A/N: I know this chapter is really long, and a lot of it is kinda drabble stuff. I thought i'd mention that this is before Trink and Peaweed, but just wait on them, because it's coming! And thanks for the two that reviewed!

Chapter 4

Penny's head was leaned up against the cool window of her mother's Station Wagon. Her eyelids felt heavy and she thought that she might fall back asleep. Her mother had woken her up early, 5:15, to go to the morning church service at 6:00. But of course, her mother's sharp voice said otherwise.

"Penny! Sit up straight!"

Penny snapped her eyes open and sat up in the seat and stared straight ahead.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, the only noise was the jingle of the car keys and the hum of the air conditioner. Prudy cleared her throat, and obvious attempt at conversation. Penny jumped a little, startled by the noise.

"What time do you need to be at school?"

Penny glanced down at the clock; it was 6:45, "7:30."

"Are you hungry?"

Penny's stomach growled a little at the word hungry. She didn't really have time to eat anything this morning.

"I'll take that as a yes."

She blushed as her mother pulled up to a stoplight and flicked the blinker on. She drove to a small diner that was down the road a little ways. She parked the car and they both got out and walked up to the door and pushed it open, as it made a familiar ting that alerted the owner that someone was here. They slid into a booth that was made of faux pleather. It was ripped from all the wear and tear it got, and showed the yellow-foam that made up the cushion. They waited for the waitress to come by and take their order. Penny just stared out the window, still half-asleep, and wondering why on earth her mother brought her here. Her mother never wanted to do things with her. As strange as it was, she was grateful to get breakfast out of it. Of course, she thought, that this wouldn't be a regular occurrence.

An short, older woman, with wrinkles up and down her body, and bleach blonde hair, and a shiny nametag with "Barbra" etched in it, walked up to them and handed them menus.

"What'll it be today ladies?"

Prudy didn't glance at the menu; she looked right up at Barbra, and said plain as day;

"Coffee. Black."

Barbra jotted it down on her order-pad and looked at Penny,

"And for you little missy?"

Penny hated being called that. She glanced over the menu looking for something that caught her eye; she saw eggs and pancakes, waffles and toast, oatmeal and biscuits with gravy. She new that it needed to be quick, as she had to get to school soon, and something her mother would approve of. She sighed and quickly looked over it again, making sure it was her decision and looked up at Barbra.

"I'll have the oatmeal, with the fruit cup, and a piece of whole-wheat toast, and a glass of orange juice. Please."

Barbra wrote it down. "Alright, I'll be back in a few minutes with your orders." She took the menus and shuffled away.

Penny looked out the window again and sighed. She noticed her mother looking at her.

"What is it mother?"

Prudy shook her head and snapped "Nothing."

Penny looked at her mother for a few seconds, trying to read the expression on her face, but gave up when her food and her mothers' coffee arrived. They both ate and drank in silence. Penny was still upset with her mother for the punishment she received, it just didn't seem fare to her in the least. Penny finished eating and her mother paid and they left.

The drive to school was just as silent as the ride to church and to the diner was. Prudy sat behind the wheel stoically, and Penny sat in the passenger seat and stared out the window in front of her. Prudy knew that Penny was mad at her, but really, the punishment was for the best. She knew that taking away whatever fun she was going to have would make Penny grow up to be a prim and proper Catholic. Just like her. Just like me. Prudy thought long and hard about this as she dropped Penny off and told her she would see her after school and drove back home. Did she really want Penny to be just like her?

Penny wished that school would last forever. She didn't want to go home and deal with her mother, or do the hundreds of chores that she had probably come up with her to do. She walked into school slowly. She was happy to be here, no doubt about that, but she was also not happy at the same time. She walked up to her locker where she saw Tracy,

"Hi Penny!"

"Hi."

"What's wrong?" asked Tracy, noticing that Penny looked dejected. "Did you get in trouble with your mom?"

Penny nodded her head.

"Oh I'm sorry Penny! It's all my fault!"

"It's okay."

"What was your punishment this time?"

Penny sighed. "She sucked all the fun out of my life! The only things I can do are church-related activities. I can't watch TV, or talk on the phone. Nothing!"

Penny felt the tears well-up in her eyes and she felt Tracy hug her.

"Oh! I'm so sorry Penny! Wait! Does this mean you have to miss the Prom?"

Penny nodded her head and felt the need to cry even more.

Tracy just hugged Penny tighter. "We'll find a way for you to go! I promise!"

If only that were true.

Penny sat through her classes, and just went through the motions of her day. At the end of the day came announcements, like always. The principal came onto the intercom.

"Well boys and girls, I hope you had another good day here at Patterson Park High. Here are just a few announcements before you go home." He started to read off a list of things that Penny didn't really pay attention to. "And finally, the nominations for Prom King and Queen are in: The nominations for Queen are: Amber VonTussle, Tracy Turnblad, Penny Pingleton, Shelley Sheen, and Lou Anne Lauders. Congratulations ladies! The nominations for King are as follows: Link Larkin, Seaweed Stubbs, Brad Buffers, IQ Ibsen, and Fender Fibbs. Congratulations gentlemen! And I personally am looking forward to see who our winners are! All students are dismissed!" Penny just sat in awe. Tracy was nominated! She was so excited for her friend! But she remembered that she wouldn't be going to the prom with Tracy and felt sad again, for what felt like the millionth time today. Penny walked down to her locker to make sure she had all her books for her homework when she saw Tracy in the hall again.

"Congrats Trace! I know you'll win! I hope you have a great time!"

"Oh Penny! You know I won't go without you! We'll figure something out."

"Sure Trace. Whatever you say. I'll see you tomorrow, I'm sure my mom is waiting for me."

"Bye Penny."

"Bye Tracy."

Tracy watched as her friend walked dejectedly out of the school to where her mom was parked and waiting.

"I'll get you to the Prom Penny, if it's the last thing I do!"