Desiree Castro

[Dewey]

Desiree Castro

Birthdate: November 2, 1987
Height: 5'6
Weight: 135 lbs
Eye color: brown
Hair color: black
Race: Sicilian/Cuban/Brazilian
Occupation: Student at Valencia Community College
Friends: Luca, Tobias, Ava
Enemies: None

Raised in Brooklyn, New York in the United States until she was seventeen, Desiree is a city girl to the bone. She's a fast-paced girl with a vivacious and alluring personality. Focused and determined, there isn't an ounce of coyness in her gestures. If she knows what she wants, she isn't afraid to make the right moves that will get it. On her father's side, she comes from a family of over-friendly Brazilians who like to kiss and hug people they've just met for the first time, so she's well accustomed to being outgoing and sociable. She's always laughing, too, it seems. Her mother's going through chemotherapy for breast cancer, but is strong and always manages to wear a smile, truly believing that "laughter's the best medicine".. so when when the world is falling apart, Desiree tries to look past the rain to see the sunshine. Though she's a party girl (her favorite past time being going downtown) and is ever making new friends, she's pretty attached to the ones she already has so you'll most likely find her in their company. She has a good heart, tries to see the good in everyone, and always makes time for some fun.

[Dewey]

So Luca wants to become a police officer. My initial reaction was to say "What? No! Don't do that, Luca! It's too dangerous! I don't want you to get hurt!" But, instead, I smiled and told him I supported him. And it's true. I do support him. If it's something he wants to do, and if it'll make him happy, then nothing should keep him from pursuing it, not even me. It's not the most exciting news for me. You always hear stories about police officers being killed on the job. I'm kind of hoping maybe Mr. Iaconelli or Rosetta will talk him out of it. In fact, maybe I'll talk to them today about it. Maybe they don't even know. I'm sure if they knew, they'd discourage it, right? Then again, they did support Anthony joining the army. And Mr. Iaconelli was in the army, themselves. They'd probably be proud of Luca... I don't know what to do. Should I tell him how I feel? I don't want him to make a decision based on me... God, I don't know. Maybe it's just a phase?

[Dewey]

((The past))

It's been hard trying to orient myself here in Auvernha. It's been seven months already, but I still feel hopelessly lost. I don't have many friends from Bay Ridge, either. The girls here are different. They're all the preppy cheerleader types who watch The O.C. and One Tree Hill, and carry issues of Cosmo in their Louis Vitton handbags. I've only had success making friends with guys, which only further estranges me from the girls, because they then turn into jealous b!tches. Whatever. I only have one more year in the place anyway. It's such hell. No one dresses like me (you know, the hip Baby Phat look) and no one talks like me (can't really disguise a Brooklyn accent). I have found out, though, that both Luca and Tobias have younger sisters, so maybe I can chill with them?

Speaking of Tobias and Luca, who have become my closet friends: damn. I have to be honest with you. I never did like Tobias all that much. He's everything I despise about men. But, since he's tight with Luca, I have to tolerate him. The other night, to celebrate their graduating (God, I wish I was in their shoes), we went to Club 360 to chill. It wasn't bad, but then they wanted to leave. Tobias wanted to watch a movie back at his place, and knowing his rep, I invited Luca to come along. But Luca had apparently "found someone" (which really bothered me) so didn't join us. Wish he had. Tobias ended up being such a jerk. We're sitting on his bed, watching Chocolat (my pick), and he just starts making moves on me. I mean, really? You think a girl from Brooklyn can't take care of herself? I told him to quit, but he just kept going on probable a dozen different times. Trying to kiss me, or feel me up, or get me on my back. I finally shoved him away from me, got to my feet, and just left. Took the bus home because I was told not to call Luca; Luca's own request. At least that's what Tobias said.

The next day, I was talking to Luca on the phone, telling him about a job I had applied to, to be the hostess at a cute Italian restaurant downtown called Bella's. All their food's imported from Sicily (Mami would love it). Plus, I realized I needed to make friends, and being a hostess, and working with the other hostesses, would probably be an easy way into the social realm. I'm straight trippin' not having any girlfriends to hang out with! I met this one girl named Ava, who was really nice. I think she's training me, too, when I go in today. Anyway, I was telling Luca about the job, and we got onto the note of Tobias, and he's clearly mad about how Tobias and I... slept together? And no wonder, because Tobias apparently told him as much! We finally got it figured out. Luca felt bad for everything, but I told him it wasn't his fault.

