Penny Pingleton noticed Tracy's new bracelet immediately.

"Oooh, Tracy," she cooed, admiring it.

"Link decided to give me my anniversary present early," Tracy told her, fingering it with a smile.

She decided to leave it at that. By a small miracle, white supremacist protestors had interrupted WYZT's broadcast of the first integrated Corny Collins Show episode. It would never be aired.

According to all council members' contracts, no suing was allowed. IQ's parents were too embarrassed by their son's behavior to do so anyway.

Link's parents had not been told of the incident, because Corny had been told of the provocation. As he had never caused a problem previously, he was allowed to stay on the show, and got off with a severe warning and lecture.

Normally, Tracy told everything, but she knew some things just shouldn't be shared. Penny was already sort of a nervous person, and if she knew that Link had attacked someone (even if he had done so only to protect Tracy), she would flip. No one else but Tracy and Link would never know what else had happened. Or, rather, had almost happened.

"He's such a good boyfriend," Penny decided, looking at the bracelet.

"You have no idea."

Penny admired the bracelet another moment before returning to her locker to open it. She traced her finger over a small picture of Seaweed, smiling.

Looking down guiltily at the bracelet, Tracy realized how different Link and Seaweed were. Both of Link's parents worked, and so did he. For sixth months, everyone in the family had had a well paying job, and now, with a record deal, the threesome had it even easier. On the other side of things, Maybelle, a single mom, was struggling to support her two children. Seaweed had JUST gotten his council position, and didn't have the money for extravagances like jewelry. Now that everyone in the family had a job on the show, though, things would get better.

"Seaweed's taking me out for dinner tonight," Penny announced, waking Tracy from her long train of thoughts. "It's our one-month anniversary today, remember?"

Of course. Seaweed and Penny had been in love at first sight, and had announced it two weeks after meeting. They had been going for a month, as of today. Of course Tracy remembered it.

Tracy closed her locker as the bell rang, looking back to the couple embracing.

She smiled to herself and kept walking, as Penny and Seaweed kissed softly.

"Happy anniversary, baby," Seaweed crooned.

"Happy anniversary."

"I got something for you," Seaweed said. He pulled a small vase out of his backpack. It contained a red rose, and a small piece of paper was tied neatly around its neck.

" 'To my dearest Penny,' " Penny read. " 'May our love continue to bloom and grow.' Aww, Seaweed!"
Blushing slightly, Seaweed let Penny kiss him again.

"This is a great gift," Penny decided. "Oh, and I forgot – I have something for you." She handed him a small, neatly wrapped package.

Opening it, Seaweed gasped.

"A record?" Wow, baby – that's… this is…" He was so happy, he was stuttering. "This is a black band!" he crowed after a moment's thought, reading the record's label. "How'd you manage to buy this?"

"Well, Tracy bought it for me," Penny admitted. "My mom woulda flipped." Speaking of such… she twirled her pigtails nervously. She was sure to get it for not coming home for dinner time that night. Oh, well, it was worth it for Seaweed. But who could imagine what punishment might be in store for her?

"Ready for tonight?" he asked, putting his arm around her as they walked.

"Oh, yes. But I know a storm's comin'."

"Then I guess you'd better get a raincoat to protect yourself, sugar," Seaweed grinned, wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm going to be late," Penny gasped.

"Go straight to the studio after school," Seaweed reminded her as they parted ways. "I'll take you out as soon as the show's over, all right?"

Penny nodded, rushing into class and settling into her seat – just as the late bell rang. She put the little rose on the corner of the desk, where she could see it. She fingered it with a smile, and knew that she had a perfect boyfriend.