The Lonely Hearts Club Read Online Free PDF

being so nice to everybody, that fake little bee-yotch." Tracy glared at me. "And now we know exactly what she wants."
    I looked at Tracy in confusion. What did Diane want?
    "She thinks that now she's single, she can come running back to her good old friend Penny."
    I tried to wrap my head around it. Diane dumped me for Ryan, Ryan dumped Diane, and now she expected us to be friends again.
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    I don't think so.
    "Wait a second!' Mike interrupted. "You're friends with Diane Monroe?"
    "No, we used to be friends,"
    "Wow." Mike looked impressed, "She's hot. Do you think you can introduce her to me?"
    "Get out of the car!" Tracy screamed. Mike rolled his eyes, and he jumped out as soon as Tracy pulled into the parking lot.
    "How stupid does she think I am?" I asked. "After not talking to me for four years, she wants me to mop up after Ryan. I've got my own guy problems, thank you very much. I'm so canceling on her."
    "What?" Tracy's eyes opened wide, "No way -- you have to go!
    I couldn't believe she was even being serious. Tracy hated Diane and she wanted me to hang out with her?
    "You have to get the scoop. Find out why he dumped her skinny ass and then get up and leave. You don't owe her anything. See how she feels being used for once."
    "But I..."
    "Come on, Pen. I wish I could go and hear her poor sad sob story. Oh, I'm so happy Ryan finally came to his senses. Hmmm, I wonder if I should put him on the list." Tracy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Nah, I've always thought he'd be better for you. Not that you're dating or anything."
    I felt a migraine coming on.
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    My headache wasn't going to go away once got to my locker and saw Ryan. I was so preoccupied with Diane that I had forgotten that I'd have to deal with him, too. there was no way to avoid him.
    Not only didn't I know what to say to him, but I didn't know how I was supposed to feel. Should I be mad at him? Should I be grateful to him for confirming once more that guys only use girls) Granted, I didn't know what had happened, but I felt it had to have been his fault.
    "Hey there, Bloom," he said as I opened up my locker.
    "Hey, what's new -- I mean, not what's new, um .,." I closed my eyes, hoping he'd just turn and walk away.
    "Well, I see it only took twenty-four hours for the news to make its way around the school," he replied.
    I looked over at him and didn't know what to say.
    "Anyways," he went on, "I hear you and Diane are going out tonight."
    I stared at him blankly. How did he know that"?
    "Hey, it's okay. I'm glad you guys are hanging out. to tell you the truth, I'm a little worried about Diane. You know how catty some people can be."
    I tried to not think of Tracy ... or myself.
    "What up, Bauer?" Todd came from around the corner. I'd never been so happy to see him in my life ... at least until he walked over and put his arm around me. "I don't give a crap that you're single now -- you best stay away from my girl."
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    For the first time, Ryan seemed thrown off
    Todd, however, didn't pick up on this. He went on, "Now why don't you run along and start breaking some hearts while me partner en espanol and I head to class?" As he grabbed my arm and guided me toward class, he started shaking his head. "I'm telling you," he said with an overdone sigh, "having Bauer be single is going to be trouble."
    Ryan was right about news traveling fast through the school -- it was all anybody could talk about. I tried to not get caught up in it, but as the lone member of the Lonely Hearts Club, I couldn't help but notice how unfair everybody was being. Nobody seemed to worry about Ryan. Of course, he would have a new girlfriend soon enough, but if he didn't, it wasn't a big deal. It was his choice. Guys rule.
    But Diane was treated like damaged goods. the victim, A heartbroken, devastated shell of a person.
    When people talked about Ryan, they were high-fiving, talking about his freedom.
    With Diane, people were speaking to low voices, like she should've been ashamed to be