Chapter 12

Almost two months had passed since Bridget was accepted into ICGS. She had gone to eight meetings total, and so far, she was having loads of fun. She and Della had become good friends, as well as Charlotte, and of course, Henry. She had always looked forward to the meetings during the school week; they would always place a large amount of satisfactory happiness on her day. But today was Saturday, October 31, the first day she was going to meet at the Concord Library with ICGS. As well, it was Halloween for all kids excited and young enough to go, which included Jacob and Tyler, Lizzy’s brothers, who were both under ten years old.

Currently, Bridget was sitting on her bed, flipping through a book about the history of Greece from 499 B.C. (which was when the Ionian revolt began, she had learned) to approximately 250 B.C.

Each member of the club had been assigned to study a portion of Greece’s ancient history, for they were working on the timeline that the ICGS guideline’s required them to make. They decided to make the geography and agriculture back board first, just to get it out of the way. Now they were onto the next project.

Bridget was in the middle of rereading about Alexander the Great’s conquest to defeat Persia when she heard Mrs. Hunt call down from the bottom of the stairs.

“Bridget, honey, would you mind helping Jacob find his vest for his cowboy costume?”

Bridget shut her book and placed it on her nightstand. She walked quickly out of her room and down the stairs, where Mrs. Hunt was trying to refill a glass pumpkin dish with candy corn.

“Thank you, hon,” Mrs. Hunt said, smiling sweetly as she placed the lid on the dish.

“You’re welcome,” Bridget said. She tried to think of where she saw the faux-suede vest that had a burnt orange-brown coloring to it. She saw Mrs. Hunt running around trying to get everything “set” for trick-or-treaters, Mr. Hunt trying to fit Tyler into his spaceman costume, and Jacob sitting on a chair in the kitchen, sipping on what looked like apple cider.

“Do you want to help me look?” asked Bridget kindly, trying to get him to take some responsibility.

 Jacob finished slurping up his last bits of apple cider by tipping the glass totally vertical, wanting to get every last drop out.

“Sure,” Jacob said, “But don’t look in the basement; I’ve already looked a million times in the costume box.” He said, hopping up from his chair.

“Okay.” Said Bridget. “Have you looked in your room yet?”

Jacob pondered for a moment. “No…don’t think so.” He said. “I’ll go look now.” He dashed up stairs, his little cowboy boots clacking.

Bridget decided she would look in the living room, which, of course, had things tossed under couches and chairs like most families did if they were living with young children.

As she entered the living room, she saw Sophie sitting on the couch, pouting. Bridget considered asking why, but she had a feeling she knew already what was wrong. Or at least whom it had to deal with.

Bridget began looking under the couch. She saw many distorted board games, a flashlight with no batteries, and a couple of miscellaneous things like too-short-to-use pencils, hair ties, and single, unmatched socks.

As she was feeling around, she came across a smooth, but small material. She grabbed the fabric out from under the couch, and realized that it was Jacob’s cowboy vest.

She ran upstairs, and walked into Jacob’s room. “I found it!” she said, holding the vest in hand, almost triumphantly, in a joking sort of way.

“Oh! Good!” Jacob said excitedly, sliding on his vest over his button-down shirt. “Thanks,” he said.

“Welcome,” replied Bridget, as she walked out of the room, going back downstairs.

She walked into the living room and decided she couldn’t stand not asking anymore. She had to solve Sophie’s problem, whatever it was.

She sat down on the couch, and looked at Sophie concernedly.

“You all right?” Bridget asked caringly.

Sophie looked down at the floor, unhappy, eyes squinting. Then she looked at Bridget in dismay.

“Lauren and Melanie are going to this Halloween party today at school…and�"well, I�"I wasn’t invited!” The thought seemed to make Sophie burst into tears.

Bridget crinkled her eyebrows. “Wait, they didn’t invite you, I thought this was a school thing?”

 “No, they didn’t invite me to come with them.” Sophie wailed, and paused to take a gulp of air. “And now I have no one to go with!” Sophie’s head fell down onto her legs.

Bridget thought for a second. “Well, did you ever ask them about it?”

          “Sort of,” Sophie said. “I said, ‘So, who’s going to the party?’ And then they said, ‘Why do you want to know?’ Then I stopped talking about it because they were being…intimidating.” Sophie said.

          Bridget wanted to help Sophie will all of her heart, but she knew of nothing to say than what she had already said after the “sleepover” incident.

