The Girls' Dresses to the Easter Dance

 Madeline's

 Lizzie's

 Andrea's

 Debra's

Skye's

Girls Like Nerds (Chapter 5)

Afterwards, Skye had already made it to the dance. She was having fun with her date, Jude, as they danced to the song, "Say It Right" by Nelly Furtado in ballroom style. They laughed and smiled at each other throughout their dancing.
"Skye, can I ask you a question?" asked Jude.
"Sure, buddy," responded Skye.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
Skye stood still. "Come again?"
"It's just that I like you very much. And we're having so much fun, more than we usually do."
"That is not false."
"But if you don't like me back, I'll totally understand."
"You know what? You're not bad, Jude. Of course I'll be your girlfriend."
"Alright! Can I kiss you?"
"You can kiss my cheek. Your breath kind of smells like pizza gas."
"I'm not offended."
Jude leaned in and pecked Skye's cheek, making her grin and blush.
"Sweet," Skye's eyes crinkled from her smiling.

Meanwhile, Madeline went to get punch for herself and her date after dancing with him. As she walked into the crowd, she noticed that Denny wasn't standing in the spot that she left him from. She searched further in the gym slowly, calling Denny's name and making sure she didn't spill the drinks in her hands. After one minute, she found Denny, spotting him kissing a girl with dark hair and a tight purple dress.
"Denny?!" Madeline called to capture his attention.
Denny pulled away from the girl to look at Madeline, startled from her shout.
"Josie?" Madeline identified the girl.
"That's my friend, Madeline," Denny introduced her to Josie.
"And his date! What are you doing kissing Josie?"
"Oh, my date, Peyton, dumped me to get back with his girlfriend," answered Josie for Denny. "And Dexter came over and told Peyton off, telling him how special I am."
"It's Denny," corrected Denny.
"I know. Otherwise, it was very sweet of him."
"Yeah, he's a sweetheart, isn't he?" Madeline questioned sarcastically. "Denny, you're my date."
"And?" responded Denny.
"And? You're supposed to be with me."
"Madeline, you're my date but we're not dating."
"That shouldn't matter! You're supposed to be with me. I didn't spend twenty-five dollars and thirty-five cents on this dress so nobody could admire it."
"Well, I'm sorry, Madeline. But Josie is hot."
"So am I! So what? You're just going to leave me?"
"Sorry?"
"Okay, I understand."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Yeah, whatever."
Madeline walked away from the new couple and deep into the gym to find her friends. Luckily, she discovered her friends near the corner grouped together. They waved to Madeline as she approached them.
"Hey, Maddie," greeted Debra. "We just began waiting for you but it didn't seem to take you so long. Where's Denny?"
"Sucking face with Josie," answered Madeline.
"I thought Josie rejected him as a date," said Lizzie.
"Well, she likes him now. Only to make him leave me, that cheater."
"You guys weren't even together," noted Andrea.
"Well, it's the same thing."
"Sorry things didn't work out with your date," said Debra.
"It's okay. I liked him--"
"Just not in that way," said the rest of the girls. "We know!"
"Jeez, man."
"You know what, Maddie?" started Andrea. "You have proved to me and all of our friends that you're shallow. Getting jealous of somebody as hot as Josie taking the date you didn't want shows worry. And worry shows chillness, meaning that you didn't mind having Denny as your date for the night. So congratulations, you like being next to a boy who doesn't look like Channing Tatum."
"Channing Tatum's married, by the way," noted Skye.
"I know that, Skye," said Madeline. "At least I have you girls. Now my night can't be ruined."
"That's nice to hear, Maddie," said Andrea. "Ooh! I have news."
"Is it weather-related?" asked Lizzie.
Andrea squinted here eyes at Lizzie. "No. Kevin Christie, the guy of all hotness, asked me to be his girlfriend."
"No way!" Madeline responded. "What did you say?"
"I said si!"
"That means 'yes', right?" inquired Lizzie.
"Yes!"
"Oh, my God!"
The girls squealed altogether in excitement.
"It's the truth," Andrea grinned. "He likes me. He really like me."
"Oh, I'm so happy for you, Andrea," said Debra.
"Thanks. He's muy caliente! Now I'm his little mami."
"You guys will last forever," said Madeline.
"As long as he's nothing like Tad, he's a keeper," said Lizzie.
"I don't want to steal your 'spotlight'," started Skye, "but Jude asked me the same thing."
"Get out of town!" Andrea squealed.
"You like him like that?" asked Debra.
"Yes, apparently," replied Skye.
"Oh, good for you, Skye," said Lizzie.
"Girls, this is the beginning of a new chapter," said Madeline.
As the girls agreed, they heard a new song that came on, made possible by the DJ, known as "On The Floor" sung by Jennifer Lopez.
When Andrea heard the song, she started moving her hips. "Oh, this is my song," she confessed.
"Ooh, I love Mario Lopez," commented Lizzie.
"It's Jennifer Lopez," corrected Madeline.
"Oh, that makes sense."
"On the block, we call her J-Lo," said Andrea. Then she started singing along, "Let me introduce you to my party people in the club."
Then the girls started dancing along, dancing in their own ways together. They spun, jumped around and wiggled their hips. They also laughed and sung along and never stopped being themselves.

Girls Like Nerds (Chapter 4)

One week after, the Easter dance began at seven O'clock on a Friday night. The girls had already pick out their formal dresses and applied their faces with desired makeup. They each were all ready for the dance. Madeline, Andrea and Debra met up outside the school and head inside together, all looking fabulous in their own way.
"Are you meeting Kevin inside the school?" asked Madeline.
"Yep," answered Andrea. "I should've made him wait forever for me."
"Well, it's a good thing you arrived early. I want to at least talk to... as much of you as possible before we separate."
"Why couldn't we just go to the dance altogether?" asked Debra. "That way, we wouldn't have dates; we would just have each other."
"Because everybody would think we're lesbians."
"We could just tell them we're not lesbians," said Andrea.
"Oh, it's not that simple."
"Wait, how would a bunch of people think we're lesbians if there's five of us?" questioned Debra.
"That you wouldn't understand, Debra."
"Debra has a point," commented Andrea. "If we all just hanged out together, you wouldn't express your shallowness towards your date, Denny."
"I am not shallow! I just don't want to date him."
"No one said you had to date him," replied Debra.
"Plus, you asked him out," added Andrea.
"Look, I like Denny--" started Madeline.
"But you don't like him in that way. We know!"
"Nevertheless, we can still enjoy this dance without each other," said Debra.
"That's right," agreed Andrea. "You guys are smothering me."
Debra and Madeline laughed. Afterwards, Debra turned her head when she heard talking of a familiar voice.
"Hey, there's Lizzie," noticed Debra.
Andrea and Madeline turned their heads as well. They spotted Lizzie, in a pale yellow dress, with her date, supposedly Tad, by the parking spots in front of the school.
"She did say Tad was driving her," said Madeline.
"Look how his hands are all over Lizzie," Andrea commented.
"Lizzie's smart. She'll find out what this guy really wants."
Lizzie, from afar, waved at the girls as she saw them. The girls waved back. They witnessed Lizzie talking her date as he embraced her, making her stay with him as he talked to his friends by his green car.
"When is Skye coming?" asked Debra.
"I don't know," answered Madeline. "She did say she was picking Jude up."
"Skye is so masculine...," said Andrea, "not in that way, though."
"That wouldn't make sense anyway. Skye's a Virgo."
The three girls continued to walk to go inside the school. When they entered, Andrea's date, Kevin, popped from the corner.
"Hello, Andrea," he greeted.
"Hi," replied Andrea, putting her hand on her hip.
"Hello, girls."
"Hi, Kevin," Debra and Madeline responded together.
"You look stunning," Kevin said to Andrea.
"Thanks," Andrea responded. "I always do."
"Let's go."
"Yes, let's."
Kevin interlocked his arm with Andrea's arm, leading her to the gymnasium, which was where the dance took place.
"He's cute," admitted Debra, about Kevin.
"I've seen better," said Madeline.
"Why? Because he doesn't look like Channing Tatum?"
"Debra!" called out a chubby boy, peaking his head out of the gymnasium entrance.
"Billy, you're here!" Debra gasped in happiness.
"I got you punch," Billy showed his arm which held a clear cup of fruit punch, spilling a bit as he held his arm out too quickly. "Sorry."
"He got me punch," Debra whispered to Madeline. "See you later."
Debra walked away to her date, Billy, in the gymnasium.
"Well, I guess I better go to the dance now," Madeline said to herself, nervously. "Don't be shallow, Madeline!"
She walked towards the entrance of the gymnasium and entered it, looking left and right for her date. She walked further into the scattered crowd until she saw Denny see her. They walked more closer to each other.
"Hello, Madeline," greeted Denny.
"Hi ya, Denny," Madeline greeted back.
"You look astonishing."
"Thank you. I try to be astonishing. You-- You look like James Bond."
"Is that considered 'hot'?"
"Well, I don't really think James Bond is that attractive. But you do so yeah, it's hot."
"Thank you. I'm the luckiest guy here. You could've asked out any guy you wanted."
"Well, we're friends and you were single and I was single and I like you so I had to make it happen. Well, I don't like you, like you. We're friends."
"I get it. I completely get it."
"Listen, I don't think you're mentally challenged."
"I'm not."
"I know. You deserve better."
"It's okay. I don't like you like that."
"Thank you for your honesty. I'm going to hug you."
"And I won't stop you."
Madeline giggled. She squeezed Denny who hugged back for a short time.
"Now... we dance," Madeline said in an almost guttural tone.
"Of course. But first, let me fix my underpants."
Denny started digging into his dress pants and started wiggling.
"Oh, brother," Madeline said quietly to herself as she looked around.

