DOWNWARD SOME MORE

I altered the title again. Now it's My Substitute Teacher is from a Parallel Universe ... and I still am not satisfied.

I managed four chapters this morning. In chapter 15, Erica goes to school early and tells Meredith she would like to go to her sleepover. Thrilled, Meredith becomes not so thrilled when Erica tells her the condition ... she has to allow Tabitha, who talks too much, to come. But Meredith agrees and tells Erica to have her mother drive her and Tabitha to a local restaurant that Friday evening and that she’s already invited another girl from their school, Mary, the only Jewish girl in the school.

In chapter 16, Erica finds out her mother invited Tabitha over for supper that night. She protests as her mother fusses over Erica by wanting to do girly things to her, like brush her hair. Mrs. Dasher even went out and bought a vanity for her new daughter. Frustrated, Erica runs downstairs to wait for supper.

In chapter 17, Erica runs into the dining room to find her brother Hugh there. He teases her about girly things and then Tabitha shows up. They sit at the dining room table waiting for Mrs. Dasher. Tabitha talks, and talks, and talks some more. Finally, Mrs. Dasher enters with the food which finally shuts Tabitha up.

In chapter 18, Mrs. Dasher drives Tabitha and Erica to the restaurant to meet with Meredith and her mother. Going inside, a boy bumps into Erica, and he treats her badly simply because she's a girl. It makes Erica think how she's done the same thing as Eric to other girls. Inside, the fourth girl in the overnight party arrives. Mary is a geeky-looking character, dressed out of style, but with seemingly a superior attitude.