          “Why are they doing this to me?” Sophie finally asked, still tearing up a little.

          “Well, Soph, they’re not what you call the best lot. Why don’t you just go find new people to be with?” Bridget said, knowing that sounded a little too blunt.

          “’Cause!” Sophie immediately exclaimed. “All there is are the weird band geeks, and the girls who still like to play with…dolls or something. There is no one to be friends with, trust me.” Sophie said, staring into Bridget’s eyes.

          “You sure of that?” Bridget said. “There are always the extra people around, looking for friendship, just like you,” Bridget said. “I know it isn’t easy, but you want friends, don’t you? Not fake ones, like Melanie and Lauren, right?” Bridget said.

          Sophie nodded slowly. “I guess, I mean…” Sophie trailed off. “But there aren’t any people looking for friends! I just know it!” She exclaimed.

          “Well, I think you should go, even if you have no one to go with. Maybe you’ll make a friend.” Bridget said. She knew the attempt to make Sophie feel better was weak, but it was all she had.

          “Will you go with me?” Sophie said, her eyes shining with tears.

          Bridget felt a lump form inside of her throat. She had to go to the ICGS meeting in an hour…how was she supposed to go with Sophie?

          “…Well, when does it start?” Bridget asked.

          “Fifteen minutes ago.” Sophie replied.

          “Well, how about I stay for a half hour?” Bridget asked.

          Sophie sighed deeply. “You have a meeting, don’t you?”

          “Well, yes, but I can still stay for a bit, if you want.” Bridget said.

          “Okay,” Sophie said, a slight smile appeared on her face. “Let me go ask mom,” Sophie leapt out of the chair and into the kitchen.

          Bridget hoped that Sophie would show some socializing interest before the hour was finished, if they did end up going. If not, she would feel really guilty about leaving.

          Soon, Mrs. Hunt and Sophie came walking into the living room.

          “Well, I know I can drive you there, but do you think you could walk to the library from the school, or do you need me to pick you up?” Mrs. Hunt asked kindly to Bridget.

          “Oh no, I can walk.” Bridget said. “I’ll be fine.”

          “Okay,” said Mrs. Hunt. “That sounds great!” she said as a smile illuminated her face.

          Sophie smiled even bigger. “I’m going to go get ready now!” And with that, Sophie leapt upstairs.

          Mrs. Hunt waited until Sophie was in her room to speak again. “Thank you,” she said. “You have no idea how much this will mean to her.”

          Bridget grinned. “You’re welcome. I just figured she would have more fun there than sulking at home.”

          “You got it,” said Mrs. Hunt. Suddenly a burst of irritation rang out from upstairs.

          “MOOOOO-OOOOOMMM!!!” Jacob cried out. “TYLER KEEPS STEALING MY HAT!!!”

          Mrs. Hunt smiled, rolling her eyes. “Kids,” she said.

          Bridget smiled too.

          Soon, Sophie was downstairs with a brand new outfit on and looking much brighter she had the moment before.

          “You ready to go?” Mrs. Hunt said as she appeared from the kitchen, putting on her left shoe.

          “Yup,” said Sophie, bubbly from excitement.

          With that, they all piled into the car, and drove to the school.

 

 

                            

The first thing Bridget saw when entering upon the doors of the Middle School commons was tons of people and lots of movement. Rihanna’s “Disturbia” was blaring from large stereos from the stage as many people were jumping to the catchy, rhythmic beat.

          Having to leave in twenty-five minutes, Bridget figured standing at the entrance wouldn’t do much good for Sophie; so, she just walked right into the people-packed room.         

          “Wait---what?  Okay…” Sophie said, not quite ready to dive in yet. But she followed anyway.

          Soon the two were by a table, and Bridget was speculating all of the possible people who looked like they might be looking for someone to talk to.

“And there they are.” Said Sophie.

Bridget looked over to where Sophie was glaring. There was an annoyingly loud, giggling group of girls standing in the corner, clearly flirting with boys nearby. All of them were of typical snotty popular material: too much make up, revealing clothes, and noisy, fake laughter.

“That one is Melanie.” Sophie pointed to a girl with chestnut-colored brown hair, and fawn-like eyes: big and open, almost afraid. Bridget could tell from the gobs of eyeliner and mascara that there was a shy, insecure girl under there.

