As I'm sure you know, I am the only eighth-grade member of the Unicorn Club - and the most mature. But hey, being in a club with a bunch of seventh graders isn't so bad when they're the coolest girls in school.
At least, that's what I used to think . . . until the Eights Times Eights, a club made up of (you guessed) eight eighth graders, invited me to join. I know you're wondering why I'd even consider going to a club the Unicorns have always hated. But the Eights are in eighth grade like me - which means that I'll have ready made friends when I go on to Sweet Valley High next year. Besides, it turns out that the Eights are way cooler than any of us ever thought - and much more sophisticated than the Unicorns.
Sure. The Unicorns have been my best friends forever, but I have my future to think about . . .

"Since we're the Eight Times Eight Club, we need a new member," Erica informed me.
"We've given the matter a lot of thougt," Gretchen said, glancing at Julia.
"That's right," Julia said. "The person we invite into the club has to be an eighth-grader."

"Has to be really cool," Marcy added.
"Has to think like us," Susan said.
So what did all this have to do with me? I wondered.
"After much deliberation, we've decided our newest member is . . .you!" Julia announced.
The other girls applauded.
I stared at them in disbelief. "Me?"
"That's right," Julia said, smiling. "You're pretty cool."
"Besides," Carmen said, folding her arms accross her chest. "We've seen you watching us."
My mouth dropped open. "Watching you? I ahven't bee watching you," I argued.
"Yes, you have," Julia insisted. "But it's OK. We don't mind."
"Yeah, you're one of us now," Susan said, patting me on the back.

Will Ellen find a boyfriend? Bon Voyage, Unicorns!