He did offer me a ride, though, so that I wouldn't have to take the bus home (it would be over an hour --we live past the city, and past the nice suburbs where the Rossi's and Iaconelli's are. We're in the mediocre suburbs; all we could afford after the travel expenses, and all the medical bills). I stayed the night at his house, and then the next morning, I had breakfast with his family. They're all really sweet. He has a little sister named Emily who's 4 or 5, and then an older brother in the marines named Anthony, in his twenties, and then Gabi, who seems really sweet, too, and is around my age. His parents were great, and very welcoming. Wish I could say the same about mine! When I brought Luca over later, they were pretty cold toward him. I know they're just being protective and are just stressed about all the hospital visits for my mom and all. Hopefully, we can get past it, and the doctors at Alexandria Bay can just figure out what's wrong. Then we can go back to living our fun, easy-going life...

I am worried about Mami, though. She's usually so energetic and upbeat. Lately, she's been walking around like she's lost some battle. She hardly smiles anymore, and she just looks so...exhausted, I guess. The hospital visits, like I said, really are taking a toll on all of us, but her especially. I wish I had someone to talk to about this, but I don't want Luca or Tobias (like he'd care..) to pity me or anything. I'm trying to be strong and hold everything together. Papi's at the end of his rope, too. He's having trouble finding work, and he's so stressed out, and scared. I think he was so curt with Luca yesterday because he thought he would be losing me, or that I wouldn't spend as much time at home anymore.

I don't know. I really do like Luca. I like him a lot. I think he looks good, he's funny, he's sweet... But I know that once we're done here in France, we'll be moving back to New York. Hopefully by the end of the year. Should I really even pursue anything here?

[Dewey]

((the past))

Luca is the sweetest person I've ever known. He actually did it. He actually asked his parents if they'd be able to cover Mami's hospital bills. And this is the best part: they agreed! It was so wonderful. We were so stressed out at the hospital the other day, and we head over to billing, only to find out an "anonymous" donation had been made to our account. Mami was so happy; she felt really blessed. She went to a special service later that evening just to light a candle in thanks. It really meant a lot to see a smile on my parents' face, even if it only lasted for a little bit. We've been through so much, and we still don't know what's wrong. The doctor's have all these possibilities. Today, they ran some cancer tests, and my parents will be getting those results within the coming week. I won't be home, though, because I'm going to Natalia's wedding!

Which leads me to: LUCA ASKED ME ON A DATE!!! We're going to that Brazilian Steakhouse place later today, and then headning to the airport (because he's my date for Natalia's wedding). I still can't believe his parents said yes to him going! But I'm not going to complain, of course! It's going to be so much fun. We'll have a great time, I can show him off to all my cousins, and hopefully we can go to the beach. I really like Luca a lot, and I'm pretty sure he likes me, too.

Which brings me to the whole...moving back to New York thing. I talked with him about it, and told him that though my parents are insisten about moving back to the States, I was thinking about just finishing up my senior year, moving in with Ava (from work!), and then just going to college here for nursing. I mean, it is one of the best places in terms of academics, right? I can already see them arguing against it, so I'm not going to bring it up anytime soon. But, I like Luca so much, and I really see potential for a relationship there. I have to follow my heart, you know?

[Dewey]

Nov. 2, 06

I'm 19 today! November 2 should be a national holiday or something haha. Hello! Desiree Castro's birthday! Stop what you're doing and party!! Yeah! Last night was pregaming with Luca and Tobias. We hit up South of the Border and I had me my quesadillas. Damn, those things are good! Mexicans know what they're doing when it comes to food, haha. We had a few wine coolers too, but not too much. I didn't want to be wasted or anything. I'll leave that to Tobias haha. We were going to chill downtown at Dragon Room, but decided to do that tonight. Thursday night is a big party night for all the colleges anyway for some reason, so it'll be a great time. Anyway, last night was a greeat time Where do I begin? Haha, where do I end? I chilled in Luca's dorm afterhours and.. well.. *smirks*.. it was nice, heh. Let me just say.. he's an amazing kisser. *grins* I'm still in his room actually haha.. I'm typing this on his computer. I think he had some training thing with Caedo. I hope he comes back soon.. maybe we can have a birthday breakfast But yes. Luca's.. amazing, and he's made my birthday a million times better!

[Dewey]

Nov. 3, 06

Last night, Tobias and Luca and I headed over to the Conelli house because I wanted to see Mrs. Conelli. Yes, I actually wanted to see Mrs. Conelli over going downtown haha. I haven't seen her in a while, though! And besides, I knew she might have some good leftovers or something. I love her cooking! I'm going to have to learn some recipes from her or something. It was a lot of fun, though. And then Luca and I headed out onto the back patio.. and talked..and kissed..*grins* I love being with him.. I don't know what it is.. just.. I've always loved having him around. It might sound stupid but I guess I feel.. safe or like.. protected or something when I'm with him haha. Okay, I guess I can explain. It's just Tobias is always getting into some kind of mess.. alcohol, drugs, all this stupid sh!t... but so long as Luca's around and I have him nearby, I know nothing bad can happen. He's like.. the common sense between him and Tobias lol.

