Hey Everyone, just as my previous chapters, this one is as well freakishly
long. I hope that you don't get bored halfway through since it's sort of
eventless but something good happens toward the end that'll really surprise
you! At least I hope it will because if it doesn't I'm going to feel like a
real dope (Hehe! dope! I'm such a nerd.) Anyway thank you for reading and
please review! Like I've said time and time again, the reviews are what
keep me going. Thank you to all those who have taken the time to review
previous chapters! You guys are the greatest! Ok on to the chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 4
I watched as Two-Bit's old Ford speeded down the street until all that was left to show that that boy had ever been there were the tiny clouds of dust floating in the air from the force created from the speed of his tires. I smiled to myself and started walking in the direction of my home.
While I was walking passed the beautiful Victorian houses that made up my quaint little street, I shivered suddenly. At first I passed it off as me being a little chilly since I had failed to retrieve my jacket from my locker when leaving school but I knew in my heart that I was still traumatized by the event that had just taken place minutes earlier. I tried to be strong but the reality of how close I had come to being raped was slowly creeping up from behind me and taking me over like the dark clouds were doing to my sun. I could feel the tears swelling up in my eyes and quickly wiped them away in fear that someone might see me and find me improper. I kept trying to think of excuses not to think about it anymore but no matter how hard I tried the event just stuck in my mind, failing to be forgotten. As I approached my house I frantically started waving my hands near my face in hope that it would quicken the process of the drying of the tears. Luckily, I felt the slowly disappear and tried to suck it up long enough to get to my room without talking to my parents.
I took a deep breath as I slowly turned the knob to my front door. I pushed it open slowly as if there was some way that I could delay entering my house but I knew a few seconds of stalling at the door wouldn't make a huge difference. As I entered my house I kept my eyes transfixed on my feet hoping that I wouldn't have to make direct eye contact with any of my family members but at I raised my head my head gradually it came to my attention that my family members weren't in their usual spots in the front sitting room. I sighed a breath of relief as I leisurely walked up the stairs to me room. I just assumed that they had gone grocery shopping or to the country club or something of equal importance as that. As I rounded the corner at the top of the stairs I was surprisingly greeted by my unusually elegantly dressed mother.
"Oh, Kit," she said smiling at me while kissing my forehead like she did everyday when I got home from school, "I'm sorry honey I was to busy getting ready, I didn't hear you come in."
"That's alright Mama," I told her, "Why are you dressed up? Are you and father going out?"
"Why yes darling, remember," she told me while fixing her bangs in the hallway mirror, "Your father and I are going to that formal gala down at the club tonight. We've only been talking about it all week honey. Did you forget?"
"Oh now I remember," I told her, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, "I'm still allowed to go out with Chet tonight though right?"
"Of course dear," she told me going back into her room, "As long as you're home by curfew."
I have to admit that my parents didn't really care all that much what I did as long as I was home by 12:30, and even if I came home later than that they didn't really do much of anything, but I was convinced they were still good parents. I followed my mother into her room, strangely wanting to continue our conversation.
"Mama," I asked her as she applied her lipstick, "Do you think you could help me get ready tonight? I want to look-well special I suppose."
"Why sweetheart, what's the big deal?" she said turning to me, "You and Chet are only going to the movies with Michelle and the Mitchell boy aren't you?"
"Well yes," I told her sitting down on her bed, "but well-Mama I've been thinking."
"Well what is it sweetie," she said joining me on her bed, "You can talk to me about anything, you know that. Things are going fine with you and Chet aren't they."
I decided then looking at her concerned face that I wasn't going to tell her what had happened earlier. Seeing the worried look in her face that I had cause by making her think that Chet and I were having problems was the only look of apprehension I wanted to give her.
"Well that's just it," I lied, "things aren't going so well and, well I think that I might break it off with him."
"Oh but sweetie," she said talking to me like I was twelve like she always did, but at least she cared, "He's such a nice boy. Are you sure?"
"Like the song says, I've lost that lovin' feeling." I told her smiling, "That's why I want to look my best so when I dump him, he knows what he'll be missing. Is that wrong Mama?"