Meanwhile, Lizzie had already entered the dance and started slow-dancing with her date, Tad, to the song, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler, played by the DJ in the gym.
"I love this song so much," admitted Lizzie. "I love Steven Tyler."
"I think it's Bonnie Tyler," corrected Tad.
"Oh! That's why I hear a woman's voice."
"You're so cute." Tad slowly moved his hands from Lizzie's back to her bottom.
"Whoa!" Lizzie uttered, grabbing Tad's wrists and placing them on her back. "My back's not right there."
"I know."
"Well, then, know." Lizzie put her hands back on Tad's shoulders.
Still, Tad moved his hands down to Lizzie's bottom. It made Lizzie back up quickly.
"I said 'know'!" she said.
"Come on, you got a big butt."
"Then get sprung!"
"Liz', I like you very much. Just let me touch your butt."
"No!"
"Then let me touch your boobs."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Because I am a lady and ladies don't get touched in their lady parts by non-ladies."
"Come on, Lizzie, I have needs. And men need to find women who can fulfill those needs."
"Well, I'm not that type of woman."
"How can you not be when you dress like a skank all the time?"
Lizzie gasped. She slapped Tad across his cheek forcefully.
"Do that again," he said, not fazed.
"Ew!" Lizzie uttered before walking away from Tad.

Girls Like Nerds (Chapter 3)

Three days later, the girls met up at the Village Mall as they rearranged to go to days back. They first went to the Faerie Ball store, which was full of dresses, perfect for them to be at as they need dresses to go to the Easter dance.
Madeline grazed her hand on the puffy dresses from one of the racks. "I am going out with Denny Winchester," she sighed.
"Something wrong with that?" asked Andrea.
"Oh, no, no. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just that he is one of the last people I thought I would go out with."
"Who are the other 'last people'?" asked Lizzie.
"Anyone who doesn't have one characteristic of Channing Tatum."
"It's not like you're going out with him," said Skye. "You're just going to this one dance with him."
"Yeah, but what if he starts to like me? Do you know how likeable I am?"
"No," Andrea joked in response.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Maddie," Skye remarked.
"I'm serious," added Madeline. "I don't want to date Denny. I don't feel the same way."
"You don't want to date him because you don't feel the same way," started Andrea, "or because he is not 'your type'?"
"Andy, I am not shallow. How many times do I got to say it for you to believe me?"
"A hundred is nice," recommended Lizzie. "It's a big number but not too big."
"What do you mean by 'same way'?" questioned Debra. "You said you didn't know if he likes you."
"I know," said Madeline. "But look at me; I'm hot!"
"Can you say 'conceited'?" smiled Skye.
"Remember: you asked Denny; he didn't ask you," mentioned Debra.
"That doesn't mean I like him," said Madeline. "You guys told me to ask him out."
"You could've said no," Lizzie responded.
"I think you still sound shallow, Madeline," said Andrea.
"You're shallow, too," Madeline replied.
"How so?"
"You didn't ask out Denny."
"That's because Kevin asked me out before I even knew about the dance."
"Hey, isn't that something to talk about?" inquired Lizzie.
"Yeah," replied Skye. "I thought you hated Kevin Christie."
"I didn't say I hated Kevin Christie," Andrea corrected. "I said I was mad at him. But he apologized and now he likes me more than ever."
"How do you know?" asked Debra.
"Because I've been wearing my apple bottom jeans. Boots with the fur."
"The fur!" all of the girls sung as a response to Andrea's line.
"Oh, yeah. And he's been looking. Plus, he hasn't had a girlfriend in a long while, meaning he's been waiting for me."
"Do you think Kevin will ask you to be his girlfriend?" asked Lizzie.
"I don't know. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy to be 'tied down'. But he would making great choices if he dated me."
"Let's just hope that he doesn't blow up in your face," said Skye.
"Okay. So why are you and Debra taking your 'friends' to the dance?"
"We don't have boyfriends," said Debra.
"Plus, we just don't want to be lonely at the dance," added Skye.
"Trust me," started Madeline. "None of us is going to the dance with a boyfriend."
"Jude is sweet. He is just looking for a good time and he's looking for it with me."
"That didn't sound right to me," Lizzie commented.
"Well, Billy has been my friend forever," said Debra, "and no one would go out with him."
"Aw, really?"
"He's just not that good with girls. I mean, he has other friends who are girls but they all have boyfriends."
"And you don't?" asked Andrea.
"I sadly don't."
"I think that sounds sweet," admitted Lizzie. "They're going to the dance with boys they don't like so they have more fun."
"That doesn't make any sense," said Andrea. "We should have dozens of fun with the boys we do like."
"Dozens? Is that a measurement?"
"Look, we have dates," said Skye, "so we shouldn't make a big deal about taking our friends. Besides, we're friends and we promised to dance with each other before the dance ends."
"You're right," Andrea replied.
"Although, I do have a question for Lizzie."
"What you got for me, Skye High?" asked Lizzie.
"Isn't Tad a bit of a horn-cat?"
"Is that some type of species?"
"No, I'm saying isn't he the kind of guy that 'hits and run'?"
"I don't think he plays baseball."
"I'm talking about sex!"
"Oh, that makes sense. No, I don't think so. He's so nice to me."
"Yeah, so he can butter you up," Madeline added.
"I don't think so. Tad wants a relationship."
"How do you know?" asked Debra.
"Well, when he asked me to the dance, he said, 'You know what, Lizzie? You're the one'. Then he left."
"What does that mean?" asked Andrea.
"It means I'm the one. Duh!"
"To hit, then run," noted Madeline.
"Girls, Tad is not a 'horn-cat'. He is so much deeper than that. Trust me."
"Okay, whatever you say," said Skye.
Debra picked up a bright yellow dress from one of the racks in the store. "Hey, does this dress bring out my eyes?" she asked, holding the dress in front of her.
"No, but it might bring out your breast," responded Madeline, looking at the deep neckline.
"You're going out with Denny," Debra said in spite.
Madeline glared at Debra as she is still unsure about going to the dance with Denny.

