#51: Stacey's Ex-Best Friend
Tagline: Is Stacey's friend Laine super mature or just a super snob?
Even without the tagline, it's clear that this book isn't about Stacey's super-dibble Stoneybrook counterpart, Claudia. Otherwise the series would have gotten quite a bit more interesting, don't you think? I personally would rather see what BSC meetings would be like if the VP and the treasurer couldn't be in the room together. Alas, Stacey loses her first best friend, the one she no longer sees on a daily basis, and all because of a terrible plot point. Ready to tear your hair out with me? Let's go.
I don't normally talk about covers, since I don't include the images, but this one involves Stacey, Claudia, Dawn, Laine, and two boys sitting at a table, at a scene that happens during an SMS lunch. I think the boys may be Rick Chow and perhaps Pete Black, but right now I'm too lazy to check. Anyway, the chairs at the SMS cafeteria, according to Hodges, are folding chairs. Really? In a well-to-do school in Connecticut, the kids are going to sit, daily, on the same folding chairs normally reserved for band concerts and outdoor parties? I could almost see if this occurred at the dance that happens late in the book, but no, they're clearly making things out of pretzels and something like prunes, with Laine watching snobbily from the side, because that is *so* not awesome where she's from.
Also, this book takes place around Valentine's Day. Stacey breaks up with Laine just hours before the most romantic day of the year. Something you want to tell us, Ann?
Chapter 1
Where it all begins. Really, the book should not have continued past this chapter if not for a misunderstanding and two clueless 13-year-olds. Stacey's at home, staring out the window at snow, reminiscing as to what transpired to bring her to this point. She's now officially a divorced kid, y'all. She has a few hours until the BSC meeting and is about to start her homework when the phone rings, and it's Laine! Her NYC bestie! Calling her...Anastasia? WTH? Also, just like Claud, Laine has her very own phone line. All the cool kids do. So Laine is calling to let Anastasia Stacey know that her winter break is coming up and "I absolutely cannot wait." Laine has just *SO* many choices on how to fill her time, though she figures most of them will involve King. What, did you get a great dane? No--King is Laine's boyfriend. Who is fifteen. And in high school. And I wonder where the hell Laine's parents are that they'd let her date some dude named King while she's still in eighth grade. (I'm sure he's lovely, but he can wait until summer break.) Stace feels a little left out; she hasn't talked to Laine since New Year's and hadn't heard a thing about King. Laine goes on and on about King's ponytail and her various vacation options when Stacey comes up with a (not-so-fabulous) plan: Come to Stoneybrook for the entire time! It's *way* more happening than high school parties and a condo on the beach! Laine doesn't sound so sure about it, especially when Stacey proclaims how "distant" it would be. Stace says to think about it while she asks Maureen for permission, so when they talk a couple hours later, there's this exchange:
Stacey: "It's all set. I got permission. You can come!"
Laine: "Okay..."
Stacey: "Okay, you'll come? That's fantastic!" *prattles on for a while*
Laine (eventually getting a word in): "Don't you have to go to a BSC meeting or something?"
Anyone see a problem with this conversation? *counts hands* One, two, three...everyone. Okay! And by that I mean, Laine's "okay" clearly did not mean "Okay, this sounds thrilling, I'm totally up for it"; it was more like, "Okay, crap, I didn't think your mom would give me permission to basically stay alone at your house for a week while you're in school, Maureen presumably works, and the big excitement is watching Mallory make a fool of herself care of Ann M. Martin's puppet strings." If Laine truly were as sophisticated (read: adult) as she believes, she would have stood up to Stacey and said, you know, a week seems to be too much; how about a day? Or maybe a weekend? So between Laine not standing up for herself and Stacey's inability to hear tonal inflection over the phone, we set up the showdown.
Chapter 2
Stacey spends the end of Chapter 1 making a list of things for Laine to do while in Stoneybrook, which is far, far less interesting than anything she'd do if she'd stayed home. Spend a day at SMS? But the whole point of winter break is to get away from school! Come along while she sits for Charlotte? Snore. At least drag her along to the Pikes or Rodowskys. That at least has the potential for mayhem. Oh, and Stacey brings up that the restaurants in the 'Brook aren't as exciting as the ones in NYC, but of course that doesn't matter much since Stacey's diabetic, and wouldn't you know it, her diabetes caused a big rift in her and Laine's friendship when she was first diagnosed! But they're good now! Ha-ha.
And Stacey has a second best friend! And a bunch of other girls whose friendships meant so much to her that she abandoned her big city life and came to live with her mom following the divorce. And who are those friends, and how do they know each other? Time to do the Chapter 2 boogaloo. Talk about snore. At least it seems that Ann finally learned how to condense the typical chapters 2 and 3 into one (it only took her 50 books), and the only groundbreaking bit of info appears to be that Mary Anne wears reading glasses. I don't think I've seen that before, at least not in what I've re-read.
Not only did the boring part get condensed, but there's even room for a bit of storyline: Stacey tells the others about Laine's upcoming visit, and Mary Anne realizes she'll be here for the big V-Day dance...which she also realizes will be on Friday the 13th. She practically howls in disgust--who would plan *that*? What, did you think the SMS faculty would wait until *after* the holiday to hold the dance? Plus, which do you think they'd rather do on the actual holiday--chaperone a dance or spend the day with their significant others? Hmm. Friday it is. Get over it, Spier. Also, they talk about their dates--they're all going. MA and Kristy with their boyfriends, the other 8th graders with male friends, Mal with Ben Hobart, and Jessi with a 7th grader named Curtis Shaller. And you know who else might enjoy V-Day? *drum roll* Their charges! Of course! Time to put BSC Plan #587 in play: The BSC Valentine's Day Party. Oy to the vey. Well, at least it would afford their parents a few hours away from their kids for a bit of afternoon delight. Those Pikes have been slacking on another kid, you know.
Chapter 3 (or, and speaking of the Pikes...)
It's time for one of our favorite writing-in-the-notebook moves, the one where the sitters are writing up a Pike job and one grabs the pen out of the other's hand. The cross on Mal's T ends up about an inch long thanks to Stacey's grabby-hands. Basically, Stace was trying to complain about the Pikes being cooped up in the house because it was raining; Mal took offense. I already need an aspirin to cope and the only sitting I'm doing is in a cushy chair.
So. It's just over a week since the fateful Wednesday where Laine started to meet her doom and Kristy had yet another fabulous cranial explosion, yet all they've really done is decide on a name for the party (Valentine Masquerade) and that they'll invite 5-year-olds and up, only lowering it from 6 because Mal whined about Claire potentially whining if she was the only Pike not invited. Here's the thing: They actually had to invite people. Claud, in charge of the invites, hadn't gotten around to doing them, to nobody's chagrin. (Stacey says they'd probably read something like, "Its a haliday! Come celabrat Vanentins Day with the BSC." Best friends you'll ever. have.) Hello, Pike family sweatshop. All but Nicky get involved; he's quietly holed up in his room, probably thankful for the privacy. Stacey goes to check on him and discovers he's making a card for someone, a special second-grader. Aw. He makes her promise not to say anything; she's just glad he's not doing anything sinister.
