Sandy's Saga
Chapter 12
Red Spots
XXX
A week had gone by, and despite what the doctor had said - my period still hadn't come. To say I was worried wouldn't even begin to describe it; that is, until Wednesday morning rolled around.
"Yes!" I cried, overjoyed for once to see the red spots in my underwear. Cloud nine couldn't be any better. Cramps? Bring them on! Backpain? Do your worst! I showered, cleaned myself up and put on my clothes, slipping my girl stuff in my school bag.
"I'm heading out to school!" I called, not bothering to wait for a reply.
The walk was great. Then again, it could have been storming cats and dogs out here and I'd have been like Gene Kelly dancing the whole way to school. Thank God the worry was over.
"What's got you in such a good mood?" Jane asked as we sat outside, waiting on the bell.
"Oh, just enjoying the fall weather," I said happily.
"Well, here's the ladies now. Whassup girls?" Two-Bit cajoled as he and his assorted group of friends meandered our way.
"Exams. I'm so going to flunk. Sandy, pass me your answers when you get done in history. Sandy? Sandra, are you even paying attention?"
"Huh?" I looked at them, wondering what part of the conversation I'd missed.
"You drunk, sweets?" Two-Bit asked. I looked at him, annoyed he was using Soda's pet name for me.
"No, I am not. Jeeze, can't a girl be in a good mood without you guys thinking something's wrong?"
"Yeah, I can tell you're in a good mood. You're glowing. Might want to lay off the sun for a while. Come on Johnny, let's get to our lockers before the bell. Later guys."
"See ya, Ponyboy." Two-Bit called to the vanishing duo. "Take care, Johnny."
They waved without looking behind them, taking the steps two at a time into the building.
"Wellup, I guess we'd better get along too. Lunch as usual, Steve?"
"Yeah," he answered, looking at me closely. "Your car this time, I'm low on gas. You ladies are welcome to join us."
"Oh, no thanks. I've got my car here too," Jane answered, smugly. It was no secret that while lots of the guys drove their various pieces of souped-up metal to school, Jane was one of a select few ladies that also had a car. She never said so, but I could tell she loved rubbing it in. The bell rang, everyone jumping up.
"Gotta go. Bye guys!" I felt Steve's eyes on me all the way up the steps, wondering what he was looking at.
Classes were dull and boring, the tests complicated, and through it all, I found concentrating hard. I've never been a doodler, but today, it was what I had to resort to just to keep from falling asleep. Once, when I couldn't take it anymore, I excused myself to go to the bathroom. Once behind the confines of the stall, and with my skirt hiked up to pee and change my stuff, I was a little taken aback.
Usually my first day was … well, heavier than this. Still, it was something – and that was better than nothing. I changed it, cleaned up and went back to class.
Lunch was disgusting. Hot dogs and hamburgers again. I went for the hamburger and had to force myself to get it down. Not even two teaspoons of ketchup made that taste any better, and usually ketchup was my ace in the hole. I ate most of it before calling it quits, heading outside into the cool sunshine to take a breather.
It didn't help.
I heard the familiar grind of Two-Bit's car as I sat on a bench. Obviously he had no brakes left, but was still thinking he could go another week on what steel and rubber remained. He and Steve got out and came over, pushing and shoving each other like children.
"You still haven't got those brakes fixed yet, have you?" I asked.
"Nup. Steve said he'd take a look at them, but ain't got around to it."
"I ain't got to look at them, cause there ain't nothing there. You've worn them right off the rotors. Besides, I never said when I'd do it, grease-ball. And if you'd part with some cash, it might help your cause." Steve argued back.
I began to lose interest, feeling like that hamburger just wasn't settled.
"Aww, you can't fix it by next week?"
"I told you, there ain't nothing to fix! You're gonna need new brakes, and I can't do that for free. Tow that worthless piece of scrap to the DX and leave it for me.. cash in advance, and I'll hook you up."
