The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg Page A

know what you're referring to," I lied.
    Ryan sat up and leaned over so we were eye to eye. "You know."
    I shrugged, "Really, Ryan. I mean, with a Goody two-shoes like me .. ."
    He bolted upright. "Okay, then answer me this: Were you or were you not concealing alcohol in your locker when Braddock came by for inspections last spring"?"
    So not fair,
    "I technically wasn't hiding anything in my locker."
    "Oh, really-?"
    "Really."
    He stared me down with a smug look on his face. He knew he had me busted.
    "Yes, technically I didn't hide it."
    "But there was alcohol in your locker."
    I nodded. "But only because Michael put his coat in my locker at the last minute."
    "And why did he do that?"
    "Because he had a bottle of vodka in his jacket."
    "And ..."
    I looked at Ryan in confusion -- that was pretty much it. We had a surprise locker inspection near spring break, and Michael freaked out and shoved his jacket into my locker. I didn't even have a chance to say anything, as Braddock was inspecting Michael's locker with intensity . . and then pretty much passed mine by.
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    "Oh, wait. ,."
    Ryan's eyes sparkled. "You see."
    "Oh my God, people do think I'm a Goody two-shoes!'
    "that's why he did it -- he knew your locker would never get inspected." He started laughing as he playfully poked at my side.
    "Yeah, but what about you?"
    It was time for revenge.
    "Oh, I'm a total badass." He couldn't even get the words out with a straight face.
    "Right, I forgot. Exactly how many bad-a people are on Principal Braddock's kiss-up committee?"
    Ryan's eyes narrowed. "Student Advisory Committee, thank you very much,"
    "Oh, I'm sorry -- I know how hard it must have been for you to earn all those brownie points to get in."
    He gasped dramatically. "My entire life's goal has been to get into that committee. Don't you dare belittle it."
    "Oh, I wouldn't want to upset you. Hmmm ..." I got up to start surveying the ground near where we were sitting.
    "What are you looking for?" Ryan asked.
    "Your purse."
    He quickly stood up, and before I knew it he had me flung over his shoulders.
    "Put me down!" I screamed.
    He laughed while he twirled me around in response.
    It was only when I was back down on the ground, giggling
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    while I regained my balance, that I saw Diane examining the scene before her.
    "Hey, guys, urn . .." Diane looked awkward enough for the three of us. "Penny, I've been trying to find you for the past half hour. I didn't even see you come in. I think you may want to come inside -- Tracy isn't feeling so hot."
    Tracy!
    I was a horrible friend. I had completely forgotten that she was inside drinking, I gave Ryan back his jacket as we followed Diane inside. She led me into a bathroom on the second floor where Tracy was lying on the tile floor, looking a light shade of green.
    I bent down next to her and brushed her hair out of her face.
    "What is she doing here?" Tracy pointed at Diane.
    "Be nice." I started to help her off the floor.
    "Watt." Ryan came in, washed out his cup, and filled it with water, "She's going to need this first."
    Ryan, Diane, and I waited around in awkward silence for what seemed like ages while we forced Tracy to drink two cups of water. She stared at Diane the entire time.
    "You aren't going to take her away from me," she slurred.
    Diane began to reply but Ryan interrupted. "Okay, time to get you up and home."
    "Stop!" Tracy pushed Ryan away. "I don't want Paul to know I'm a mess. I can walk out myself. I want to say goodbye first."
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    Diane gave me a weird look that I couldn't read. "I don't think that's a good idea, Tracy," she said. "Seriously -- you should just make him wonder what happened to you, I might even let him know that you've had your share of guys hitting on you. . . ."
    Tracy liked the thought of that and agreed to go quietly.
    As we headed downstairs, we saw Todd, standing on the couch, dancing with his shirt off,
    "No way, Penny*'** he called out. "You can't leave!" He stumbled over and nearly