Anyway.. we're going to hang out tonight, and I'm excited. I might have to borrow an outfit from Ava! She has the cutest outfits, I swear. And they fit her perfectly. She has tons of black dresses; I don't think she'll miss one. *grins* I can't wait! And I'm sleeping over, too.. so we'll see how that goes.. *smirks* Okay, but worst part of the night? The fact that Tobias totally ditched us! He didn't even say he was leaving or anything. He just took off, and apparently he wants Luca to stay away from him and his family? What the hell? I wonder what that call from his uncle was all about.. I wish he'd pick up his phone.. I've been calling him all day! Maybe I'll go see him after work for a short bit and see what's up.

[Dewey]

Nov. 4, 06

I've been grinning all day! Haha! I'm in the best mood ever, like I'm walking on air I guess. Waking up in Luca's arms this morning was a-ma-zing. Even if it was the third time haha, it was still amazing. I think I'm crazy about the boy at this point! I don't even know how it happened.. I mean, I've known him since senior at Bay Ridge! Oh well, I'm not going to question it. Last night was the best yet. *grins* Luca's so sexay! Haha.

Ugh, but Tobias!! Wtf! He called Luca and the two of them were arguing.. apparently Tobias is mad because I want to be with Luca and not him?? That's so gay. Way to be mature, Tobias.. I'm so tired of his crap. And now he doesn't ever want to speak to Luca or me again! Whatever. If he's going to be a jerk about it, I don't need him as a friend anyway. I ripped off that unicorn necklace and threw it away, even. He made me so made yesterday, calling me a whore like that. That really hurt me.. and it still makes me mad, too.. I just want to yell at him.

But I'm not going to let him ruin everything. I have enough crap going on in my life without adding Tobias on top of that all. In other news... I've decided to rush! There's about 7 sororities at Valencia, and guess what! One of them's the one Ava was in at Rochester! Sigma Theta Ro! They call themselves the Sigma Ladies haha. That's cute. I'm excited, though!

[Dewey]

Nov. 8, 06

Things haven't been so good lately. First of all, my parents are returning to New York this weekend because mami's getting transferred to a specialist there. One of the best hospitals around, of course, with a cancer center and top of the line technology but...I'm still at classes here. They said I could finish up the term and then just come to live with them, but all my friends are here.. Luca's here.. I don't know what to do. I talked to papi about it some and he told me I should know mami wouldn't take it personally, that she knew I had a life here and that I needed to finish things I'd started --namely my first year at Valencia and all. But this is when she needs me most, you know? And I feel.. tan malo, sabes?. And what's worst, it means I won't have family to spend Thanksgiving with. Papi's family's in Brazil and Cuba, and Mami's is either in Sicily or New York. I guess I can just spend Thanksgiving with the Conelli's, but if they have something special planned and just want it to be family, then what do I do? Ava's already told me she wanted to spend Thanksgiving with Joey, but that she'd change plans if my parents left before then..but I don't want to be selfish. Maybe I'll just stay on campus, even. They have Thanksgiving for the students not going back home for the holidays.

Well that's that. But then? Then do you know what happens? That bastardo Tobias.. he was the biggest @ss he's ever been.. ever the other day. He backhanded me.. so hard! And he did it with.. with.. tal odio... I just cried and cried after, and I don't really like crying but he scared me, you know? We all know Tobias carries around a gun.. what if he'd had it with him? What would he have done? Or what if he tried to get me to.. I don't know. But.. I've never been scared like this before. I've been scared about mami and the cancer.. but now I'm worrying about possibly being..

I don't even want to think about it. You know what hurt the most? When Luca called me, upset and saying all these things that just confused me.. and then you know what he says? Something like "if you wanted to be with Tobias all along, you didn't have to lead me on." I think my heart just about dropped. I was so lost! I didn't know what he was talking about, so I explained to him that of course I didn't want to be with Tobias! That's why he'd hit me! But Luca didn't know about it.. Tobias hadn't told him. We were talking about two different things.. I just have to know what Tobias told him, though.. and why Luca.. would believe that..

What if Tobias is just.. telling everybody lies about me? It hurts me more than he'll ever know.. I've never hated someone so much in my life. Luca came over last night, though.. he brought me flowers and a stuffed animal.. that was sweet.. I'm still a little sad about it, but.. I guess it's just one of those weeks for me.

