On Monday afternoon, I arrived at Haley's (a little later than I meant to) for the first official meeting of the new BSC. I walked in just as the digital clock on Haley's nightstand read 5:15. Actually, I had intended to be a little early, but instead I was right on time. During study hall, we had decided to meet from 5:30-6:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, today we needed a little more time because this meeting was special. We were going to use the first fifteen minutes to vote on officers and talk with the former BSC members that were attending our meeting to help get us started.
Before I tell you anything about what happened at the meeting, I ought to give you a few details about the club. Haley and I finalized our list of members during the last few days of summer, after we'd brought up the idea at Mallory's slumber party. Then we called each one of them personally to tell them about the club.
When we called our friend Charlotte Johannsen, she was ecstactic and wanted to hold a meeting as soon as we possibly could get one together. A few years ago, we got to know Charlotte because we all had the same baby-sitters... none other than the Baby-sitters Club. When we first met her, she was extremely shy and it was hard to get to know her. She's loosened up a lot around us, but she still has trouble meeting new people. Charlotte is smart, so smart in fact that she skipped a grade when she was younger, which put her in the same grade as Becca. She's in the eighth grade, while Haley and I are in the ninth, but none of that matters much. (In fact, everyone else in the new BSC is in the eighth grade. Haley and I are the oldest.) What else about Charlotte? Well, she's very pretty, but she won't admit it. She's got this beautiful, thick chestnut colored hair that's nearly to her waist and big brown eyes with long lashes. The guys drool over her. She's an only child, but she often says she wishes she had brothers and sisters. She HATES the stereotype that all only children are spoiled brats, which is understandable. Charlotte is a very kind and giving person, and I cannot fathom how anyone could accuse her of being a spoiled brat.
Becca Ramsey called me with a million questions about the club. Jessi had mentioned it to her after the slumber party. I tried to answer them all. Becca can ask questions until she's blue in the face. Of all my friends, she's the drama queen. Literally. Last year, she was the star of the middle school one-act play and had a large role when the drama club put on "Charlotte's Web." (She was Charlotte. Which was ironic considering that is also the name of her best friend.) It's funny because Becca used to be ever more shy than Charlotte, but once she discovered her passion for acting, she came out of her shell. Becca comes from a family of performers... her older sister is a dancer, and I think her parents sing and play guitar, and her little brother, John Philip will inevitably fall into one of those categories as well. Anyway, as for her looks... she looks just like her sister.
Then there's Marilyn and Carolyn Arnold. Sometimes you can't help but grouping them together. Whenever I call one of them, I end up talking to the other one, too. Like, I'll call to ask Marilyn what happened on "Gilmore Girls" and if Carolyn's home, she'll pick up the phone and join in on the conversation. I remember how they used to dress alike and had the same hairstyle and NOBODY could tell them apart. (Except maybe their parents.) I would see them both at school and we'd all call them "Marilyn-or-Carolyn." They both hated the nickname immensely, which is what convinced them to go with different looks and different hairstyles. Its been that way ever since.
Marilyn wears hers in long layers that start at her chin and fall past her shoulders. She's also wearing glasses now, and she wears simple, yet stylish clothes that always make her look elegant and much older than thirteen. She's really into music. She's going to be part of the high school marching band this year, which only a few middle school students are allowed to do. She plays several instruments... the French Horn for school, plus the piano, the guitar, and the violin. As for her personality, she's very reserved and sensible. Mature, too.
Now, in contrast, here's Carolyn. She still keeps her hair short. Right now, she has it chin length with really cool highlights. Some blonde and red streaks all mixed in with her natural light brown color. Out of all of her various styles, I think I like this one the best. Her clothes are wild; she shops at places like the Rave and Gadzooks. (Whereas Marilyn wouldn't be caught dead in there, but would be much happier at the Gap or the Limited.) Carolyn likes science; actually, she loves it. We all find this obsession and the lab in her basement to be on the strange side. Its even weirder when you combine that with her other obsession: punk rock.
So there you have Marilyn, the Mature one and Carolyn, the Weird one.
