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

the food situation.
    At lunchtime The Fabulous Five gathered at their usual
table, but Katie could only nibble on her tuna sandwich.
    "Just think, if the cafeteria food improves, we can all
start getting hot lunch instead of bringing food from home," said Melanie.
    Katie knew her friend was trying to make her feel better.
Still, she was afraid to be too optimistic. "But what if it doesn't?"
she asked worriedly.
    "At least you tried," said Jana. "I think it's
terrific that Mr. Dracovitch helped, too."
    "Me, too," said Beth.
    Christie nodded. "Everybody in school is talking about
how super he is."
    "You know," said Katie, "I'll have to admit
that I'm actually glad my mom didn't break their date and is going out with him
tonight. There's only one thing that still bothers me, though."
    "What's that?" asked Jana.
    Katie sighed. "I just wish he didn't look so much like
Dracula."
     
    The afternoon went even slower than the morning, and by the
time she went to her last-period English class, Katie was beginning to wonder
if Mr. Bell was going to renege on his promise to make a decision before the
end of the day.
    Willie called the class to order and looked around the room,
smiling. "I just want you all to know what a great week this has been for
me," she began. "You have . . ."
    The crackle of the public address system broke in, and she
immediately stopped talking as every eye in the class was on the speaker above
the blackboard at the front of the room.
    "May I have your attention, please. This is Mr. Bell,
and I have an important announcement."
    Katie closed her eyes and crossed her fingers. This was it.
The moment she had been waiting for and dreading at the same time.
    "It has been brought to my attention that many of you
have complaints about the food in the cafeteria."
    There was a lot of shuffling as kids grinned and nodded to
each other.
    "It has further been suggested that the cafeteria
conduct a taste test using a panel of students to determine which nutritious dishes the majority of you prefer over less popular ones."
    He paused again, and Katie thought she would burst.
    "I have consulted with cafeteria personnel and with a
number of teachers, and it is our unanimous decision that this is an idea that
deserves to be tried."
    Katie let out a gigantic breath of air as a cheer went up in
the room.
    "It has also been decided that the panel of students
who will do the testing shall consist of the twenty-eight who wrote letters to
the editor voicing their concerns over the cafeteria food, plus Mr. Dracovitch,
who will serve as a faculty representative."
    Katie could hardly believe what she was hearing. She hugged
herself as a grin of happiness spread across her face. The room was in
commotion as kids congratulated each other. Katie could hear a roar of voices
coming from all over the school.
    "If I may have your attention for one more moment,"
Mr. Bell said. "I would like to pay a special tribute to our guest
teacher, Ms. Wilma Shannon, who has not only given of her time and her talent
in the field of writing, but who has also contributed to the reevaluation of
this important school policy. Thank you, Ms. Shannon."
    The room broke out in applause, and one by one the students
got to their feet to give Willie a standing ovation. Katie ran to the front of
the room and hugged her mother. She had never felt prouder in her entire life.
     
    "So what did you tell Mr. Newkirk when you broke your
date for the Ramses exhibit tomorrow?" asked Katie. She was in her mother's
bedroom helping her get ready to go out with Mr. Dracovitch.
    "I just said that I didn't think it would be a good
idea for us to go together because I doubted that we would enjoy each other's
company after what happened over the letters," said Willie. "I told
him as plainly as I could and didn't pull any punches."
    "Right on, Mom," said Katie. "That sounds
like you. Besides, I didn't like him anyway," she teased. "He has a
potbelly and his voice is too high."
    They both