((translations: first time she said.. And I feel very bad, you know? The second time she said that he'd hit her with "such hatred"))

[Dewey]

Nov. 10, 06

Looks like I'll be spending Thanksgiving with the Iaconelli family. I'm so glad. I didn't want to spend it alone, and I didn't want to ruin Ava's plans to spend it with Joey. Now the only thing is.. Luca's brother is in the hospital..in a coma! That's horrible.. I really know how the Conelli's feel. I Know what it's like having someone you love in the hospital, not knowing what's going to become of them. I'm really praying for Anthony, though. I even went to St. Mary's today for a prayer vigil they always have from 6-8 a.m., and I just prayed about a lot of things, I guess.

Direction, for one. Rush Week's coming up this week. I'm really excited. Sigma Theta Rho all the way! But this really doesn't have to do with sorority stuff. Direction more so in.. school and a job and... Luca. I asked him if we could spend Christmas together.. just me and him in a nice.. fancy hotel suite Just me and him.. and I guess we'll see where things go from there. I'm kind of nervous--it would be my first time, assuming it'll even happen--but.. it'll be with Luca, you know? He's my best friend, and I care about him a lot, and every time I'm with it.. I'm just so damn head over heels haha

It would be a nice Christmas... I don't know. Maybe I'll talk to Ava about it.

[Dewey]

Nov. 11, 06

Tonight was so much fun! I went to a social Sigma Theta Rho was having on campus, and I met a lot of the girls and it was an awesome time. Plus, I finally have the picture I took with my cousin at her wedding this past summer in Brazil!! Yeah, I know. A little delayed, but hey, you can't complain. Anyway, on with the pictures!


This is me.. duh


Me and Chelsea getting friendly with the camera


I think this is us trying to be slick or something...


Me and my cousin, Natalia! Isn't she so pretty! She's on her way to the airport there for her honeymoon.. oo la la!


So those pictures should hold you over until the next tme I decide to upload stuff from my digital cam haha.

In other news! Okay, so I think I found the most gorgeous dress to wear for either Christmas night or New Year's Eve.. we'd have to go to something fancy though for me to wear it, haha.. it's a gown, but it's so pretty. I couldn't just leave it there in the store! Oh! Here, let me find it online and show you a picture...



Isn't it gorgeous! I hope Luca likes it. But what would we go to, you know? It's not like we have tickets to the Academy Awards haha. Oh well. I think it's hot. It's Desiree Approved.

[Dewey]

Nov. 14, o6


I feel so bad for Mrs. Conelli! I wish there was something I could do for her. She's so sweet, and it sucks to see her worried and not wanting to leave the house. I don't know if bringing food over last night helped or not, but I hope it did! She's still not having Thanksgiving.. just a small little thing. At first, I was really sad about it when I got the voicemail from Luca. But I understand. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer over the summer, I didn't really feel like doing much of anything. I didn't even want to start classes at Valencia, really, but my parents were all over my grill lol and were all "You're going if we have to drag you there!" But the first few weeks, I wasn't into it, and it's taken me a while to adjust to the situation. I guess that's where the Conelli's are right now.. adjusting to Anthony not being around.. to him being in a coma, even.

Luca seems to be doing okay. I don't know. Guys are pretty good about covering up their "feelings" lol. They're not into that touch feely crap. But he still laughs and smiles.. so that's good. Funny story! So last night I knocked on his door, and he called out "come in" (he didn't know it was me), so I do come in, and the boy's on the bed in his boxers haha. He put on a shirt but he so didn't have to Luca's so sexay! Haha. Oh, and we talked about Christmas niight again.. He mentioned staying in the countryside! How sweet would that be? I swear. Head over heels here.

Night two of Rush tonight!! Crazy! I'm trying to be all.. quiet and introverted when I'm at the other sorority houses, and then all chatty at Sigma Theta Rho's haha.. have to get in!

[Dewey]

Nov. 24, 06

Okay, hands down? Luca is pretty much the sweetest guy I've ever met or dated. You know what he did? He knew I was excited about Sigma Theta Rho, and he actually went out of his way to get me a Sigma lavilier! I was so surprised! I don't think I've ever known a guy who'd do something that thoughtful! I'm so not regretting having fallen for him. At first, with all the Tobias crap that went down, I was beginning to have doubts, but Luca's been so wonderful and amazing about everything. He's the perfect boyfriend. I don't know why any girl would go for Tobias instead of Luca. Oh well. Lucky me

And Mrs. Conelli decided to have Thanksgiving after all! I was so happy. It's because Anthony finally woke up from his coma, so Thank God for that. Things still aren't going well for Mami, but.. I just have to stay strong and focused, and keep her in my prayers. I know we can get through this. I just know it. And I know she doesn't want to miss out on my life. She wants to see me graduate, get my first real job, get married, have kids, be successful in life and in a career.. I'm her only child, so she definitely doesn't want to miss out on that, and I don't want her to miss out on it, either.