Then there's the girl who I like to call my best friend: Haley Braddock. She's one of the coolest people I know, and although we're really different, we rarely fight with each other. Haley has a laid-back attitude about pretty much everything. She's the kind of person you can count on. When I got the idea for the New Baby-sitters Club, I went straight to Haley for help because I knew she'd be willing. Haley's probably so good at helping people out because she's been doing it for her brother for so many years. Her 12-year-old brother Matt is deaf and communicates using American Sign Language. He also reads lips, but its not always easy to do. Haley is fluent in sign language, and she often translates for her brother. I've never heard her complain about it. Not once. Like I said before, she's very cool. She's a little like Carolyn (although not nearly as weird) because they both love the same punk bands, and they go to concerts together. She's also a bit like me because she appreciates poetry. I got her started on that. Haley's the only blonde among us; she used to always have short hair and a long rattail down her back. Recently, she cut off the rattail and pinned in to her bulletin board in her room . She also grew her super-short hair out to her shoulders and started wearing it flipped out. She dresses the way she feels- sometimes a little preppy, sometimes a little punk.
Then there's me. What can I say about me? One, I've got seven brothers and sisters which makes for an interesting family life. Two, I'm a poet and I know it. And it annoys the mess out of some people I know when I rhyme what I say, but sometimes I seriously can't help it. Then again, sometimes I do it intentionally to annoy people like my thirteen-year-old brother, Nicky. And three, I daydream a lot and let my mind wander off into outerspace, kind of like I was doing now...
But I think I'm starting to come back to reality. Let's get back to what was happening. I was the last to arrive for our first meeting. Not a single person was late. Haley was sitting on her futon with Kristy Thomas and Claudia Kishi talking about all things Baby-sitters Club. Becca and Charlotte sat on the floor busy painting their toenails tangerine orange. And Marilyn and Carolyn were sprawled on the bed leafing through some magazines.
I pulled out the chair from Haley's computer desk and sat down. I stuck a number two pencil behind my ear, trying to look like a professional. Crossing my legs, I looked around. When my eyes landed on Claudia, a felt a little wary of her. Boy, she really got us good.
Today had been a monumental day in my life. My first day of high school. Haley and I had been through it all... getting lost in the halls of Stoneybrook High, getting overwhelmed with new classes and new people, and the best part (or maybe the most embarrassing part)... Freshman Initiation.
Claudia was the senior that had been in charge of me and Haley for the day, and she got us good. The day began with Claudia picking us up at 7:00 AM and dressing us up in the most ridiculous, hilarious outfits ever. Haley's was a tacky purple dress that was way too big for her. Claud accesorized her with a purple feather boa, fishnet tights, and snowboots. The look was completed with her purple lipstick and eyeshadow, which was smeared all over her face. My outfit was just as crazy. I had a makeup job like Haley's and I wore lime green granny pants with suspenders and a bright yellow blouse with puffy sleeves. I don't know where Claud found my footwear... matching yellow galoshes.
Of course we weren't the only ones this had happened to. Almost all of the freshman had their own personal seniors to torment them. Its a Stoneybrook tradition-- the seniors torment the "fish" (or freshman) on the first day of school. Anyway, now that was over and Haley and I were back in our normal clothes. Claudia was still wearing her senior t-shirt that said "Skin the Fish" across the front with a picture of fish bones.
My eye caught sight of something that made me snap to attention. The clock now read 5:18. It was already way past time to start. I cleared my throat.
"Ahem. Um, this meeting of the new Baby-sitters Club should probably start, dontcha'll think?"
To my surprise, that quieted everyone down, and they looked at me as though they expected me to say something. Kristy smiled at me, probably thinking of the old Baby-sitters Club.
"Anyway, we should do what we came here to do. Elect officers. Like we decided during study hall today, there will be six offices, one for each of us. A president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, an alternate officer, and a historian... that's the person who does the club scrapbook."
"Cool! Club scrapbook? Who thought of that?" Claudia ventured.
"Vanessa did," Haley answered. Kristy was looking at me and nodding her head with approval.
I went on. "So, we'll vote the way we planned. Taking nominations for each office and voting on them as they come up. When it is finalized, Haley will write the name of the person and their office on her chalk board. Volunteer yourself if you want to... okay, any nominations?"
Everyone remained quiet, pondering my question. Then Charlotte spoke up.
