As time passed, a distinct improvement in the gymnastics squad's performance could be seen, and everyone credited Jenny for it.
For her part, Jenny was having a ball. She had made several more friends, and discovered the joys of teaching. She found it surprising, but she was a natural teacher. She somehow knew what to say and when to say it. She helped, encouraged, and demonstrated, never putting someone down for failure or not understanding.
However, she also discovered she had no talent for creating routines. Her training had been with randomly-changing situations, and thinking fast to do the best thing at the moment. But shown a routine she could master it in just a few practices.
Mrs. Finch relied on her more and more heavily at practices, and Jenny found that to be very gratifying. It wasn't like HIVE Academy, where everything was a competition, and when a student was told to demonstrate something, did their best to show up everyone else.
Tara was serious about being Jenny's friend as well, much to the annoyance of Bonnie. They had two classes together, and could sometimes be found together checking over notes, or just girl-talking.
They had very little in common, but Jenny found she liked Tara. The blonde was open, honest,
sweet, and had a gentle personality. Like Ron, Jenny couldn't imagine what she saw in Bonnie,
who was her opposite in every respect.
Jenny had decided early on that when she considered someone a friend, and felt she could trust them, she told them privately about her background and her powers. That way the person could make an informed decision about whatever relationship they had with her. It had worked with Monique, and everyone else she had told.
Tara sat quietly and listened intently to what Jenny had to say. When she finished, Tara sat back and thought for a while. Jenny sat quietly, waiting for the other girl's decision.
"So," Tara said at last, "When is the first gymnastics competition?"
Jenny stared at her. "You don't care about my history?"
Tara shook her head. "Nah. But I'm flattered you think enough of me to tell me. You took a chance, you know. I might have gone the other way."
Jenny nodded. "That's why I told you. So you would know who... and what... you have for a friend."
"I have to admit I've never known anyone who was in prison before. It must have been really horrible," said Tara.
"Yeah, it was, but I deserved to be there. I did evil things, and it was only right I pay for them," answered Jenny.
"True. But you've really been making up for it," said Tara.
Jenny looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I might be a blonde, but I'm not stupid," said Tara, "I've watched you teach those girls on the gym squad, and they all love you, just like Mrs. Finch," answered Tara, "And you hang around and go on missions with Kim and Ron. That wouldn't happen if you weren't someone special. Thanks for including me in your circle."
Tara gave Jenny a quick hug, gathered her books, and headed for the gym door. "See you!"
Jenny waved back, grinning.
kpkpkp
One quick mission was to a golf tournament in Scotland, where Duff Killigan was attempting to join the field, threatening everyone with his explosive golf balls if he wasn't allowed to play. For the safety of everyone, the officials decided to let him do so.
Jenny and Kim put an end to that. While Ron distracted Duff, Kim replaced the regular ball he had teed up for one of his explosive ones. When he took a swing, Jenny hexed him, and he sliced it badly. The ball went up instead of out, and when it came down it landed in Duff's bag, exploding and setting off the rest of his special golf balls.
When the smoke cleared, it could be seen that the explosions were confined to his bag, which was made of special materials, and the concussion had knocked him out.
He was taken away, cursing loudly in his own language.
"I don't know what he's saying, but it's hurting my ears to listen to," said Ron, and the others agreed.
kpkpkp
One afternoon, Kim and Jenny were sitting at the kitchen table doing homework when they heard the phone ring.
"Hello?" asked Mrs. Possible. She listened, then said, "Jenny, it's for you!"
Jenny looked at Kim, and Kim looked back. Who in the world could it be? Jenny got up and went to the phone.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hi, Jenny? Uh, this is... uh, Felix," was the reply.
"Oh, hi, Felix! What's up?" asked Jenny, a smile forming on her face.
"Um... I was wondering if... you were... doing anything Friday night," he replied.
"Mmmm... unless a mission comes up, nothing that I know of," she said.
"Great! There's that new movie starting then, and I thought I'd ask if you..." said Felix.
"You... you're asking me out? ME?" said Jenny, stunned.
"Uh, yeah, I am. If you want to..." he said.
"I'd LOVE to!" squealed Jenny.
Jenny heard a huge sigh of relief over the line. "The movie starts at 7:20, so I'll pick you up about six, so we can eat first," he said.
"Sounds wonderful! I can't wait!" said Jenny.
"Okay, then, uh, thanks. See you at school tomorrow. Bye!" he said.
"Fine! Bye!" said Jenny, and hung up. She turned to see Kim and her mom looking at her.
"I got a date! Felix asked me out!" She was practically jumping up and down.
"That's wonderful, dear," said Mrs. Possible, "Felix is a nice boy."
"All right Jenny!" said Kim, a huge grin on her face. She stood up. "C'mon, we've gotta get to Club Banana! I know Mon is working tonight, and she'll get you the perfect outfit!"
"I'll want to get some advice from her too," said Jenny, "As I've never had a date before."
"Really? That's surprising," said Kim, as they headed out the door, textbooks forgotten.
"Well, first I was too young, and at HIVE Academy love and romance were discouraged. But I did take a one-semester course on seduction," answered Jenny as she got in Kim's car.
"Seduction?" asked Kim.
"Yeah, using the fact I'm a girl to get what I wanted," said Jenny.
"I... don't think you should use that on Felix," said Kim, looking a bit worried.
"I won't. That's why I need advice, to get an idea of what I SHOULD do," said Jenny.
"Well, Mon's had more boyfriends than I have, so she should be good to talk to," said Kim.
kpkpkp
The next day in study hall, Jenny drew Felix aside.
"We've been friends for a while now, and I'm wondering why you're asking me out," said Jenny.
"You're not changing your mind, are you?" asked Felix, suddenly looking worried.
"No, no, nothing like that. Just curious. You know my background, and what I can do, and I obviously look different than everyone else, but you're still willing to go out with me?" she asked.
"I've been trying to get up the courage to ask you for weeks, now. I- I think you're really pretty, and I like you a lot. And I look different too," he said, gesturing at his cyber-robotic wheelchair.
"Hmmm..." said Jenny, looking at him.
"Besides, I've had bad luck, and you ARE bad luck, so I think we belong together," he said.
Jenny cracked up, and was immediately hushed by the other students in the room. "Sorry,
sorry," she said in a loud whisper, trying not to laugh again. "Well, since you put it that way..." she said, and reached out and took his hand.
The date went wonderfully for the teenagers, and in short order they were a couple. As time passed, they drew closer together. Kim and Ron couldn't have been happier for them. They both needed someone, and maybe had found that one right off the bat.
Life, it seemed, couldn't get any better for Jennifer Wheeler.
Beep beep be-deep!