Not all was good in school the following day. A big part of the school body was in mourning - their football team lost the day before. At least, as Ms. Cabot said, the school was guaranteed fourth place, which was the highest the school had ever placed in the last ten years.

Which was the same thing that most of the other teachers said to their kids that morning, and that cheered up almost everyone except Iola and the other cheerleaders. Most assumed Iola felt bad for the team, but in reality, she felt bad that she couldn't wear her cheerleader outfit at the championship game anymore, wave her pompoms and do high kicks. Iola has always wanted to be the center of attention, and this was one less opportunity to be so. Her depression didn't stop her from dressing in one of her sexier school outfits, though - she was wearing a white lycra one-piece swimsuit as a top (she had put in a small pair of silicone bra inserts that Callie liked to call "booblets," to make her boobies more perky) and paired it with a black faux leather miniskirt and platform combat-style boots. It was all within the school's dress code. And, besides, none of the adults would know that she was actually wearing a swimsuit. To be safe, though, she brought along a nice cardigan-style sweater that she could put over the suit just in case. At the moment, she had her sweater knotted around her waist by its sleeves.

As for Callie, normally she would probably feel the same as Iola, but she had Drew occupying her mind lately. Yes, like Iola, she did want attention, but nowadays, the attention she wanted was Drew's attention.

Callie had elected to wear a nice sleeveless lace top over a stretchy string tank, an above-the-knee canvas-colored bandage skirt and high-heel pumps. The lines and style were very similar to Drew's own style - very grown-up, chic and subtle, especially when compared to the Island kids' more blatant style, and even Iola's. Drew had replaced Iola as Callie's new fashion inspiration.

Callie couldn't ride to school with Drew that morning because she needed to go to school early for a cheerleader meeting. She had called Drew from the school gym at 6AM. Drew was surprised but didn't make a big deal about it, and said that they'd just meet in class instead.

"Cheerleading meeting?" Drew wondered.

Later on in class, even though she was curious, Drew decided not to ask Callie anything. But she didn't need to.

"Hey, Callie," Drew said as Callie came in the classroom, gave her a casual kiss on the cheek and sat down at her desk. "Great outfit!"

Callie smiled broadly. "Hey, Drew," she responded. Her seat was a couple of chairs away so she had to raise her voice a bit. "Thanks. Is it okay if the squad joins us for lunch later?"

Drew put a curious expression on her face. "What's up?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing. At least nothing I can tell you now. So, it's okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Coolness," she grinned, and then she turned serious. "I just want to let you know, I was against the idea, but I couldn't do anything. You know how Janine can be." Drew looked at her a little quizzically but didn't pursue it.

Later during Drew's, Callie's and Iola's lunch period, they picked one of the larger tables in the cafeteria. Callie turned away the kids that wanted to sit down, with Drew making apologies to everyone. A couple were offended but the rest didn't mind too much.

The three best friends had a giggly, fun time together as they usually did during lunch. After twenty minutes or so, the rest of the cheerleaders came over. Knowing that these were Callie's and Iola's friends, Drew decided to be friendly and civil, although her feminine side wanted to scream at these self-important bimbos. Her masculine side, however, just wanted to stay at the table and ogle these teen goddesses until she had to go back to class.

Drew had elected to dress in her new coral-colored button-down shirt, with all the buttons buttoned up. Despite being buttoned up, the close fit and her... prominent assets made the outfit outrageously sexy, even if one didn't mention the double-layered mid-thigh-length gathered miniskirt made out of the same material and color as the blouse. It showed off her smooth legs to their best effect. She matched the outfit with designer cowboy boots and a varsity-style jacket, which she had off at the moment. The thing was, since she was wearing a verrry short, loose and breezy skirt, her... excitement was very obvious. She resolved not to get up until she knew she had control of... the situation.

"Hey, Drew," Janine said, and bussed Drew on the cheek.

Drew nervously didn't say anything and just smiled her welcome instead.

Janine was the tall senior who was the cheer squad's captain. She was as tall as Drew, in fact. She sat beside Iola, in between her and Drew. Six other seniors, all members of the cheer squad, made the same greeting with Drew and sat in the various empty spaces around the table. There were three missing from the cheer squad. Drew assumed the missing girls had classes.

Though the girls didn't look the same, they were all of the same mold - gorgeous, and wearing sexy outfits with the shortest skirts allowed by the school dress code despite the cold weather. But Drew chided herself for being too critical. She was wearing a mini herself so she could hardly comment on the cheerleaders' outfits.

She couldn't help noticing the look many of the kids were giving her. Now she'd be identified with the cheerleaders - something she didn't want. It was unfortunate that Callie and Iola, her current best friends, were both varsity cheerleaders, but Drew had so far been able to avoid being associated with the cheerleaders despite that, and kept herself separate and from being thought of as one of "them." She wondered if that was even possible now.