"From what we've seen so far, Vanessa is a good choice for president. She's already acting like our leader... and afterall, the club was her idea. Vanessa for president!"
I blushed a little, pleased to have been nominated.
"I second that, " Haley added. Everyone else nodded in agreement. Haley scrawled my name on the board first and wrote down president next to it.
"Thanks, guys, " I said, "Okay, then my first act as president will be to nominate Haley as vice-president. For one thing, she helped me get everything started and plus, we'll be using her room and her phone line three times a week."
It was unanimously agreed to make Haley our vice-president. Beaming, she wrote her own name and office on the board. After further nominations, we picked Charlotte to be the secretary of the club. She would be in charge of keeping track of the club record book. We all knew that Char was organized and responsible, and would do a good job. We then picked Carolyn to be the club treasurer. It basically came down to who was the best at mathematics since it seemed to be the fair way to decide... Carolyn was it. Becca is creative and artistic. A scrapbook would be a great project for her. So she became our club historian. Marilyn had wanted to have an easy job all along because she anticipated being busy with the band. The position of alternate officer was perfect for her.
Before we could get into a discussion about club dues and the record book and the notebook and EVERYTHING else there was to talk about... the phone rang.
I shrieked out of suprise and also pure delight. Everyone giggled at me.
"Vanessa, you answer it," said Haley as it rang again, "It should be you."
I gathered all my courage and picked up the phone. "Hello... Baby-sitters Club."
Charlotte squealed in delight and muffled the noise with a pillow. Beside her, Becca did the same.
"Yes, hello, "said the woman on the phone, "My name is *Shonda Tiner*. I read about your club in the newspaper. (I mentally patted myself on the back for thinking to advertise in the Sunday paper.) I need a baby-sitter for my two daughters on Friday evening from 7:00 to no later than 10:00."
"Alright. What are your daughters names and ages? We like to keep a record of our clients," I said, hoping I sounded mature.
"Of course. *Sadie* is six and *Sealie* is four," she said. "We only have the two of them so far."
"Right. Sadie and Sealie, six and four," I said, while gesturing to Charlotte to write it in the record book. Haley made a disgusting face when I said their names. I turned around so I wouldn't have to look at her. "Well, Mrs. Tiner, I'll find out who's available and call you back." I hung up.
"Haley!" I scolded. "Don't DO that. You almost made me laugh while I was on the phone with Mrs. Tiner."
"Sorry," she said. But she could barely keep a straight face and neither could I.
"Sadie and Sealie...those sound like pet names!" Kristy exclaimed with a horrified look on her face. "Kind of like... Buffy and Pinky!" She and Claudia both burst out laughing.
"Huh?" I asked. "I don't get it."
"Oh, Kristy's just being dramatic. Her first babysitting job with the BSC actually turned out to be pet sitting. And then later Jessi had that incident with the Mancusi's..." Claudia explained. Becca nodded, remembering. "So Kristy's all bent out of shape about pet-sitting."
"I will NEVER do it again," Kristy added. "Vanessa, are you sure these are girls and not pets?"
Yes, she called them her daughters, " I assured her. "Guys, focus! Charlotte, who's free?"
We had already given Charlotte a list with our plans for the week during study hall so we'd be prepared for this kind of thing. She skimmed over it. I knew I wasn't free that night. It was Claire's birthday.
"Haley and me," she said. "But I don't really want it. I've already got too many things going this week. Haley, how about you?"
Haley nodded, looking pleased. "Sure... even though they have horrid names."
"Enough about those names," I said. "I've got an idea. Since she's a new client, Haley should call her back to say that she'll be sitting so that she can introduce herself."
Everyone agreed. I noticed Kristy and Claudia looking impressed.
Haley called Mrs. Tiner. (She even managed to say the girls' names without giggling, thank goodness.) During the remainder of the meeting, we talked about school and the Baby-sitters Club. Unfortunately, we didn't get anymore calls. I figured we needed to send some fliers around... especially to people who remembered the old BSC.
I wasn't too disappointed about that. Afterall, I was the president. And Haley was about to embark on the first job of the BSC. (And it would NOT be pet-sitting!) Things were looking up.
