The Same Mistakes Club

Chapter Thirty

Word of my quick departure from school spread like wildfire around school.  Non-Club members thought I was expelled.  Jacob even told people that the police had to escort me out of the building.  Of course, I texted Margaret and Maishely the truth on my way home, and they spread the word to the rest of The Same Mistakes Club members.  They all thought I was a hero.

Everybody at our next  meeting was ecstatic.  It was as if Cook's condemnation of the Club somehow validated us.

I hoped this made it a good time for an announcement.

Maishely and Margaret joined me in the front of the room.  I looked over and saw Melany was blushing.  She had been thrilled when she'd found out that Kadan liked her, but thankfully didn't want to drop out of the Club.

"All right, I want everybody to hear us out before you make up your minds or jump to conclusions."  I looked at Hadassa when I said this.  "I started this club because I was sick of guys.  But as the Club has grown, I've noticed that it's more about focusing on ourselves, and that we're really good at that.  So now I think maybe our focus shouldn't be on never dating a guy, but on keeping true to your friends.  If one of us wants to go -"

"I knew it!"  Hadassa got out of her seat.   "I knew it!  You want to date Gabriel!"  She pointed at me like I was a convicted felon.

"If you just wait and hear -"

"Oh, this is just great.  Some leader you are," she replied.

I noticed that the entire room was glaring at Hadassa.  "This isn't about me," I replied.

"Oh, really?"  Hadassa rolled her eyes dramatically.  "How convenient that you decide to change the rules after you go on a date with the hottest guy in school."  Jealousy was oozing out of her voice.  "Maybe it shouldn't be called The Same Mistakes Club - maybe you should call it The Rules Will Change When Convenient For Alissa Club."

"Oh, just shut it already!"  Margaret screamed at Hadassa.  "Sit your skinny ass down and listen to what Alissa has to say or get the hell out.  I can tell you no tears will be shed if you leave."

It was good to have the old Margaret back.

Hadassa sat back down like a spoiled six-year-old who had just been told she couldn't have a pony for Christmas.

"Thank you, Margaret," I said.

"You're welcome, our divine leader."  Margaret smiled at me.

"This isn't about me.  This is actually about Melany."  The entire room turned toward Melany, who shrunk from embarrasment.  "I'm sorry, Melany, for having to single you out, but everybody is going to find out eventually.  See, the guy that Melany has had a crush on for years also likes her.  And the thing is, Kadan is a really great guy, probably one of the few at Isabelling, and I don't want to be the one responsible for denying them the chance to see what could happen.

"So, Margaret, Maishely, and I have sat down with Melany and have agreed that as long as she still attends Saturday meetings, group events, and remains the Melany we all love, there's no reason she can't give it a try."

Melany stood up.  "Consider me the lab rat.  Plus, this may all be premature, since he hasn't even asked me out yet..."

He better, I thought.  Kadan had no idea how much trouble he was causing.

I walked over to Melany and put my hand on her shoulder.  "And I, for one, will be so excited to hear all the details about your date at our next meeting."

Hadassa started to laugh.  "You've got to be joking.  And when are we going to hear about your date?"

That was it.  I'd had it with Hadassa.

"Let me make something perfectly clear to you and to everybody else."  I was practically shaking I was so mad.  "I have absolutely zero interest in Gabriel Smithers and I never will.  So to clarify to anybody who may be confused, I will never, never date Gabriel."

The room had gone silent. Margaret and Maishely had horrified expressions on their faces.

What had I done?