either. It's an interesting case - half of the school's pretty disturbed and the other half thinks it's the coolest thing ever. I guess after an initial sense of shock and euphoria, certain implications start to sink in. I will say though - it's going to be one hell of a problem if the FBI has to deal with him and his workplace once again. The only way I can avoid getting involved is by staying at Mom's place for the time being.

Speaking of moms, I still haven't been able to get over the fact that Dad's mom is still alive. Makes you wonder whether she came back from the dead or was never dead at all. Dad's been thinking about introducing me to her properly, which I'm pretty excited but also a little nervous about. Hopefully we get on well with each other too.

Anyway, back to the school play. Kinsey's dead jealous of the girl who actually got the part of the heroine and seems intent on trash talking her behind her back at every opportunity. Keeps on going on about how she should have gotten the role since she's "so goddamn beautiful". I'd really like to confront her on the matter and get her to shut up about it, but my pals keep telling me it would be best to stay out of it and that it would be best to alert a teacher if it gets really ugly. Well, I'll guess we'll have to see how it goes.

Dynamite's Diary - 7th November 2021

Today was SO EMBARRASSING. I cannot believe Mom would have humiliated me in front of Steve like that. Honestly, I don't think I can trust either of my parents around him now.

Earlier this week, we'd arranged to go bowling together and perhaps have a milkshake somewhere. Originally it was going to be on Saturday, but then he had family stuff to attend to so we moved it to today.

Anyway, we finally met up and were able to properly spend time together. We had the milkshakes first, just to give ourselves enough energy. There wasn't really too much to catch up on, since we already talk to each other quite a bit at school. Though there was a bit of bad news, as Steve's team hadn't done so well in their basketball match recently.

Then after we'd finished our milkshakes, we got on with the bowling. I thought I was going to curb-stomp Steve. I've always been the best at bowling in my friend group after all. But he was surprisingly good at it as well! We actually ended up tying as a result.

I decided that we should have another go. And another one. But each time, it was always a draw.

It seemed as if we'd gotten a little too into our friendly little competition though. I looked at the time on the clock. 5:20pm. I'd told Mom I'd be home at 5 on the dot.

"Oh shit, we gotta go!" I headed for the door instantly, with Steve following. The whole time, I was worried that Mom would react the same way as Dad would - threaten to break Steve's knees in order to assert dominance.

We got back half an hour later than we originally planned. As soon as we were outside the flat, I quickly knocked on the door, hoping that Mom wasn't going to go into overprotective parent mode like Dad always does.

The good news was that Mom was completely fine with the whole business. No threatening to kneecap Steve with a hammer.

"Oh, Steve huh? Well, nice to meet you. I'm Dynah's mom, in case you were wondering."

The bad news is that she essentially made herself the focus of everything.

"So I just got these tacos as takeout," she said whilst holding the box with them inside. "Really fresh-smelling y'know? They're always good when freshly made."

Then she took one of them and shoved it in her mouth. And THEN proceeded to carry on talking whilst eating it. It was disgusting. You could see it getting mushed inside.

"Of course, I ALWAYS have to have the meat-only ones. I just can't stand them with the veg inside. It just tastes kinda gross, you get what I mean? In all honesty though, EVERYONE should be having tacos. If you don't like them, you're a heathen."

She then turned her attention to Steve. "So, you attend the same school as her?"

Steve responded, as easier as it would have been to not say anything. "Yeah! We're in the same science class together."

Mom had to be super nosy then. "Oh, nice! And which middle school did you attend?"

I knew EXACTLY why Mom asked that question. And I HATE it when she asks it. But it was too late to stop Steve from answering.

"Um, Pinewood Springs Middle School. The one in-"

"PINEWOOD SPRINGS!" Mom was all ecstatic. "I went to that school when I was younger. And it was BRILLIANT! They were always setting fireworks off in the corridors and we always ended up playing table tennis in Math class!"

"R-really?" Steve stuttered nervously.

"Yeah! It was the best few years of my life! Especially the time when some of us blew up the girls' toilets with butane gas!"