"No darling," she said now brushing my hair out, "We've been doing that for years. It's just common nature. Now you go pick out that cute little outfit that you were wearing last week and we'll see what we can do about your hair."
I nodded and smiled at her before leaving her room to go pick out the outfit she had in mind. I knew exactly the one she meant and I had no objection to wearing it tonight.
"Oh and Kit," she called out as I was walking down the hall, "have you been crying? Your eyes are all puffy."
I froze. I knew she'd notice. I quickly thought up a lie.
"Well you know," I started, "It was probably just my allergies acting up on me again."
"But you've never had that bad of an allergy problem Kit." She pointed out.
"Well," I started, "you know what they say, it's hayfever season." As I said this I quickly closed my door as to terminate the conversation and started focusing on tonight.
I opened my closet trying to locate the outfit that I had in mind but I had so many other clothes hanging up so it took me a while to find it. After what seemed like hours of scanning and rummaging I finally located the skirt and top I had been looking for. I really liked wearing it since it was quite becoming on me. I'm not exactly sure why but my mother had said that it brought out my eyes and the color of the shirt made my hair look even more golden blonde then usual. The top was sleeveless, pale yellow, and just like the one that I was wearing now, had buttons up the front and a cute little white collar, where as the skirt was just plain beige yet the natural look of it all seemed to suit me.
I promptly got undressed and changed into the outfit that was now lying on my bed. I took a second to admire what I looked like in the mirror and noticed that I needed to re-apply my make-up so I was off to my vanity. As I was applying my lipstick I couldn't help notice how calm I had been about the whole thing. Here I was about ready to give up on my relationship with the boy I thought had been perfect for me, of six months and I was smiling about it. I didn't quite understand it all, but who was I to question it. I'd rather in a good mood about it then have to go through the crying and heartache that I had been expecting. I continued to make myself look more presentable by, as always, trying to do something with my dreadfully straight hair, but as always, I had no luck.
"Oh, boo," My mother said from behind me. She always called me boo when she was sympathizing with me, "Let me help."
She walked over to me and picked up the brush sitting on my dresser and began to untangle the knots that had formed over the day.
"It's hopeless Mama," I told her, placing my elbows on the dresser, resting my head in my hands, "It'll never be anything but boring old straight hair."
"Some people would kill to have your hair Kit," She told me removing my hair clip and placing it next to my comb, "I know you don't think so but it's very gorgeous and I think it's just lovely straight."
I just looked up at her through the mirror and gave her a half- hearted smile to let her know that her compliment had been noted but I didn't quite agree with her.
"If you really want," she said leaning in closer, sort of whispering in a way, "I suppose I could try and add a bit of curl to it."
I jumped off the bench I had been sitting on to show my enthusiasm and nodded my head smiling. My mother had curled my hair once before when we had gone to my cousins wedding and I liked it so much I left it like that for three days. She had only done it that one time though and I hadn't dared ask her to do it again.
"Come on kiddo," she said heading for her bathroom motioning for me to follow, "We haven't got much time."
I followed her into her room again right on through to her walk-in bathroom. She motioned me to sit on the small bench in front of her mirror so I did. She took out her curling iron and instantly plugged it in.
"Chet is really going to regret whatever he did to you tonight when he sees you like this." She said dividing my hair into sections. "What exactly did he do to you Kitty?"
I hated when she called me Kitty but I let it slide, this time anyway.
"Mama," I said looking up at her through the mirror like I had before, "Have you ever been with someone and felt as though all you were to them was just a trophy, like something that they could show off to their buddies? That's the way it is with Chet and me. I mean when we're alone, it seems as though he has little or no interest in me at all but when we're in public all he wants to do is touch me and kiss me and let everyone, as if they already didn't know, that we're going together."
"Ahh I remember I had a boyfriend like that once," She said, picking up some of my hair and gently wrapping it around the end of the iron, "He was a football team, like Chet, and he'd always take me out to parties or to the movies or to places where a lot of people hung around but we never did anything alone together. I tried to ask him to my house but he'd always just refuse until finally, I got so fed up I just left him."
"Really," I asked her, "So you don't think that I'm being unreasonable for breaking it off with Chet."
