The Same Mistakes Club

Chapter Sixteen

"You girls try to behave yourselves tonight," Dad said as he put on his coat Saturday night. "Now, Alissa Elizabeth, we're only going to be gone for a couple hours. No boys."

I tried not to laugh. If only they knew.

My parents were on their way to dinner, while Margaret and I were in the middle of getting all of the important provisions ready for our first official Same Mistakes Club meeting - potato chips, dip, soda, pizza, and a selection of cheesy comedy movies.

"Dont worry, Dr. Madison - if Marc Anthony or Mariah Carey stop by, we will be the perfect hostesses." Margaret loved the fact that my parents were so... not normal.

"Thank you, Margaret," Mum replied. "We know you will." She kissed me on the cheek before she headed out.

"Why do you encourage them?" I asked Tracy.

"Because it drives you crazy."

The doorbell rang - to the tune of "We Belong Together," of course. (Frickin' legendary MariahC song, you should stop everything and hear it!)

"Let the festivities begin!" Margaret declared.

I'd been looking forward to this meeting all week. Just us girls, hanging out. But, part of me hoped that maybe, just maybe, it would end up being something bigger than that.

Once Margaret, Maishely, Marissa, Kiara, Melany, and I settled into the basement, got comfortable in the sofas, and started munching on chips, Margaret stood up and passed out a piece of paper to each of us.

I looked down and saw The Official Guidelines of Alissa Elizabeth's Same Mistakes Club.

"Hey," I protested. "This isn't just MY Club..."

Margaret threw a chip at me. "Just read it, will you!"

The Official Guidelines of Alissa Elizabeth's Same Mistakes Club

Heretofore are thy official rules for members of "Alissa Elizabeth's Same Mistakes Club." All members must agree to such terms or thy membership shall be struck from thy record.

1) All members agree to stop dating men (or, if referring to the male population at Isabelling High, "little boys") for the rest of thy high school existence. Whether or not said members want to date after high school, they choose to proceed at their own risk. Failure to adhere to this, the most sacred rule, will result in the highest punishment allowed by law - streaking through the halls at Isabelling after lunch.

2) Members will attend all couple events together as a group, including, but not limited to, Homecoming, Prom, parties, and other couply events, despite possibly being labeled as freaks and getting jealous looks from guys who wish we were their hot dates, but instead have to settle for some lame wannabe.

3) Saturday night is the official meeting night of Alissa Elizabeth's Same Mistakes Club. Attendance is mandatory. Exceptions are for family emergencies and bad hair days only.

4) Members must be supportive of their friends, despite bad choices in clothing, hair, and/or music.

Violators of the rules are subject to membership disqualification, public humiliation, vicious rumours, and possible beheading.

I loved it. Granted, it was a little melodramatic in places (typical Margaret), but, all in all, it worked.

Marissa looked at the list and let out a sigh. "Ever since you told me about the Club, I've been thinking about all the drama that has happened in my life because of boys. I mean, I recently found out that last year three of the guys on the boys' cross country team had a bet on who could deflower me. How stupid is that?" Marissa rolled her eyes.