Girls Like Nerds (Chapter 2)

One minute later, Madeline arrived at the cafeteria, being last as always. And she sat down with her friends, starting the conservation between all of them about the earlier 'incident'.
"Jackson Payne has a girlfriend?" asked Lizzie, unwrapping her sandwich.
"Yeah, apparently," replied Madeline. "He's dating Janine Thompson when Sherry said that he wasn't dating her."
"Come on," said Andrea. "We all know that Sherry says about anything."
"Well, remind me that next time because I'm so embarrassed."
"Hey, asking out someone and getting rejected isn't embarrassing," Skye noted.
"I thought it was," said Lizzie.
"Shh!"
"Either way," Madeline started, "I have no date to the Easter dance. Which is awful because all of you have dates."
"That's not true. I don't have a date."
Suddenly, a boy with long, tan hair covered partially with a gray beanie started to glide over to the girls' table. He stopped himself by laying his hands out on the table between Madeline and Lizzie.
"Hey, Skye," he greeted.
"Hey, Jude," Skye responded. "What's new?"
"Oh, I just got these shoes with roller skate wheels built inside them. Did you see me roll here?"
"Yeah, you were rolling."
"So I heard you don't have a date to the Easter dance."
"Who told you that?"
"You."
"Oh."
"And since I don't have a date, would you like to go with me?"
"Oh, sure, Jude."
"Really?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a blast."
"Awesome! I'll pick you up."
"No, I'll pick you up."
"Cool! Well, see you later."
"Bye, Jude."
Jude glided away from the table with the roller skates from his tennis shoes to his table. Madeline watched him skate away before looking at Skye in confusion.
"Now I have a date," Skye declared.
"We're sorry that you'll be all alone, Madeline," said Debra.
"Hey, why don't you hang out with me and my date, Tad?" insisted Lizzie.
"Because that makes me the third wheel," responded Madeline. "And I'm always the 'first wheel'."
"So I was the third wheel the last time we went to the Easter dance?" asked Skye.
Madeline scoffed. "No."
"Hey, girls, look," said Debra, pointing behind herself.
The girls switched their attention to a nerdy-appearing boy of the same age approaching an attractive, Asian girl sitting with her appealing friends.
"Hi, Josie," said the boy.
Josie looked at the boy in a confused manner. "Do I know you?"
"We're in the same geometry class."
"Okay."
"You borrowed my pencil."
"I borrow everybody's pencils."
"But you said 'Thank you'."
"What do you want?"
The nerdy boy grabbed a little, yellow flower from his left pants pocket and showed it to Josie. "I brought you a flower."
"It barely has petals on it."
"But it still has three of its petals."
"Are you mentally challenged?"
"No, I have an A in every class."
"Good for you."
"So do you want to go to the Easter dance with me?"
"With you? No. With Peyton Michaels? Yes. I'm waiting for him to ask me. So you can go now."
"I enjoyed having this talk with you."
"Whatever, Dexter."
"It's Denny."
"I know."
Denny, still with a flower in his hand, looked down to the floor and slowly walked away, dragging his feet.
"Aw," uttered Lizzie. "That's sad."
"I can't believe she rejected Denny so rudely," said Debra.
"I can't believe we heard all that," said Andrea.
"Now Denny doesn't have a date to the dance," Madeline noted.
"Well..." started Skye.
"Well, what?"
"Well, here's your chance."
"Here's my-- I don't want to go out with Denny!"
"Why not? Don't you like smart guys?"
"Yeah, but I like smart guys who don't look smart."
"That's kind of hard to find, isn't it?" inquired Lizzie.
"Come on, Maddie," said Andrea. "He doesn't have a date and you don't have a date. Like don't be shallow."
"I'm not shallow," said Madeline. "You know what? Denny would never hurt a fly. I'm going to ask him out."
"Is hurting flies a deal breaker?" asked Lizzie.
Madeline took her legs out from under the table. "Sure, Liz'."
She turned around and followed Denny, who was still walking over to his seat. Once she caught up with him, Madeline placed her hand on his shoulder, making him turn around.
"Hey, Denny," she greeted.
"Oh, hi, Madeline," Denny replied.
"Still getting A's?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Forever and always."
"That's nice to hear."
"So, listen, do you want to go to the Easter dance with me?"
"You're kidding, right?"
"Nope. Dead serious."
"Oh, boy! Of course, I want to go to the dance with you."
"Well, that's awesome."
"Oh, hey." Denny handed Madeline the flower from earlier. "Here you go."
"Thank you. I love dandelions."
"Actually, that's a buttercup."
"Even better. Well, see you later."
"Bye, Madeline."
Madeline grinned and turned around to walk away. "What did I do?" she asked herself, still grinning.

Girls Like Nerds (Chapter 1)

After the bell rung to end fifth period, Madeline walked down the halls to go to the cafeteria for lunch. As she strolled while minding her business, she started to spot a tall boy walking in front of her yards away. She made up who he was instantly and tried to walk faster. The boy's name was Jackson, a player of the school's soccer team. Madeline had an infatuation with him for a couple weeks, admiring his full, brown hair, deep green eyes, and white smile. So she tried to speed up closer and closer to Jackson, passing every student in front of her smoothly, to talk to him.
Once Madeline got next to him, she said, "Jackson, hi."
Capturing his attention, Jackson responded, "Oh, hey, Madeline."
"Hi. Um, how was your day? Or how is your day if the feeling isn't changing."
"Um, I'm good."
"Just good?"
Jackson chuckled, exposing his straight, white teeth. "Yeah."
"Alright."
"Did you enjoy the soccer game yesterday?"
"Ooh, yes. Yes, I enjoyed it. I love... soccer."
"That's great to hear."
"Yeah, isn't it? Jackson, did you know that Galileo discovered that Jupiter had rings around it?"
"Not really."
"Well, he did. And he tried to tell other scientists that Jupiter has so but they thought he was nuts. You know, like what squirrels eat."
"Interesting."
"Yeah, it is."
"Did you learn that today?"
"Oh, no. I knew that forever."
"Well, at least I know now."
"Yeah, you do." Madeline started to giggle nervously. Quickly, she managed to calm herself down to finish speaking. "So... do you know what's coming up?"
"I don't know. Easter?"
"No, but what I'm talking about is Easter-related."
"I have no idea. What's coming up?"
"The thing that is coming up is the Easter dance."
"Oh, yeah."
"Uh-huh. Do you like to dance?"
"I love to dance."
"No way! Are you good?"
"Somewhat."
"Me, too! I mean I'm not the best dancer but I be ballin' on the dance floor."
"You don't say."
"I say. Are you going to go? You know, to the dance?"
"Yeah, I've been thinking about it."
"That's good because I'm thinking about going. But do you know what would make the best of a dance? A date! So you wouldn't mind going to the Easter dance with me, would you?"
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Madeline, I'm flattered."
Madeline rolled her eyes playfully and flipped her long, wavy hair.
"But I have a girlfriend."
"Great, you can pick me up at-- What?" Her grin dropped down to a frown.
"I'm sorry; you're great but I'm dating Janine."
"But Sherry from chemistry class said you were single."
"What?"
"I said that's okay. I'm not fazed."
"Are you sure? You seem sweaty."
"Oh, I always sweat when I talk. So since Janine is your girlfriend, you have to take her to the dance?"
"That's pretty much how it works."
"No, I get it. I'll just ask someone else, you know? I know I'm beautiful."
"Thanks for understanding."
"Yeah, well, you're welcome."
"Good luck finding a date."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Hey, are you going to the next soccer game?"
"When is that?"
"By the end of the month."
"Oh, I can't make it. My mother is sick and she needs someone... to feed her."
"Wait, what?"
"See you in the next lifetime, Jackson."
Madeline sped away from her ending crush and made her way to the cafeteria.