"Not in the slightest dear," She told me smiling, "You're doing what you want and it's the right thing to do. You're following your heart and I'm proud of you."
We talked a bit longer and she told me stories of how the boy she mentioned earlier had once dropped her off at the wrong house since he hadn't even taken the time to learn where he lived. In the midst of our conversation my mother had completed my hair and I sat there admiring the golden blonde curls I saw in the reflection in the mirror.
"Oh Mama," I told her jumping up and throwing my arms around her, and hugging her tight, "It's perfect."
"Not quite," She said opening her drawer and pulling out a silky yellow ribbon, "Here, try this." As she said this she tied the silky ringlets back in a ponytail and secured them with the ribbon. "There, now it adds a touch of class."
I looked on the mirror and was taken back at the dramatic difference it made. Somehow it had made me look older and more sophisticated, which was the image I had originally wanted to create since Chet was two years older than me already and I didn't want his to think that I was immature.
"Now turn around, let me have a look at you." My mother said stepping back to look me over.
I slowly turned and let her critique the way I appeared. I personally thought that I looked fine but the expression on my mothers face made it seem as though she disapproved.
"There's something missing." She said finally, then her face lit up and she disappeared into her room. I could hear her rummaging through her jewelry box and came back holding something in her hand. "This will make you look perfect."
She came around behind me and gracefully slipped her favorite pearl necklace around my neck. I had always admired it as a child and when no one was home I had often tried it, pretending that I was an elegant princess or something of equal value.
"Oh Mama," I told her instinctively placing my hand on my neck, "I couldn't wear this I just couldn't."
"Nonsense," she said simply, "You can, and you will. Now hurry up and grab your jacket. Chet will be here any minute."
Almost instantly after she said that I heard the sound of Chet's three famous honks. I looked at my watch, 4:37. He was early. I thought we were just going to the movie, but soon remembered that he promised to take us for a little drive around town before the sky got dark.
I ran down the stairs frantically looking around for my coat. In the midst of all my searching I accidentally ran into my father.
"Hey Kitster," he said smiling down at me, "What's your hurry. You know that we don't like you running in the house."
"Sorry father, it's just that Chet is waiting," I told him not making eye contact with him since I was to busy looking for my coat, "I don't want to be late. Tonight is really important to me."
Suddenly a look of seriousness and concern spread across my father's face before he said; "Now Kit, you're only a young girl. Don't rush into anything to fast. You should be certain Chet is the right boy before you even start thinking about thinking about things like this."
I stared up at him blankly and then laughed out loud when I realized what he had implied that I meant when I told him that tonight was important.
"Oh Daddy," I told him still laughing a little, "It's nothing like that. The complete opposite in fact."
"Oh, well then," he said looking a little embarrassed then kissing my forehead, "Have fun then."
"I will." I said smiling up at him, "You have fun too." I added remembering that he was going out as well, then he turned to go up the stairs and I continued to search for my jacket.
I could hear more honks coming from outside when it dawned on me that I had forgotten my coat in my locker, but I'd probably be fine with out it since it was in fact a worm June night. I quickly ran out the door after yelling my goodbyes to my parents. I was greeted with the instant call- calls and whistles from Knox and Shell who were, as always, sitting in the back seat of Chet's car. I smiled at them before doing a little curtsey and sliding in the front seat.
"Your hair looks real cute," Knox said from the back, "I really like it like that."
I turned to Shell remembering what she had told me earlier this morning to find her playfully glaring at me and I couldn't help myself and cracked a smile.
"Those pearls are beautiful," she told me finally, "Are they your mom's?"
"Yeah, she wanted me to look extra special tonight for some reason," I said winking at my best friend who directly understood, "I'm not sure why though."
"It's because she knows that we're going out and you have to look your best if you're going to be seen with a guy like me." Chet answered pig- headedly, "But you do look really nice babe.