Chapter 4 (or, this relationship isn't healthy, dear)
Stacey is in her bedroom, taking in the lay of the land and hiding any semblance of her personality that she feels wouldn't be up to Laine's standards, like Lennie the rag doll who actually belongs to Claudia. Also hidden: Her stuffed pig collection, plus a kitten poster from MA; in its place is a poster of a rock band. So...in order to have Laine over, you have to change who you are and also squirrel away proof that you have other friends? Really? And this is despite Laine having met these girls on several other occasions. This books should have been titled Stacey and the Impending Sense of Doom. Also, Laine only drinks seltzer now, and Stacey panics when she can't find any in the fridge. This actually is a relatively timely reference, as I recall a friend of mine getting really into New York Seltzer (an actual brand) a few years before this book was written.
Stace is also hosting a sleepover for the BSC and Laine, because that went *so* well back in New York. But that seems like it was years ago... Anyway, enough fussing with the house; it's time to fetch Laine from the train. Ooh, picking-Laine-up-from-the-station outfit! Stacey wore "a purple shirtwaist top over flowered leggings, my cowboy boots (cowgirl boots? cowwoman boots?), a purple hair ornament made from shoelaces," (note: also very timely) "and long dangly silver earrings." And yet, Laine's outfit was far more dibble: "She was hard to miss, considering she was wearing a jean coat with a fur collar (I sincerely hoped the fur was fake," (who are you, Dawn?) "black capri pants edged with lace, very chic black ankle boots, and on her head, a brilliant red oversized beret. Immediately, I felt slightly dorky." You shouldn't; you're not the one wearing the jean coat. Who is she, Jay Leno's illegitimate child?
Things go no better when Stacey literally runs into Laine, as she's just so excited to hug her friend. Stacey laughs it off; Laine doesn't. Then, apparently Laine blinked while they drove through town, because she missed it. This is despite Stacey pointing out the landmarks, like the library and pizza parlor. When Laine wonders what people do for fun, Stacey replies, "They go to New York." ...So why is Laine here?
Laine probably starts to wonder that herself after they get back to the McGills' and she and Stace talk about boys; we'll leave it at Stacey's description: King "sounded...interesting." Several hours later, it's time for the sitters to arrive. Oh, this sounds fun: Stacey "had ordered only one hoagie (vegetarian, so Dawn would eat it) because we always end up pigging out on [snacks]." I'm really hoping she means a 3' party sub and not, like, a 6" from Subway. They "down the hoagie" and adjourn to Stacey's room, where it looks much like a BSC meeting except for Laine ignoring everyone else while looking through a magazine. They start talking about boys, and how Claud thinks a seventh-grader is cute; Laine pipes in and basically says 13-year-old boys have cooties. Kristy takes her down a peg by asking if King can drive or vote--no; he's not that much better than the lowly peons in middle school, then, is he? Stacey senses a fight and mentions the school dance on Friday. Dawn had gone to the previous dance with a guy named Price. Laine perks up at the name; Dawn says that's all he has going for him. There's more mild sniping involving what, exactly, they'll be doing at this sleepover (because Laine needs an itinerary?) before Stace says they'll find her a date. For the second time in the book, Laine's not so sure about this, but considering the typical Friday night alternative in Stoneybrook is doing homework, at least according to Mal, she grudgingly relents--or at least says she'll check with King first.
The only time Laine truly seems happy? When she learns To Kill a Mockingbird is on that night.
Chapter 5
I see Claudia's handwriting on the first page. Groan.
She's sitting for the Arnold girls, who are twins! Who used to have to be identical! And they hated it! Because they're two completely separate people with different likes and dislikes, which you'd think everyone would have learned from the Pikes, considering Adam, Byron, and Jordan have never been made to dress alike, but they're triplets so it's totally different. There's a discussion about the girls' separate styles, and I'm pretty sure Carolyn is now sporting a mullet (she "cut her hair short, leaving longer curls down the back").
They spend their time making cards for the Masquerade; the BSC sent out a list of attendees so people would know who they'd need cards for. Another idea for the party was for the cards to be signed in code, so they think of how they'd do that--Carolyn wants to use a number code, while Marilyn thinks of drawing a horse, or mare. Mare for Marilyn, get it? It comes out, while Claudia helps them make 3D cards (complete with a drawing on how to accordion-fold paper), that Carolyn has a crush on an older boy and she'll make a huge jumping heart for his card. Ooh. All Marilyn knows is he's in third grade...hmm...but she doesn't care too much because she has her own secret valentine. This is far more intriguing than the Laine storyline.
Chapter 6
Laine's first weekday at Stacey's is a dud. Instead of carousing with King, she's left to watch TV the whole day. But Stacey has a surprise--Laine gets to get up early with her on Tuesday and spend the day at SMS! Won't that be fun!
Laine: Kill me now.
Actually, she says, "But, Anastasia, I'm on vacation. The idea is not to be in school." Anastasia, more and more annoyed by Laine's use of her full name, just wants to show her her new life as well as get her out of the house for the day. Okay, fine, sounds like fun.
Back in the city, Stacey and Laine had a phone code they'd use when they wanted to walk to school together; now Stacey and Mal have a code involving different-colored towels. Stace looks outside and sees a white towel; looks like they're walking with Mal today!
Laine: "Why don't you guys just call each other?"
Stacey, embarrassed: "I don't know. How come you and I didn't just call each other?"
Laine: "Because we were only ten."
Burn.
Things go no better at school, where Laine has Stacey ditch study hall and wonders if there's time to run to the coffee shop. Laine is stunned to learn they don't have an open campus. Considering my high school only had open campus for seniors, no, I'm not surprised--and they no longer do that, even. Laine's even more stunned to find out that only one person can get a bathroom pass at a time. Really, Laine? What sort of progressive hippie school do you go to that allows middle school students to wander about on their own? My school couldn't even allow the junior high boys to go to the bathroom by themselves because they kept kicking the doors down.
At lunchtime, Stacey shows Laine the free-range cafeteria where students are allowed to roam from table to table as they pleased. See? It's not so bad. But when Austin Bentley starts shoving pretzels into prunes (look, I remembered that correctly) and says they resemble space satellites, Laine's ready to ride them to another planet. Pete Black is ready to ride with her--he's smitten, but Laine takes no notice. The one who does notice? Kristy, who's in a mood because it looks like Bart won't be able to take her to the dance. Pete finally gets Laine's attention when he says, "You have hair like gossamer." Stacey tells us, "It was the only time [Laine] laughed while she was at my school."