She then continued rambling on about how much of a hellhole Pinewood Springs was and how much she loved it for that. It felt like she would be at it FOREVER. The whole time, I was just waiting for her to shut up, not even trying to look Steve in the eye.

"But then they had to be killjoys and make the school 'better'," Mom grumbled. "So now it's nowhere near as enjoyable."

At that point, I felt it was best just to move the subject on.

"Um, yeah, thanks for that interesting anecdote there, Mom," I said, faking a grin. "Steve, it's been awesome hanging out. Can't wait to see you back at school tomorrow!"

"The same to you too," he replied, also trying not to cringe like I was.

As soon as he was five meters away from the door, Mom turned to me. "He's pretty hot, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he sure is." By that point, my face was aching from all the cringing I had done.

So now it turns out that I can't have Steve and Mom meet with each other again. I can just imagine what might happen next time. She'll probably go on about her parents and how super-obsessed with looks and money they are and how they cut her out of their will because of her obsession with hammers and getting kicked out of private school.

At this point onward, whenever Steve and I have a date, we're going to simply say goodbye to each other thirty meters away from the house, and THEN I'm going to head inside. I'm not willing to deal with either my dad's overprotectiveness or my mom's obsession with telling everyone her life story. Though now that I think about it, having an overprotective parent is just slightly better than one who rambles on.

There's some good news though. Steve's passed the school auditions for our school's Christmas musical, which I'm super happy for him about. I would have auditioned myself, but I wasn't so keen on the roles offered. That said, I have got a role on the setting design. That's fine for me. And maybe after the play's over, we'll arrange another date. Y'know, just to make up for how this one ended.

Dynamite's Diary - 1st November 2021

Halloween was nuts last night. My mates and I had gotten ourselves ready for the trick-or-treating crusade around our district. Lottie and Smartie (calling her Eliza just feels weird to me now) weren't really psyched for it at first, but eventually they caved in.

I convinced Smartie to dress up as a mad scientist and, though she was iffy about the idea at first, she ultimately did so. Marlene dressed up as a cat and looked so adorable with her black clothing and cat ears. Gemma decided to go as a vampire rocker and was really rocking the look, if you get what I'm saying. X) (Urgh, my dad's pun obsession's really rubbing off on me.)

I was confused about Lottie's outfit at first. She had her hair down for once instead of in that side ponytail she normally has and was wearing a short-sleeved jacket with shorts and a short segmented skirt. But she had her right arm folded over and strapped in bandages with fake blood on them. I suppose she felt that she could just use the one hand to get stuff done with.

Smartie was just as confused as I was. "Why is your arm strapped up? What are you supposed to be going as?"

"It's Yang Xiao Long from RWBY," Lottie proudly boasted. "But after the Battle of Beacon."

Even I was pretty stumped at Lottie's interesting tastes when representing that character.

"Oh yeah," I stuttered. "The arm. I get it now."

I never got into that series myself, but my Dad enjoys it. I was a bit concerned about what he would think of Lottie's bold choice of outfit, considering that he really likes Yang and sees a lot of himself in her. He's still pissed off at that Adam edgelord guy and what he did to her.

Nobody had decided to go as Little Miss Muffet though, which was a shame. I really hoped someone would have done in order to match my spider outfit.

That all changed when, as we were about to set off, Dad came running up in a panic.

"It's-it's just awful!" Dad was really panicking and on the verge of crying. "I've tried asking Wiz and Marshall, but they say they're too busy to do something as simple as trick-or-treatin' this year! But I always feel awkward doing it on my own! You need to take me with you!" He calmed down a bit and simply looked disappointed with himself. "Oh, and I really couldn't come up with a cool Halloween costume this year."

I needed a few seconds to consider a response. I really wanted this to just be me and my pals, but if Dad insisted...

"Okay then, you can come along."

Dad looked really relieved and happy about that. "R-really?"

"If you dress up as Little Miss Muffet. Gotta have it paired up with my spider costume, y'know."