Say No to Drugs (Chapter 5)

After the program ended and everybody was released to go to their third period, Madeline was stopped by a few students her age on her way to class.
"Madeline, right?" a short brunette said.
"Yes," Madeline responded.
"Awesome presentation."
"Thank you."
"After that," began the brunette's blonde friend, "I'm certainly not going to do any drugs in my present and future."
"That's good to hear."
Once the two girls have gone, another girl with black hair approached her.
"Hey, Madeline," she greeted. "Great show. You really have a way with words."
"Thank you," replied Madeline.
After that girl left, Madeline was approached by the smoking suspects, Bill, Aidan and Sheila.
"Nice program, Margaret," commented Bill.
"Yeah, that slideshow at the end really got to me," added Aidan.
"That's nice to hear," said Madeline. "And it's Madeline."
"Oh, sorry," said Bill.
"You know what?" inquired Aidan. "I've been lately getting sick of smoking pot. I'm going to do what truly makes me feel good, which is collecting seashells off the beach."
"Dude, can I collect shells with you?"
"Of course, Billy!"
The two boys hugged each other walked away with Sheila lingering by Madeline.
"Thank you," Sheila said, crossing her arms.
"Thank you," Madeline responded.
Sheila nodded and gave Madeline a tiny smile before walking away and catching up to her friends. Afterwards, Madeline's best friends caught up to her.
"Maddie!" started Lizzie. "Your program was fantastic."
"Yeah, it really touched me," commented Andrea.
"That's what I was going for," said Madeline.
"Your program made me not want to do any type of drug ever," admitted Skye.
"If I was abusing drugs before you did your presentation," started Andrea, "that would have made me stop for real. But good things I don't do drugs now; that would have worn out my skin. And I drink too much water for to be doing crack or smoking."
"You got that right, sister," Lizzie agreed.
"I'm so glad that the program really opened your eyes," said Madeline. "I've been always wanting to make a change. So to actually do that is dream come true for me. I just want help as many people as I can."
"That is so inspiring for you to say, Madeline," said Debra. "I've barely see you being so considerate to others."
"Well, I'm considerate and that's the truth."
"Oh, so you would donate half of your money to charity?" asked Skye.
"Let's not get carried away, shall we?"
"Either way, you've been getting so many supporters," remarked Debra. "We heard a bunch of people talking about how motivating you were when we were all leaving the auditorium."
"And we saw the students going up and talking to you," added Andrea.
"Yeah, you're on fire," said Lizzie.
"On fuego!"
"What does that mean?"
"It's so good to get a bunch of supporters who are willing to live a clean life," admitted Madeline. "I didn't expect so much positive feedback so this is life-changing for me."
"I guess that means you're a hero now," said Skye.
"Now I wouldn't say that."
"Well, you should say that. Think about all the people who go to this school who were smoking pot or doing heroin. You have possibly changed their lives with your words."
"Plus, you had some pretty gross pictures on that slideshow," Lizzie commented.
"I might have did change their lives, didn't I?" Madeline nodded. "That's so thrilling to realize."
"I wished I could host a program at this school," said Andrea, looking at her fingernails. "I would change many people's lives as well."
"Speaking about what? How to put on tanning lotion?"
Skye and Lizzie giggled.
"Hey, that is very significant to hundreds of people's lives," said Andrea.
"Yeah, if they want to look like a chocolate bar," replied Skye.
Madeline giggled.
"We really did love your program, Maddie," said Debra. "We really did. I would love to do something that you did one day. I was truly inspired."
"Thank you, Debbie," Madeline grinned. "Thank you, everyone."
"Just keep doing what you do, girl," said Andrea.
Madeline waved to a few girls who were waving to her as they walked by.
"And you're already a celebrity," said Lizzie after turning her head to look at the girls.
"Please, somebody called me Margaret today," replied Madeline. "But it's all worth it. I changed those teenagers' lives and many others. I wish to do more in the future."
"You go, girl," said Andrea.
"Yeah, you might become the president of the United States one day," said Debra.
"Well, let's not get carried away," said Skye.
The girls laughed as Madeline shook her head but playfully.

Say No to Drugs (Chapter 4)

A few days later, Madeline heard back from Miss Groundswell about the program idea. She told Madeline that the school administration to agreed to make it happen, making her super excited. But Groundswell told her that the program can start a week later if the administration can find a professional public speaker to do the program.
A couple days after, Miss Groundswell met up with Madeline to tell her that the administration could not find an available public speaker to talk about the negative effects of drug abuse. However, Groundswell convinced the administration to have Madeline become the public speaker. Madeline asked why is she the speaker in confusion and Groundswell answered with that Madeline has loads of knowledge about the matter and that she's smart and experienced to be a speaker. As long as she was doing it once, Madeline took the offer, becoming the public speaker of the drugs program.
So one week after, all of the students in the tenth grade were announced to skip their second period class to come to the auditorium. They all sat in a organized way in the seats and talked amongst themselves to wait for the program to begin.
"I can't believe Madeline was chosen to be a public speaker for our classmen," Debra commented to her friends that she was sitting next to.
"I can't believe that we have blow off second period to be here," said Andrea. "Yes! No English test."
"I hope she's not nervous," Lizzie said.
"There is no way she could be nervous," responded Skye. "Maddie practically speaks her mind."
"That's impossible. If she spoke her mind, she would never stop talking. I know a lot of things run through my mind every second."
"Really?" Andrea replied.
Suddenly, the curtains started opening up.
"Shush!" Debra uttered. "The program is starting."
"I was shushed," Andrea retorted.
Madeline walked out onto the stage from the side with a microphone in her hand, dragging the wire behind herself. Until she reached the center of the stage, she started speaking into the microphone.
"Hello, fellow students," she declared. "My name is Madeline King."
"Hi, Maddie!" Lizzie hollered.
A teacher nearby shushed her.
"'Sup, girlfriend," Madeline responded. "I know it seems kind of strange that I am speaking in front of all of you. The students who know me know I'm a student and the students who don't know me know I'm a teenager."
A few people in the audience chuckled.
"There weren't any public speakers available to speak about the subject I'm here to explain. So I was chosen to be the speaker and trust me, there is an evidential reason for why I'm the speaker today. So please, here me out. The subject I'm here to talk about is drug abuse. I know that drug abuse in nonstop and it's everywhere. Even places outside of our country. And people of all ages are doing drugs like cocaine, meth, marijuana. And the people who do the drugs have many different reasons for it. It could be for idea conception, relaxation, refuge. Many reasons. I don't have proof that this is happening but there is a possible chance that some of you here are using drugs. Did you know that teens buying marijuana is just as easy as adults buying marijuana? And the teenagers who are doing marijuana believes that it's fun to smoke and gives you feeling that makes you feel good. And I know that we all want to feel good, but we do by exercising, dressing in our favorite clothes, watching a funny movie, anything. Please know that even if you don't do drugs, still listen because it is a serious matter. Question: who has seen Harold and Kumar?"
Half of the audience raised their hands, including Skye.
"What's Harold and Kumar?" asked Lizzie quietly.
"It's a movie," answered Skye.
"Is it about boys?"
"Yes!"
"I believe that people who have seen Harold and Kumar find it humorous," continued Madeline. "And it is noted that the two main characters smoked certain amounts of weed in that movie. But to just be clear, the movie is fictional. And none of those situations would happen to one if they were to drive to White Castle. But it is the emotional and mental situations that happen after you smoke marijuana. In addition, weed increases your heart rate, makes you less coordinated, causes you to be depressed and even makes you drowsy. Who plays sports?"
Half of the audience raised their hands.
"Well, if you were to smoke pot before attending a game, you would lose your skills immediately. You can't focus; you can't move; you can't win that championship. Ever wanted to be a champion? That could slip away if you let drugs get in your way. And let's not forget that if you are caught with cannabis, you will get arrested. Who desires to go to jail?"
None of the audience members raised their hands.
"Want to know a way to stay out of jail? Stay away from marijuana because that is the criminal who will put the victim in prison. And to think about it, smoking a joint of cannabis is like smoking a cigarette. It is no different. Ever seen the commercials about how smoking ruined ordinary people's lives? Think about all of those commercials that you have seen and add the word 'marijuana' next to the word 'smoking'. But don't just think about cannabis affecting your life; think about every drug in the world affecting your life. Question: who enjoys watching the TV show 'Glee'?"
A quarter of the audience raised their hands.
"And I bet you that some of you liked the character Finn, played by Cory Monteith. And it should be clear to everybody that who watches 'Glee' that Cory died from abusing drugs. How many of you were upset that Cory Monteith passed away?"
The same quarter of the audience raised their hands again.
"He was only 31. He would still be on 'Glee' today if he only thought about his life choices and never touched those drugs. Can everybody who knows well-known people shout out the ones who died from any type of drug?"
Almost every audience member, including the girls, hollered different celebrities who lost their lives to drugs:
"Whitney Houston."
"Amy Winehouse."
"Kurt Cobain."
"Hillel Slovak."
"Thank you," said Madeline. "There were many people who died to such a subject. And they were people that many enjoyed. And a lot of you have friends, maybe one or maybe more. Just think about how much they care about you. Why get sucked into a substance when you have people who cares about you enough to miss you when you're gone? That applies to the people who don't have friends because you have family who loves you and wants you around forever. But if you still feel alone, I'm here. I will be your friend."
As Madeline continued to go on with her program, she started to notice many students in the audience smiling at the warmth of her words as they started to learn that drug abuse is wrong no matter what.