Chapter 7
Later that night, Stacey suggests Laine go to the dance with Pete, since he's clearly into her; she's more curious about the Vocabulary for Shakespearian Playwrights class SMS apparently has. Besides, King would *never* use a word like "gossamer"; he'd say, "Awesome, Babe," to compliment her. Because he calls her Babe and she calls him Heart, and I'm calling myself Margo because my gag reflex has been triggered. Stacey cannot conceive of letting a guy call her Babe. Oh, but Laine calls him Heart because he's her King of Hearts. You're just so sophisticated, dear. In fact, Laine is *so* sophomoricisticated that she can't believe Stacey keeps pushing super-dweeb Pete on her, wondering what people would think to see the two of them together.
Show of hands: Who thinks Pete is too good for Laine? *counts* One, two, three...everybody.
Laine starts talking slowly, apparently thinking Stacey's skull is too thick for her to handle normal speech: People. Will. See. Them. Together. Stacey's all, ...and? Like they know her. Like they'll care. The boys would probably congratulate Pete for getting a date with Stacey's friend. Laine eventually says she's worried what King will think, and wouldn't you know it, King calls. Laine asks for privacy, and Stacey gives it. Poor, deluded Stacey: When she thinks she hears the word "childish," she thinks Laine is telling King about the kids for whom she sits. Mmm-hmm. The phone rings again and this time it's cootie-boy Pete, asking Laine and her "eyes like limpid pools" to the dance. Laine agrees, then immediately has to call King. Stacey blatantly eavesdrops and hears Laine making Pete sound like a fool. Was Laine doing this purposely so King wouldn't be threatened? Stacey wasn't sure, but she did know she wasn't happy.
Chapter 8 (or, Valentine's Day doesn't exist in Australia)
Jessi is sitting for the three younger Hobart boys, who apparently have never heard about V-Day and don't know what it's like to attend a casual American party. They plan to wear suits; Jessi has to remind them it'll be held in a barn. They were also going to purchase their cards! Oh, no no no. Jessi's just about to help them make cards when Ben comes home after having a fight with Mallory over the correct way to use the library's card catalog. When Nerds Attack, Tuesdays on Fox. Well, this dance is going well--Kristy's fighting with Bart, they've picked up on Laine not wanting to go with Pete, and now Mal may not go with Ben. Could it be because the dance is on Friday the 13th? *shudder* Well, nobody's received a mustard seed necklace recently, so I doubt it.
Chapter 9
And now MA had a spat with Logan. Because he, gasp, wants to dance at the dance. I'm with Laine on this one; we roll our eyes together. Especially since this horrible turn of events has MA in tears. My lord, he might as well have asked her to drown Tigger. Stacey's worried her friends will ruin the dance. Oh, but they well; it's just not who she's thinking.
The bickering is occurring just before a BSC meeting; when they start it up (and Kristy interrupts Laine essentially calling them children), they discuss the Masquerade until they're interrupted by pseudo-client Mr. Marshall. I swear, I have yet to re-read a book where they're mentioned more than in passing. Eventually things calm down Laine asks if Stacey will still be sitting this summer; of course. Laine then asks, "Don't you ever think about getting real jobs?"
*looks left*
*looks right*
What thirteen-year-old has a real job? Seriously? At thirteen, baby-sitting *is* a real job. In fact, Kristy says just that. Your point, Ms. Cummings? Well, she found a sweatshop boutique that has no age requirement and will be working a register for the summer. When Kristy says, "Your boss has my sympathies," all I can think of is that he brought it upon himself. Because I'm totally sure that if there were "about a million people" applying for this job, he would totally take the thirteen-year-old with zero experience. Man, that "things Ann knows nothing about" tag gets a workout.
The meeting ends with Jessi and Mal, while reading the notebook, discovering that perhaps Nicky and Carolyn like each other. Laine disdainfully remarks that they're interested in the love lives of eight-year-olds. Well, at least they're age-appropriate, missy.
Chapter 10
God, I'm only on Chapter 10? I'd say TGIF, but Friday lasts for several chapters. *moan* Stacey laments that the Laine she has in her house isn't the same Laine she'd known for much of her life. Well, she decides to try to get the old Laine back; the afternoon is free because Kristy actually canceled the meeting so they could all get ready for the dance. Laine helping Stacey get ready? This should be fun, except not. Laine can't believe Stacey wants to wear red of all colors to the dance, since it's something only fourth graders and their mothers do. Then Laine is more interested in her manicure, first asking to touch up her nails, then deciding it doesn't matter since her date that night is only Pete, then remembering she'll see King the next day back at home so of course it's now a priority. Stacey tries hard to remain civil and finds her the right polish, which she mentions she'd purchased off the home shopping TV show. Laine's like, oh God, you actually *watch* that? Do you have a ceramic clown as well? (Actually, yes, but it's hidden under the rag doll and kitten poster.) Laine describes it as J-U-N-Q-U-E. You are a D-O-R-Q-U-E.
Civil, Stacey, be civil. She suggests making popcorn; Laine says it's too fattening; she's trying to lose five pounds--and Stacey could stand to lose the same. Really? The same Stacey whose doctors tell her to gain weight? Have you *met* her? Stacey starts questioning her friendship with Laine, realizing Claudia was a much better friend. Sure, Maureen and Mrs. C had known each other since probably college, and their girls grew up together, but was that enough to sustain a friendship? She realizes the problem doesn't entirely lie with her--Laine wasn't exactly contributing much. Yet Stacey decided she couldn't throw away their eight years of friendship and makes it a point to keep trying. Alas, Laine doesn't.
Chapter 11
Now this is a new one. We get an interlude between Stacey's chapter and the dance where some of the sitters decorate the barn. It's not a sitting chapter per se, yet Kristy is writing it up for the notebook, probably because she dragged David Michael and Karen along to help. The forced child labor in this book is astonishing. Naturally, Kristy's group arrives in the Junk Bucket (Junque Bucket?), and I didn't realize before now that it's truly a piece of work, one that Charlie keeps painting and essentially decorating. I just thought it was an old rusty car. So, anyway, they decorate, and Nicky Pike wanders in, so they put him to work, and we find out that both Bart and Logan will be accompanying their ladies to the dance. Phew.
Meanwhile, back at Stacey's, they're still getting ready. Stacey had picked out "a red top and a very short jean skirt" to wear in the previous chapter; now Laine was ready and wearing a "black leotard, long black jacket, black leggings over black stockings, [and] black shoes. Her jewelry was silver, though. And big." She's even wearing a pair of earrings Stacey had gifted her, and admits that she often wears a pair of tropical fish earrings Claudia had made. Laine is so happy to mention this that Stacey spontaneously hugs her. And then they go to leave:
Maureen: You look "at least fifteen years old."