We drove to Rusty's for dinner and I wasn't the least bit surprised since that's where all Chet's football jockey friends hang out. See us Soc's usually went to either Rusty's or The Way Out where as the greasers and hoods hung out at rough places like the Dingo or Jay's. As we sat down I knew that dinner wouldn't be enjoyable from the moment that Chet and Knox blew their straws at our waitress to the moment that we left to leave and had two more people in the back seat. I could tell that Shell was a little ticked since Knox made her sit on one of his football friend's lap rather than his. I just winked at her to ensure that this'd all be over soon. When we pulled up to the entrance of the Nightly Double, the boy who was supposed to ask for our money just let us drive right on through after Chet had threatened to beat his head in if he didn't. I found it rather dumb for him to say that since we had enough money, it was only fifty cents since we were in a car and yet just to show off he had to scare that poor boy out of his mind.
When we pulled up to a good spot, just as I suspected Chet was out the door and gone to, as he said, get some snacks. But I knew it was obviously a lie since he headed in the completely opposite direction of the snack booth. I just rolled my eyes and turned around to talk to Michelle.
"I don't know if I can do it Kit," Shell said with all seriousness, "I mean, I'm nothing without Knox. He practically made me popular."
"Oh Shell," I said, not a bit surprised that she was having doubts, "Don't you see, it'll build your popularity once you get rid of him. You'll be known as the girl who dumped Knox Mitchell. Anyway, that's beside the point, you're supposed to be doing this for yourself remember. You don't want to be stuck in a dead end relationship forever."
"I guess you're right," she said finally although I knew she was nervous since she was biting her lower lip and twisting her hair around her index finger. "Well should we go now?" she asked.
"Not just yet," I told her, "I want to see a little of the movie. That's why I came here isn't it?"
She just smiled and moved up to the front seat with me. The movie playing was a Paul Newman film and though I wasn't that interested, I didn't mind watched a fox like Paul on screen. After about fifteen minutes of it I decided that I had had enough of Paul's bravery and I decided to go looking for Chet.
As I went walking I passed many different people that I knew and stopped to chat a little with girls from the squad and other Soc's. When I decided to go looking for Chet again I saw him go behind the Snack Shoppe and a smirk spread across my face. It ended now. I walked a little faster than I had been before but just as I was turned the corner expecting to see my so-called boyfriend with a bunch of his jock friends I stopped dead in my tracks. There he was, Chet Dalton, leaning over a redhead, kissing her like I only saw in movies. I just stood there, emotionless as I saw my soon to be ex, fawning over, over, of all people, Cherry Valance. There were only three words that were in my head. What a tramp.
*Please Review*
Chapter 4
I watched as Two-Bit's old Ford speeded down the street until all that was left to show that that boy had ever been there were the tiny clouds of dust floating in the air from the force created from the speed of his tires. I smiled to myself and started walking in the direction of my home.
While I was walking passed the beautiful Victorian houses that made up my quaint little street, I shivered suddenly. At first I passed it off as me being a little chilly since I had failed to retrieve my jacket from my locker when leaving school but I knew in my heart that I was still traumatized by the event that had just taken place minutes earlier. I tried to be strong but the reality of how close I had come to being raped was slowly creeping up from behind me and taking me over like the dark clouds were doing to my sun. I could feel the tears swelling up in my eyes and quickly wiped them away in fear that someone might see me and find me improper. I kept trying to think of excuses not to think about it anymore but no matter how hard I tried the event just stuck in my mind, failing to be forgotten. As I approached my house I frantically started waving my hands near my face in hope that it would quicken the process of the drying of the tears. Luckily, I felt the slowly disappear and tried to suck it up long enough to get to my room without talking to my parents.
I took a deep breath as I slowly turned the knob to my front door. I pushed it open slowly as if there was some way that I could delay entering my house but I knew a few seconds of stalling at the door wouldn't make a huge difference. As I entered my house I kept my eyes transfixed on my feet hoping that I wouldn't have to make direct eye contact with any of my family members but at I raised my head my head gradually it came to my attention that my family members weren't in their usual spots in the front sitting room. I sighed a breath of relief as I leisurely walked up the stairs to me room. I just assumed that they had gone grocery shopping or to the country club or something of equal importance as that. As I rounded the corner at the top of the stairs I was surprisingly greeted by my unusually elegantly dressed mother.
"Oh, Kit," she said smiling at me while kissing my forehead like she did everyday when I got home from school, "I'm sorry honey I was to busy getting ready, I didn't hear you come in."
