Chapter 7

The dance

On Friday night after dinner all the gang was there hanging out as usual. I had started working on my deception as soon as I got in from school, feigning a headache and going to lie down. In fact, I was actually packing my dance clothes and opening my window, ready for a quick exit later. So at about 7.00 I told Darry I was still feeling rough and so was going to bed. He looked concerned and put his hand on my forehead.

"Do you have a fever?"

I shook my head "No, just tired and my head aches."

"Ok Baby, sleep is probably the best thing. I hope you feel better, come and get me if you need anything."

"Ok". Why did he have to be so nice to me? Now I felt awful lying to him when he was being so caring. I really wanted to go to the dance, but now I was almost about to change my mind as it felt wrong to be going behind Darry's back. Then I thought about Tara waiting for me and the excitement of going to my first dance and my desire to go out and have fun won over my guilt. I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and carried out my normal bedtime routine before shouting a 'goodnight' to the guys in the living room.

Once in my room I stuffed a couple of pillows down the middle of my bed and squished them around a bit so they looked person shaped. I often slept with my head right under the covers, so they were used to just seeing a lump in the bed and no sign of human life protruding. I threw my backpack out the window and quietly jumped out after it. I left through the hole in the fence at the back of the house and ran the 2 blocks to Tara's house. She opened the door excitedly.

"Bex! You made it. Did Darry suspect anything?"

"No, he thinks I'm sick and went to bed early."

"Great! Let's get ready."

We went into Tara's room and I put on the dress I had. It was green with polka dots and I put on some black pumps with it, my only shoes other than my sneakers. Tara had on a short red dress with some black heels she had inherited from her sister. She looked a lot more grown up than I did. Tara offered to do my hair and make-up and I let her, as I have no idea about these things. She put my hair up in a high pony tail and then proceeded to smear my face with all sorts of creams and lotions! When she had finished I looked in the mirror and barely recognised my face. I looked older and even quite pretty, though I probably would have put a bit less make-up on if I was doing it. Tara did herself up and then we were ready to go.

Her sister Samantha had arranged a lift for us all with her boyfriend Todd. When we got there Sam told us to behave, not to drink the punch as it was bound to be spiked and not to leave the building without her. We agreed and then went our separate ways. The Kinks 'You really got me' was playing in the school hall, which was decorated in gold and purple balloons, the school colours.

"Let's dance!" I shouted to Tara over the music. She grinned at me and we got straight onto the dance floor. We stayed there for a good 30 minutes dancing non-stop until a slow song came on and we went to find a drink. I downed 3 glasses of lemonade I was so thirsty and Tara tried some of the punch, despite her sister's warning.

"Tara!" I warned her.

"What? It tastes fine to me, I don't think it is spiked. So…" she said changing the subject. "spot any talent worth dancing with?" Her eyes surveyed the room. "Look, there's Ben Hanson, he's that big football star, quite a catch so I've heard. I can see why, he's so hot!"

I looked over at the boy she was pointing out. He was tall, broad and blonde with bright blue eyes. I shrugged.

"He's not really my type, if I have a type. I prefer dark and lean."

"What about his friend then, that one next to him?"

Next to Ben stood a tall boy with short dark hair and grey/blue eyes. He was not as stocky as his friend but not a string-bean either. 'Yes', I thought, 'he's more like it!'

"Yeah, not bad. Anyway, we are out of their league Tara. They are not going to even notice 2 junior high girls when they can probably have their pick of any of the senior girls! Besides, I came here to dance, not to slobber over boys. Come on, this is a good one."

'The Twist' had come on and Tara followed me back to the dance floor. Before we knew it the last song was being announced and it was 10.30! The melody of 'Love me Tender', Elvis of course, flooded into the hall, the perfect end to a perfect evening I thought to myself as I made my way back to the chairs at the edge. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned round to see the tall, dark sophomore that Tara and I had been discussing earlier on.

"Hi, do you wanna dance?" he asked. My heart was pounding and I couldn't believe he was actually asking me out of all the girls there to dance with him. I swallowed nervously and stammered out

"Er, yeah, thanks." As he took me by the hand and lead me back to the dance floor, He pulled me into him and put one hand round my shoulder and the other round my waist as we swayed to the music. It felt nice to be held like that and I closed my eyes, resting my head against his chest and enjoying the moment.

"I'm Matt" he said quietly into my ear.

"Hi, I'm Becky."

"Are you at the high school? I haven't seen you around before."

"No, I'm still in junior high."

"Really? How old are you?"

My heart sank as I thought how he would change his mind about dancing with me when he found out I was so much younger.

"I'm 12, but I graduate next year as I got put up a grade."

"Oh, so you're smart and pretty."

I blushed, it was corny, but it was nice to have a boy like me and tell me I was pretty, especially one like him.

"So, how old are you Matt?"

"I'm 15"

"You might know my brother Ponyboy then? I think he's in the same grade as you?"

"Yeah, I know Ponyboy, he's smart too and quiet. He's in my English class. So you're a Curtis?"

"Uh huh." I agreed, wondering if he thought that was a good or a bad thing. "Listen, don't mention to my brother about seeing me here will ya? I wasn't meant to come cos I'm grounded. I sneaked out of my bedroom window, so my brothers think I'm tucked up in bed."

Matt laughed softly "Oh, so you're smart, pretty and rebellious!"

"I guess." I laughed

"Don't worry, I won't mention it to Ponyboy, your secret's safe with me, as long as you promise to meet me for lunch one day next week. I can take you to the diner for a coke and we can talk some more. I'd like to get to know you better."

"Really?!" I was surprised.

"Yeah, really, so how about it?"

"Ok, why don't you pick me up on Monday, 12.30 outside the gym?

"It's a date."

I blushed and smiled. The song finished and we moved apart, but he still held onto my hand.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Becky." He kissed my hand.

"And you." I blushed "see you on Monday.." I smiled as he walked off. My hear t was thumping and I was on a high. I couldn't believe that I had a 'sort of' date with Matt on Monday. He was really cute and seemed like a real gentleman. I was starting to see the attraction of boys now! Tara came up to me grinning from ear to ear.

"I can't believe Matt Carter asked you for a dance! He is sooo hot, do you like him?"

"Yeah, I think so." I grinned back. "He seems a really sweet guy. I'm meeting him for lunch on Monday at school."

"Becky Curtis, you have a date?! You who tells me you are not interested in boys have a date with one of the hottest guys in the high school!"

"It's not really a date, he's just taking me out for lunch so we can talk some more."

Tara raised her eyebrows "That is a date in my book and I bet there won't just be talking!"

My stomach flipped with fear and excitement. Did I want there to be more? What would it be like to kiss Matt? I wouldn't mind finding out.

Tara snapped me out of my daydream. "Come on lover girl, we gotta go and meet Sam and Todd at the entrance."

"Stop it!" I admonished her for her teasing. Tara and I whispered in the back of the car all the way home. Tara quizzing me about every detail of our conversation and where he put his hands.