Laine: "People tell me I could be eighteen."
Sigh.
Stacey had already asked Laine to be nice to Pete--not that she'd heard, as it turned out--but Laine's mortified even before they leave the house. Maureen is driving them! They're meeting the boys there! How gauche. Maureen had just told her to enjoy being thirteen, that there's plenty of time before she's actually eighteen, but I'm thinking of locking her in a closet until she's 27.
Chapter 12 (or, it's finally time for the dance)
Stacey has opted to act rational and mature at the dance in order to have a good time. When Maureen drops them off and says she'll see them at 10, Stacey gives her a smile, which causes Maureen to relax a bit; she could tell something was going on. They quickly meet up with Kristy--in a dress--and Bart. The plan was to have everyone meet at the doors, then go in together. Pete and Austin are the last to arrive but are bearing corsages; Laine's ends up falling to the ground, where it gets smushed. Laine can't believe Pete is so klutzy; Stacey can't believe Laine makes him so nervous.
The dance isn't any better. It's too pink for Laine's liking--she suggests it's appropriate for diaper-wearing partygoers--and she's appalled that they're playing music off a tape deck, even though it's only for when the band is setting up. Stacey and Austin start to dance, as do Pete and Laine; Stacey and Laine notice Pete's trademark sneakers at the same time. You'd think she'd just noticed his dark mark tattoo the way she reacted. More minor mishaps occur, but nothing truly rude takes place until Laine claims she's too tired to continue dancing with Pete, then immediately accepts an invitation from a hunky guy...who turns out to be a seventh grader, to the BSC's amusement. Meanwhile, Stacey notices Pete's upset enough that she thinks he's on the verge of tears. She's now had enough of Laine's shenanigans, so when Laine finishes dancing, Stacey drags her away and tells her off. Laine's response is that she wants to go home. To New York.
Chapter 13
Stacey's more than happy to help Laine pack her bags. She heads toward the pay phones with Laine on her heels; Laine basically antagonizes her while she calls her mom. Stacey then heads back to the gym, saying she's going to apologize to the entire dance for Laine's rudeness. Laine has no idea what she's talking about, so Stace starts to list everyone, from Pete and Austin to the BSC to the band to the decorating committee to the entire sixth grade, since one of them happened to drop a cup of punch during the dance, leading Laine to say 11-year-olds lacked muscle control. Even though Laine claims she can apologize for herself, she doesn't, but Stacey at least has a modicum of sense and finds Austin to apologize for ruining the evening, especially since she's leaving with Laine. Yet Stacey doesn't think of everything; she manages to forget to grab Laine's coat and leaves her to find it herself. Passive-aggressive Stacey, 1; Laine the loser, 0. Once in the car, Maureen has them spill it. All Laine can admit to is, "Stacey is out of control." Stacey, however, describes how terrible Laine had acted the whole week.
Stacey: "If we're such bores, you shouldn't have come here, Laine."
Laine: "You were the one who wanted me to come so badly."
And...yes, this is entirely true. One point for Laine.
Once home, Maureen herds them into the kitchen, where she calls Laine's mom (and, don't forget, her friend for roughly two decades). The call starts out pleasantly enough but soon it's clear that Laine has inherited her mother's sense of snobbery. It's decided that Laine will take the 10:40 into the city, and I'm shocked there's a train leaving Stoneybrook that late. Leaving the city? Sure. But heading into town? Hmm.
Stacey doesn't even leave the car to take Laine to the platform. She's pretty sure their friendship is over, and "I was fairly certain I wouldn't see Laine again."
Chapter 14
Stacey spends the next morning on the phone apologizing to people, starting with Austin, who tells her Pete's upset, but not with her. Next is Claud, who is stunned to hear Laine had left the night before, but she admits that the Laine who came to visit wasn't the nice person she'd previously encountered. Stace then remembers the phone call the previous evening between the moms and runs to speak with Maureen; is her and Mrs. C's friendship over with, too? Maureen doesn't think so. Stacey's still upset, so upset she couldn't even cry, then realizes she still has the Masquerade to attend. She dresses in red.
At the Masquerade, the kids come and have a good time, running around playing games before having snacks. Eventually they receive their valentines and have fun trying to figure out who sent them. The sitters concentrate on Nicky and Carolyn, sure they're the other one's crush. Eventually Stacey happens over to Nicky and grabs his pile of cards; the Arnold girls had signed them ARNCAROLOLD and ARNMARILOLD. Carol in Arnold; Maril in Arnold. Clever. But Carolyn's card is basic, while Marilyn's is all gushy. Hmm. Then Nicky spots Carolyn with his special card and freaks out; it was actually for Marilyn. Whoops. No wonder he wasn't excited to get the mushy card at first. So, wait, if Marilyn and Nicky like each other, who does Carolyn actually like? James Hobart. Stacey and Mary Anne spot them talking and looking happy. Aw. Well, at least the holiday ended well for some people.
Chapter 15
Stacey's V-Day was a bummer, despite getting roses from her dad and earrings from her mom. She still needed to talk to Pete but decided to wait until they were back at school. She also wanted to talk to Laine, feeling things were left unfinished between them, but she couldn't call. Instead, she writes a note. She doesn't apologize yet admits she's sorry they fought. She questions why Laine even came to visit if she didn't really want to, claiming she didn't force her to come. I don't know, perhaps she didn't want to disappoint her best friend. She signs the letter, "Your ex-best friend, Stacey (not Anastasia)." Before sealing the envelope, she includes her half of her best friends necklace. I guess she's really serious about this. She then immediately walks it to the mailbox, then calls Claud; she needs company. Claud asks if they can watch the shopping show and eat popcorn. Stacey's totally fine with that and awaits the arrival of her friend. Her best friend. Her only best friend.
I remember having stupid fights with my friends at that age, including one where a girl didn't really speak to me for months due to a misunderstanding. Her way of getting back at me was to constantly mispronounce my name, ooh. But we got over it and remained friends until a year or two after we moved away from each other. My collection ends a few books after this one; do Laine and Stacey ever patch things up?
Bonus: Stacey bookmark
Full name: Anastasia Elizabeth McGill
Age: 13 years old
Birthdate: April 3
Birthplace: New York, New York
Club Position: Treasurer
Best friend: Claudia
Likes: Math, shopping, boys, the color pink, the movie "Mary Poppins," and Porky Pig. "I can even imitate his voice."
Dislikes: Ironing, doctors, her strict diet, and having diabetes. "It's such a drag. Sometimes, I'd kill for a Tootsie Pop."
First major crush: Scott, an 18-year-old lifeguard
First kiss: From Toby in the Tunnel of Luv at Sea City. "I couldn't believe it! I knew I would never forget Sea City or the boardwalk or the Tunnel of Luv. Or Toby."
