Leave it to Tracy to put a quick end to my charade. “I think you’re misusing the word superior. I believe you mean sub par.”
She had me there.
I wrapped my arms around Ryan. “Hey.” I leaned in and gave him a kiss.
“Well, hello to you,” he replied, with a huge grin. “Does your crown ward off the fear of PDA? Because if it does, then I’ll do all the bowing your highness requires.”
“No,” I said as I pressed myself against him. “I really wish it was you who’d been dancing with me. And I just have to say again how grateful I am that you’ve been able to forgive me.”
“I think we need to move on.” He placed a gentle kiss on my lips.
“Move forward,” I replied while kissing him again.
“Move … upward,” he grasped on to another response, although he didn’t need one to justify another kiss.
A paper napkin came flying over and hit us on the side of our faces. “Get a room!” Tracy yelled from the table.
“Well, it is Prom night,” Ryan stated with raised eyebrows, then quickly corrected himself. “But I’m only joking. Your mom knows where I live.”
“Oh my God, did she tell you that?” I tensed from embarrassment.
“Um, no, she didn’t have to. It’s not that big a town,” he replied, playfully poking me in my side. “Why? Should I be worried?”
I knew I’d promised myself I wouldn’t keep things from Ryan. That I was going to be open and honest with him. But I figured I could get away with this one small white lie.
“Worried about my mom?” I laughed. “Not at all.”
FOUR WEEKS.
I had been able to successfully be in The Lonely Hearts Club and date Ryan Bauer for four weeks.
There were no disasters, breakdowns, fights, school suspensions, or tears.
Pretty normal really. And wonderful.
It almost made me forget why we’d broken up in the first place. Almost.
And Tracy was right (as she liked to hear me repeat ad nauseam): The Lonely Hearts Club was its own self-contained thing. If anything that had now spread to over a dozen states and five countries (and counting) could be considered self-contained.
We were busy fielding requests from the new clubs, but the pressure wasn’t all on me. It was a team effort. Because the Club always worked better when we stood together, not apart.
Every now and then, though, one of us would take the spotlight.
At the school’s end-of-year awards night, it was Tracy’s turn.
Minutes before, she was pacing nervously in the hallway. “You sure you want me to do this?” she asked with a nervous tinge in her voice.
“Yes,” Diane and I said in unison.
Tracy nodded to herself, while Diane gave her a pep talk. “It’s going to be super easy; we have all of this written down. Simply go up there with Mrs. Coles and announce the scholarship recipient.”
After her fab television interview, we’d appointed Diane to be our head of communications. She was a natural in front of the camera.
“We’d better go inside,” I said as the last few people filed into the auditorium.
Tracy and I sat with our parents, while Diane went over with the National Honor Society to sit next to Ryan.
I glanced at the program that listed the academic, artistic, and athletic awards being presented, followed by the scholarships that were being awarded. During the ceremony, I began checking off each award, one by one, until it was our turn.
Tracy headed off to the wings as Principal Braddock started his introduction. “The next scholarship being presented tonight isn’t a club that’s run by the school, but in its first year has become quite popular with the girls at McKinley. Some of you may remember the successful dance-a-thon they threw last month that raised funds for the Parkview Area Recreation Center as well as the scholarship they’re about to present. Here to represent The Lonely Hearts Club is junior Tracy Larson and the faculty member who advised them on the scholarship, Mrs. Coles.”
Tracy approached the podium with a steely determination. She was one of the toughest people I knew; there was no way she was going to let a little public speaking get to her.
“The Lonely Hearts Club is not about the school,” she began. “It’s about friendship and the family that you choose. As with a lot of great things in life, it started with heartbreak. The best way to heal a heart is through love. As the Beatles once sang, ‘All you need is love.’ For some, that love may come from a spouse, a sibling, or a friend. For The Lonely Hearts Club, it’s about having a community to help find what will heal your heart. As we say good-bye to our amazing senior members, we wanted to present one of them a scholarship to help her on the next chapter of her life.” Tracy paused to look up from her script. “And it’s pretty much certain that many of them will start their own clubs post-McKinley, since I highly doubt that guys mature the second they get to college.”
There was scattered laughter in the room.
“We, as a group, felt it was best to have outside advisors pick this year’s winner. So on behalf of Penny Lane Bloom, Diane Monroe, and the entire Lonely Hearts Club, I’d like to thank Mrs. Coles, Ms. Griffin of PARC, and Mr. Larson, aka my dad, for helping us pick the winner. So without further ado, the winner of the first annual Lonely Hearts Club scholarship is …”
I felt my heartbeat speed up as Mrs. Coles handed Tracy the envelope with the recipient’s name. None of us knew who it was.
Tracy opened up the envelope and hesitated for a second. Then she smiled. “This is awesome,” she said. “Okay, so the advisory committee said that it was a wonderful group of girls, obvs, so there are two recipients. The first winner is Laura Jaworski, who will be attending Syracuse University this fall, majoring in political science. And the other winner is Margaret Ross, who will be attending Loyola of Chicago, majoring in English.”