The next girl Sophie pointed to was Lauren. She clearly had artificial bleach-blonde hair, and almond-shaped blue eyes that were outlined with too much black eyeliner. She was wearing a red tank top with a plunging neckline that barely covered her chest. Bridget understood why she was liked by so many now: she was the epitome of a malicious control freak…and she was pretty with tons of make up on which were obviously attracting the guys.

“Wow,” Bridget finally said.

“‘Wow?!’” Sophie exclaimed. “Are you admiring them!?” Sophie almost shouted in anger.

“No! Not at all.” Bridget said quickly. “They look like they just barely escaped from an exploding Clinique factory”�"Sophie laughed�"“ And they are obnoxiously trying to get attention.” Bridget stated.

“I’m glad you feel the same way.” Sophie said. “Just don’t ask me to go up to them.”

“I won’t.” Bridget promised.

Soon, Bridget started speculating the crowd of eigth graders. She was looking for someone she could almost see as a good person…or at least a person that was better than Lauren or Melanie.

  Finally, she saw a slender girl with a Kelly green track jacket on with skinny jeans. She was wearing high-top converse that were bubblegum pink, and her almost metallic auburn hair was thrown up in a high ponytail, so her black and white polka dot hoop earring were visible.

          “Who is that?” Bridget said, thinking that this girl looked interesting.

          “Oh, that’s Jaycee. She has really big teeth.” Sophie stated frankly.

          Bridget raised her eyebrows, even though Sophie couldn’t see. “So? You have really pale skin but that doesn’t stop me from liking you. What’s she like otherwise?” Bridget asked.

          Sophie gave a playful sneer at the pale joke. “I guess she’s really ‘unique’. She only hangs out with a couple of people. But she seems sort of humorous, sometimes…” Sophie said. “But I don’t think I should talk to her.” She added quickly.

“Why not?” Bridget said.

          “Because I called her ‘horse-y’ the other day and now whenever I see her in English she scoffs at me.” Sophie said.

          “I can’t blame her.” Bridget said, now tapping her foot. “Why don’t you just apologize? It’ll make you seem nice, which you are. But why did you have to be so mean to her?” Bridget asked.

          “I don’t know. I guess it’s because Melanie and Lauren are so mean to me. It makes them like me again if I make fun of people.” Sophie said.

          Bridget rolled her eyes. “Just go say sorry, sincerely, and then call yourself a ghost or something, since you’re so pale, ‘kay?” Bridget said, giving Sophie a little push.

          “But…” Sophie said stubbornly. “Okay, just don’t expect me to be over there long.” Sophie said as she walked over to Jaycee.

          Bridget watched in anticipation. She saw Sophie walk up to Jaycee, but she didn’t see any sign of talking. So she moved just close enough to hear.

          Sophie stood, and stood some more, until she finally said something.

         

“Hey, Jaycee.” Sophie said. Jaycee’s back was turned to Sophie, so she tried again, clearing her throat.

“Hi, Jaycee,” Sophie said again.

Jaycee whipped around. “Oh, hello.” She said in a dead tone.

“How do you like the party?” Sophie said awkwardly.

“It’s okay. I thought I might go home soon. It’s sort of pointless to hang around with no one to talk to.” Jaycee said, glaring over at Lauren and Melanie, indicating they were the real reason she wanted to leave.

“I see what you mean,” said Sophie, as she looked to the floor.

There was an ample amount of silence going by, as they weren’t talking.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Aren’t you going to call me horse-y or something?” Jaycee fired toward Sophie.

Sophie’s eyes widened, but she kept going. “Actually I came over here to apologize for that,” Sophie said, now noticing Bridget was watching. She smiled, as she seemed to gain some confidence. “I am sorry for calling you, ‘horse-y’, and I won’t…ever again.” Sophie said, as Jaycee nodded.

“Thanks,” said Jaycee, then her tone softened. “So why aren’t you hanging out with them?”

Sophie blushed; even in the dim room Bridget could see her look of embarrassment.

“Um, well, we’re sort of in an argument.” Sophie said. “I guess.”

“That’s too bad,” Jaycee said sardonically, placing her slender hands in her pocket to pull out a dum-dum.

Sophie shook her head, not getting the joke intended. “No, actually, it isn’t. I mean, I feel…” Sophie inhaled deeply, “better inside.”

Jaycee laughed. “Better enough to stop comparing me to big-toothed animals?”

Sophie cracked a smile. “Yup,” she said.

