Fabulous Five 012 - Katie's Dating Tips by Betsy Haynes

picking a
fight. Mobs don't solve anything."
    Katie looked at the teacher and felt admiration shining in
her eyes. Why hadn't she realized before what a super person he was? she asked
herself. Just because he looked a little strange in his Dracula wig and did
unusual things now and then, that didn't mean that he was weird.
    "Okay. Is everybody ready?"
    Everyone nodded, but no one spoke out loud as they moved on
tiptoes through the door that led into the school's main office. Katie could
see Mr. Bell sitting at his desk in his private office on the other side of the
counter. He was a tall, thin man with a shiny bald spot above a fringe of dark
hair. He looked startled when he glanced up and saw all of them standing there.
    "Is there something I can do for you?" he asked as
he got to his feet and moved toward them.
    Suddenly Katie felt tingles of panic spreading up her spine.
It had been so much fun to march in, determined to make a stand. But Mr. Bell
looked so solemn. Surely he had read the Post and knew why they were
here. And maybe he agreed with Mr. Newkirk. What if he refused to listen? Or
what if he denied their request and sent them all to Teen Court for
insubordination?
    She swallowed hard and exchanged nervous glances with
Willie. This is it, she thought. If it doesn't work, Mom will be disgraced
forever at Wakeman Junior High . . . and so will I.

CHAPTER 17
    "We'd like to speak with you, if you have a few
minutes, sir," Mr. Dracovitch said politely.
    "Certainly," replied Mr. Bell. "Come in, all
of you. My office is small, but I think everyone can fit in."
    Katie took a deep breath and followed her mother and the
science teacher into the office. Behind her she could hear the soft shuffle of
feet as the others pressed forward.
    It was a tight squeeze for standing room, but as soon as
everyone was settled, Mr. Bell stood beside his desk and said, "Now, I
suppose you've come about the cafeteria food. That was quite a plea you made in
yesterday's edition of the Post. "
    "Yes, Mr. Bell. That's exactly why we've come,"
Willie spoke up. "I think the students have a valid point. Even the
newspaper agreed in their editorial that the situation should be looked into."
    "But Ms. Shannon, surely you realize that the school
has a responsibility to serve nutritional food to its students. A lot of time
and effort has been put into planning the meals served at Wakeman Junior High."
    "Mr. Bell?" Tony asked softly.
    The principal glanced at Tony. "One moment, son."
Then he turned to Willie and went on, "You know as well as I do that if
the boys and girls had their way, they'd eat nothing but junk food. Some of
them would want us to order lunches from fast food places. We certainly can't
allow that, now can we?"
    "Mr. Bell?" This time Tony spoke a little louder
and waved his hand in the air as if he were asking permission to speak in
class.
    Still Mr. Bell did not call on him. It seemed to Katie that
the principal was only interested in talking to the grown-ups.
    "Sir," Willie said sharply. "I don't think
the students are asking for junk food. They just want to be able to let the
cafeteria personnel know which things they like and which they particularly
dislike. Serving things no one likes is a waste of food."
    "And money," blurted out Katie. Instantly she
clamped her hand over her mouth and all eyes turned toward her. She hadn't
meant to speak up without permission.
    "I'm sorry," she said sheepishly. "I guess I
just got carried away."
    Mr. Bell looked at her with a critical eye. "Well then,
Katie. If you're so concerned about saving both food and money, tell me how you
and your friends propose to change what is served in the cafeteria without bringing in junk food."
    Katie took a deep breath and met his gaze. "Tony has a
terrific plan. I think he should tell you about it."
    Mr. Bell turned to Tony. "All right, young man. You may
speak now. Let's hear your plan."
    Tony shifted nervously. "Well, sir," he began. "I
was thinking that if