You know, no matter how many times I suggest it they still won't change the furniture in here. It's a principal's office not a rock quarry. It should have some color and comfort! At least it would make killing time somewhat more interesting. They should get a new secretary too. Every time I land in here she glares at me like it will make me think twice about what ever I'd done this time. Well I wasn't sorry, especially not today.

This time hadn't even been my fault! Not even one insult was thrown on my part either. As far as I was concerned I defended myself and she got exactly what she deserved. I'd been minding my own business until Shelby Jenkins decided to pick a fight. I didn't care, she could have Bryan, I didn't want anything to do with him, but apparently Bryan thought there was something going on between us and that pissed Shelby off. A black eye and a busted lip later and here I am. Don't worry; I got her back twice as bad. She hadn't even landed that bruise right so it would be gone in a day or two. She wouldn't be able to see outta that one of hers for a week or so. I smiled to myself. All that makeup she wears would be useless to cover that up.

The door to the office opened and I met Darry's eyes. He wasn't looking impressed. Ok, so I had fouled up and caused him another half a day's pay, but he could at least show some concern! He passed me without a word and went straight into the Principal's office which suited me just fine. I didn't want to talk right then. My lip was still bleedin' a bit and movin' my chops would just make it bleed more. So I sat there quietly wishing there was a window or something here.

"Miss Curtis." The secretary said in a nasal voice. "Mr. Mayers will see you now."

I stood and went through the familiar door. Mr. Mayers was our principal and he was 'highly disappointed in me' every time I showed up in his office. Well I guess I was in for the same speech yet again.

"Sit down please Mary." Mr. Mayers directed and I did, ignoring the fact I was being called Mary "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Wasn't my fault this time." I answered and Darry shook his head tiredly

"According to Miss Jenkins it was." Mr. Mayers said in his 'your five years old' voice

"According to Miss Jenkins the sky is pink." I answered fully truthful "It was just a misunderstanding. I assure you it won't happen again."

"You say that a lot Mary." He reminded "What makes this time any different?"

"She learned her lesson." I answered "Plus I this it was just a case of miscommunication."

"I'm highly disappointed in you Mary." He said and I looked over at Darry to see how long he would let this madness go on "I think a two day suspension should be sufficient."

"I agree." Darry nodded without even looking at me.

"Good after noon to you both." Mr. Mayers said dismissing us as he always does.

We walked to the parking lot in silence, we drove home in silence and in silence Darry showed more disappointment than his words ever did. I hated the silent treatment!

"Darry?" I asked when we were home "Are you mad at me?"

"Nope." He answered "Just disappointed."

"It really wasn't my fault this time." I started to defend myself but he put a hand up for me to stop

"It doesn't matter M.K. A lady shouldn't be fighting" He answered and I knew better than to argue with him "A lady should be doing lady things and I guess I don't enforce that enough."

"You're doing fine Darry." I answered wondering what he was on about.

"Well, I like to think I am." He answered "So I'm going to make you do more lady things."

"Like what?" I asked really worried about Darry's definition of lady things

"Well, since you are suspended you can get to work on cleaning the house and doing the dishes and then you should work on being more graceful. Maybe dance again, like you used to." He suggested

"I don't dance anymore." I answered shaking my head "Haven't since mom and dad pulled me out of dance lessons when I was 13!"

"How do you know if you don't try?" He asked

"I know?" I answered and Darry cracked a little grin

"I have to get back to work." He said picking up his keys "Work on what I asked you to."

"I will." I sighed

Darry had been gone a couple of hours when I got bored stiff. Unlike Pony and Soda I know how to clean and not pout about it or start a suds war in the kitchen so it doesn't take me half as long. The only down side is that I have nothing to do after I am done and boredom comes. I still had Darry's words about being more graceful bouncing around in my head. I was no good at walking around with books on my head; we found that out two years ago when Two-bit took it upon himself to show me how it was done. I was embarrassed when he walked around longer with them on his head, but then I did have something for the other guys to tease him about.

I sighed and finally turned on the music. I could at least humor Darry for now. I started swaying to the music and before I knew it I was flat out dancing. I hadn't done that in so long. I was so lost in the music that I didn't notice I wasn't the only one dancing. I looked up and Soda was smiling broadly and spun me around a few times. Two-bit was doing some odd form of Ballet while Johnny, Pony and Dally all kind of swayed to the music.

