Free Fabulous Five 019 - The Boys-Only Club by Betsy Haynes

the slip of paper from her mother. It was the key
to the answers to all the questions that were racing through her mind. Most of
all, she wanted to know how Gwyneth and Tommy had managed to get back together.
Deep down, Katie didn't want to give up hope that there might be some way for
her and Tony to make up. She couldn't wait to talk to Gwyneth Plum, the lady
out of the past.

CHAPTER 14
    "It's working," said Beth excitedly. "Somehow
I really didn't think this many girls would show up." The Wakeman
Junior High gymnasium was filling up with girls wearing leotards, shorts,
sweatshirts, leg warmers, and all sorts of other exercise clothes. And more
cars were dropping kids off at the front door.
    Katie was beaming with satisfaction. This was the way she
had visualized the girls' club ever since Laura McCall had suggested it. She
wasn't sure how much help Laura had been in getting the Riverfield girls out,
though, for only a few of them had come so far. Laura and her Fantastic
Foursome friends hadn't shown up yet either. They're probably waiting to make a
grand entrance, Katie thought. It didn't matter. What mattered was a lot of
girls had stopped thinking about the boys and were getting together for self-improvement.
    "Where do you want us to put the TV and VCR?"
asked Daphne. She was holding the VCR and her father was standing behind her
with a large TV. Beads of sweat covered his forehead as he struggled to hold
the heavy set.
    "Over there," said Katie, pointing to where Marcie
Bee's mother had her makeup table set up.
    "I'll help," said Jana, taking one end of the VCR
and leading Daphne and her father in the direction of the TV stand set up
there.
    "We need more tables so people can spread out the
clothes they brought to model," called Alexis.
    "Ask Miss Simone where they keep them," Katie
called back.
    The secretary was helping direct traffic in the gym and
looked as if she was enjoying herself. She had taken off her raincoat and
underneath was an exercise outfit. She had a red scarf tied around her waist,
and her hair was tied back.
    "She looks really neat," Katie said to Heather,
who was standing nearby.
    "She sure does," Heather agreed. "I think she
and Mr. Bell are having some trouble though."
    Katie was surprised. "Why do you think that?"
    "Well, I had to take some papers to the office for Mrs.
Blankenship yesterday, and Miss Simone was in his office with the door closed.
They were talking kind of loud, and she sounded angry."
    "Do you know what they were talking about?"
    Heather shook her head. "I couldn't hear what they were
saying very well, and Miss Dickinson was standing next to me so I didn't want
it to look like I was eavesdropping. Once, it sounded as if she told him he was
narrow-minded." She covered her mouth to hide a giggle. "Can you
believe anyone would tell the principal that?"
    Maybe, thought Katie. She had been surprised when she
checked three times this week on whether Mr. Bell had agreed to start a class
on women's history and Miss Simone hadn't just given her a yes or no. Usually,
Mr. Bell made up his mind quickly and that was that. Was the secretary arguing
with her boss over his decision? That sounded dangerous.
    Christie came over to Katie. "Since you're in charge,
it's up to you to get things started."
    Katie gulped and looked at the crowd of girls who were
standing around talking. Christie was right, someone had to take charge, it was
already fifteen minutes after seven. Katie had thought Laura would be there to
help her get things organized, but she still hadn't shown up.
    Katie cleared her throat and tried to sound confident as she
yelled, "Okay, everyone, listen up! This is what we're going to do."
     
    Alexis Duvall and Lisa Snow stopped as they were leaving the
gym to thank Katie for starting the girls' club. "I haven't had this much
fun in a long time," said Alexis.
    "And I feel so trim already, " said Lisa.
"And Mrs. Bee gave me some super ideas about how to put on makeup. Wait
until I