Dad looked a bit wary at first. "Wait, the nursery rhyme character? Who just freaks out over a single spider?"

He seemed to be having an inner conflict over the matter, but soon he perked up again. "It's a deal!"

We had to wait about thirty minutes for him to change clothes, but the end result was actually pretty cool. He'd managed to find one of his mom's tatty old porridge-stained dresses that she didn't use anymore and had a long tear on the skirt, as well as one of those baby bonnets that he'd originally considered for me by decided against in the end.

"See?" Dad proudly boasted, perhaps with more gusto than Lottie had earlier on. "This version of Little Miss Muffet actually fought the spider. A gigantic one at that!" He then glowered for a few seconds. "And before you ask...I'm NOT putting the bonnet up. Okay? Just sayin'."

So we were finally able to head off for candy and treats. We got HEAPS. Lollipops, gummy eyeballs, choccy bars, you name it. Some people gave us weird looks since it was basically a group of teenagers and one adult, but who said only little kids could go trick-or-treating.

There was one part of the night I was unhappy with though. At one point, we passed Steve's house and I just HAD to make sure that he was home. And he was! I was trying desperately hard not to blush the whole time - I love my spider costume, but I was kinda nervous as to how he would react to it. Fortunately, he seemed to like it.

"So, anything else you doing tonight?" he asked.

I proceeded to tell him about the party Dad was taking me to and how I basically planned to eat ALL of my candy before tomorrow.

"Well, better not make yourself sick!" Steve chuckled.

"I'd better get going now," I said. "Hope tonight treats you well!"

"You too!"

So far, so good, right? However, when I turned round, I noticed that Dad wasn't there. That explained why I didn't hear him tutting under his breath the whole time. We caught a glimpse of him walking up to a house with a grey roof on the corner and knocking rapidly on the door there.

As the other girls and I ran up, the door opened. Out stepped a bald chubby guy who looked suspiciously like my English teacher...

MR. LEAR?!?!

Great. Not only was the most annoying teacher I ever had at home, but he was now getting a sight of my dad. At least I assume he didn't know about our connections, despite the mania going around the student body.

"Trick or treeeeeat!!!" my dad was all like in a chirpy voice as he held out his bucket towards him.

Mr. Lear's usually pretty intimidating, but he seemed to be awkwardly stuttering this time.

"Aren't you, um, a little old to be doing this stuff?"

That's when Dad did the craziest thing imaginable. He lifted up his shotgun leg and POINTED IT AT MY TEACHER. Seriously, I'm not kidding. It was both shocking AND the most embarrassing thing ever. Also, I'm amazed that Dad can even balance in that kind of position.

"Any problem with that?" he glowered.

Mr. Lear stuttered even more at that point. "Um, no, I guess not...uh, let me check the cupboard."

When he got back to Dad, he was carrying MASSIVE bags of sweets and chocolates. He even had those giant candy bars that I never get to have when trick-or-treating normally.

"Dad, do NOT do ANYTHING like that AGAIN. I'm serious."

Dad just smirked and shoved a faceful of candy into his mouth the whole time.

Eventually, we finished off in time to head over to Marshall's big Halloween bash. He was just wearing another one of those signature suits of his in black, though this time with fake vampire fangs. Wiz and Jocelyn were there too. It was hard to spot Wiz at first, though eventually we found him by the food table. Guess he's not the type to socialize and get on the dancefloor then.

I have to admit, I didn't really interact much with Dad's co-workers either. Maybe it was just because I felt kinda awkward about the whole thing - here I was, a teenage girl in a room full of adults who I barely meet on a normal day. I still had a fun time though - there was good music to dance to and the food was delish too. I guess that's what happens when you're like Marshall and can afford anything you want.

This morning? I've been busy feeling queasy after all the candy I stuffed myself on last night. Nothing new there. That's Halloween for me every time. Still worth it though.

I guess now it's just time to get ready for the holidays. I swear they start showing all the Christmas stuff earlier and earlier each year. Until December comes though, I'm pretty sure November's gonna be a non-event.