[Dewey]

Dec. 1, 06

I'm... speechless! But in an "oh my God, Luca is so amazing" way. Last night.. I can't stop grinning about it. Ava probably thinks I'm high or something hahah. But I've had this grin on my face all day, and I'm just so peppy and upbeat about everything. I feel like I'm literally walking on air or something. Wow.. I keep thinking about every last..touch, kiss.. everything.. and I still get goosebumps and butterflies in my stomach. Oh.. wow. You always hear about how good it is but you never think it'll be that good.

Well.. in case you can't figure out, haha, yeah.. I slept with Luca last night. I just.. I don't know. I just really wanted to be as close to him as I could last night. Things haven't been so good with my mom. The prognosis isn't really where my father or I want it. She's probably going into surgery, but the doctors are concerned that the cancer's reached a later stage and that it possibly has spread. And when I got that call.. I just felt so empty and sad inside. And when Luca came over, I was just.. overwhelmed with how I feel about him, and I wanted to just share that with him.

Ava was right, though. It didn't take away the fact that my mother's still dying living with cancer, or that I still have to face that fact. And all day long I kept thinking about how it wasn't Christmas, and we weren't in the country like we had talked about. How I ended up just losing it like every other girl I known has...((ha, wow, I think I'm actually going to cry as I write this.. keep it together.. okay, proceeding...)) And for a little while I felt awful because.. it was supposed to be special.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that stuff like that isn't what makes the night special. It's about who you share it with and what you feel for that person. And my first was with Luca Iaconelli, who's been my best friend for over a year now, and my boyfriend for about a month. And it wasn't a fling, and we weren't drunk, and it.. it was nice. It felt right. And I was ready, and I was sure. And, besides all that, I.. I think I love him.

[Dewey]

Dec. 3. 06,

What's that book called? The one that opens up with something like "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times". I remember reading it in high school back in New York, but I can't remember the title.. Hold up. Let me google it...

Okay, "Tale of Two Cities" haha. Right. So that's how things are right now in my life. On the one hand, things are perfect with Luca. I was a little unsure about the other night, but then the next day he had these flowers delivered to me and.. any doubt I had was just gone instantly. He's wonderful and amazing.. and sexay! Haha. Seriously. I'm so happy to be with him.

On the other hand, there's Tobias. Tobias has gone into.. God, I don't know.. psychopath mode. I'm not even playing! He's seriously this.. obsessive..raging machine now. He brought a knife to the competition and tried to hurt Luca with it! It took about five referee's to restrain him! I don't know what's gotten into him, but I'm thinking getting that restraining order like Ava suggested isn't so bad an idea!

It makes me a little sad, though, because Luca and Tobias have been best friends for years. I've only stepped into the picture recently and it seems like I've pretty much come between them And I swear that wasn't my intention at all! I just hope Luca doesn't regret all the things that have happened between us. At the same time, I hope he and Tobias are able to work things out.

[Dewey]

Dec. 24, 06

Wow, SO MUCH has happened lately!!!

First of all, get this!! Mr. Rossi was not dead all these years! He was actually in an enemy prison in some place in Afghanistan that I don't know how to spell haha. But oh my God, isn't that just about the greatest news ever?? I was so happy for the Rossi family when I found out! I was especially happy for Tobias. Though he'd never admit it, I know how much losing his father tore him up. He just got into all sorts of hot messes after the funeral. But now things are so much better. He's still not talking to me but at least he's talking to Luca now which is good.

Secondly, Mrs. Conelli said yes to Luca and I going to New York!! I think we're leaving either on the 31st or the 1st, and we're going to be there a whole week! It'll feel SO good to be back in the CITAY!! Haha. I can't wait to introduce Luca to all my friends, and show him all the hot places in New York. It's going to be so much fun! We'll have to go to Rockefeller Center and ice skate

Thirdly, things are looking up for Mami at the moment. I don't want to jinx things by saying everything's now 100% fine, but I'm grateful to God that she at least has an appetite now, and that she doesn't feel so fatigued and in pain. It'll be good to see her in just a week!

Last but cerrrtainly not least, Luca's so sexay!! Hahaha. But he really is.