Even without the tagline, it's clear that this book isn't about Stacey's super-dibble Stoneybrook counterpart, Claudia. Otherwise the series would have gotten quite a bit more interesting, don't you think? I personally would rather see what BSC meetings would be like if the VP and the treasurer couldn't be in the room together. Alas, Stacey loses her first best friend, the one she no longer sees on a daily basis, and all because of a terrible plot point. Ready to tear your hair out with me? Let's go.
I don't normally talk about covers, since I don't include the images, but this one involves Stacey, Claudia, Dawn, Laine, and two boys sitting at a table, at a scene that happens during an SMS lunch. I think the boys may be Rick Chow and perhaps Pete Black, but right now I'm too lazy to check. Anyway, the chairs at the SMS cafeteria, according to Hodges, are folding chairs. Really? In a well-to-do school in Connecticut, the kids are going to sit, daily, on the same folding chairs normally reserved for band concerts and outdoor parties? I could almost see if this occurred at the dance that happens late in the book, but no, they're clearly making things out of pretzels and something like prunes, with Laine watching snobbily from the side, because that is *so* not awesome where she's from.
Also, this book takes place around Valentine's Day. Stacey breaks up with Laine just hours before the most romantic day of the year. Something you want to tell us, Ann?
Chapter 1
Where it all begins. Really, the book should not have continued past this chapter if not for a misunderstanding and two clueless 13-year-olds. Stacey's at home, staring out the window at snow, reminiscing as to what transpired to bring her to this point. She's now officially a divorced kid, y'all. She has a few hours until the BSC meeting and is about to start her homework when the phone rings, and it's Laine! Her NYC bestie! Calling her...Anastasia? WTH? Also, just like Claud, Laine has her very own phone line. All the cool kids do. So Laine is calling to let Anastasia Stacey know that her winter break is coming up and "I absolutely cannot wait." Laine has just *SO* many choices on how to fill her time, though she figures most of them will involve King. What, did you get a great dane? No--King is Laine's boyfriend. Who is fifteen. And in high school. And I wonder where the hell Laine's parents are that they'd let her date some dude named King while she's still in eighth grade. (I'm sure he's lovely, but he can wait until summer break.) Stace feels a little left out; she hasn't talked to Laine since New Year's and hadn't heard a thing about King. Laine goes on and on about King's ponytail and her various vacation options when Stacey comes up with a (not-so-fabulous) plan: Come to Stoneybrook for the entire time! It's *way* more happening than high school parties and a condo on the beach! Laine doesn't sound so sure about it, especially when Stacey proclaims how "distant" it would be. Stace says to think about it while she asks Maureen for permission, so when they talk a couple hours later, there's this exchange:
Stacey: "It's all set. I got permission. You can come!"
Laine: "Okay..."
Stacey: "Okay, you'll come? That's fantastic!" *prattles on for a while*
Laine (eventually getting a word in): "Don't you have to go to a BSC meeting or something?"
Anyone see a problem with this conversation? *counts hands* One, two, three...everyone. Okay! And by that I mean, Laine's "okay" clearly did not mean "Okay, this sounds thrilling, I'm totally up for it"; it was more like, "Okay, crap, I didn't think your mom would give me permission to basically stay alone at your house for a week while you're in school, Maureen presumably works, and the big excitement is watching Mallory make a fool of herself care of Ann M. Martin's puppet strings." If Laine truly were as sophisticated (read: adult) as she believes, she would have stood up to Stacey and said, you know, a week seems to be too much; how about a day? Or maybe a weekend? So between Laine not standing up for herself and Stacey's inability to hear tonal inflection over the phone, we set up the showdown.
Chapter 2
Stacey spends the end of Chapter 1 making a list of things for Laine to do while in Stoneybrook, which is far, far less interesting than anything she'd do if she'd stayed home. Spend a day at SMS? But the whole point of winter break is to get away from school! Come along while she sits for Charlotte? Snore. At least drag her along to the Pikes or Rodowskys. That at least has the potential for mayhem. Oh, and Stacey brings up that the restaurants in the 'Brook aren't as exciting as the ones in NYC, but of course that doesn't matter much since Stacey's diabetic, and wouldn't you know it, her diabetes caused a big rift in her and Laine's friendship when she was first diagnosed! But they're good now! Ha-ha.
And Stacey has a second best friend! And a bunch of other girls whose friendships meant so much to her that she abandoned her big city life and came to live with her mom following the divorce. And who are those friends, and how do they know each other? Time to do the Chapter 2 boogaloo. Talk about snore. At least it seems that Ann finally learned how to condense the typical chapters 2 and 3 into one (it only took her 50 books), and the only groundbreaking bit of info appears to be that Mary Anne wears reading glasses. I don't think I've seen that before, at least not in what I've re-read.
Not only did the boring part get condensed, but there's even room for a bit of storyline: Stacey tells the others about Laine's upcoming visit, and Mary Anne realizes she'll be here for the big V-Day dance...which she also realizes will be on Friday the 13th. She practically howls in disgust--who would plan *that*? What, did you think the SMS faculty would wait until *after* the holiday to hold the dance? Plus, which do you think they'd rather do on the actual holiday--chaperone a dance or spend the day with their significant others? Hmm. Friday it is. Get over it, Spier. Also, they talk about their dates--they're all going. MA and Kristy with their boyfriends, the other 8th graders with male friends, Mal with Ben Hobart, and Jessi with a 7th grader named Curtis Shaller. And you know who else might enjoy V-Day? *drum roll* Their charges! Of course! Time to put BSC Plan #587 in play: The BSC Valentine's Day Party. Oy to the vey. Well, at least it would afford their parents a few hours away from their kids for a bit of afternoon delight. Those Pikes have been slacking on another kid, you know.
Chapter 3 (or, and speaking of the Pikes...)
It's time for one of our favorite writing-in-the-notebook moves, the one where the sitters are writing up a Pike job and one grabs the pen out of the other's hand. The cross on Mal's T ends up about an inch long thanks to Stacey's grabby-hands. Basically, Stace was trying to complain about the Pikes being cooped up in the house because it was raining; Mal took offense. I already need an aspirin to cope and the only sitting I'm doing is in a cushy chair.
So. It's just over a week since the fateful Wednesday where Laine started to meet her doom and Kristy had yet another fabulous cranial explosion, yet all they've really done is decide on a name for the party (Valentine Masquerade) and that they'll invite 5-year-olds and up, only lowering it from 6 because Mal whined about Claire potentially whining if she was the only Pike not invited. Here's the thing: They actually had to invite people. Claud, in charge of the invites, hadn't gotten around to doing them, to nobody's chagrin. (Stacey says they'd probably read something like, "Its a haliday! Come celabrat Vanentins Day with the BSC." Best friends you'll ever. have.) Hello, Pike family sweatshop. All but Nicky get involved; he's quietly holed up in his room, probably thankful for the privacy. Stacey goes to check on him and discovers he's making a card for someone, a special second-grader. Aw. He makes her promise not to say anything; she's just glad he's not doing anything sinister.