"Excuse me," I said, jumping off the bench and heading straight for the closest ladies room. Once inside, the hamburger came back with a vengeance. Those who were there when I ran in left as I heaved my guts up. When I was done, I shakily wiped my mouth, rinsed with tap water and cleaned up as best as I could. I was surprised to see Steve and Two-Bit hanging outside the door, looking at me with concern when I came out.
"You okay, Sandy?" Two-Bit asked. I remembered he has a sister, and between him and Steve, he was more apt to show concern.
I nodded. "Yeah. Probably a good thing you guys avoided lunch here. The hamburgers were nasty."
"You want anything?" Steve asked, his stare unnerving me.
I shook my head. "No thanks. I'd better get to class. See you guys later."
* * *
I held the packet of pills in my hand. He'd told me the first day I could start it, but something still didn't seem right. I'd changed my stuff again, but really there hadn't been a need to. The bleeding was minimal.. just a spot or two. I'd had slow periods before where it was just like this... a spot or two either with or without cramping. Usually when that happened, I'd wake with blood everywhere. I didn't know what to do. Yes, I was bleeding finally, but.. something just seemed wrong.
"Sandy, Sodapop's here."
Dad was calling me down. I hid the pack of pills and headed downstairs.
"Hey sweets. You ready for dancing?"
I nodded, my thoughts elsewhere. He held my sweater out for me and I put it on.
"I'll have her home right after the dance," he said. My father smiled and together we headed out.
"You okay?" he asked as he pulled the truck onto the road.
I glanced at him. "Yeah, why?"
"Steve said you weren't feeling good at school, said you'd gotten sick or something. And even now, your color is off. You ain't coming down with the flu are you?"
I grinned and shook my head. "No. Not the flu. This uh, this just isn't a good week for me."
He smiled and squeezed my hand, understanding that code. "That's alright. We can sit out and just enjoy the music. Watch everyone else trip over their own feet for a change. Hungry?"
I thought about it. "I could go for a plate of spaghetti right now."
He nodded. "That sounds perfect."
"Didn't you eat already?"
"Well, I tried. Ponyboy cooked. I think he was going for lasagna, but it didn't exactly turn out that way. Even Darry gave up and had a bowl of cereal."
"Wow, that's pretty bad."
"He and Johnny are still picking at it. Johnny said they should send it to Dally up at the detention center. He's still got a few more weeks left before he gets out and would probably think Pony's meal was fit for a king. Me... I think I'd rather have spaghetti with the prettiest gal in town."
We ate, drove around, and eventually ended up at the dance where – true to his word, we sat out and watched other couples having fun. It was still nice, he held my hand and rubbed his thumb over my knuckles, the feeling sensual.
Toward the end of the night, he led me to the dance floor where a slow song was on. He held me close in his arms, leading me in smooth circles around the floor.
"I could stay here in your arms forever," he murmured in my ear.
"Not if my father has anything to do with it," I murmured back. He stopped and started chuckling, his eyes bright with realization.
"Yeah, you're right. I'd better get you home."
During the ride home, the radio was playing Elvis's Good Luck Charm when he turned the sound down.
"Say, there's a game this weekend. Care to join me?"
I looked at him, smiling. "You bet."
"I think Steve's wanting to double with Evie... that okay?"
I nodded. "Sure. Can't wait."
He grinned, pulled into my driveway and helped me out.
"Since you're .. uh, well - not feeling well this week, I'll let you call the shots. If you want to go out and do anything, give me a call. Okay?"
I nodded, giving him a kiss. "Thanks, Sodapop."
I went inside and nodded at my parents, sitting on the couch together watching television.
"Did you have a good night, Sandy?" Mom asked.
"Yeah, he took me to dinner and then dancing. I'm worn out. Night."
"Good night honey."
Upstairs, I fingered the pack of pills, expecting to be starting them tomorrow.
XXX
Calla Lily Rose
