I stopped dead in my tracks. 'What are you even talking about?'
'So when exactly were you going to mention to me that you and Ryan are going to a concert?'
My heart stopped. 'Oh, Diane, I'm so sorry. it's just everything with Nate happened and it sort of slipped my mind. I was planning on telling you and the Club, but I didn't want anybody to think it was a date or something. I mean, I was going to say no, but Ryan made it seem like it was almost your idea so I didn't think you would mind — ' Diane just started to laugh. 'Jeez, relax, will ya, Pen! I'm not upset. I was just watting for you to say something. Are you worried what the Club will think?'
'Honestly? I haven't thought much about it. He called last night, and then before I knew it, my parents dropped the Nate bomb on me. So.. ' this was so awkward. 'What exactly did Ryan tell you?'
Diane's smile just widened. 'Not much. He asked me if I thought you'd be interested in going with him to the concert. He was afraid that he might offend you.'
'Why?'
Diane curled a long, blond strand of hair with her finger. 'He just thought that you'd be a true Beatle fan and not want to hear some cheesy tribute band. I know how your parents feel about it,' 'Yes, my parents don't understand why people remake anything —
even movies. they are very traditional, although the term traditional is probably the last word people would use when thinking of my parents,' Diane smiled at me, 'Well, I'm sure you guys will have a great time.'
'Diane, are you really okay that I'm going?'
She nodded. 'Of course. You two are the most important people in my life. Why would I be upset?'
I paused for a moment, 'No reason,' 'Well, I'm going to warm up — can you tell Ryan I'll meet him at the track?'
'Sure.' I instantly felt uncomfortable with the thought of having to deal with Ryan alone.
He came back a few minutes later, 'Diane said she'd meet you at the track.'
'Okay, thanks.'
I started to walk to Tracy's locker.
'Hey, Penny!' Ryan called after me.
'Yeah.'
I turned around and saw him smiling at me. 'I'm really glad you agreed to go with me to the concert. It will be nice to spend some time together outside of school.'
I just stared at him.
'See you tomorrow,' he said to me. As he jogged by, he reached out and gently squeezed my arm.
There was no way this was going to end well.
MEG SPENT THAT SATURDAY interviewing the Club members for her article. But she wanted to interview me, Tracy, and Diane separately.
While I was one hundred percent behind the Club and couldn't have been happier about our success, the timing for this interview couldn't have been any worse. The looks we all had been getting from the male population at McKinley High and girl nonmembers had become more and more awkward. Todd, had stopped talking to me all together.
'So do you consider yourself a feminist?' Meg asked after I'd given her the background.
'Um, I guess?'
Nice answer.
I knew I had to start focusing on the interview. The Club was too important to me not to, and I really wanted it to be portrayed as something positive.
'You better only be saying nice things about me,' Tracy interrupted as she walked into the room. 'is it my turn yet?'
Meg shut off the tape recorder. 'I just need to grab another tape.
I'll be right back.'
For over a week I'd been avoiding telling Tracy about the upcoming whatever-it-was with Ryan. With Meg out of the room, it seemed as good a time as any.
After I was done, I asked, 'So how do you feel about that?'
'Sounds like fun, Pen, this isn't a date or anything, is it?' 'Are you kidding me? No, Tracy. It's just a concert. No big deal.'
'Yeah, I've always liked Ryan. I'm surprised he hasn't started dating someone new.'
'Well, he went to Homecoming with Missy — ' 'Penny, he's not dating her — he just took her to Homecoming, He is one hundred percent single and available.' My heart stopped. 'Man, I should talk to Meg about writing some sort of gossip column for the Monitor, I would hate to think where you'd be without my knowledge of the goings-on of the student body. Anyways, you're not going to believe what those little brats did to me last night while I was babysitting. ..'
And like that, the conversation was over. I had nothing to worry about. it was just going to be an evening with two classmates catching a concert. Nothing more.
Diane looked like she was going to be sick.
'Everything is going to be okay,' I did my best to reassure her.
'Oh God, oh God, oh God.' She paced the hallway, her hands rolled up in tight fists.
Tracy and I exchanged worried looks.
Diane slouched down on the floor. 'What was I thinking?'
I sat down next to her. Tracy moved a few feet away with Jen to give us privacy.
'Diane.' I put my arm around her, 'I can't get over how much you've changed the past few weeks — you should be proud. No matter what happens.'
We looked up to see Coach Ramsey open the gymnasium doors and slowly walk toward the bulletin board. A group of girls opened up a narrow passage for her and quickly closed up once she'd posted a single sheet of paper.
'Do you want me to look?' I asked.
Diane looked up as several girls started jumping up and down, cheering. Tracy walked over and scanned the list. Coach Ramsey walked past us on her way back to the gym, paused, and turned around.
'Welcome to the team, Monroe.'
Diane's eyes widened. 'You mean..'
'Of course you made the team.'' Tracy could no longer contain herself. 'You made the flippin' varsity squad, Diane!
Diane jumped up and rushed over to the bulletin board and studied the team list.
'I… I…' She turned back toward us. 'I did it! Holy crap, I did it!'
She rushed over and engulfed me in a giant hug.
'Congratulations, we all knew you could do it!' I was practically screaming, I was so excited for her. 'All right, guys, you can come over now!'
A screaming mob with 'Congratulations, Diane' signs came rushing from around the corner.
'What's going on?' Diane said in shock.
'You didn't want there to be a big scene in case you didn't make the team, but of course everybody wanted to be here for you.'
Laura proudly displayed her 'Way to Go, Diane' sign and quickly flipped it over to reveal another option: 'Screw 'em, they don't know what they're missing.' Laura winked at Diane, 'Hey, a girl's gotta be prepared!'
Diane was swarmed by well-wishers, including the rest of her team members.
Tracy put her arm around me. 'Our little baby is all grown up! Did you ever imagine this could've happened?' Tracy asked.
I shook my head.
Not even in my wildest dreams.