Chapter 4 (or, this relationship isn't healthy, dear)
Stacey is in her bedroom, taking in the lay of the land and hiding any semblance of her personality that she feels wouldn't be up to Laine's standards, like Lennie the rag doll who actually belongs to Claudia. Also hidden: Her stuffed pig collection, plus a kitten poster from MA; in its place is a poster of a rock band. So...in order to have Laine over, you have to change who you are and also squirrel away proof that you have other friends? Really? And this is despite Laine having met these girls on several other occasions. This books should have been titled Stacey and the Impending Sense of Doom. Also, Laine only drinks seltzer now, and Stacey panics when she can't find any in the fridge. This actually is a relatively timely reference, as I recall a friend of mine getting really into New York Seltzer (an actual brand) a few years before this book was written.
Stace is also hosting a sleepover for the BSC and Laine, because that went *so* well back in New York. But that seems like it was years ago... Anyway, enough fussing with the house; it's time to fetch Laine from the train. Ooh, picking-Laine-up-from-the-station outfit! Stacey wore "a purple shirtwaist top over flowered leggings, my cowboy boots (cowgirl boots? cowwoman boots?), a purple hair ornament made from shoelaces," (note: also very timely) "and long dangly silver earrings." And yet, Laine's outfit was far more dibble: "She was hard to miss, considering she was wearing a jean coat with a fur collar (I sincerely hoped the fur was fake," (who are you, Dawn?) "black capri pants edged with lace, very chic black ankle boots, and on her head, a brilliant red oversized beret. Immediately, I felt slightly dorky." You shouldn't; you're not the one wearing the jean coat. Who is she, Jay Leno's illegitimate child?
Things go no better when Stacey literally runs into Laine, as she's just so excited to hug her friend. Stacey laughs it off; Laine doesn't. Then, apparently Laine blinked while they drove through town, because she missed it. This is despite Stacey pointing out the landmarks, like the library and pizza parlor. When Laine wonders what people do for fun, Stacey replies, "They go to New York." ...So why is Laine here?
Laine probably starts to wonder that herself after they get back to the McGills' and she and Stace talk about boys; we'll leave it at Stacey's description: King "sounded...interesting." Several hours later, it's time for the sitters to arrive. Oh, this sounds fun: Stacey "had ordered only one hoagie (vegetarian, so Dawn would eat it) because we always end up pigging out on [snacks]." I'm really hoping she means a 3' party sub and not, like, a 6" from Subway. They "down the hoagie" and adjourn to Stacey's room, where it looks much like a BSC meeting except for Laine ignoring everyone else while looking through a magazine. They start talking about boys, and how Claud thinks a seventh-grader is cute; Laine pipes in and basically says 13-year-old boys have cooties. Kristy takes her down a peg by asking if King can drive or vote--no; he's not that much better than the lowly peons in middle school, then, is he? Stacey senses a fight and mentions the school dance on Friday. Dawn had gone to the previous dance with a guy named Price. Laine perks up at the name; Dawn says that's all he has going for him. There's more mild sniping involving what, exactly, they'll be doing at this sleepover (because Laine needs an itinerary?) before Stace says they'll find her a date. For the second time in the book, Laine's not so sure about this, but considering the typical Friday night alternative in Stoneybrook is doing homework, at least according to Mal, she grudgingly relents--or at least says she'll check with King first.
The only time Laine truly seems happy? When she learns To Kill a Mockingbird is on that night.
Chapter 5
I see Claudia's handwriting on the first page. Groan.
She's sitting for the Arnold girls, who are twins! Who used to have to be identical! And they hated it! Because they're two completely separate people with different likes and dislikes, which you'd think everyone would have learned from the Pikes, considering Adam, Byron, and Jordan have never been made to dress alike, but they're triplets so it's totally different. There's a discussion about the girls' separate styles, and I'm pretty sure Carolyn is now sporting a mullet (she "cut her hair short, leaving longer curls down the back").
They spend their time making cards for the Masquerade; the BSC sent out a list of attendees so people would know who they'd need cards for. Another idea for the party was for the cards to be signed in code, so they think of how they'd do that--Carolyn wants to use a number code, while Marilyn thinks of drawing a horse, or mare. Mare for Marilyn, get it? It comes out, while Claudia helps them make 3D cards (complete with a drawing on how to accordion-fold paper), that Carolyn has a crush on an older boy and she'll make a huge jumping heart for his card. Ooh. All Marilyn knows is he's in third grade...hmm...but she doesn't care too much because she has her own secret valentine. This is far more intriguing than the Laine storyline.
Chapter 6
Laine's first weekday at Stacey's is a dud. Instead of carousing with King, she's left to watch TV the whole day. But Stacey has a surprise--Laine gets to get up early with her on Tuesday and spend the day at SMS! Won't that be fun!
Laine: Kill me now.
Actually, she says, "But, Anastasia, I'm on vacation. The idea is not to be in school." Anastasia, more and more annoyed by Laine's use of her full name, just wants to show her her new life as well as get her out of the house for the day. Okay, fine, sounds like fun.
Back in the city, Stacey and Laine had a phone code they'd use when they wanted to walk to school together; now Stacey and Mal have a code involving different-colored towels. Stace looks outside and sees a white towel; looks like they're walking with Mal today!
Laine: "Why don't you guys just call each other?"
Stacey, embarrassed: "I don't know. How come you and I didn't just call each other?"
Laine: "Because we were only ten."
Burn.
Things go no better at school, where Laine has Stacey ditch study hall and wonders if there's time to run to the coffee shop. Laine is stunned to learn they don't have an open campus. Considering my high school only had open campus for seniors, no, I'm not surprised--and they no longer do that, even. Laine's even more stunned to find out that only one person can get a bathroom pass at a time. Really, Laine? What sort of progressive hippie school do you go to that allows middle school students to wander about on their own? My school couldn't even allow the junior high boys to go to the bathroom by themselves because they kept kicking the doors down.
At lunchtime, Stacey shows Laine the free-range cafeteria where students are allowed to roam from table to table as they pleased. See? It's not so bad. But when Austin Bentley starts shoving pretzels into prunes (look, I remembered that correctly) and says they resemble space satellites, Laine's ready to ride them to another planet. Pete Black is ready to ride with her--he's smitten, but Laine takes no notice. The one who does notice? Kristy, who's in a mood because it looks like Bart won't be able to take her to the dance. Pete finally gets Laine's attention when he says, "You have hair like gossamer." Stacey tells us, "It was the only time [Laine] laughed while she was at my school."
