Disclaimer: I don't own Hamtaro or any of its characters.

Chapter 7:

The Ham-Ham Clubhouse

Hamtaro fell onto his bed, exhausted at the day he just endured. On only the first day of high school, he had a pile of books and papers on his hands in the first three classes. At lunch, Boss just made a club called the Ham-hams. There was Hamtaro, Oxnard, Bijou, Boss, Pashmina, Dexter, Howdy, Maxwell, Sandy, Stan, and Panda. Hamtaro was glad about making the new friends and all, but he was horrified to not spend time with them because of homework. Hamtaro looked ungratefully at the mess of papers just realizing he forgot his math homework.

He rubbed his temple and walked downstairs to see a load of papers on the kitchen. His mom popped up and said, "Honey, you need to fill a few papers."

"This is a few?" Hamtaro asked warily.

His mother gave his mother a weak smile and replied, "Okay, you can get a snack before you get to work. Oh, and I hope you don't have too much homework. We're going out tonight for dinner."

"AGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" Hamtaro yelled as he grabbed a pen and signed his name on random spots in a pathetic attempt to finish.

The next day, Hamtaro was proudly finished with his homework and had all of the papers he signed. He bravely walked into the school to see Panda inspecting the holes in the wall again. Hamtaro looked curiously at Panda and said, "Ham-ha! I'm really looking forward toward building the clubhouse, aren't you?"

Panda wheeled around to see who was talking to him. He was relieved to see a harmless Hamtaro and replied, "Yeah, I'm going to help Boss build it," he said.

He took a blue piece of paper out and showed it to Hamtaro.

"I've found an oak tree that would work perfectly. It's in the woods where no one can find us and is pretty big. It took a while to find it, but Boss and I managed. Here's the blueprints," Panda said, handing the paper to Hamtaro.

"Wow! This looks ham-tastic! I'll take good care of-" Hamtaro said as he ripped an edge of the page. Panda winced as it ripped.

"Uh, I think that it'll be in better hands if you had it," Hamtaro reassured, handing back the blueprints. Panda only nodded and walked with Hamtaro to class.

That day at lunch, every ham-ham decided to meet at a lunch table. They all talked about the new clubhouse. Bijou chatted about having a dressing room for everyone while Maxwell wanted a library in the clubhouse. Bijou kept complimenting Boss on how a great idea it was to make a club, making Boss blush as hard as he ever did.

Pashmina spoke aloud and asked everyone, "Can Penelope join? She and I are very best friends since she was little. She goes to a different school, but I'm sure that she could come to the clubhouse."

Everyone looked unsure of this, but Hamtaro said, "I trust Pashmina, so Penelope can join! How old is Penelope anyway, Pashmina?"

Pashmina proudly replied, "She's ten! She is so cute! You guys will love her!"

Dexter flew into this topic, "Well, without a doubt, she can join the ham-hams! I trust Pashmina the most!"

Pashmina was so grateful that he also thought her friend should join the club, that she jumped up and hugged Dexter and said, "Gee, thanks, Dexter! That's real nice of you."

Dexter blushed a deep red and Howdy said, "Yeah! Penelope should come no matter what!"

Pashmina let go of Dexter and started to hug Howdy, but Dexter was caught in a trance and started to hug air, thinking that Pashmina was still there. Howdy cackled with laughter knocking Dexter over and knocking his glasses off.

"Hey, Dexter! I think you need a new perspiction or whatever for your eyes!" Howdy laughed.

Dexter had fire in his eyes as Pashmina let go of Howdy as she new what was coming.

"It's called a prescription, Howdy. Although an immature person such as yourself wouldn't know that," Dexter said, straitening his bow tie.

"What are you calling an immature person, you bow tie freak?" Howdy called.

"I am not!" Dexter argued.

"Yes, you are!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

Stan sighed and said, "Will you two ever be quiet?"

Boss finally stopped the fight and went on about Penelope coming to the club. The decision was that she could come. Pashmina was so excited about this and thanked everyone.

"Moving on," Boss said, "When are we building the clubhouse?"

Panda thought about this for a minute. Finally, he said, "Well, we could start today. If you guys want, I mean."

Everyone nodded except Maxwell. He put his book down and explained, "The weather is supposed to rain all week so we might have to limit construction. I'd say that we should get at least a couple hours each day."

Everyone nodded and Sandy was blushing. He always has the best ideas, she thought.

After school was over, everyone raced out where Panda found the oak tree. When they all found it, they found some tools and supplies ready for them. They all looked at Panda, but he said, "I didn't put those there, you guys. I don't have any wood right now."

A cold sting vibrated their bones, but Hamtaro said, "Hey, you guys! Maybe someone-"

"Yeah, or, like, something!" Sandy yelled out of fear.

Maxwell smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sandy. I'll protect you."

Sandy blushed.

"Maybe someone wants us to build the clubhouse! They would put a sign of authorization if they were going to build here. So, lets build, ham-hams," Hamtaro finished.

Everyone nodded their heads, but Sandy didn't look as if this was the best idea. Right away, they all picked up some tools and supplies and started to build the clubhouse…

2 weeks later:

"It's done!" everyone yelled in excitement.

Sandy looked happy, but was a little worried. What if someone else was going to build here? We'll get in trouble, she thought.

Everyone else looked very excited and immediately went inside to see two floors that they built. It looked beautiful.

"It looked like ve did a very good job, oui?" Bijou commented.

"Yeah, its great!" Hamtaro said.

"We just need to put some furniture in it and we'll be done!" Panda exclaimed.

"Don't forget the carpet," Dexter added.

"I vill bring some paintings! It vill make zis room so cozy," Bijou volunteered.

"Like, totally! I'll bring some board games and stuff," Sandy said.

"Yeah! This is going to be a blast, sis!" Stan cheered.

Everyone ratted on about what they were going to bring for the club. Many would bring decorations while some would bring furniture.

"We should raise money for the clubhouse," Hamtaro pointed out.

"Yeah, like one of them special expensive TV or computer," Howdy said.

Everyone nodded, but Dexter complained, "How will we raise the money?"

"They are not!"

"They are too!"

"They are not!"

"ARE TOO!"

"ARE NOT!"

"BE QUIET, GUYS!" Maxwell yelled. He turned a page in his book and said, "This book says that computers and TV's can range from $200 to $2000."

He raised his head up and said, "Overall, it would cost around $800 for a computer and a TV, about the same. Maybe even more."

Everyone sighed and it was quiet until Howdy screeched, "I'll do it! Ya know, you need an expert money maker, ya'll!"

Pashmina looked shocked at this and said, "You'd really do that, Howdy?"

Howdy nodded.

"Thanks! You're so sweet sometimes, you know that?"

"Aw, shucks," Howdy gushed.

Dexter looked as if he was going to be sick.

Maybe I can sweeten Bijou like that and she'll be falling for me before she knows it! Boss thought.

"Vell, its all settled zen. Merci, Howdy," Bijou thanked.

Then a knock tapped on the door and Stan bit his lip and said, "Everyone's here, right?"

Everyone nodded.

"HEY! WHO'S IN MY HIDING PLACE?" a voice yelled.