CHAPTER 1: SOMEONE ACTUALLY SHOWS INTEREST

Earlier in the week…

Charlie Brown was walking in the halls of his high school. He had just talked to Schroeder and Linus and was heading towards his next class. While he wasn't as clumsy or as much of a failure he used to be when he was younger, he still had his flaws and was still a bit clumsy. He had tried out for the baseball team, and while he made it, he played outfield, to his dismay. Plus, Violet still teased him to no end. He wished she just left him alone, for once. Lucy had stopped messing with him a long time ago after she received counseling for her own issues. And Patty just got bored with making fun of him and eventually stopped, as well. But Violet ramped up on it, and would not stop. So his life still had some torment in it.

As he reached his locker, he was taken by surprise when he saw Tracy Donovan standing by his locker. She was one of the most beautiful girls in the high school, and she was dating the school quarterback Blake Hunter. She beckoned Charlie Brown to come over.

"Tracy," he said. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"I just wanted to talk to you, Charlie Brown," she said, with her voice sweet as honey. "You know I broke up with Blake."

"Really? What happened?"

"He was being a jealous asshole, that's what! He treats me like I'm his property, which I'm not!"

"I can understand that. Guys really need to respect women."

"That's what I like about you, Charlie Brown. You do respect the girls around here, even the ones who don't respect you, like that Violet!"

"Don't remind me!"

"Speaking of, you know she's having a party this weekend."

"Yeah, but I'm never invited to her parties. She, in fact, makes it a point to tell me she's having one and I'm not invited every time she throws one of them.

"Well, you will be my date for the party."

"ME?! Didn't you hear what I just said?! Violet won't even let me go past the door, and that's if I'm lucky to even make it to the porch!"

"Well, if you're with me, she can't do anything besides not invite BOTH of us. And if she tries to say that I can come in and you have to stay out, we will do something else, like go to the movies."

"Hold on, Tracy. I am flattered that you are showing ANY kind of interest in me, but why are you showing interest?"

"Because, silly, you are a great boy and you have a good heart. Unlike some of these other guys who are out for one thing, and you know what that thing is, you, on the other hand, show respect, don't try to make cat calls, not looking at us as sex objects, all that other stuff. You are a genuinely nice boy. Even your detractors admit this."

Charlie Brown stood for a moment, before finally saying, "Okay, I'll come with you and be your date. I just hope nothing bad happens like that crazy Blake shows up."

"Don't worry, Charlie Brown," assured Tracy. "I told that asshole never to call me or seek me out again. I told him there would be dire consequences if he did. And don't worry about Violet. I'll deal with her." And after stroking his face and smiling, Tracy went to her class. Charlie Brown couldn't wait to tell Linus about what had happened with Tracy. He was glad that someone as gorgeous as her was interested in going out with him, even if it was one of the parties thrown by his sworn enemy.

NEXT CHAPTER: VIOLET MAKES PLANS