I’d never been so grateful that we had a group of grown-ups involved. Why do one scholarship if we could do two? Both Laura and Meg were certainly worthy. My mind was already racing with what we could do next year, but then I took a deep breath.
There was plenty of time to work on next year. It would be something we could do together as a group. It wasn’t all on me.
It appeared that you could teach a stubborn girl new tricks.
The Lonely Hearts Club wasn’t solely a group of fantastically fun girls. We were also wicked smart.
All six senior members received some kind of award or scholarship that evening, and that was in addition to eight members being inducted into the National Honor Society. Personality and smarts? Oh, how the boys were missing out on the majority of us choosing to remain single.
“Congratulations!” Morgan ran up and kissed Tyson, who’d been awarded a music boosters scholarship to help with his Juilliard tuition.
We were all gathered for a special little end-of-year celebration after the award ceremony at PARC. They wanted to show us where all the funds were going. We got to tour the new jungle gym, see the new instruments in the music room (they even put a Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band poster up in honor of us), and the new developmental toys for the younger kids.
Tracy placed her hand on my shoulder. “We done good, Pen. We done good.”
“We certainly have,” I agreed. It was nice to see how much had come together with all our hard work.
Ryan approached us with punch in both hands. “Ladies.”
Tracy took a cup and nodded in approval. “I never realized that having a guy around could be a good thing. He can fetch us stuff. Hey, Bauer, those cream puffs aren’t magically going to appear in my belly.” She tapped her foot impatiently.
Ryan gave a playful sigh before heading off to do Tracy’s bidding.
“You know,” she said, “I’ve had years training little brats, so I don’t think I’ll have any problems whenever I get a boyfriend. That lucky, lucky bastard.”
Any guy would be lucky to have Tracy as a girlfriend. They’d onl
y need to have the patience of a saint. Or a martyr.
Diane came over and clapped her hands at us. “We’ve got some pictures to take for the website and an e-mail blast I’m going to send out to local media. Come on!” She began ushering all of us into the main lobby.
“You’ve created a monster,” Tracy teased. “Diane Monroe, publicist.” She pretended to shudder.
“I look at it more as Diane Monroe, girl in charge and loving it,” I said as Diane gleefully began directing everybody where to stand.
Ryan came over with a plate full of food. “Miss Larson,” he said with an exaggerated bow.
Tracy nodded. “Yep.” She took a bite of food. “This is going to work out juuuuust fine.”
Yes, I thought. Yes, it is.
“Thanks,” I said as I planted a quick kiss on his lips. For the first time, Ryan’s back stiffened at my touch. I became worried that something was wrong, although that was how I’d reacted to him in public for so much at the beginning of our relationship. But he’d always been more open than I was.
Fortunately, Ryan didn’t make me fret too much. He quickly shook his head when he saw my worried face. “Sorry, but your mom’s right over there.” He tilted his head over to the side of the room where my parents were congratulating Meg.
I took a small step back. “Good point. Well, we have the whole summer to hang out.”
“Really?” Ryan’s eyes lit up. “Are you actually committing to seeing me beyond this evening?”
I wanted to tease him, to tell him it all depended on my mood. But Ryan deserved the truth. “Yes, I am. And I think that since our lockers are near each other, it would only be convenient for us to stay together next year.”
“Of course,” he said, nodding slowly, “we really need to start thinking about the people in the lockers next to us. How much more drama can they really take?”
“I like drama,” Tracy said with her mouth full. “It makes life more interesting.”
“Well, then.” I extended my arm out to Tracy like I was handing her something. “The torch is all yours. I plan on being boring and predictable for the remainder of my high school existence.”
“You could never be boring,” Ryan said.
“I second that.” Tracy held her fist out for Ryan to bump it, which he gladly did.
“I don’t know how much I like having you two gang up on me,” I confessed. Of course, having your best friend and boyfriend get along could be a good thing. I knew that if Tracy took Ryan’s side, I’d never get away with anything ever again.
“Well, get used to it.” Tracy put her arm around me. “Bauer here is good for you. And for me.” She handed him her empty glass. “You know what to do.”
Ryan grimaced before going off again to be Tracy’s errand boy.
Tracy leaned into my ear. “You know I’m only teasing him, but I give him mad props for putting up with me.”
“Mad props?”
She threw her arms into the air dramatically. “I’m being real, okaaaay!”
Diane came over to us right as I was about to respond to Tracy. “Penny, please don’t roll your eyes during the photos. I don’t think you realize how much you do it and it’s so unbecoming.” She ushered me into the center with the director of PARC. We took a bunch of photos, and all the flashes reminded me of my birthday, Valentine’s Day, Lucy’s wedding, and Prom. This year already had so many memories I wanted to last … and it was only May.
After the photos were over, Diane had everybody stay where they were. There was one more speech that needed to be given that evening. While Tracy had done the honors at the awards ceremony, it was my turn now.