"That's alright Mama," I told her, "Why are you dressed up? Are you and father going out?"
"Why yes darling, remember," she told me while fixing her bangs in the hallway mirror, "Your father and I are going to that formal gala down at the club tonight. We've only been talking about it all week honey. Did you forget?"
"Oh now I remember," I told her, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, "I'm still allowed to go out with Chet tonight though right?"
"Of course dear," she told me going back into her room, "As long as you're home by curfew."
I have to admit that my parents didn't really care all that much what I did as long as I was home by 12:30, and even if I came home later than that they didn't really do much of anything, but I was convinced they were still good parents. I followed my mother into her room, strangely wanting to continue our conversation.
"Mama," I asked her as she applied her lipstick, "Do you think you could help me get ready tonight? I want to look-well special I suppose."
"Why sweetheart, what's the big deal?" she said turning to me, "You and Chet are only going to the movies with Michelle and the Mitchell boy aren't you?"
"Well yes," I told her sitting down on her bed, "but well-Mama I've been thinking."
"Well what is it sweetie," she said joining me on her bed, "You can talk to me about anything, you know that. Things are going fine with you and Chet aren't they."
I decided then looking at her concerned face that I wasn't going to tell her what had happened earlier. Seeing the worried look in her face that I had cause by making her think that Chet and I were having problems was the only look of apprehension I wanted to give her.
"Well that's just it," I lied, "things aren't going so well and, well I think that I might break it off with him."
"Oh but sweetie," she said talking to me like I was twelve like she always did, but at least she cared, "He's such a nice boy. Are you sure?"
"Like the song says, I've lost that lovin' feeling." I told her smiling, "That's why I want to look my best so when I dump him, he knows what he'll be missing. Is that wrong Mama?"
"No darling," she said now brushing my hair out, "We've been doing that for years. It's just common nature. Now you go pick out that cute little outfit that you were wearing last week and we'll see what we can do about your hair."
I nodded and smiled at her before leaving her room to go pick out the outfit she had in mind. I knew exactly the one she meant and I had no objection to wearing it tonight.
"Oh and Kit," she called out as I was walking down the hall, "have you been crying? Your eyes are all puffy."
I froze. I knew she'd notice. I quickly thought up a lie.
"Well you know," I started, "It was probably just my allergies acting up on me again."
"But you've never had that bad of an allergy problem Kit." She pointed out.
"Well," I started, "you know what they say, it's hayfever season." As I said this I quickly closed my door as to terminate the conversation and started focusing on tonight.
I opened my closet trying to locate the outfit that I had in mind but I had so many other clothes hanging up so it took me a while to find it. After what seemed like hours of scanning and rummaging I finally located the skirt and top I had been looking for. I really liked wearing it since it was quite becoming on me. I'm not exactly sure why but my mother had said that it brought out my eyes and the color of the shirt made my hair look even more golden blonde then usual. The top was sleeveless, pale yellow, and just like the one that I was wearing now, had buttons up the front and a cute little white collar, where as the skirt was just plain beige yet the natural look of it all seemed to suit me.
I promptly got undressed and changed into the outfit that was now lying on my bed. I took a second to admire what I looked like in the mirror and noticed that I needed to re-apply my make-up so I was off to my vanity. As I was applying my lipstick I couldn't help notice how calm I had been about the whole thing. Here I was about ready to give up on my relationship with the boy I thought had been perfect for me, of six months and I was smiling about it. I didn't quite understand it all, but who was I to question it. I'd rather in a good mood about it then have to go through the crying and heartache that I had been expecting. I continued to make myself look more presentable by, as always, trying to do something with my dreadfully straight hair, but as always, I had no luck.
"Oh, boo," My mother said from behind me. She always called me boo when she was sympathizing with me, "Let me help."
She walked over to me and picked up the brush sitting on my dresser and began to untangle the knots that had formed over the day.
"It's hopeless Mama," I told her, placing my elbows on the dresser, resting my head in my hands, "It'll never be anything but boring old straight hair."
"Some people would kill to have your hair Kit," She told me removing my hair clip and placing it next to my comb, "I know you don't think so but it's very gorgeous and I think it's just lovely straight."
