All the Songs Have Been Erased, chapter 2
When I was 14, I was obsessed with Green Day. It was definitely extremely out of proportion, everything was about the music. I had posters, ringtones, shirts, hoodies, everything you could imagine. I went to their concerts often and that only fed the fire. And then, when I found out that my still good friend Claudia had connections to the band through her step mom, things only got sweeter.
When I visited California for my 8th grade graduation present, I was able to go and meet up with them. Utterly enthralled, I was in a state of shock for the entire time. Unfortunately though, I only got to see them for about 5 days, but it was fun nonetheless. The best part was my father actually had started to come to terms of respect with the President Bush-bashing, liberal, outspoken band.
During Winter Break of that year, I was invited with Claudia to stay with the Armstrongs for a week before Christmas, and gladly accepted. Claudia unfortunately could not make it for something that I cannot remember.
Anyway, so I stayed with them, and I met this boy named Jason, who was the nicest guy ever- or so it seemed. He invited me to go to In 'N' Out Burger and then Gilman Street for a few hours for what was my first date, and I accepted except Billie Joe insisted that he meet him and approve.
The interview between Jason and Billie Joe was grueling, and I think my dad would have even been more lenient! I tease him constantly to this day about how he is tougher with guys for me than girls for his own children.
So later that night Jason and I were rocking out at Gilman and abruptly he goes, "I've found a hotter girl, later babe." ; Shocked, I asked him, "Hello? You're my ride home!" ; and he goes, "Well, find a new one," ; and walks away.
After the most humiliating moment of my life, all I could do was stand outside Gilman Street and cry. I grabbed my cell and called Adie (she is now my personal guru of problems) and although she wanted to, she asked me if Tre could give me a ride because she was tied up with some things with Adeline.
I of course said okay, even though Tre and I were never that close, or at least as close as I am with the Armstrongs. Though he was there as quick as he could be, and gave me the biggest, warmest hug I have ever received, even to this day.
As I cried in his arms, he just stroked my hair saying, "Shhh, it's okay. He's a jerk. You deserve so much better," ; over and over and over until my hysteric tears were down to a sniffle. "I shouldn't care this much about a boy!" ; I wailed and he said, "Don't worry, I've done stupider things for girls. You just have to find the right person and you'll be happy." ; I gave him a look considering he still wasn't married (and wouldn't be even a decade later) but gave him credit nonetheless.
As we rode home in silence, for the sake of me wanting to calm down, I watched the Christmas lights go by in a blur around me, and wondered if there was ever a chance that Tre and I would work.
When I visited California for my 8th grade graduation present, I was able to go and meet up with them. Utterly enthralled, I was in a state of shock for the entire time. Unfortunately though, I only got to see them for about 5 days, but it was fun nonetheless. The best part was my father actually had started to come to terms of respect with the President Bush-bashing, liberal, outspoken band.
During Winter Break of that year, I was invited with Claudia to stay with the Armstrongs for a week before Christmas, and gladly accepted. Claudia unfortunately could not make it for something that I cannot remember.
Anyway, so I stayed with them, and I met this boy named Jason, who was the nicest guy ever- or so it seemed. He invited me to go to In 'N' Out Burger and then Gilman Street for a few hours for what was my first date, and I accepted except Billie Joe insisted that he meet him and approve.
The interview between Jason and Billie Joe was grueling, and I think my dad would have even been more lenient! I tease him constantly to this day about how he is tougher with guys for me than girls for his own children.
So later that night Jason and I were rocking out at Gilman and abruptly he goes, "I've found a hotter girl, later babe." ; Shocked, I asked him, "Hello? You're my ride home!" ; and he goes, "Well, find a new one," ; and walks away.
After the most humiliating moment of my life, all I could do was stand outside Gilman Street and cry. I grabbed my cell and called Adie (she is now my personal guru of problems) and although she wanted to, she asked me if Tre could give me a ride because she was tied up with some things with Adeline.
I of course said okay, even though Tre and I were never that close, or at least as close as I am with the Armstrongs. Though he was there as quick as he could be, and gave me the biggest, warmest hug I have ever received, even to this day.
As I cried in his arms, he just stroked my hair saying, "Shhh, it's okay. He's a jerk. You deserve so much better," ; over and over and over until my hysteric tears were down to a sniffle. "I shouldn't care this much about a boy!" ; I wailed and he said, "Don't worry, I've done stupider things for girls. You just have to find the right person and you'll be happy." ; I gave him a look considering he still wasn't married (and wouldn't be even a decade later) but gave him credit nonetheless.
As we rode home in silence, for the sake of me wanting to calm down, I watched the Christmas lights go by in a blur around me, and wondered if there was ever a chance that Tre and I would work.