“Well,” Jaycee said, unwrapping her root beer flavored sucker, “I guess I won’t call my brother to take me home, now that I have someone to talk to.”

Sophie smiled but her eyes were filled with fright, as if thinking, oh gosh, what do we talk about now? Then she began to glare across the room at Lauren and Melanie.

“What are you looking at?” Jaycee asked Sophie.

Sophie’s face flushed, once again. “Oh, nothing�"I, um…nothing.” Sophie said, wanting not to mention their names.

“I know.” Jaycee said competently. “They’re really annoying, the way they are talking loudly; trying to get SO much attention. It bugs me.” Jaycee said, squinting her eyes jokingly.

“Yeah,” Sophie said, almost afraid to agree with her.

“What’s the matter? You sound nervous.” Said Jaycee, looking at Sophie with a questioning expression.

“Oh, nothing,” said Sophie. “Couldn’t they hear us, or something?”

“No way.” Said Jaycee, still sucking on her sucker. “Why are you so afraid of them, anyway? I mean, they’re nothing special.”

“Well, how can’t you be afraid of them? They’re intimidating!” Sophie exclaimed quietly.

“So? Why does it matter?” Jaycee said.

“Because…” Sophie said. “I don’t know. They are the only people I’m friends with.”
          “You call them friends?” Jaycee asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sophie cracked a smile. “No, not really.”

Jaycee smiled, too. “Good. ‘Cause if you did, I would stop talking to you.”

“Hah, really?” Sophie said, giving her a look of alarm and pleasant surprise.

“Uh huh.” Jaycee grinned slightly. “You don’t need friends like them. No one does.”

“So true.” Said Sophie. Sophie then turned around and gave Bridget a vibrant thumbs-up.

Bridget did the same back to Sophie.

“Want a sucker?” Jaycee said, pulling out several dum-dums from her jacket pocket.

“Yeah, sure!” Sophie said. “Thanks.”

“Not a problem,” said Jaycee. “So, I heard that you’re sister is in England? My brother’s in her grade, so he told me.”

“Oh, yeah, in fact, the person who exchanged with her from England is with me right now.” Sophie replied. “She’s pretty cool.”

 Soon, Jaycee and Sophie started talking like sisters who hadn’t spoken in three years. It was awesome.

Bridget then looked at the clock and found that it was time to leave. She hated to do it, but she had to interrupt Sophie.

“---So I said, ‘I’m sorry, sir?’ And then he was like, ‘Oh, you caught me with a mouthful of salad’. It was so funny!” Jaycee said, laughing as Sophie started doubling over.

“Oh my gosh, what did you do it must have been so hard to contain your---“

Bridget tapped Sophie on the shoulder. Sophie whipped around. “Soph, I gotta go now. Have a good time!” Bridget said.

“Oh, yeah, you too!” Sophie said, smiling like Bridget had never seen her before.

Bridget left the large noisy room and noticed that, in the half hour that she had been staying in the commons, the sky had gotten dark with large, towering gray clouds. She sighed, knowing soon that the sky would open, and the rain would pour down on her.

She opened the silver metal doors and left the school building, and began walking down the small school lawn, and on to the sidewalk that would eventually lead her to the library.

The sky started erupting with loud roars of thunder, and in a matter of five seconds, the clouds started unloading all of their collected water.

Bridget soon was drenched to the core, even after only walking in the rain for about thirty seconds. She started running, only so she could get to the library faster.

As she rounded a corner, she saw someone with a black umbrella heading down the sidewalk. They seemed no older than she was, so she ran faster to catch up with them…to see if they could share a little bit of their umbrella with her.

Bridget ran and got closer and closer to the leisurely person, who appeared to be a boy. She  got closer.

A tall bloke. Bridget thought.

Closer.

Slender, but still toned.

Closer.

Black hair, sharp jaw line…

Closer.

Kind of…cute. Bridget thought whimsically. By then she was only a few steps behind this tall, attractive boy. So she sped up.

 No way… She thought. Bridget couldn’t believe it.

Dane.

          Bridget sighed in semi-vexation. Wow. Of ALL people to share an umbrella with. Bridget thought in her head. She knew, somehow, that he could see her. After all, she was only a few paces behind him.

          “Hey, Dane,” Bridget said, out of breath, voice shaking from the cold.

          Dane looked unemotionally at Bridget and moved the umbrella over to shelter her without hesitation.