Say No to Drugs (Chapter 3)

One day, in the debate club after school, which Madeline attended, the club leader, which was teacher Miss Groundswell, set up a club activity for all of the members. She came up with the topic of flag desecration for the students to debate and she picked Madeline and a foreign boy named Dean to discuss their sides. The two each stood behind wooden podiums in front of the class and spoke away with their ideas.
"I get flag desecration is wrong," started Dean, "but if it's not to our real flag, it's not hurting anyone."
"But flag desecration means that you're against America," said Madeline. "And America is such a great place."
"Yeah, but it's not a great place to others. People are still mad about the wars."
"But the wars were many years ago."
"Exactly, so let's focus on many years ago: there were many angry civilians who felt like they were not heard."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean they should burn our flags."
"Actually, first amendment means that you are free to do whatever you want."
"But fire is dangerous. People would've gotten killed."
"I think people got killed anyway."
"Either way, our flag is important to us Americans."
"But our flag is a sheet of patterns that we can all just make again."
"Hey, my mother always told me that first is perfect."
"Well, my mom told me second is best."
"Anyhow, our original flag isn't hung up presently which is smart."
"But that doesn't mean that people can't burn the fake flags."
"Burning a fake flag is like burning the real flag."
"Because of the intention?"
"Yes! If a country wants us to respect them, they should respect us."
"But the countries that are actually burning our flags, are they respected?"
"Well, I don't know what kind of countries that would be."
"And if a bunch of people are feeling the same way, then that country is obviously not being respected. Boom! I just won the argument."
"However--"
"Ugh!"
Madeline turned her head and snared at Dean. "However, America is a loving country so we got to respect all countries. Burning our flag is like smoking marijuana. It's part of America but abusing it would be wrong. It can cause sudden changes that will affect your life negatively. That is why things like that are illegal. It's because it will scar our lives if we have to face it."
"If America is so loving, why are there white cops beating black people for a long period of time?"
"You're not even black, Dean."
"But I feel the same."
"I actually like Madeline's argument," admitted Miss Groundswell.
"Thank you, Miss Groundswell," smiled Madeline.
"Madeline's side gets a point but I also like your way of thinking, Dean."
"Now that's what I'm talking about," Dean cheered.
The two teenagers sat down in their seats to listen to the next debate.

When the club ended and most of the members left, Madeline decided to approach the teacher.
"Hi, Miss Groundswell," Madeline greeted.
"Oh, Madeline," Groundswell looked up. "I loved your debate."
"Thanks; I'm full of opinions."
"So what did you come up for?"
"You were a nominee for Teacher of the Year, right?"
"That is correct. Just a nominee."
"Yeah, that means that the higher rank of the school will listen to you, right?"
"If I got something smart to say, yes."
"I was wondering, can you take some ideas?"
"Ideas of what?"
"Well, I've watching television on teen drug abuse and it really got to me. So I was wondering, can you convince the people in charge of the school programs to set up a program on marijuana smoking?"
"Marijuana smoking?"
"It's an important issue."
"Um, I don't know. Our school doesn't usually do smoking programs."
"I know. I know a guy who graduated Laguna Beach High and attended it for four straight years so he's been to the programs. And we do the same ones in a four-year pattern. Listen, I know we've already done our cyber-bullying program this year, but would another one in the same year hurt?"
"I suppose not. But I'm not sure if the school administration will actually hear me out on that."
"Oh, please, Miss Groundswell. This school really needs extra information on drugs."
"Do you know any information about drugs?"
"Yes, lots. But I'm smarter than fifty percent of the school. And I'm not saying that pretentiously. My friends told me that. They're awesome."
"Well, I like the brain in the head of your shoulders."
"Nice phrase."
"So I am going to talk to the administration about your program idea."
"Really? Oh, thanks, Miss Groundswell! And believe me, you are making a great decision."
"Okay, then. Oh, and I filmed some videos of past debates in this club starting from 2006. You want to see some?"
"No."
Madeline turned and walked away as quickly as she could out the classroom.

Say No to Drugs (Chapter 2)

