Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
A/N: Sequel to "What's so Great About Normal Anyway?"
"Mrs. Garrett, I just don't fit in here," Molly pouted, tossing her bowl-shaped red hair to the side.
"Oh, Molly, everybody loves you," Mrs. Garrett pulled the chicken out of the oven.
"No, they don't. They just put up with me. Natalie has Tootie, Sue Ann has Cindy, Nancy has Roger, Blair has Steve…I don't have anybody," Molly's depression-- and her lisp--were increasing with every word she uttered.
"What about me?" Mrs. Garrett smiled. Teenage drama was quickly becoming her specialty, and as Molly liked to remind her, all the girls were blossoming into womanhood. "You have me. But what's really bringing this on? Your birthday is coming up; is that it?"
Molly put her head in her hands in response.
"So that's it. We'll throw you a wonderful birthday party, and you'll see just how much you mean to all the girls," Mrs. Garrett was plotting in her head already.
Molly shook her head, "No, please…I wouldn't know how to act; I'd be totally embarrassed. Please, Mrs. Garrett, don't throw a party."
Mrs. Garrett saw Natalie and Tootie at the kitchen door eavesdropping again, "Alright, Molly, we won't throw a party, but it's against my better judgment." Those two girls were going to get themselves into serious trouble one day.
"Natalie, we have to do something for Molly. She's been walking around depressed for a week," Tootie asserted as the two moved to the living room. She could never stand to see any of her friends in pain without doing something about it.
"Walking? Don't you mean slumping? My grandmother has better posture," Natalie cracked a joke as she always did when she felt uncomfortable.
"We have to throw her a surprise party," Tootie insisted.
Natalie shook her head, "You heard her: she doesn't want a party."
"Of course, she says that. She doesn't really mean it. C'mon, you and I make a great team. We could make a party she'll love and invite everybody and…." Tootie's excitement was contagious.
"Let's say we did this: could you keep your mouth shut for a whole week, so that it really is a surprise?" Natalie was starting to get into the idea, but knew Tootie's biggest fault would probably get in the way.
Tootie nodded, "If she says anything, I'll lie like a rug."
"Then, let's start planning. We'll need decorations, and a cake, and invitations, and…Hi, Blair," Natalie looked over her shoulder.
"Did somebody say the word party?" Blair asked nonchalantly.
Tootie couldn't help herself, "You can't say anything; it's a surprise."
"Tootie! What happened to lying like a rug?" Natalie admonished.
"Blair could help us," Tootie knew Natalie was right, but wanted to sound like she'd intended to tell the secret. "She's sophisticated and knows more people than we do."
Blair immediately put on a snobbish air, "It wouldn't be a party without me."
Natalie sighed, "Just remember, this is for Molly. We want her to feel at home."
"Of course...oh my, I just had one of my brilliant ideas. We could invite some of the guys from Bates."
"But Molly isn't into guys yet," Tootie argued.
Blair smiled, "She will be by the time this party is over. I'll get Steve to bring some of his younger friends. She'll love it, really."
Natalie and Tootie shared a look. Natalie responded, "If you really think so."
Just then, Nancy burst through the front door screaming, "You're a pervert, and I hate you!" To the girls' chagrin, she then said coyly to an unseen presence just outside the door, "Yes, of course, call me later."
Natalie and Tootie giggled. Blair rolled her eyes, "Are you and Roger fighting again?"
Nancy's eyes grew wide and dreamy, "You know how it is, Blair. Sometimes, boys just can't control themselves."
"Sure, I know how it is," Blair said in a deadpan style.
Sue Ann came down the stairs, "Nancy, you have to remember to keep your pants zipped. Roger will do whatever he can get away with."
"And whoever he can get away with," Tootie said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Nancy's eyes immediately turned to Tootie, "WHAT do you know? Tell me, what do you KNOW?"
Tootie prepared to bolt and run, checking her escape routes, "Oh, nothing. I just saw him checking out Blair last night when he dropped you off."
Blair responded, "That's to be expected. What man doesn't check me out?"
"One who knows what's good for him; that's who. When I catch hold of him, I'm going to…" Nancy was obviously becoming agitated.
"Do nothing. I made it up; I just wanted to see your face," Tootie said as she ducked, or rather rolled, into the kitchen, hiding under Mrs. Garrett's protection.
"I'd like to see your face when I'm done with you," Nancy chased her to the kitchen, nearly hitting Molly on the way.
Molly walked out of the kitchen with slumped shoulders wearing her pink overalls and striped T-shirt. "What's everybody doing out here?"
Natalie replied a little too quickly, "Nothing. We're doing nothing. What makes you think we're doing anything?"
"Sue Ann, would you help me with my English project?" Molly asked, acting as though she hadn't heard Natalie's reply.
Sue Ann nodded, "Sure, Molly. I just have some homework to finish first, but as soon as I can, we'll work on it together, promise!" She noticed that Molly was acting a little different. "Molly, are you ok?"
"Of course. I'm going to go upstairs and study," Molly started to climb the stairs.
Natalie stopped her, "Hey, Molly, would you help me with this article I'm writing? I'm thinking about joining the school paper. I'm titling it, 'hairstyles of the 80s'."
Molly perked up a little bit, "Sure! I have a book on the history of hairstyles. You could use that for your article."
Natalie smiled, "Great! While Molly and I are working, Blair, could you work on that thing we talked about? You know, that thing…"
"Don't worry; It's practically finished already," Blair said casually. Party planning was her specialty, and with the guest of honor pre-occupied, she'd be able to prepare in no time flat.
"What thing?" Molly asked.
Natalie reassured her, "It's not important. Don't worry about it. Now, about my article, I was thinking, the bigger, the better…"