It wasn't long before Soda passed me off to Steve who surprisingly danced with me. We were both keeping step with each other and I was very conscious that Steve was a damn good dancer.

"Well, I never thought I would see the day when M.K. Curtis would do something as girly as dance!" Two-bit teased

"You were getting pretty into it there." Pony commented and I blushed

"Ya'll wonder why I don't do things like this more often!" I said trying to shake off how embarrassed I was.

"Well, it sure got us moving!" Soda laughed

"Where'd you learn those moves?" Dally asked looking through his coat for something.

"I used to be in dance lessons." I said "I thought you of all people would remember that because you teased the heck out of me until I quit."

Dallas shrugged and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket

"Don't smoke in the house." Darry said coming in with an armful of groceries

"I won't then." Dallas scowled and went out on the front porch.

I sighed. No one told Dallas what to do unless they were as muscled as Darry. It just wasn't smart.

"M.K." Darry called from the kitchen "Did you do what I asked?"

"Yes I did." I smiled and joined him "Soda and the rest joined in too. I think I even saw Dally sway to the music."

"Good. Some guys at work were telling me about a dance off at Jay's I want you to go to." Darry said putting things away

"Now way, Darry. Dancing in the house is one thing, but that is a contest in front of people and judges and...guys..." I trialed off

"I don't think any of them will think any less of you if you win." He answered

"I don't want to!" I said simply, crossing my arms

"Well, then you will have a very un-enjoyable suspension." Darry shrugged

I growled at him before going back into the living room to pout. Ok, it wouldn't be that bad if I could win, but I had been out of practice for so long it wasn't even funny. Most of the dance I learned back then was formal dancing too. There was no way I was going to do it and he couldn't make me!

"How about we have liver and onions for dinner?" Darry asked me smiling wickedly.

"Darry have you lost your mind?" Soda asked, jaw dropped and eyes wide.

"Nope, I know exactly where it is." Darry answered still smiling at me "I thought we would try something different. I was thinking that was the way things were going to go around here for a while."

"You can't be serious." Pony looked like the thought alone was enough to make him sick.

"That is something even Two-bit wouldn't eat." Steve pointed out and Two-bit nodded vigorously.

"Ok! Fine! I'll do it!" I snapped, crossing my arms again

"On second thought, fried chicken sounds pretty tasty." Darry said going back into the kitchen.

"What was all that about?" Pony wondered aloud and I wondered if even I knew.

Saturday came too quick for my liking. I was registered in the Jay's dance off along with other Greasers I had to deal with on an everyday basis. It was bad enough I had to dance in front of real judges and having them scoff at me all night. I was going to dance anyways and I'll be damned if they will spoil even a moment of it for me.

I walked into Jay's and instantly felt nervous. The place was packed with people, almost every one of them with a number on their back. I was nearly shaking when I went up to the sign up sheet and got my own number: 23013. I didn't like it that's for sure; thirteen had and always will be my unlucky number. So I stood and waited, not having a partner, while judges went through the crowd telling people if they had danced well enough to stay or not. I was starting to think it had been a stupid idea coming by this time when someone tapped me on the shoulder

"What do you want Steve?" I asked

"Evie bailed out on me." He said "I need a dance partner."

"No." I said right off "There is no way I will help you win any dance contest."

"You think I would choose you first?" He asked "There were plenty of other girls who turned me down before I came over here."

I bit my tongue at all the things I wanted to say to him. He wouldn't have chosen me first and I knew it. I wouldn't have chosen me first either. I was so stupid to come here! All the other girls were in skirts and heels while I was in a tight t-shirt and jeans with flat shoes. I stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Listen, dance with me. One night won't kill either of us and no one has to know. Soda doesn't even know I'm here for Pete's sake." Steve said

"Fine, but if you tell anyone I will do something to get you back." I said meaning it, too.

I let Steve lead me out one to the dance floor and we started to dance. The song was fast and we kept good time but I kicked myself every time I missed a step or he turned me when I wanted to do something else. It took three of four more songs until we were moving together like we had in the living room. Then the slow songs came. I hate slow songs, especially if it meant I had to cuddle in with Steve.

"So where is Evie?" I asked box stepping with Steve's directions

"She got sick." He said bitterly and I got the feeling he wasn't telling me the truth "Why are you here with out a date?"