Later that day, Madeline decided to not tell a teacher or a staff member that she witnessed three students smoking marijuana. She felt like she should do more than that. But to figure out what that would be, she need some help from her friends. So the next day, the girls met up at lunch at school just as usual.
"Can you girls smell me?" asked Lizzie.
The girls disagreed.
"Why?" asked Andrea. "Aren't you showering?"
"Of course I'm showering," said Lizzie. "I'm not a dog."
"But you do have dogs on your shirt," noted Skye.
Lizzie looked down at her shirt as if she forgot about it. "Either way. I'm sticking to my answer. I asked because I'm wearing a perfume that I haven't worn in four years. I think because of how old it is, the smell is wearing away."
"Don't you want to throw that out?" asked Madeline. "Old perfumes can mess with your skin."
"And sometimes the smell changes," added Andrea.
"Well, that sucks," responded Lizzie. "I was in the mood of smelling like pink grapefruit."
"Keep putting on that perfume and you'll be smelling like pink durian," said Skye.
"What's that?"
"A fruit that smells like feet."
"Gross."
"Yes, it is."
Madeline turned her head and tried to scan the whole cafeteria.
"Looking for something, Maddie?" asked Andrea.
Madeline turned her head back around. "Oh, nothing important. Actually something important. I'm seeing if there are any teachers around."
"Why?" asked Debra. "Did a teacher slap you?"
"No."
"I've heard that's happening in schools lately."
"Well, it didn't."
"Then why do you want to see if a teacher is around?" asked Lizzie.
"Well, I saw these teens smoking pot by the school."
Debra gasped.
"Smoking pot?" repeated Andrea.
"That's terrible," said Skye.
"Maybe they were cooking," Lizzie insisted.
Madeline squinted her eyes. "What?"
"You said you saw these teens with smoking pots. That just means they're cooking."
"Lord, tell me she isn't serious," Andrea said to herself.
"No, Dolly," Madeline shook her head. "I said I saw them 'smoking pot' meaning they were smoking drugs."
"Oh!" Lizzie came to realization. "That makes sense. Smoking pot? That's terrible."
"What did you do?" asked Skye. "Did the people see you?"
"Yes, they did," answered Madeline. "They kept smoking their drugs while I was talking to them."
"Talking to them?" said Andrea. "Why would you talk to them?"
"So they can understand the significance of not doing drugs."
"Mads', you're such a priss," Lizzie snickered.
"So what happened after you talked to them?" asked Skye.
"They were making jokes and sticking to their activity," replied Madeline.
"Don't you watch TV, Madeline?" asked Andrea. "Talking to potheads is like talking to a brick wall."
"How?" asked Lizzie. "Potheads don't talk?"
Andrea grew a blank expression on her face.
"Did you tell a teacher or the principal or something?" Skye asked.
Madeline sighed. "No."
"No? Why no?"
"Because my mother would always tell me, 'Snitches get stitches'."
"Remember the old saying, also, 'Potheads make potheads who get suspended'."
"Who says that?" asked Lizzie.
"Me. I just made that up."
"Guys, I want to tell," said Madeline, "but if they get in trouble, that's not going to stop them from smoking."
"Please, you probably got a whiff of the smoke and now you're hooked," said Skye.
"Skye, I would never do drugs if they were to save a life."
"That's weird that you said so," Debra said. "People always think that I'm on drugs. I think it's probably from how calm am I."
"I'm not going to lie, Debbie," started Andrea, "but when I met you, I thought you were baked."
"What should I do, girls?" asked Madeline.
"What you should do?" repeated Skye. "What are the students going to do? What if they get caught and drag you to the mud?"
"I'm not getting dragged into mud. I'm wearing silk. Plus, they don't know my name."
"But they've seen a picture," said Debra.
"Girls, those flight-on-wheels aren't going to get Maddie in trouble," said Andrea. "There are a million blue-eyed, blonde-haired girls who go to this school. Plus, you can't remember things correctly if you were high."
"That kind of makes sense," said Debra. "How do you know, Andrea?"
"I watch TV. And I go on the Internet. Also, I did a science project on marijuana."
"Did you get an A?" asked Madeline.
"No."
"What are 'flight-on-wheels'?" Lizzie asked.
"Another thing I made up. It's my way of saying, 'People who smoke pot'."
"Well, whatever you do, Maddie," started Skye, "I hope it's the right choice. But knowing that there are students smoking drugs beside the school can kind of escalade a little quicker than you wanted it to. And, hey, I don't want to get suspended because I've known as well just by hearing about it."
"I don't want to get suspended, either," said Debra.
"I promise, girls, I will figure out a way to make this all better," said Madeline, "and no one will get suspended."
"How 'bout expelled?" corrected Andrea. "I mean drugs are pretty serious."
"We're not doing drugs," said Lizzie.
"But it will sound like it."
"I know," said Madeline. "I just need to come up with a plan to make those people stop smoking and not get us all expelled."
"You should've kept it to yourself," said Skye, almost in a mumble. "Would've made our lives much better."
"Maddie, if you get me suspended or expelled," started Andrea, "I will skin you like a whale."
"People skin whales?" questioned Lizzie.
"Yeah, let's go with that."   

Say No to Drugs (Chapter 1)

"What time is the debate club?" Madeline asked but to a different friend, Chrissie, while walking outside as the school day ended.
"Three O'clock," Chrissie answered.
"It's two forty," said Madeline, looking at her golden watch. "Are you sure this is the quicker way?"
"Absolutely. See, the debate club is in 217, which is on the second floor. Most people exit the school on the first school. If you were to the club inside the school, it would take the average person ten minutes to get there. But from outside in the way we're going, it would take us less than five minutes to get there."
"Wow, that's smart of you, Chrissie."
"Of course it's smart of me. I'm a grade-A student."
"So am I."
"Oh, my God. Twinsies!"
"We're twinsies and we know it."
The girls giggled.
"So what do you think we're going to debate today?" asked Madeline.
"I have no idea. Maybe World War Three."
"World War Three?"
"Yeah."
"That hasn't happen yet."
"Duh! I know that. I mean that it would probably be a subject to discuss the possible results and causes."
"Oh, yeah. That makes sense."
"But it is possible that we could be discussing something fun, like headbands."
"Or jewelry."
"Or purses."
"Fendi!" the girls exclaimed simultaneously.
They both giggled at the thought.
"Girl, why aren't we best friends?" insisted Madeline.
"Because I have my own best friends," Chrissie flipped her shiny, brown hair.
"True that, my sister. True that. I got my own as well. And I don't need anymore anyway."
"Good to hear."
"So are we almost there?"
"Yep. We're less than a minute away and we'll be the firsts in class like always."
"Like always," Madeline snapped her fingers.
"Do you smell that?"
"Smell what?"
"It's an awful, nauseous smell. Like-- like--"
The girls walked passed the corner of the side of school and turned their heads to the confusing smell. They both spotted three teenagers sitting on the grass by the wall, each holding skinny white rolls that were smoking across from the ends.
"Like pot?" Madeline took a knowing guess.
The three teens looked at the two girls. They were obviously high but didn't seem fazed by the girls seeing them.
"Hold your nose quick," said Chrissie. She pinched her nose as so did Madeline.
"What are you guys doing?" Madeline questioned in a nasal voice.
"Having a good time," answered one of the two boys from the teens.
"Man, they're high as a rocket-ship," said Chrissie in a nasal voice.
"Guys, don't you know that pot is illegal?" asked Madeline.
"I thought pot became legal," said the other boy.
"Who told you that?"
"Ronald Reagan."
The group of teenagers started snickering together.
"Isn't Ronald Reagan dead?" asked Chrissie.
"Yes, Chris," replied Madeline.
"Don't call me Chris. I don't like nicknames."
"You don't like nicknames or just that name?"
"Look, let's just ignore these potheads and go to the debate club before someone else does."
Madeline let go of her nose. "No, I'm not just going to leave. These people need my help and I'm not going to be an enabler."
"Why did you let go of your nose, Madeline?"
"I feel like the kids won't listen to me if my voice is nasal. I sound like Fran Drescher."
"Well, I'm going to be the first to get to debate club so I have to go. Plus, you don't even know these fools."
"Oh, let me introduce myself," said the boy. "I'm Bill. These are my friends, Aidan and Sheila."
"Well, now you know them."
Chrissie walked away to her destination while Madeline stayed and tried to approach the teens without getting into contact with the spread smoke.
"Guys, pot is not good," said Madeline. "It messes with your brain and makes you all goofy."
"Like the cartoon character!" responded Aidan.
"I met Goofy at Six Flags once," said Bill. "It was so freaky, man."
"High as rocket-ship indeed," Madeline said to herself. "Listen, you guys don't have to smoke weed."
"Why do you care, collared cupcake?" asked Sheila angrily. "You don't know us."
"Collared cupcake?" Madeline repeated to herself. "Look, I'm just trying to help."
"We don't need help from you. Our joints are helping us so why don't you hop away?"
"Man, Sheila is so hardcore," said Aidan.
"So hardcore," Bill agreed.
"Bill, Aidan, Sheila," Madeline remembered their names, "I don't think you understand the badness of marijuana."
"Hey, we can marry iguanas if we want," said Sheila, waving her joint around. "What are you gonna do? You gonna tell?"
"No, I will do something about it and think about what I'm going to do by tomorrow."
"Good luck doing that," said Bill. "Hey, you want to smoke with us?"
"No! I don't want your sticky-icky-icky!"
"Dude, is she speaking alien?" asked Aidan.
"Goodbye." Madeline walked away from the group to her destination.
"She speaks British, too?"
"No, Aidan," said Sheila. "'Goodbye' is a word."
"Since when?"

