Free Fabulous Five 012 - Katie's Dating Tips by Betsy Haynes Page A

her desk to do her homework and even opened
her notebook. But instead of working math problems, she doodled along the edge
of her paper. Things were really a mess, she thought. Tony's campaign to
improve the cafeteria food had brought disaster down on everyone.
    "But nobody understands," she said out loud. "Everybody
jumps to conclusions about him. They don't try to get to know him and find out
what he's really like. Even Mom, of all people. She's usually more objective
than that."
    Katie thought about the letters. She was secretly proud of
the fact that hers had been selected to be number one on the page. But where
did Mr. Newkirk get off thinking that they brought shame and dishonor to
Wakeman Junior High? He should feel just the opposite. He should be proud! And
how dare he say such awful things to Willie? Her mother was a wonderful person
and a great teacher, and she was just trying to get the kids at Wacko to
express their feelings on paper. It wasn't fair!
    It wasn't until she got into the car to ride to school the
next morning that she remembered she hadn't made herself a sandwich the night
before. She had slept badly until almost morning, when she had fallen into a
deep sleep and had been too groggy when the alarm went off to think of
breakfast, either. She hoped Willie wouldn't hear her stomach growling over the
sounds of traffic.
    "Good morning, Katie," said her mother as she
started the car and backed out of the driveway.
    "Morning," said Katie. She could see her mother
looking at her out of the corner of her eye and knew she should act more
friendly. Willie was going to have to face the wrath of Mr. Newkirk and maybe
Mr. Bell, too, when she got to school, but the memory of her mother's stinging
words about Tony kept her silent. Thank goodness this is Friday, she thought,
the last day her mother would be going to school.
    Neither of them said a word during the ride to Wakeman.
Katie was looking out the window when they swung into the teachers' parking lot
so she was the first to see who was standing beside the space marked VISITORS, which
Willie had been using all week.
    "Mom. Look," she said. "There's Mr.
Dracovitch. I wonder what he's doing standing by your parking place?"
    Willie looked shocked when she glanced in his direction. By
this time he had spotted their car and was waving his arms at them as if there
was some sort of emergency.
    "Oh, no," Willie murmured. "What on earth has
happened now?"

CHAPTER 16
    Willie bolted out of the car as soon as she shut off the
engine, but Katie moved more slowly. Mr. Dracovitch obviously had something on
his mind, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to hear it. Then she noticed
something strange. He was grinning from ear to ear.
    "Congratulations, you two. Everybody's talking about
all the newspaper coverage your letters have generated," he said, beaming
first at Willie and then at Katie and back at Willie again. "I think it's
terrific that you've inspired the kids of this school to finally take a stand
on something they care about. They've been complaining about the food in the
cafeteria for years and have been ignored. Now they're organized and are getting
attention."
    Katie did a double take. Weird Mr. Dracovitch was on their
side?
    "Personally, I think the stuff tastes like something I'd
cook up in my lab," he added.
    A giggle burst from Katie, and she had an instant vision of
him in the school kitchen wearing a black cape with a red lining and waving a
magic wand over pots on the stove.
    Willie laughed, too, and Katie could see that she was
starting to get her old spunk back. "You bet we're taking a stand!"
she said. "I don't know why I let Mr. Newkirk get to me. It's about time
this school did something that was forward thinking, and I agree with the
students. It's only reasonable that they have a say in choosing the cafeteria
food."
    Katie let out a cheer. "Right on, Mom! Now you sound
like your old self again."
    "I have to give you credit, Willie. Sending