Chapter 7
Later that night, Stacey suggests Laine go to the dance with Pete, since he's clearly into her; she's more curious about the Vocabulary for Shakespearian Playwrights class SMS apparently has. Besides, King would *never* use a word like "gossamer"; he'd say, "Awesome, Babe," to compliment her. Because he calls her Babe and she calls him Heart, and I'm calling myself Margo because my gag reflex has been triggered. Stacey cannot conceive of letting a guy call her Babe. Oh, but Laine calls him Heart because he's her King of Hearts. You're just so sophisticated, dear. In fact, Laine is *so* sophomoricisticated that she can't believe Stacey keeps pushing super-dweeb Pete on her, wondering what people would think to see the two of them together.
Show of hands: Who thinks Pete is too good for Laine? *counts* One, two, three...everybody.
Laine starts talking slowly, apparently thinking Stacey's skull is too thick for her to handle normal speech: People. Will. See. Them. Together. Stacey's all, ...and? Like they know her. Like they'll care. The boys would probably congratulate Pete for getting a date with Stacey's friend. Laine eventually says she's worried what King will think, and wouldn't you know it, King calls. Laine asks for privacy, and Stacey gives it. Poor, deluded Stacey: When she thinks she hears the word "childish," she thinks Laine is telling King about the kids for whom she sits. Mmm-hmm. The phone rings again and this time it's cootie-boy Pete, asking Laine and her "eyes like limpid pools" to the dance. Laine agrees, then immediately has to call King. Stacey blatantly eavesdrops and hears Laine making Pete sound like a fool. Was Laine doing this purposely so King wouldn't be threatened? Stacey wasn't sure, but she did know she wasn't happy.
Chapter 8 (or, Valentine's Day doesn't exist in Australia)
Jessi is sitting for the three younger Hobart boys, who apparently have never heard about V-Day and don't know what it's like to attend a casual American party. They plan to wear suits; Jessi has to remind them it'll be held in a barn. They were also going to purchase their cards! Oh, no no no. Jessi's just about to help them make cards when Ben comes home after having a fight with Mallory over the correct way to use the library's card catalog. When Nerds Attack, Tuesdays on Fox. Well, this dance is going well--Kristy's fighting with Bart, they've picked up on Laine not wanting to go with Pete, and now Mal may not go with Ben. Could it be because the dance is on Friday the 13th? *shudder* Well, nobody's received a mustard seed necklace recently, so I doubt it.
Chapter 9
And now MA had a spat with Logan. Because he, gasp, wants to dance at the dance. I'm with Laine on this one; we roll our eyes together. Especially since this horrible turn of events has MA in tears. My lord, he might as well have asked her to drown Tigger. Stacey's worried her friends will ruin the dance. Oh, but they well; it's just not who she's thinking.
The bickering is occurring just before a BSC meeting; when they start it up (and Kristy interrupts Laine essentially calling them children), they discuss the Masquerade until they're interrupted by pseudo-client Mr. Marshall. I swear, I have yet to re-read a book where they're mentioned more than in passing. Eventually things calm down Laine asks if Stacey will still be sitting this summer; of course. Laine then asks, "Don't you ever think about getting real jobs?"
*looks left*
*looks right*
What thirteen-year-old has a real job? Seriously? At thirteen, baby-sitting *is* a real job. In fact, Kristy says just that. Your point, Ms. Cummings? Well, she found a sweatshop boutique that has no age requirement and will be working a register for the summer. When Kristy says, "Your boss has my sympathies," all I can think of is that he brought it upon himself. Because I'm totally sure that if there were "about a million people" applying for this job, he would totally take the thirteen-year-old with zero experience. Man, that "things Ann knows nothing about" tag gets a workout.
The meeting ends with Jessi and Mal, while reading the notebook, discovering that perhaps Nicky and Carolyn like each other. Laine disdainfully remarks that they're interested in the love lives of eight-year-olds. Well, at least they're age-appropriate, missy.
Chapter 10
God, I'm only on Chapter 10? I'd say TGIF, but Friday lasts for several chapters. *moan* Stacey laments that the Laine she has in her house isn't the same Laine she'd known for much of her life. Well, she decides to try to get the old Laine back; the afternoon is free because Kristy actually canceled the meeting so they could all get ready for the dance. Laine helping Stacey get ready? This should be fun, except not. Laine can't believe Stacey wants to wear red of all colors to the dance, since it's something only fourth graders and their mothers do. Then Laine is more interested in her manicure, first asking to touch up her nails, then deciding it doesn't matter since her date that night is only Pete, then remembering she'll see King the next day back at home so of course it's now a priority. Stacey tries hard to remain civil and finds her the right polish, which she mentions she'd purchased off the home shopping TV show. Laine's like, oh God, you actually *watch* that? Do you have a ceramic clown as well? (Actually, yes, but it's hidden under the rag doll and kitten poster.) Laine describes it as J-U-N-Q-U-E. You are a D-O-R-Q-U-E.
Civil, Stacey, be civil. She suggests making popcorn; Laine says it's too fattening; she's trying to lose five pounds--and Stacey could stand to lose the same. Really? The same Stacey whose doctors tell her to gain weight? Have you *met* her? Stacey starts questioning her friendship with Laine, realizing Claudia was a much better friend. Sure, Maureen and Mrs. C had known each other since probably college, and their girls grew up together, but was that enough to sustain a friendship? She realizes the problem doesn't entirely lie with her--Laine wasn't exactly contributing much. Yet Stacey decided she couldn't throw away their eight years of friendship and makes it a point to keep trying. Alas, Laine doesn't.
Chapter 11
Now this is a new one. We get an interlude between Stacey's chapter and the dance where some of the sitters decorate the barn. It's not a sitting chapter per se, yet Kristy is writing it up for the notebook, probably because she dragged David Michael and Karen along to help. The forced child labor in this book is astonishing. Naturally, Kristy's group arrives in the Junk Bucket (Junque Bucket?), and I didn't realize before now that it's truly a piece of work, one that Charlie keeps painting and essentially decorating. I just thought it was an old rusty car. So, anyway, they decorate, and Nicky Pike wanders in, so they put him to work, and we find out that both Bart and Logan will be accompanying their ladies to the dance. Phew.
Meanwhile, back at Stacey's, they're still getting ready. Stacey had picked out "a red top and a very short jean skirt" to wear in the previous chapter; now Laine was ready and wearing a "black leotard, long black jacket, black leggings over black stockings, [and] black shoes. Her jewelry was silver, though. And big." She's even wearing a pair of earrings Stacey had gifted her, and admits that she often wears a pair of tropical fish earrings Claudia had made. Laine is so happy to mention this that Stacey spontaneously hugs her. And then they go to leave:
Maureen: You look "at least fifteen years old."
