'Now, I'm sorry that Penny can't find a boyfriend — ' 'Excuse me!' Mom protested.
Principal Braddock held up his hands again. 'My apologies. I meant to say that I don't really think it's appropriate for Penny to be pushing her ideals on the rest of the female student body, especially the impressionable freshman class.'
'Hold on,' Mom started. 'Penny Lane has created an amazing group of friends. there is no hidden agenda except to spend time with her friends without the pressures of dating. Mr. Braddock, you know how messy high school romances can get, I'm surprised you aren't encouraging this.' I looked at my mom and saw that her cheeks were flushed. this was going to be good.
'Mrs. Bloom, I am not going to sit here and allow one girl to start running the school. Penny is getting way too much power at this school. Her influence with the female population is getting a little out of control.'
Mom started to tap her foot impatiently. 'And I suppose you don't have a problem with the fact that, just because some jock can throw a ball far, the entire male population worships him? Let me ask you a question, Mr. Braddock. Have any of the Club members gotten in trouble for anything?'
'Well, technically no. But her little club is unsanctioned by the school, therefore — ' 'Therefore,' Mom cut him. Off, 'it really isn't any of your business.'
Principal Braddock cleared his throat. 'Therefore, you can understand the problem, that something not authorized by the school should not be encouraged by the school. I cannot allow this to continue.'
Mom crossed her legs. 'Excuse me, Mr. Braddock, but have Penny Lane's grades slipped at all?' No..
'In fact, her grades have actually improved last semester, haven't they?'
He started to flip through my thin file. 'I guess.'
'So, Penny Lane has done nothing wrong, the Club is not affecting her grades, and the Club is meeting off school grounds.
Am I correct?'
'Technically — ' 'Well, then I don't see what the problem is.'
'The problem is, Mrs. Bloom' — Principal Braddock's face was explosive — 'that after that article came out in the Monitor, a lot of the males at this school have been complaining.
Not only that, but I've received some troubling reports from my Student Advisory Committee.'
Watt, Ryan wouldn't. .
'Nothing has happened yet, but that doesn't mean that it wont. this spells trouble — T-R-O-U-B-L-E.'
Mom got up, 'Well, I don't really give an S-H — ' 'Becky.' Dad finally spoke. He got up and put his hand on her shoulder. Mr. Braddock relaxed considerably, probably hoping that my dad would agree with him. 'thank you, Dr. Bloom.'
'Penny Lane,' Dad said, 'we're leaving, lets go. And, Mr.
Braddock, I'm sure you won't argue that we're going to take Penny with us, as I really don't think it's fair for her to have to stay here today after the way you insulted her.'
Dad grabbed his coat. I just stared at him.
'And, Mr. Braddock, as Penny's parents, we encourage this, as you call it, 'little' club. What she has done is wonderful, and you should be putting her picture on the wall instead of chastising her.
We couldn't be prouder.'
Dad hugged me and kissed me on the forehead. 'Let's go, kiddo.
Grab your stuff.'
WORD OF MY QUICK DEPARTURE from school spread like wildfire around school. Non-Club members thought I was expelled. Todd, even told people that the police had to escort me out of the building. Of course, I texted Tracy and Diane the truth on my way home, and they spread the word to the rest of the Lonely Hearts Club members. they all thought I was a hero.
Everybody at our next meeting was ecstatic. it was as if Braddock's condemnation of the Club somehow validated us.
I hoped this made it a good time for an announcement.
Diane and Tracy joined me in the front of the room, I looked over and saw Morgan was blushing. She had been thrilled when she'd found out that Tyson liked her, but thankfully didn't want to drop out of the Club.
'All right, I want everybody to hear us out before you make up your minds or jump to conclusions.' I looked at Rosanna when I said this. 'I started this club because I was sick of guys. But as the Club has grown, I've noticed that it's more about focusing on ourselves, and that we're really good at that. So now I think maybe our focus shouldn't be on never dating a guy, but on keeping true to your friends. if one of us wants to go — ' 'I knew it!' Rosanna got out of her seat. 'I knew it! You want to date Ryan.'' She pointed at me like I was a convicted felon. 'if you just watt and hear — ' 'Oh, this is just great. Some leader you are!' she replied.
I noticed that the entire room was glaring at Rosanna. 'this isn't about me!' I replied.
'Oh, really?' Rosanna rolled her eyes dramatically, 'How convenient that you decide to change the rules after you go on a date with the hottest guy in school!' Jealousy was oozing out of her voice. 'Maybe it shouldn't be called the Lonely Hearts Club —
maybe you should call it the Rules Will Change When Convenient For Penny Club!' 'Oh, just shut it already.'' Tracy screamed at Rosanna, 'Sit your skinny ass down and listen to what Penny has to say or get the hell out. I can tell you no tears will be shed if you leave.'
It was good to have the old Tracy back.
Rosanna sat back downlike a spoiled six-year-old who had just been told she couldn't have a pony for Christmas. 'thank you, Tracy,' I said.
'You're welcome, our divine leader.' Tracy smiled at me.
'This isn't about me. this is actually about Morgan.' the entire room turned toward Morgan, who shrunk from embarrassment.
'I'm sorry, Morgan, for having to single you out, but everybody is going to find out eventually. See, the guy that Morgan has had a crush on for years also likes her. And the thing is, Tyson is a really great guy, probably one of the few at McKinley, and I don't want to be the one responsible for denying them the chance to see what could happen.
'So, Tracy, Diane, and I have sat down with Morgan and have agreed that as long as she still attends Saturday meetings, group events, and remains the Morgan we all love, there's no reason she can't give it a try.'
Morgan stood up. 'Consider me the lab rat. Plus, this may all be premature, since he hasn't even asked me out yet. .'
He better, I thought. Tyson had no idea how much trouble he was causing.
I walked over to Morgan and put my hand on her shoulder. 'And I, for one, will be so excited to hear all the details about your date at our next meeting.'
Rosanna started to laugh. 'You've got to be joking. And when are we going to hear about your date?'
That was it. I'd had it with Rosanna.
'Let me make something perfectly clear to you and to everybody else.' I was practically shaking I was so mad. 'I have absolutely zero interest in Ryan Bauer and I never will. So to clarify to anybody who may be confused, I will never, never date Ryan.'
the room had gone silent. Tracy and Diane had horrified expressions on their faces.
What had I done?
WHILE I FULLY ENJOYED TRACY'S rules for the Club, there was a very important one she missed. What