“I wanted to quickly say a few things,” I began as I looked out at the many faces that had meant so much to me over the past school year. “Next week, McKinley High will be losing six of the finest females they’ve ever had. But I don’t see The Lonely Hearts Club as ever losing Erin Fitzgerald, Laura Jaworski, Marisa Klein, Teresa Finer, Maria Gonzales, and Meg Ross.” I looked over to see the six of them holding hands. “You will always be welcomed whenever you need us.
“And next year we’ll have new members, and more of us will leave. Including me. But The Lonely Hearts Club will live on because we’ve made it a strong club, together.” I felt my throat waver and turned to nod to Tyson, who came forward with his acoustic guitar in hand.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be singing,” I alerted the crowd, to some laughter. “But when I think about what I wanted to say, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that four lads from Liverpool said it best.” I heard Mom sniffle in the corner, pretty sure she was only moved because of the Beatles reference. “I’m only seventeen years old, but it’s amazing how many people have already come in and out of my life. And even though there are some new ones” — I looked over at the freshmen and sophomores of the group — “it doesn’t mean you care any less for the people who have been in your life a long time.” I nodded toward Tracy and Diane. “Because at the end of the day, I truly, deeply am appreciative for every single person in this room. And despite rumors about me, that includes you guys as well.” I winked at Ryan.
“So this is my way to tell you everything that I’m feeling.” I motioned for Tyson to begin. He started playing the opening notes of “In My Life.”
As he began singing about places he’s remembered, I reflected on everything that had happened. I knew that I didn’t have everything figured out. But who ever did?
What I did know was that relationships, like life, are all about balance. And that the heart really is the strongest muscle. It would heal. All it would take was time and some awesome friends by your side.
Because in the end, all you really need is a support group of people who love you for you. People who will be in your corner no matter what. I knew that with The Lonely Hearts Club beside me, I’d always be able to work out any problems that would come my way.
And having a guy like Ryan? Well, that was icing on an already delicious cake.
I mean, really, what more could I have asked for?
I couldn’t help but feel extremely fortunate to be in this place, and in this moment, with the people who mattered the most to me: the best group of friends, a supportive (and let’s not forget hot) boyfriend, and even, yes, a great family (even with their crazy Beatles antics).
I intended for it to stay that way for a very long time.
Because in my life, I really did love them all.
This sequel has been a dream of mine since I finished writing The Lonely Hearts Club. There are so many people who’ve helped turn that dream into reality. So, All Together Now:
Do You Want to Know a Secret? David Levithan is an awesome editor. Although, that’s not really a secret. Thank you for being on this crazy ride with me through six books (say wha?). I appreciate your patience and wisdom so much that I beam (and occasionally roll my eyes). Oh, and I’m Happy Just to Dance (and karaoke) with You.
I get by With a Little Help from My Friends at Scholastic (okay, I DEPEND on A LOT of help): Erin Black, Sheila Marie Everett, Elizabeth Parisi, Kelly Ashton, Tracy van Straaten, Bess Braswell, Emily Morrow, Alan Smagler, Leslie Garych, Lizette Serrano, Emily Heddleson, Antonio Gonzalez, Joy Simpkins, Elizabeth Starr Baer, Sue Flynn, Roz Hilden, Nikki Mutch, and all the Scholastic sales reps.
Rosemary Stimola’s persistence made this sequel possible. Thank You, Girl.
All My Loving to my family, who sadly are NOT crazy Beatles fanatics, but I appreciate them all the same.
There are so many people in my life who’ve Come Together to help with this book and my writing life: Kirk Benshoff, who takes such good care of my website; Natalie Thrasher, who read a rough draft and provided me with fabulous feedback; and, Markus Zusak, who answered my Aussie slang questions. You’re ace! Oh, wait, no, er, bottler!
I’m so lucky to have such wonderful Paperback Writer friends I can go to when I need Help! Special thanks to Jen Calonita, Sarah Mlynowski, and Jennifer E. Smith, who helped me when
all I wanted to do was Cry Baby Cry.
It blows my mind how much The Lonely Hearts Club has spread Across the Universe. Thanks so much to my foreign publishers around the world, especially Alfaguara.
And, of course, none of this would’ve been possible without John, Paul, George, and Ringo. P.S. I Love You.
Elizabeth Eulberg wishes that she would’ve thought of The Lonely Hearts Club when she was just seventeen (you know what we mean). Instead, she had to rely on her love of music to help her get through stupid boy shenanigans. She still has to listen to a lot of music. She also gets her strength (some would call it revenge) by writing books — many books (The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, and Better Off Friends). You can find Elizabeth at Sir Paul and Ringo concerts, as well as online at www.elizabetheulberg.com and @ElizEulberg on Twitter.
ALSO BY ELIZABETH EULBERG
The Lonely Hearts Club
Prom & Prejudice
Take a Bow
Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality
Better Off Friends
Copyright © 2015 by Elizabeth Eulberg
All rights reserved. Published by Point, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, POINT, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
First edition, February 2015
Cover design by Elizabeth B. Parisi
Cover photo © 2015 by Michael Frost
Author photo by Liz Ligon
e-ISBN 978-0-545-65463-0
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.