Drew tried to keep her eyes facing front and forward. She crossed her legs in order to hide her... discomfort. But with her Drew persona on full display, no one would have known of her discomfort, except for the fact that she wasn't moving from her chair. She wished she was wearing one of her gaffs.

Callie noticed some of her difficulties though, but far from feeling jealous or something similar, she actually felt a kind of hope, that, given how Drew was responding to all of the female pulchritude surrounding her, it meant that she might be willing to consider having a non-heterosexual relationship, and therefore confirming that Callie had a chance with her after all.

"Let me get to the point, Drew," Janine said, flipping her bright-blonde hair over her shoulder. Drew forced herself not react to that, and just paid closer attention to what she was saying.

"Okay," Drew said evenly. "Shoot."

Callie giggled inside. "The little faker," she thought.

"All seven of us will be graduating this year," Janine continued, innocently running her hand through her gorgeous, long hair. (Callie noticed Drew swallowing at that, which almost made her giggle out loud that time.)

"We're gonna have to leave the varsity squad to Iola and Callie and our other three juniors. But that leaves the squad seven girls short. Usually the numbers are made up by the up-and-coming Jayvees. But, Drew," she leaned towards her, her voice turning conspiratorial, "we've seen the kids, and Coach Stoeger agrees - these kids aren't up to standard." She then grinned, but in a sad way. "And they don't have the looks for varsity cheerleading."

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Callie's and Iola's eyebrows went up in surprise. The coach hadn't said anything at all about the Jayvees.

Drew raised an eyebrow as well. "That's real mean to say," she thought. Any kind of attraction she was feeling for Janine suddenly disappeared.

Besides, she thought, she'd seen the Jayvees and she thought that they were pretty cute, actually, though not as voluptuous nor as developed as Janine, Iola and the rest, and though they weren't the best, she thought that they were pretty good, and were really trying hard. At least based on the little that she saw of their routines.

Drew didn't say any of that, of course. "So, how can I help?" she said instead.

"Well, we'd like to start recruiting new girls to the varsity cheer squad. Yes, I know our season's done, and it'll only be after September or so that Coach Stoeger will start picking and training our replacements from the new Juniors and Seniors, but we think it'll be good to start loading the team with some good talent even as early as now."

Drew looked surprised. "You can't mean me?" she asked.

Janine reached out and held Drew's hand.

"Iola says that you're pretty agile and nimble, and also pretty strong - the ideal for the bottom girl in our pyramid formations."

Drew looked to Iola.

"Oh, don't be so modest, girl," one of the others said. "Callie and Iola said they were with you when you were swimming rings around all the boys in the pool in Central Park Saturday, and Iola also said you help push her dad's old car to pop-start it all the time. All by yourself, in fact."

Drew's eyebrows rose. She didn't realize Callie and Iola told such personal things to the cheerleaders.

"And besides," Janine said, "it helps that you're one of the most gorgeous and popular girls in school!"

The other cheerleaders laughed at that.

"I wondered when you'd get to that, Janine!" one of the other cheerleaders giggled.

"Aha!" Drew said to herself. That's why. She felt like the proverbial side of beef on display.

Drew tried to sound honored, but all she really felt was that these people were not really helping to dispel the stereotype that people think about when they think of cheerleaders. Whatever remaining attraction she had for them went out the window. "I really do appreciate the confidence you have in me, girls," she said, trying to stay tactful. "Can I think about it first? I need to talk to Callie and Iola. Maybe we can meet up later?"

"No big," Janine answered. "The football team is having a party on Friday, at Ned Nickerson's house? How about we talk then?"

Drew decided accepting the invite was the best option for now so she nodded.

"Yayyy!" the seniors cheered.

"Thanks, Drew," Janine said and gave Drew a hug. "Now all we need are six more, and when people hear you're on board, I think we'll get the other six real easy."

"Aha!" Drew said to herself again. "That's really why she wants me."

After a bit more chitchat, they said their goodbyes, giving Drew a hug each in turn, as well as a kiss on the cheek.

After they left, Callie and Iola giggled at Drew's very red face. "She's so cute when she's embarrassed," Callie thought.

When they were alone, Callie and Iola looked to Drew with anticipation, Iola very excitedly, and Callie more warily.

"So?" Iola asked.

"Why did you let her say that?" Drew said to Callie and Iola.

"Huh?"

"Why did you let her say all those mean things about the Jayvees? That's not like you Iola."

"But, but..."

"The Jayvees aren't that bad, Iola," Drew said. "Of course they wouldn't be as good as you guys, but the point is to give them all a chance. And, of course, they aren't as developed as you guys - they're younger. But even so, I actually think they're pretty cute, especially the redhead. And their outfits are pretty cute, too."

"Redhead! You mean Sabrina?" Callie asked. "Yeah, she's pretty. That's their team captain."

"Waitaminnit!" Iola interjected, looking at Drew. "This wasn't my idea! And why are you pickin' on me! Callie didn't say anything, too." She huffed and turned away, arms crossed.