Lizzie's New Car

Who Needs a Driver's License? (Chapter 5)

The next week, after getting all of her lessons from Skye, Lizzie scheduled another driving test for herself. A couple days later, she did everything involving the test: the driving and the exam. Later, she learns that she passed and got herself a driver's license. Everyone is happy for her, including her parents and her friends. Just a week after, Lizzie was painting her fingernails red while watching television in the basement of her home. When she finished with her nails, her father walked down the stairs.
"Hey, sweetie, can you come upstairs for a minute?" he asked, stopping in the middle of the stairs.
"I didn't break the other car!" Lizzie reacted.
"I know you didn't. Me and your mother want to show you something."
"Oh, so the other car is fine?"
"Yes, it is."
"Okay. Wait, what do you want to show me?"
"You'll see."
"Is it my birthday?"
"Don't be sarcastic."
"I'm not being sarcastic. Is today actually my birthday?"
"No. Come upstairs."
"But my nails are drying."
"If you don't come upstairs, I'm going to touch and ruin your nails."
"Okay, I'm sorry." She stood up from the floral sofa and kept her arms out from her sides.
She followed her father upstairs into the kitchen, through the living room and out the front door which was open. They walked outside and stopped in front of a parked, red car with Lizzie's mother standing by.
"What do you think?" said Lizzie's father, holding his arms up to point to the car.
"I think it's nice," said Lizzie. "There are no scratches and it looks new. And it's red, which is my favorite color. It's perfect. Who's it for?"
"It's for you."
"For my birthday?"
"Today's not your birthday."
"So it's for when my birthday comes?"
"No! It's for you, as in it's yours, as in you can drive it forever."
"Wait, it's a gift for me?"
"Yes," Her mother replied.
Lizzie squealed. She ran over to the car and tried to hug it by the windows.
"Why did you get me a car?" she asked.
"Well, you did pass your driving test," said her mother.
"And we think we were a bit harsh towards you when you broke our jeep," added the father.
"A bit harsh?" Lizzie repeated. "I busted that thing up. I deserved your harshness."
"Well, this is your car to bust up now," said the mother. "So enjoy driving."
"She's kidding about the 'busting up'," said the father. "But if you continue to drive this car, you can't break ours."
"Oh, thank you, guys, so much," Lizzie grinned. "I don't deserve this."
"Of course, you do," said her mother, rubbing Lizzie's back.
"I know but it's such a waste of money. I know your car is repaired now but what if the damages were unfixable? Then you would've had to buy another car and trust me, the money I made would've not been enough to buy an extra car."
Lizzie's parents paused as they stared at her.
"Well, you don't think you deserve the car," said her father, "then we can just return it."
"No!" Lizzie's eyes widened. "I want it. I don't deserve it but I want it. It's good. I'm sorry."
"Oh, sweetie pie..."
"Ah, I've always wanted a car since I was six."
"Well, you're old enough now," her mother commented.
"And how did you know I wanted a red car?"
"Red is your favorite color," answered her father.
"How did you know my favorite color is red?"
"You told us a billion times."
"Wow, I've really said it that many times?"
"Good lord..."
"Oh, what can I do to repay you guys?"
"Nothing, sweetie," replied the mother. "Nothing at all."
"Just stay away from our cars," the father added.
"That's a done deal," Lizzie nodded her head.
"You're still going to hug the car, sweetie?" asked her mother.
Lizzie closed her eyes. "Mm-hmm."
"Is it the smell?" asked her father. "The guys at the shop said before they give people cars, they clean them with lemon water."
"That sounds nice."
"What is lemon water, anyway?" asked the mother. "It's just lemon juice mixed with plain water?"
"I don't know, sweetie," the father responded. "I don't make lemon water at my job."
"You should," said Lizzie. "It's smells so nice."
"Okay, why don't you give your car a spin..." her mother recommended, "or whatever the cool kids call it."
"Well, I don't want to spin a car again ever," said Lizzie. "But I can just drive it to the mall."
Lizzie let go of the car and got handed the keys to it by her mother. She walked around the car and opened the driver door. She popped in and closed the door, putting the keys in the ignition. She started the car then pressed a button in the steering wheel that made all of the windows roll down.
"Lizzie, don't you think your nails look a little trampy?" asked her mother.
"Mom, they're just red," Lizzie responded.
"And long."
"No, I don't think they're trampy."
"Well, I think they are."
"So you're going to go to the mall?" questioned the father.
"Yeah, but you guys can come along if you want to," said Lizzie. "You know, see my great driving skills."
Her parents responded by a loud mumbling of excuses and disagreements. Lizzie's grin of excitement quickly dropped to a pit of confusion.
"I'm not ready yet," Lizzie's mother had the last word.

Who Needs a Driver's License? (Chapter 4)

After showing her parents how damaged their car was and having to start selling half of her belongings on eBay to make some money, Lizzie begged Skye to continue helping her how to drive. After three days of pleading, Skye finally agreed to help Lizzie with her driving. They decided to use the same parking lot for the lesson and rent a car to drive in courtesy of Skye. So after school, Skye drove Lizzie to the parking lot for her lessons.
"Okay, we're here," said Skye, taking off her seat belt. "To die."
Lizzie took off her seat belt. "We're not gonna die."
"If you say so," Skye said, sarcastically.
They both opened their doors and walked around the car to switch seats.
"You don't have to worry, Skye," said Lizzie, closing the door and putting on her seat belt. "I am less nervous than I was when you were teaching me."
"Let's depend on that," Skye mumbled.
Lizzie turned the keys in the ignition, starting the car. "Okay, teach away," she smiled as she gripped the steering wheel.
"Alright," Skye sighed. "Um, give the ride some gas. But before you do, pull the gearshift to 'Reverse' which is 'R'."
"Okay." Lizzie pulled the gearshift lever to the 'R' position of the selector. She pushed the gas pedal with her yellow boot covered foot, making the car back up slowly.
"Okay, okay," Skye said quietly. "Now make a left turn by turning the wheel to the left then pull the shift to 'Drive'."
Lizzie turned the wheel continuously to the left to make the car turn ninety degrees. Then she pulled the lever to 'Drive' and pushed the gas pedal to move forward at a normal pace.
"Wow, you're driving," Skye stuttered but in an impressed tone.
"Yeah, I'm driving."
"Okay, okay. Stop once you get near the fence in front of you."
Once the car drove close enough to the fence, Lizzie stepped on the brake pedal, making the car stop slowly.
"Oh, my God," said Skye, widening her eyes. "You stopped... without crashing into a fence."
"I know! Oh, I forgot to turn on my indicator for a left turn."
"Oh, that crap doesn't matter. Can-- Can you back up again?"
"Sure, Skye High." Lizzie adjusted her front mirror. She pulled the lever from 'Drive' to 'Reverse' and stepped on the gas pedal lightly. She backed the car up using the side mirror to look at the background.
"Once you get near the back fence, stop."
Lizzie drove back until she got near enough to the fence to which she stepped on the brake pedal and stopped the car.
"Oh, my Godzilla, Lizzie, you're driving. You were driving."
"I was! O.M.G.!"
"Where did you learn how to drive?"
"Oh, I bought this game called, 'Grand Theft Auto'. I pretty much mastered it by the second day of having it."
"Well, that's cool. You still not nervous?"
"No, I'm completely chilled. While playing 'Grand Theft Auto', I beat up some pedestrians. You know, released some aggression and I started to feel better afterwards."
"Did you use a baseball bat?"
"I did."
"That's pure therapy."
"Well, thanks to that, I think I'm ready to take a second driving test."
"At least you're in a good mood."
"Why? Are you sad?"
"Kind of. Remember Leo?"
"The dude who plays the sitar?"
"The guitar."
"The guitar."
"Yeah, he was in that band. I texted him a few days after meeting him. We had a full conversation throughout almost the whole day. Then when I texted him a couple days after, he didn't respond. Then the other days I tried to text him, he never responded."
"Aw, well, what is the first thing you say when you text him first?"
"'Hi'."
"Did you capitalize the 'H'?"
"Lizzie, I really liked him and I thought he liked me as well. So I don't understand why he's not talking to me."
"Well, if his reason is negative, then he's a jerk. You deserve so much better and besides, you've only known him for a few weeks and seen him in two days. Like what Swizz Beats said: 'Onto the next one'."
"You're right. That's very caring of you, Liz'."
"Well, I'm known for my care."
"I'm acting like such a girl."
"You are a girl."
"Yeah, but I'm, like, the coolest person out of our friends."
"I thought Andrea was the coolest."
"Whatever. Thank you so much, Lizzie."
"That is what best friends are for."
"So do you want to continue your lesson?"
"Yes but I'd rather do it tomorrow. I want to learn how to parallel park. Is that okay with you?"
"Well, I don't have any plans tomorrow so I'm okay with it. As long as I don't end up in a body cast afterwards."
"Don't worry; I'll just play 'Grand Theft Auto' again."
"Good. Make sure you buy the other ones."
"Okay."
"So you want to drive us out of here?"
"Sure!"
"And if you break this car, just know it's a rental so a lot of money would be coming out of you."
"Well, I don't want to sell my car but I will try to not break this car. I know what I'm doing now."
Lizzie turned the steering wheel continuously to the right and stepped on the gas pedal gently. The car made a U-turn in the center of the parking lot and Lizzie drove it out onto the deserted road and into the live street.
"And if we get pulled over," started Skye, "we can switch seats before the cop sees us. I have my driver's license with me." 

