Chapter 15
"So… I figured out who tried to do Sandy in."
The T-birds were sitting in the bleachers, and it was the first day of school.
"And who might that be?" Wilhelm asked.
"Cha-cha DiGregorio. She let it slip at Frosty's as she bragged to me about how Leo was better than me as a boyfriend… again."
"You'll have to keep her away from your next girl," said Kenickie.
"So, Sonny," said Wilhelm, "some dummkopf in the bathroom mentioned you'd found a date to the bonfire?"
"Aw yeah. She's real nice."
"Who did you bribe?"
"Shut up, Bill…" Sonny muttered.
"Oh no," said Danny with a grin. "Tell us. Who did you rent out?"
"I didn't rent her out, you mooks… and she's a real girl who goes to this school."
"Was it Sarah Dumbrowski?"
"No."
"Angelina Jones?"
"You'll never guess her."
"Two new leads, Putzie," said Wilhelm, smirking.
Putzie scoffed.
"Damn, Bill's on a roll today," Danny commented.
"Come on, Sonny," said Doody, "it's not like you asked Patty Simcox."
"So what if I did? She seems alright."
"You're really going to the bonfire," said Danny slowly, "with Wilhelm… Schwartz's… ex."
"Patty's great," said Wilhelm, "as long as she doesn't let your car get between you two."
"Hey guys!"
"Afternoon," said Wilhelm. "I assume you're here for Sonny?"
Patty smiled. "He really made my night at the drive-in," she said softly.
"Sonny's a good sort," said Wilhelm.
The bell rang, and the group headed back to class.
After school, Sonny was driving a contemplative Patty home.
"Why do you care?" she asked.
"Why shouldn't I? You're the nicest girl at school that I know of. You're upbeat, you have a nice word for everyone. Besides, everybody deserves a fair shake. You never know. I might like you. I know you're into Tom Chisum but…"
"Tom hasn't ever comforted me when I was crying… well, not like you, at least. And he… well, he a bit too… simple of a person."
When they got to Patty's and Sonny had walked her to the door, Patty smiled.
"This is my number," she said softly, handing Sonny a piece of paper. She blushed and squeezed his hand. "Call me, okay?"
That evening, Sonny went home smiling.