          Bridget raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Oh, uh, thanks. I really appreciate that.” Bridget said, surprised at his consideration.

          Dane nodded slowly.

          Bridget then became tense as they walked; his attractively pale hand holding the umbrella.

 It’s not a very big umbrella, is it? Bridget thought, become conscious of her nearness to Dane.

          Bridget didn’t get nervous very often about anything. She almost felt exposed, like her mind was being read, or something. She wondered what else he had noticed about people or her specifically, since he had said that thing about Henry and her. She had trouble containing all of her questions, and his seemingly expressionless, slightly mordant, face made the situation all the more difficult to bear.

          They walked in silence as the rain pounded on the surface of the umbrella. Bridget couldn’t help but to think that he was probably reading her expressions, as they both walked at an unhurried pace. She almost wanted to ask him what he was thinking. But she didn’t. Unable to free herself of the temptation to not talk at all, she asked a normal question that probably had the interest appeal of a piece of toast.

          “Erm, so…Dane, how are you?” Bridget said, utterly disappointed at her feeble attempt to spark conversation with such an impassive person.

          Dane stared at Bridget with a look that showed no interest in that question at all, but in an expression that showed interest in her willingness to even talk to him. He smiled in an almost derisive way, as he began to speak.

          His smile got larger as he spoke. “Why do you have any curiosity in me? Most people just leave me alone.” Dane said, not annoyed, but just barely inquisitive.

          “Because I’m not like most people.” Bridget responded, hoping she didn’t sound too flippant.

          “I guess not.” Dane murmured in a tone that Bridget couldn’t quite pinpoint as speculating, or as nonchalant.

          “That was arrogant, there, sorry.” Bridget apologized immediately, hoping to all that existed he would say something.

          But he didn’t.

          The rain decreased to a medium patter. Bridget knew they were almost to the library, and she hoped they would get there soon, on account of her possibly vituperative comment. Though, Dane was dismissive of almost everything she said, and anything anyone said, for that matter, so she didn’t know to set this aside or to apologize once again.

          So she did neither.

          Soon, the library became visible through the small area of trees that surrounded it. This was the second time Bridget had been to the library. The first time was when she had gone here to study with Della and Charlotte, and this time, clearly, was a meeting for ICGS.

          As the two approached the door, Dane closed the umbrella and it shrunk down to a small sliver of black, wet material. The doors opened automatically in front of them, stimulating the powerful heater that blasted warm air from ceiling onto the visitor. Bridget felt comfortably warm instantly.

          As she looked up to view the library, she saw Della, Charlotte, and Henry walk-jogging excitedly toward her.

          “Hey, Bridget!”  Henry said happily. Charlotte and Della were beside him, also eager to greet her with the same sentence.

          “Hey, guys,” said Bridget, trying to sound as equally excited to see them.

          “Wow,” Della said, almost smirking in amusement. “You’re pretty soaked!”

          “Well,” said Bridget, trying to finger comb her dripping hair, which was also drenched. “Good thing Dane let me come under his umbrella, or else I think I would have drowned.” Bridget said, turning around to thank Dane once again. But he wasn’t there.

          “What?” Charlotte said confusedly. “Dane’s here?” She looked around in perplexity.

          “I didn’t even see him come in.”  Henry added.

          “Me, neither.” Della said. A coy smile then approached her face. “But wait.” She paused and leaned in closer to Bridget. Charlotte and Henry drew closer, too.

“He let you use his umbrella?” Della said dramatically.

          Bridget laughed in amusement. “No! I mean, yes, he did, but it’s not like he was wanting to or anything.” Bridget paused only to realize how ridiculously unclear that sentence sounded.

          Henry furrowed his brow. “So he wasn’t happy about it? Well obviously he wasn’t too�"what’s the word�"excoriating.” Henry said smartly. He almost beamed with the ability to use such an articulate word.

          “Now’s not the time to try to sound like an English audio tape, Henry,” said Charlotte playfully. “This is a big deal.”

          “I’m sorry,” said Bridget, smiling, but underneath irritated. “Why is this so shocking?” Bridget hoped not to sound too flippant again.

Della’s already large, fawn-like eyes opened with thrill. “Dane expressed some form of kindness toward someone! You can’t pretend that’s not a big deal!” Della folded her petite arms across her chest, while smiling brilliantly.

