Of course I knew Tracy would get down to business. "And look at your chest — who knew you had such a rack?"

Diane hit Tracy on the arm.

"I know!" I said. "I'm so horrified. it didn't look like this when I tried it on. Maybe it's the bra." I looked down and all I could see was my cleavage.

"Please," Diane countered. "You have such a rockin' body, and you need to start showing it off."

"I know. It's sick," Morgan said. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are that you don't have to watch what you eat?"

Diane came over and started adjusting my hair. "Don't worry, you look great. Plus, it's really not as bad as you think. Look at all of you — not just your chest — in the mirror. You're beautiful."


As we arrived at school, we all double-checked our hair and makeup. I was becoming more confident in my outfit, and — I hated to admit it — there was a part of me that was dying to see what the reaction would be from some of the guys.

I could feel the music vibrating before we even opened the front door. I picked up the pace, suddenly wanting to get to the gym and get the entrance over with, I hurried inside, not sure what to expect. At least nobody was laughing or pointing at us. Then I heard it — the high, screeching noise of teenage girls when they spot each other at formal events.

"AAAAMMMMYYYYYY — you look sooooo beautiful!"

"OHMYGODJEN, killer dress."

"Look at YOU."

"No, look at YOU"

"Get out of here. I cannot believe you're wearing that color."

"No, YOU get out."

Kara, who had ended up going with a date, looked at the six of us and said, "So, you guys really are serious about the Club, huh?"

"We sure are," Diane said with so much enthusiasm, I thought that she was probably the most excited of all of us.

"Well… good for you." Kara wrapped a shawl around her thin frame. "I don't think I could ever do that, but good for you guys."

Diane grabbed my arm. "Come on, let's dance." The six of us maneuvered onto the dance floor and started moving in time to the music. A few of our friends started to join us. The music was too loud to have a conversation, but I did find myself explaining the Club anytime a new person joined us.

I swung around and was surprised to see that our circle of six had doubled — Kara had joined us, along with a few other juniors and seniors.

After an hour of nonstop dancing, I took a break to go to the restroom and make sure I had some makeup left. I was having so much fun, I almost completely forgot about all the couples at the dance. I smiled at the thought of all the girls who were spending more time on the dance floor with us than with their dates.

Homecoming Queen Marisa Klein was with our group so much that her boyfriend, Homecoming King Larry Andrews, finally pulled her away so he could dance with her, Jessica Chambers and her boyfriend got into a fight, since he felt she was ignoring him. In truth, they pretty much fought about anything — I didn't know him too well since he didn't go to school at McKinley, but I knew she could do much better.

"Guess we're the people to be seen with tonight!" Tracy said with a laugh as we headed back in. then the DJ switched the music from pop to a ballad, and both Tracy and I froze, not sure what to do as couples started walking by us hand in hand.

"Ummm, anybody want to go grab a drink?" Tracy asked while the rest of our party came over to join us. The six of us found refuge at a table where it felt nice to sit down and rest my feet.

"Oh my God, Diane," Tracy said, leaning across the table, "Did you see who Ryan is here with?"

WHO!?!

I casually shifted my line of vision to find Ryan. I'd been so wrapped up in the Club that I hadn't even noticed he was there.

"Relax," Diane said.

Relax? Was she insane?

"I knew he was bringing Missy you guys. It's cool."

It was? Why was Diane being so calm about this? Finally something snapped into place.

"Wait a second — Missy Winston?" I said. "That freshman who spilled her drink on Kara? You've got to be kidding!"

"Seriously, Penny, it's no big deal. Apparently, Missy asked him out after the football game against Poynette. I think he was taken aback at how forward she was, but it seems the person he wanted to ask already had plans."

"Who was he going to ask?" For some reason, my heart was pounding.

"He wouldn't say. I told him that I'm not dating anymore, so I don't see why he thinks I would be upset."

Diane was way more mature than I would've been. I got up and decided it was time to make the rounds. Erin Fitzgerald was in the middle of telling me about the school play when I got a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around and almost couldn't catch my breath. Ryan was in a beautiful black suit with a light blue shirt and blue tie that made his eyes stand out even more.

"Hey, Penny you look great."

"Hey."

I noticed him looking down at my chest and quickly glancing back up. His cheeks turned red and he cleared his throat, "Yeah, so you guys seem to be having a great time tonight — I can see why you all decided to go as one another's dates," He leaned in and put his hand on my lower back. "Although between you and me, having the best girls in school all go to the dance together makes it really hard for us guys to get a good date,"

Please. Just your typical empty flirting per usual, I told myself.

"Oh, you know… gotta make you men sweat a bit." I gave him a slight punch on the shoulder in a flirtatious way but I ended up hitting him a lot harder than I thought.

"Ow!" Ryan exclaimed, "Jeez, Penny, who knew you were so strong?"

Well, this was going well.

We looked at each other in silence as the music changed again to a ballad.

Ryan ran his fingers through his hair. "Ah, so, Penny do you think your dates would mind if you danced with me?"

Before I could respond, I heard that high-pitched nasal voice, "No, but YOUR date would mind."

Ryan was even more flustered than before. "Oh, hey, Missy, Wasn't sure when you'd be back. Um... you know Penny, right?"

