You just needed somebody to cry on. That's what friends are for sometimes." I was almost afraid that was going to set her off again. Instead she just ...ave me a quick look of gratitude as she stood up."Thank you, Tommy. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you, but thank you." With that she grabbed her backpack and left, looking back just as she walked out the door as if to make sure it was me sitting there and not a chimera and that our conversation had really happened. She left me. Armed with this new information Pop-pop suggested maybe joining the church’s youth group that should help me find a suitable young lady. Daddy thought about it for minute, the group met on Saturday nights and all the kids would be very close to my age. So, why not at least give it a try? That Saturday night I very nervously climbed the stairs at the church’s school and heard the dull noise of the many kids talking down the hallway. As I entered the classroom daddy took a deep breadth and. "This was the first time that I had outright lied about the secret. Beforeit was always partial truths and misdirections. Everything I said had comestraight from the back story we had created early in the summer for thesesituations, but these words today had felt hollow and meaningless as Ispoke them. I didn't like lying to my fans, but that was exactly what Ihad just done. "I'm sorry," Jackie offered. But it was too late. I'd already decided thatI hated her. She had pushed a point much further. } said, "Because all of the guys worth dating have become obsessed with you, Akane! All they can talk about is you!"Ranma said, "That's dumb of them."The tall girl said, "We're talking about boys. Of course they're dumb."Off to the side, a permed girl Akane's size but with what seemed like a much better figure said, "Especially considering what they seem to prefer." There was an insult in there, punctuated by the survey she gave her.That did not bother Ranma's feeling, but it did bring her mind.