Laine: "People tell me I could be eighteen."
Sigh.
Stacey had already asked Laine to be nice to Pete--not that she'd heard, as it turned out--but Laine's mortified even before they leave the house. Maureen is driving them! They're meeting the boys there! How gauche. Maureen had just told her to enjoy being thirteen, that there's plenty of time before she's actually eighteen, but I'm thinking of locking her in a closet until she's 27.
Chapter 12 (or, it's finally time for the dance)
Stacey has opted to act rational and mature at the dance in order to have a good time. When Maureen drops them off and says she'll see them at 10, Stacey gives her a smile, which causes Maureen to relax a bit; she could tell something was going on. They quickly meet up with Kristy--in a dress--and Bart. The plan was to have everyone meet at the doors, then go in together. Pete and Austin are the last to arrive but are bearing corsages; Laine's ends up falling to the ground, where it gets smushed. Laine can't believe Pete is so klutzy; Stacey can't believe Laine makes him so nervous.
The dance isn't any better. It's too pink for Laine's liking--she suggests it's appropriate for diaper-wearing partygoers--and she's appalled that they're playing music off a tape deck, even though it's only for when the band is setting up. Stacey and Austin start to dance, as do Pete and Laine; Stacey and Laine notice Pete's trademark sneakers at the same time. You'd think she'd just noticed his dark mark tattoo the way she reacted. More minor mishaps occur, but nothing truly rude takes place until Laine claims she's too tired to continue dancing with Pete, then immediately accepts an invitation from a hunky guy...who turns out to be a seventh grader, to the BSC's amusement. Meanwhile, Stacey notices Pete's upset enough that she thinks he's on the verge of tears. She's now had enough of Laine's shenanigans, so when Laine finishes dancing, Stacey drags her away and tells her off. Laine's response is that she wants to go home. To New York.
Chapter 13
Stacey's more than happy to help Laine pack her bags. She heads toward the pay phones with Laine on her heels; Laine basically antagonizes her while she calls her mom. Stacey then heads back to the gym, saying she's going to apologize to the entire dance for Laine's rudeness. Laine has no idea what she's talking about, so Stace starts to list everyone, from Pete and Austin to the BSC to the band to the decorating committee to the entire sixth grade, since one of them happened to drop a cup of punch during the dance, leading Laine to say 11-year-olds lacked muscle control. Even though Laine claims she can apologize for herself, she doesn't, but Stacey at least has a modicum of sense and finds Austin to apologize for ruining the evening, especially since she's leaving with Laine. Yet Stacey doesn't think of everything; she manages to forget to grab Laine's coat and leaves her to find it herself. Passive-aggressive Stacey, 1; Laine the loser, 0. Once in the car, Maureen has them spill it. All Laine can admit to is, "Stacey is out of control." Stacey, however, describes how terrible Laine had acted the whole week.
Stacey: "If we're such bores, you shouldn't have come here, Laine."
Laine: "You were the one who wanted me to come so badly."
And...yes, this is entirely true. One point for Laine.
Once home, Maureen herds them into the kitchen, where she calls Laine's mom (and, don't forget, her friend for roughly two decades). The call starts out pleasantly enough but soon it's clear that Laine has inherited her mother's sense of snobbery. It's decided that Laine will take the 10:40 into the city, and I'm shocked there's a train leaving Stoneybrook that late. Leaving the city? Sure. But heading into town? Hmm.
Stacey doesn't even leave the car to take Laine to the platform. She's pretty sure their friendship is over, and "I was fairly certain I wouldn't see Laine again."
Chapter 14
Stacey spends the next morning on the phone apologizing to people, starting with Austin, who tells her Pete's upset, but not with her. Next is Claud, who is stunned to hear Laine had left the night before, but she admits that the Laine who came to visit wasn't the nice person she'd previously encountered. Stace then remembers the phone call the previous evening between the moms and runs to speak with Maureen; is her and Mrs. C's friendship over with, too? Maureen doesn't think so. Stacey's still upset, so upset she couldn't even cry, then realizes she still has the Masquerade to attend. She dresses in red.
At the Masquerade, the kids come and have a good time, running around playing games before having snacks. Eventually they receive their valentines and have fun trying to figure out who sent them. The sitters concentrate on Nicky and Carolyn, sure they're the other one's crush. Eventually Stacey happens over to Nicky and grabs his pile of cards; the Arnold girls had signed them ARNCAROLOLD and ARNMARILOLD. Carol in Arnold; Maril in Arnold. Clever. But Carolyn's card is basic, while Marilyn's is all gushy. Hmm. Then Nicky spots Carolyn with his special card and freaks out; it was actually for Marilyn. Whoops. No wonder he wasn't excited to get the mushy card at first. So, wait, if Marilyn and Nicky like each other, who does Carolyn actually like? James Hobart. Stacey and Mary Anne spot them talking and looking happy. Aw. Well, at least the holiday ended well for some people.
Chapter 15
Stacey's V-Day was a bummer, despite getting roses from her dad and earrings from her mom. She still needed to talk to Pete but decided to wait until they were back at school. She also wanted to talk to Laine, feeling things were left unfinished between them, but she couldn't call. Instead, she writes a note. She doesn't apologize yet admits she's sorry they fought. She questions why Laine even came to visit if she didn't really want to, claiming she didn't force her to come. I don't know, perhaps she didn't want to disappoint her best friend. She signs the letter, "Your ex-best friend, Stacey (not Anastasia)." Before sealing the envelope, she includes her half of her best friends necklace. I guess she's really serious about this. She then immediately walks it to the mailbox, then calls Claud; she needs company. Claud asks if they can watch the shopping show and eat popcorn. Stacey's totally fine with that and awaits the arrival of her friend. Her best friend. Her only best friend.
I remember having stupid fights with my friends at that age, including one where a girl didn't really speak to me for months due to a misunderstanding. Her way of getting back at me was to constantly mispronounce my name, ooh. But we got over it and remained friends until a year or two after we moved away from each other. My collection ends a few books after this one; do Laine and Stacey ever patch things up?
Bonus: Stacey bookmark
Full name: Anastasia Elizabeth McGill
Age: 13 years old
Birthdate: April 3
Birthplace: New York, New York
Club Position: Treasurer
Best friend: Claudia
Likes: Math, shopping, boys, the color pink, the movie "Mary Poppins," and Porky Pig. "I can even imitate his voice."
Dislikes: Ironing, doctors, her strict diet, and having diabetes. "It's such a drag. Sometimes, I'd kill for a Tootsie Pop."
First major crush: Scott, an 18-year-old lifeguard
First kiss: From Toby in the Tunnel of Luv at Sea City. "I couldn't believe it! I knew I would never forget Sea City or the boardwalk or the Tunnel of Luv. Or Toby."