Missy looked me up and down in a very disapproving way. What did she have to be mad at? She put her arms around Ryan's waist, and I tried not to smile as I saw Ryan squirm a little.

"Yeah, I've heard of you. Isn't your dad one of the Rolling Stones or something?"

You've got to be kidding.

"I'm named after a Beatles song — Penny Lane!"

Missy stared at me like I was some sort of lunatic.

"Whatever," she said dismissively. "Ryan, I love this song — let's dance." She grabbed his hand and dragged him out onto the dance floor. For a five-foot stick figure with no soul, she certainly had the strength of a hundred linebackers.

Anger and resentment started bubbling up inside me. There was a part of me that wanted to cut in. Just to spite her.

But I wasn't playing that game anymore. I was with my girls.

Even if it seriously pissed me off that Missy had won this round.


Revolution

"We all want to change the world..."

Chapter Eighteen

I FIGURED THEY HAD DANCES ON Saturday nights so the drama could dissipate over Sunday and school could be normal on Monday, Well, as soon as I opened the door to Tracy's car on Monday morning, I knew that wasn't going to be the case.

"Just shut up already!" she was shouting.

I cautiously pulled the handle, hoping that whatever was going on would stop once I got in

"You are such a loser," Mike screamed at Tracy when I got in.

"Oh, YOU'RE such a freak," Tracy replied.

Nobody seemed to notice that I was in the car.

"Um, guys." I tried to get their attention, but it wasn't working.

"It's not MY fault your little girlfriend was having more fun with us," Tracy said as she pulled out into the street.

"Just stay away from me, and stay away from anybody I know. I'm so embarrassed that you're my sister."

Tracy slammed on the brakes. "Then get out!"

Mike opened the door and started to get out of the car in the middle of the street, "Mike, don't…" I pleaded.

He got out, slammed the door shut, and started jogging on the sidewalk.

"Tracy, what on earth is going on? Go get him — he can't walk."

Tracy was gripping the wheel tightly. "No."

"He'll be late for school."

"Fine with me."

"All right, stop it. What on earth is going on?"

Tracy pulled back out into the street and stared forward while we passed Mike. "He freaked out at me yesterday simply because his stupid girlfriend spent most of Homecoming with us instead of him."

"Really? Which one was she?" I tried to go through all the girls who'd been dancing with us, but couldn't keep track.

"The petite brunette with that cute poofy lavender skirt."

"Oh! She's Mike's girlfriend?"

Tracy nodded as she pulled into the parking lot.

"Well, I don't see why you and Mike have to get into a huge fight over that."

"He was the one who started it. I knew he'd find a way to ruin what was an awesome evening." A smile spread across Tracy's face. "Seriously, we completely rocked that dance! Everybody kept saying their dates were such duds. Did you see one guy out there on the dance floor who was having a good time? No, they all just sat in a big group and talked about sports... " She shifted into her best imitation of Mike. "Whatever, dude!"

When we got to school, I kept telling myself that this was just another normal week, nothing to be nervous about. But my stomach kept doing somersaults every time I thought about seeing Ryan at the dance in the clutches of that fresh monster, I decided to walk a lot slower than usual. Maybe he wouldn't be there. Maybe I could just pretend that I wasn't mad. Maybe…

As I turned the corner to my locker, I saw him taking off his jacket.

I was very very relieved to see there was no sign of She Who Would Not Be Named.

I started to fiddle with my combination and saw him turning around. We caught each others eyes. He smiled, and started to say something...

"Um, Penny?" I was startled and nearly dropped my messenger bag. I turned around to see Eileen Vodak and Annette Ryan, both freshmen, hovering behind me.

"We, um, we really think you guys are so much fun, and we had a really great time, um, hanging out with you guys." Eileen blushed and started twirling her long auburn hair around her finger nervously.

Were they part of our group on Saturday?

"We just, um, really admire you. What you did was so cool."

"Thanks," I replied in a low voice, hoping Ryan wouldn't hear.

Annette nudged Eileen with her shoulder. "Um, yeah, we were wondering if your club was for juniors only, or if you would ever consider having freshmen involved..."

I stared at Eileen for a few seconds while I tried to process what she was saying.

"I mean, I know we're underclassmen, but.. "

My eyes grew wide as I realized what she was asking. "Of course. The more the merrier!"

Both Eileen's and Annette's faces lit up. "Oh, thanks so much, Penny! Just let us know what you need us to do."

I didn't even know what I was doing.

"Okay, will do."

I turned back to my locker as they left. Ryan closed his and leaned over. "Hey there."

"Hi," I replied.

Now if I could only stop the urge to shake him and ask him what the hell he was thinking, going with that vile creature.

"Hey, Penny." I turned around as Jen and Amy came over.

I smiled at Ryan apologetically, but was relieved to have the distraction. He just nodded and headed off to class.

"A couple of the girls on the team who had dates called me to talk about the Club," Jen said. "Do you think we could add a few more members?"

As I walked to Spanish class, I couldn't help but notice how many girls were saying hi to me.

"Hola, Margarita," Todd greeted me as I sat down at my desk.

"Hola." I pulled out my Spanish book and opened to the new chapter.

Todd moved in closer to my desk. "Hey, Penny, what was up with your little chick parade on Saturday night?"

"Oh, well, we had a lot of fun. I don't see what the big deal is." I was starting to feel a little defensive.