I just looked up at her through the mirror and gave her a half- hearted smile to let her know that her compliment had been noted but I didn't quite agree with her.
"If you really want," she said leaning in closer, sort of whispering in a way, "I suppose I could try and add a bit of curl to it."
I jumped off the bench I had been sitting on to show my enthusiasm and nodded my head smiling. My mother had curled my hair once before when we had gone to my cousins wedding and I liked it so much I left it like that for three days. She had only done it that one time though and I hadn't dared ask her to do it again.
"Come on kiddo," she said heading for her bathroom motioning for me to follow, "We haven't got much time."
I followed her into her room again right on through to her walk-in bathroom. She motioned me to sit on the small bench in front of her mirror so I did. She took out her curling iron and instantly plugged it in.
"Chet is really going to regret whatever he did to you tonight when he sees you like this." She said dividing my hair into sections. "What exactly did he do to you Kitty?"
I hated when she called me Kitty but I let it slide, this time anyway.
"Mama," I said looking up at her through the mirror like I had before, "Have you ever been with someone and felt as though all you were to them was just a trophy, like something that they could show off to their buddies? That's the way it is with Chet and me. I mean when we're alone, it seems as though he has little or no interest in me at all but when we're in public all he wants to do is touch me and kiss me and let everyone, as if they already didn't know, that we're going together."
"Ahh I remember I had a boyfriend like that once," She said, picking up some of my hair and gently wrapping it around the end of the iron, "He was a football team, like Chet, and he'd always take me out to parties or to the movies or to places where a lot of people hung around but we never did anything alone together. I tried to ask him to my house but he'd always just refuse until finally, I got so fed up I just left him."
"Really," I asked her, "So you don't think that I'm being unreasonable for breaking it off with Chet."
"Not in the slightest dear," She told me smiling, "You're doing what you want and it's the right thing to do. You're following your heart and I'm proud of you."
We talked a bit longer and she told me stories of how the boy she mentioned earlier had once dropped her off at the wrong house since he hadn't even taken the time to learn where he lived. In the midst of our conversation my mother had completed my hair and I sat there admiring the golden blonde curls I saw in the reflection in the mirror.
"Oh Mama," I told her jumping up and throwing my arms around her, and hugging her tight, "It's perfect."
"Not quite," She said opening her drawer and pulling out a silky yellow ribbon, "Here, try this." As she said this she tied the silky ringlets back in a ponytail and secured them with the ribbon. "There, now it adds a touch of class."
I looked on the mirror and was taken back at the dramatic difference it made. Somehow it had made me look older and more sophisticated, which was the image I had originally wanted to create since Chet was two years older than me already and I didn't want his to think that I was immature.
"Now turn around, let me have a look at you." My mother said stepping back to look me over.
I slowly turned and let her critique the way I appeared. I personally thought that I looked fine but the expression on my mothers face made it seem as though she disapproved.
"There's something missing." She said finally, then her face lit up and she disappeared into her room. I could hear her rummaging through her jewelry box and came back holding something in her hand. "This will make you look perfect."
She came around behind me and gracefully slipped her favorite pearl necklace around my neck. I had always admired it as a child and when no one was home I had often tried it, pretending that I was an elegant princess or something of equal value.
"Oh Mama," I told her instinctively placing my hand on my neck, "I couldn't wear this I just couldn't."
"Nonsense," she said simply, "You can, and you will. Now hurry up and grab your jacket. Chet will be here any minute."
Almost instantly after she said that I heard the sound of Chet's three famous honks. I looked at my watch, 4:37. He was early. I thought we were just going to the movie, but soon remembered that he promised to take us for a little drive around town before the sky got dark.
I ran down the stairs frantically looking around for my coat. In the midst of all my searching I accidentally ran into my father.
"Hey Kitster," he said smiling down at me, "What's your hurry. You know that we don't like you running in the house."
"Sorry father, it's just that Chet is waiting," I told him not making eye contact with him since I was to busy looking for my coat, "I don't want to be late. Tonight is really important to me."