"The only guy who seems interested in me is an ass by the name of Bryan and I am never going anywhere with him again." I said bluntly and he dropped it.

The song was barely moving now and I had my head on his shoulder. He was keeping us pretty much in the same spot and we were moving with the time. I looked up at him after a bit and noticed he was staring at me too. I don't know how it happened or even when but the next thing I knew I had my eyes closed and I was in the middle of the sweetest kiss I had ever had. It was my first kiss if you want to know the truth and it was perfect. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I slowly opened my eyes. It was over and Steve was looking behind me at something. I turned, very aware his arms were still around me, and saw three people standing there.

"Congratulations Miss Curtis and Mr. Randle." One smiled "You won the dance off."

I turned grinning brightly at Steve and wrapped my arms around his neck tightly. He hugged me back and beamed.

"I can't believe we won!" I nearly yelled.

"Well we did!" Steve grinned and we turned back to the judges.

They handed us a little trophy and some money and some coupons for the Dairy Queen. Everyone cheered and grinned at Steve, again. He grinned back and the judges peeled the numbers off our backs. Steve steered me outside and to his car. The prize was 50 bucks so I handed half to Steve and set the trophy on the dash board. We both looked at it for a minute before Steve spoke.

"What do you say to us going and getting rid of some of these coupons?" He asked.

"I'd like that just fine." I said and Steve took of for the Dairy Queen.

When we'd got our food and parked to eat it I got to thinking about what had gone on at Jay's. It was bugging me. I didn't like Steve and he didn't like me, so why had that kiss happened? It was wrong with him and Evie being together. I wondered what he was thinking.

"Listen about tonight-" I started

"It was a good night." Steve said smiling

"But that kiss-" I tried again

"That kiss was something that added on to that good night. I went to Jay's hoping to find a good time. I think I found more than that." Steve looked earnest.

"What about you and Evie?" I asked wondering where he could possibly be going with that.

"We called it off last night. That's why I was at the dance off alone and that's why I kissed you." Steve said

"Hold on a second. I won't be your rebound because you got dumped." I said stiffly and a little hurt

"Do you think I wanted it this way? I mean you're my best friend's kid sister. He's going to beat my head in and I know it." Steve sighed heavily.

I smiled at the thought of Soda beating in anyone's head and I didn't think he would ever do that to Steve. Steve was looking at the steering wheel like it was his best friend and I found myself staring at him. I guess I never took in before how handsome he was. He wasn't like Soda's type of handsome, more of a hardened, cocky handsome if that makes sense. It was more subtle and I liked it. I never noticed how blue his eyes were before or how much care he too making his hair look like that. Was this why I had been so awkward around him for the last few months?

"Do you like me Steve?" I asked

"Yeah, I guess I do." Steve said looking over at me

"Then everything will figure itself out." I said honestly believing that

"What are we going to tell everyone?" He asked

"I don't know. Let's start off with the fact we won the dance off." I said popping some fries into my mouth.

Steve shook his head, smiling. "Now, why didn't I think of that?" He asked

"I don't know." I smiled back "I guess I'm just a genius."

"Well, genius. You got ketchup all over your face." Steve said reaching over and wiping it

"I never said I was classy." I smiled

"Let's get you home before Darry beats my head in." Steve said taking a bite of his burger and starting up the car.

I thought about Darry beating Steve's head in and it was a lot easier to imagine that then Soda beating his head in. I guess it was mostly because Darry almost beat Steve's jaw once for an "All brawn, no brain" comment. He wasn't the smoothest guy around, but then he didn't have to be.

When we pulled up in the drive way Steve told me to stay put and I almost died of shock when he came around to open my door. He offered me his hand and walked me up to the house where Soda and Pony where watching TV and Darry was paying bills. They glanced up when we came in and I made sure that the trophy was behind my back.

"How'd it go?" Darry asked

"Well, when I got there I found out I needed a partner and so did Steve so we danced." I said tying to keep a straight face "And then...we won."

"Really?" Darry looked happy "That's great baby!"

I handed him the trophy and he looked it over and passed it to Soda who moved it so it caught the light and passed it off to Pony who actually read it. They all smiled and somewhere along the congratulations Steve managed to step out the front door. I just smiled. He was a good guy and a modest guy about some things at least. I set that trophy on the shelf between football, track and car trophies. It stood out and I had something to be proud of. I would sure have something to tell Katie on Monday.