Bridget laughed. “Only a totally heartless, cruel person would not let a shaking cold, wet, person under their umbrella.” Bridget said. “You can’t pretend he hasn’t got a heart somewhere under that mask of his.”

“True,” agreed Charlotte. Henry agreed with his nod.

Della smiled. “Whatever you guys think…” She said, raising her eye brows at Bridget.

Then there was one of those silences.

 Henry cleared his throat. “Well, is everyone here?” He said, making an abrupt subject change.

Bridget had to laugh; most boys weren’t very good at conversation transition.

“What?” Henry said, smiling in anticipation, tilting his head slightly.

“Nothing, just…” Bridget was cut off by a tetchy and obnoxious voice.

“NO LOITERING! Get to work!” said a bad-tempered librarian at the checkout desk.

Bridget hadn’t realized that they were all holding idle conversation while several irritated people maneuvered around them from the entrance.

“I’m sorry ma’am,” Henry said, immediately scooting out of the way of an elderly man trying to cane him through Charlotte and Della. Henry flattened himself against a wall.

“C’mon guys,” Henry said. “We probably need to get to work now.”

Henry motioned for them to follow him up the grand staircase covered in royal blue carpet. Bridget, bending down quickly to feel the carpet, found it was quite plushy.

As the four of them semi-raced up the staircase, Bridget saw that Mrs. Streisand, Ellen, Jamal, Kara and Hugh were already there. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dane sitting in a corner, sketching, of course. She wondered how he managed to get places so sneakily and quickly. She wondered if he did it on purpose.

“Henry? Is everyone here?” Mrs. Streisand said, sipping on what seemed like a latte. Bridget noticed that she was always eating something sophisticated…and low fat.

“No, not yet.” Henry said. “Mark and Jade aren’t here.” 

“Oh.” Mrs. Streisand looked around. “Well, it’s five-thirty five, so they should be here soon.”
          Henry nodded. “Should I start later then? Or now?” he asked politely.

“Well, I suppose if they don’t arrive by five-forty you can begin.” Mrs. Streisand, her tiny heels click-clacking behind her, her long, purple glass bead necklace clashing together as she walked away.

“So what are we doing today, exactly?” Della asked as she took a seat at a long table where the rest of the club was sitting.

“Well,” Henry said. “As you know, I delegated each of you a portion of Greece’s history so you could study it in between meetings.” Henry paused for any interjections.

“Yeah?” Della urged him on.

“And so, tonight, we are going to make the timeline. I thought maybe those of you are good at drawing and art and stuff, could make little colored sketches by some of the more major events on the timeline.” Henry said. “But I’m just sort of suggesting. I am open to any other ideas.”

Charlotte raised her hand in a meek sort of way.

“Charlotte?” Henry said, playing along.

“Well, I just thought, maybe we could make the more minor ones have pictures, since less people know what they are about.” Charlotte paused, hoping for encouragement or comments. But she didn’t get any. So she continued. “I mean, it may be a little more difficult, but I think it will stand out to the judge.” Charlotte made it clear that she was finished by smiling as if to say, “Any questions?”

“Well,” Bridget said. “I actually think that’s a good idea. I mean it actually might stand out. We’ll get more questions that way.”

Henry nodded. “Well, I guess we can ask the group when we start the meeting.” He looked over at the door downstairs, and sighed. “If Jade and Mark ever get here.”

“Okay,” Charlotte said. She had the expression that hoped for an answer to her idea.

Soon, Jade and Mark came through the doors. It was 5:39, so they came in just at the knick of time. And so the meeting began.

 

“Alright!” Henry said, not able to smack any solid object against the table. After all, they were in a library.

          All heads turned for conversation were now facing Henry.

          “I would like all of you to pull out your information regarding the piece of Greece’s history I asked you to study. Some of it may be with me, if you gave it to me at Thursday’s meeting.” Henry said, as everyone unzipped backpacks and purses for their information.

          Bridget had given hers to Henry, knowing if she brought it to the Hunt’s house; it would surely get lost or thrown away. Things were always getting misplaced or carelessly tossed around in there, even with good intentions.

          “Okay, now, tonight, I thought we should work on the timeline, considering that is probably the biggest eye-catcher of the back board.” Henry paused. “So, now if you’d please paraphrase all of your written information, if you haven’t already done so, and then give it to me so we can organize it to place on the timeline.”