Who Needs a Driver's License? (Chapter 3)

The day after, during the weekend, Skye visited Lizzie at her house for their driving lesson. Before leaving, Lizzie asked her parents if she could borrow one of their two cars. They gave her approval and the two girls left with Skye driving the car. Lizzie put on different clothes in the car before Skye drove off. She drove Lizzie to a vacant, abandoned parking lot to begin the lessons in.
"This area looks scary," commented Lizzie, looking out the window.
"That's why I like it," Skye responded. "Plus, it's the perfect place to teach you how to drive."
"Well, if you say so."
Skye parked the car in a parking space at the edge of the lot. She and Lizzie got out of the car and walked around it in opposite directions with Lizzie getting into the driver's seat and Skye getting into the passenger seat. They closed the doors before Lizzie placed her hands on the steering wheel.
"Are you ready?" asked Skye.
"Yeah, prepared," replied Lizzie.
"Okay, I left the keys in the ignition as you see right there. What should you do first?"
"Turn them?"
"Yes."
Lizzie turned the keys, starting the car.
"There you go. Now we are going to get out of the parking space. What do you next?"
"Shift to reverse?"
"Yes. This is so easy. Now pull the lever next to you to 'Reverse'."
Lizzie looked at the lever. "I don't see 'Reverse'. Is reverse 'R'?"
"Yes, reverse is 'R'."
"Okay." She slowly pulled the gearshift lever to the position of R of the selector.
"Now push the gas pedal with your foot."
"Which one is the gas pedal?"
"The one on your right."
"Which way is my right?"
"Really? What are the two colors on your shirt?"
"Blue and green."
"Your right is where the green is facing."
"Oh, that right."
"Yeah. Now push the gas pedal that is on the right with your foot."
Lizzie pushed the pedal with her foot but too hard where the car drove back in a quick motion. The girls screamed until the car stopping by hitting the fence with a force to where the girls jumped out of their seats.
"Okay," said Skye, "you did that wrong. But before I claim what's wrong, I think you broke the back of your parents' car."
"Oh, no," said Lizzie. "Maybe we can pay to get it fixed."
Skye chuckled. "I ain't paying for crap."
"You're in this car, too, so it is technically our fault."
"You know what? It kinda is because I forgot to tell you to push the pedal slowly. But when you're speeding fifty miles per hour backwards, one should be encouraged to stop immediately."
"Uh, you never told me how to stop."
"And that is why you passed three red lights."
"It was one and two stop signs."
"Well, whatever. Let's just pull that lever from 'Park' to 'Drive' since you parked when we stopped. And then slowly push the gas pedal so we can drive slow."
"Okay." Lizzie pulled the lever to the D position. "'D' means 'drive', right?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Okay." She slowly pressed the gas pedal with her foot, making the car pull off nice and slow.
"Okay, okay. That's very good; I'm impressed."
"Thank you."
"Now we're going to make a right turn."
"The right turn is where the green on my shirt is facing, right?"
"Yes, yes. Now apply a little bit of pressure on the pedal as you spin the wheel to the right. And when--"
Lizzie pushed the gas pedal with her foot more harder than she was and spun the wheel quickly to the left, making the car crashed into the side fence.
"And when you do so, turn your right indicator on," Skye finished her sentence.
"I'm sorry."
"Please, don't tell me you're sorry. Tell your parents you're sorry. I can tell this car already looks beat up."
"I don't want to pay for the damages."
"Then stop crashing into the fences!"
"I know but when I drive, I get nervous."
"No wonder why you suck at driving. You're not supposed to be nervous. You're supposed to be focused, confident, prepared. You should've told me before I even talked."
"Sorry. I just thought your lessons would help chill me down."
"Well, water wouldn't even help chill you down. Listen, if you want to be better at driving, listen to me carefully."
"Okay, okay, I will."
"Now I want you to back up by pulling the lever to 'Reverse' -- A.K.A. 'R' -- and slowly pushing the gas pedal. Note: if you want to stop, press the brake pedal, the pedal on your left. If you don't know what your left is, it is where the blue on your shirt is facing. So back up."
Lizzie pulled the lever to the R position and lightly pressed the gas pedal with her foot, making the car slowly back up from the fence.
"Okay, okay. Now make a left turn by stopping -- brake -- and turn the wheel to the left -- blue -- as you press the gas pedal a bit harder. A bit."
"Okay." Lizzie, after backing the car up a bit, pressed the brake pedal with her left foot slowly. As she stopped, she continuously turned the wheel to the left while pressing the gas pedal with her right foot slowly. Successfully, the car turned to the left.
"Wow, that was very good, Lizzie. See, as long as you listen, you will be a pro."
"Yeah. To make a left turn: stop, left, brake."
"No, it's stop, left, gas."
"Gas?"
"Yeah, as in the gas pedal. And don't forget to stop."
"Stop is gas?"
"No, stop is brake. Try to remember."
"So it's stop, left, stop."
"No, gas is not stop. Gas is to go."
"Nervous!"
"What?"
Lizzie stepped on the gas pedal with a lot of force until the car hit the back fence.
"I'm sorry," she said.
She pulled the lever into reverse and stepped on the gas, causing the car to back up quickly. Forgetting how to stop, she kept turning the wheel to the right, making the car spin in many circles. The girls screamed with mercy as the car kept spinning and spinning in the center of the parking lot.
"We're gonna die! I just want to live!" Skye hollered.
The car kept spinning in numerous more circles until Skye reached for the gearshift lever and pulled it to 'Park', making the car stop.
The girls panted after screaming for a minute.
"That's it," said Skye. "Get out of the car. I am driving back to your house." She unfastened her seat belt.
"No!" replied Lizzie. "You're not done teaching me how to drive yet."
"Oh, I'm done. I'm not going to give up my life just because you don't know how to work the two freakin' pedals in the car!" She opened the door and hopped out of her seat. After slamming the door, she walked around the car and opened Lizzie's side of the door.
"No, I need to take my driving test again so I can pass," said Lizzie, gripping onto the wheel.
"Go to driving school," Skye growled, "because I'm not teaching you again." She unfastened Lizzie's seat belt and tried to pull her out of the car. "A monkey can drive better than you. No, Lindsay Lohan can drive better than you."