Drew turned her around and gave her a hug. Iola was reluctant, but Drew didn't let go until she thawed and gave in.

"I'm sorry, Iola," Drew said, still hugging her. "I shouldn't have said what I said. Guess I was still a bit mad at Janine for being a bitch. I'm sorry."

Iola nodded against Drew's shoulders. "Oh, all right," she mumbled, relishing Drew's arms around her. She was always amazed at how strong Drew felt, yet still felt so soft as well.

"And the reason I wasn't saying anything to Callie," Drew said as she let go, "was because she already said she didn't have anything to do with this?"

Iola looked at Callie. Callie shrugged sheepishly.

"What does Janine have against the Jayvees anyway?" Drew asked. "If they're graduating this year, then what does she care what happens next term? What? It's personal or something?"

Iola and Callie gave each other a look. "I don't know if..." Iola said slowly.

Drew raised an eyebrow. "Spill!"

Iola shrugged. "Callie says she heard something... I don't believe it myself..."

Drew looked at Callie, eyebrows raised.

"I heard it from somewhere," Callie shrugged. "Just rumors..."

Drew sighed. "This is like pulling teeth..."

Callie giggled. "Sorry... Okay, here's what I heard - I heard Sabrina, the Jayvees' captain, made a pass at Janine, and Janine didn't like it. "

Drew had a look of surprise on her face. "You're kidding. You mean..."

Callie smiled. "Yep, Janine's poor hereto sensibilities were offended. It was nothing major, really - just a kiss."

Like many heterosexual boys, Drew was fascinated by the idea of two girls... doing stuff. "Yeah?"

Callie noted the small smile that Drew had. She was thrilled - she definitely had a chance.

Drew shook her head slightly, shaking away any more prurient thoughts. "Has Sabrina done anything else besides try to kiss Janine?"

"No. She wouldn't do anything. Especially if the other person wasn't interested. She's a good kid, Drew."

Drew nodded. "In that case, Janine should have given her a break and got over it. It was just a kiss."

"My thoughts exactly," Iola said. "But Janine has already started rumors about Sabrina. Good thing she's not letting them affect her much."

Drew looked at Iola. "I'm sorry, Iola, but I can't get onboard with this if it's just a way of shutting out the Jayvees... Sorry."

Iola reached over and hugged Drew. "S'okay, Drew. I understand. And I agree with you, too."

"I just wish that there was a way to give the Jayvees a fair shot at Varsity. I don't mind if they don't make it through the tryouts, but they should be given a shot. But with Janine makin' her moves...You know?"

"Don't worry, Drew," Callie leaned over and got a hug in as well. "Iola and I will think of something. Maybe we can talk it over tonight? Your place?"

Drew shrugged. "No prob." But she paused.

"Listen," she said, "since I have the two of you here, I have my own proposition to make."

Callie's ears pricked up at the mention of a "proposition," but silently kicked herself. It's probably about that stupid clock again.

"Yes?" Iola asked.

"Callie knows about it already," Drew said. "Anyway..." Drew told them about the note and the picture inside their old grandfather clock, how she found them, and how she wanted to get at the bottom of this mystery. She also told them about finding the house down in Riverdale.

"Why are you doing this?" Iola asked. "Isn't this a matter for the police? What do you want to do exactly, anyway?"

Drew then told them about her plans to visit the telephone company to find out about the telephone number, to go to the state Department of Records and find out more about the house, to find out when Kismet was last playing in New York, and to maybe visit the people at number 43 Merrimack Street, as a final last-ditch thing.

"But, Drew, why?" Iola asked. "Why go through all this trouble?"

"Well, there's no crime to report, so the police won't help. Aren't you at all curious, Iola?" Drew said, pulled printed scans of the picture and the note from her bag and gave it to them. "Doesn't this capture your imagination at all? Maybe the girl, Marlee, never met up with Louie. Maybe she's still waiting. Maybe something happened to him and Ziggy blew him away. So many maybes. It's very exciting and romantic, if you ask me."

Iola giggled. "You're so sentimental, Drew."

Drew smiled and shrugged. "So?"

"What if it's all nothing? What if Louie and Marlee did meet up, and they lived happily ever after? What then?"

"Well, maybe we can at least return the note and the picture. I'm sure Marlee will appreciate that."

"If she's still alive." Iola looked to Callie. "What do you think?" Iola asked the taller girl.

"I'm in if you're in," Callie said, and gave her a pleading look. "Please, please, please!" Callie's expression seemed to say to Iola.

Iola sighed. After a moment, she shook her head and laughed. "Okay, then, Sherlock," Iola said to Drew. "We're in."

Drew grinned an uncomplicated grin. She had sidekicks again. Dad would laugh. She gave both of them a hug.

"You're a strange girl, Drew," Iola said fondly.

"You don't know the half of it," Drew giggled.

Before going back to class, they agreed to meet up later, and to go to Drew's house and start making plans.