          Soon everyone erupted in a quiet murmur of organizing their information on whichever portion of history they were asked to study. Most everyone had already paraphrased it, making things go a little bit faster.

          “Where is the back board?” Kara asked form the opposite side of the table.

          “Oh, Mrs. Streisand has it.” Said Henry. “I think she’ll spread it out as soon as I get everyone’s information.” He said as Hugh passed him his papers across the table.

          “Okay, thanks,” Kara said.

          “Yup,” Henry said, slightly preoccupied while reading over Hugh’s work.

          Soon, everyone’s work was handed in and Henry once again called the meeting to order by laying out the backboard on the table, catching everyone’s attention.

          “This,” Henry paused for dramatic effect. “Is the back board. Probably the biggest eye-catcher of this particular project.” Henry said. “What we are going do tonight is design the timeline, and place the events on it by typing them on the computers, over there�"“ Henry pointed to a section of the library with an ample amount of unoccupied computers. “And then cut them out nicely�"and I stress neatly�"or else we will lose points. Just like the last backboard: be cautious of everything that you do. If you have any questions or ideas just ask Charlotte or me. Okay?” Henry said.

          Nods and all kinds of various forms of “yeses” came from everyone in the club.

          “Okay, then, we can get started!” Henry exclaimed.

          Immediately, everyone dashed over to the computers where they would type out their information. After about an hour, everyone completed that part, and started to formulate ideas about the backboard design.

          They got as far as sketching the time line, drawing it out on the backboard, coloring it, and pasting half of the events on it. Then, it was time to leave the library. Fortunately, it had stopped raining, so the walk outside to cars would be dry and at semi-warm.

          Bridget, Della, and Henry stayed after to help clean up with Mrs. Streisand. Dane was still there, but only on the account that he was enthralled in his world of sketching, not because he wanted to help. He was just finishing up something for the timeline.

          As Henry helped Mrs. Streisand load things into her car, Della and Charlotte walked over to the computer section, where Bridget was shutting down all of the computers the club had used.

          “Hey, Bridget!” Della called from the other end of the square of computers. “Come here!”

          Charlotte stood beside Della with the same enthusiasm.

          Bridget finished turning off the last computer, and jogged over to Charlotte and Della.

          “Yeah?” Bridget said perkily.

          Charlotte started. “Well, me and Della were going to have a sleepover next Friday night, and I was wondering if you wanted to come? It’s at Della’s house though, so we’ll have to tell you where it is.”

          Bridget lit up. “Oh, yes!” She exclaimed. “I’d love to come. I’d have to check with Mrs. Hunt first, though.”

          “Yeah, that’d be fine.” Said Charlotte.

          “Cool!” Della said. “Make sure you bring the normal sleeping bag, pillow…all that. We’re also going to have a fondue, so I hope you like chocolate.” Della smiled playfully.

          “Oh, yeah, of course. Who doesn’t?” Bridget said.

          They all snickered.

Soon, all three of the girls came to the door and Henry and Mrs. Streisand arrived through them, coming from the other direction.

          “Hey, Bridget, I think your mom�"I mean, Mrs. Hunt is here,” Henry commented as he came inside the library.

          “Oh!” Bridget exclaimed. “Thanks for telling me.” Bridget said.

          “Yeah, no problem.” Henry said.

          “Bye Bridget!” Della and Charlotte said.

          “See you on Monday!” Henry called.

          “Okay.” Bridget said as she left the library, going out through the automatic doors. “Bye guys!” She smiled and waved at them. They returned the gesture.

          As Bridget made her way to Mrs. Hunt’s car, which, of course, was out in the distant area of the parking lot, it started to rain again. Just this time she didn’t feel tense. In fact, she felt pretty good. She got Dane to talk to her, and for some reason, that felt like a huge accomplishment. She smiled as she got in the car, feeling almost like a hopeless fool, going in on a blind mission. Dane intrigued her. She knew that. And she wanted to get to know him. She knew that too. The only problem was, she didn’t know why.

 

 

 

Reviews

[Short.Nerd]

:D This is going to get really interesting I bet. Dane seems so.... mysterious and I'm curious about himm xD lol. I'm glad that she helped Sophie out with making a few friend. That was nice of her. I wonder who Jaycee's brother is though.... hmmm..

[compositionc]

SHE HAS A CRUSH ON DANE?!
What about Henry?! Anyways, Bridget sounds kind of awesome. She helped Sophie make friends and she's making tons of her own.