Suddenly a look of seriousness and concern spread across my father's face before he said; "Now Kit, you're only a young girl. Don't rush into anything to fast. You should be certain Chet is the right boy before you even start thinking about thinking about things like this."
I stared up at him blankly and then laughed out loud when I realized what he had implied that I meant when I told him that tonight was important.
"Oh Daddy," I told him still laughing a little, "It's nothing like that. The complete opposite in fact."
"Oh, well then," he said looking a little embarrassed then kissing my forehead, "Have fun then."
"I will." I said smiling up at him, "You have fun too." I added remembering that he was going out as well, then he turned to go up the stairs and I continued to search for my jacket.
I could hear more honks coming from outside when it dawned on me that I had forgotten my coat in my locker, but I'd probably be fine with out it since it was in fact a worm June night. I quickly ran out the door after yelling my goodbyes to my parents. I was greeted with the instant call- calls and whistles from Knox and Shell who were, as always, sitting in the back seat of Chet's car. I smiled at them before doing a little curtsey and sliding in the front seat.
"Your hair looks real cute," Knox said from the back, "I really like it like that."
I turned to Shell remembering what she had told me earlier this morning to find her playfully glaring at me and I couldn't help myself and cracked a smile.
"Those pearls are beautiful," she told me finally, "Are they your mom's?"
"Yeah, she wanted me to look extra special tonight for some reason," I said winking at my best friend who directly understood, "I'm not sure why though."
"It's because she knows that we're going out and you have to look your best if you're going to be seen with a guy like me." Chet answered pig- headedly, "But you do look really nice babe.
We drove to Rusty's for dinner and I wasn't the least bit surprised since that's where all Chet's football jockey friends hang out. See us Soc's usually went to either Rusty's or The Way Out where as the greasers and hoods hung out at rough places like the Dingo or Jay's. As we sat down I knew that dinner wouldn't be enjoyable from the moment that Chet and Knox blew their straws at our waitress to the moment that we left to leave and had two more people in the back seat. I could tell that Shell was a little ticked since Knox made her sit on one of his football friend's lap rather than his. I just winked at her to ensure that this'd all be over soon. When we pulled up to the entrance of the Nightly Double, the boy who was supposed to ask for our money just let us drive right on through after Chet had threatened to beat his head in if he didn't. I found it rather dumb for him to say that since we had enough money, it was only fifty cents since we were in a car and yet just to show off he had to scare that poor boy out of his mind.
When we pulled up to a good spot, just as I suspected Chet was out the door and gone to, as he said, get some snacks. But I knew it was obviously a lie since he headed in the completely opposite direction of the snack booth. I just rolled my eyes and turned around to talk to Michelle.
"I don't know if I can do it Kit," Shell said with all seriousness, "I mean, I'm nothing without Knox. He practically made me popular."
"Oh Shell," I said, not a bit surprised that she was having doubts, "Don't you see, it'll build your popularity once you get rid of him. You'll be known as the girl who dumped Knox Mitchell. Anyway, that's beside the point, you're supposed to be doing this for yourself remember. You don't want to be stuck in a dead end relationship forever."
"I guess you're right," she said finally although I knew she was nervous since she was biting her lower lip and twisting her hair around her index finger. "Well should we go now?" she asked.
"Not just yet," I told her, "I want to see a little of the movie. That's why I came here isn't it?"
She just smiled and moved up to the front seat with me. The movie playing was a Paul Newman film and though I wasn't that interested, I didn't mind watched a fox like Paul on screen. After about fifteen minutes of it I decided that I had had enough of Paul's bravery and I decided to go looking for Chet.
As I went walking I passed many different people that I knew and stopped to chat a little with girls from the squad and other Soc's. When I decided to go looking for Chet again I saw him go behind the Snack Shoppe and a smirk spread across my face. It ended now. I walked a little faster than I had been before but just as I was turned the corner expecting to see my so-called boyfriend with a bunch of his jock friends I stopped dead in my tracks. There he was, Chet Dalton, leaning over a redhead, kissing her like I only saw in movies. I just stood there, emotionless as I saw my soon to be ex, fawning over, over, of all people, Cherry Valance. There were only three words that were in my head. What a tramp.
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