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In hindsight, maybe I should've just moved on from Jerry right then and there. Maybe that would've been the best thing to do. But there was still a pull; I could feel it. Maybe it was instinct. I was trying to protect my social life. Dating the quarterback looked good on the proverbial cheerleader's résumé, so I probably thought it was the right thing to do. And I couldn't deny the fact that when I danced with him at the winter dance, I felt what I felt on our first date. And I certainly can't deny that seeing him smile at me as I somehow managed to be crowned Snow Queen made my stomach flip.

But it was still wrong.

We made up on our first Monday back to school after Thanksgiving break. Jerry walked up to me with a half-smile on his face and leaned up against my locker.

"I'm real sorry about what I said to you," he whispered. "You're right. You're not my mom, and I would never...want you to be anything like her."

"You mean it?" I asked. I was a bit skeptical. This was a very sudden change. But if he really meant it, I was a bit surprised to realize I was more than ready to forgive him.

"Yeah, I mean it, Bridget." Jerry looked down at his shoes. Maybe he was ashamed. And maybe that was what I wanted. "I'm real sorry."

I smirked. "I forgive you."

Which was a mistake.

xXx

I smiled up at Jerry as he dipped me, and I couldn't stop laughing for the life of me. In that moment, I was glad I had forgiven him. In that moment, it was worth it. "I'm having a real nice time," I told him.

"Me too. It's gonna get even better when they call your name to get your crown."

I smacked his chest. "I am not going to win," I insisted, but Jerry cut me off.

"That's bull, Bridget Stevens, and you know it," he smirked. "I gave you my vote, and I'm sure plenty of others did, too."

I shook my head but didn't respond. Just kept dancing with him. Until, that is, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around and saw Missy grinning at me as she hung onto her date. "You," Missy drawled, "look absolutely gorgeous!"

"Thanks, Missy," I said, "but I don't look that good." Well, maybe I did. Just a little. I had spent hours looking for the best dress, and finally landed on white formal. Gloves and all, just like every other girl.

Maybe I did care about that dance and that award. Just a little.

The place was absolutely packed, considering it was just our school gym, and everyone was in good spirits. Probably because tomorrow was the first day of winter break, and something like that got everybody excited. We wouldn't come back until after the new year.

"Let's go find the girls," Missy suggested. I told Jerry I would be back later, and he pecked me on the cheek, and Missy's date did the same for her.

Vickie, Cherry, Penny, and Marcia were standing huddled together, having all ditched their dates, too. (Well, Cherry had come stag. No dates for her just yet, and I couldn't blame her.) Everyone but Vickie seemed to be having a good time, and Vickie was usually one for a good party. Instead, she was sipping on punch and staring off into space.

"Hey, girls!" Missy sang, and they all greeted us.

"I'm so nervous for you guys," Penny said anxiously. "Aren't you nervous? About winning and all?"

Cherry, Vickie, and I just looked at each other. I shrugged. "Not really," I said.

Vickie scoffed. Cherry shot her look, like maybe she had been dealing with Vickie for a while. "Listen, guys – "

"May we have all the nominees for Snow Queen please come up on stage?" Principal Vernon cut in.

Vickie tried desperately to keep talking, but she was cut off as the rest of our friends gathered around us and pushed us towards the stage. I had no idea what the hell was going on with Vickie, but whatever it was, her sad expression was wiped from her face and she was back to being…well, Vickie. All business with her chin held high.

I stood in between Cherry and Vickie on stage as Principal Vernon announced the winners of Snow Princess for each grade level. I looked at the girls beside me and noted how odd it was that there was two seniors and three juniors. Was the senior class truly that devoid of popular girls? It was such a stupid thing to ask, but I seriously considered it. I was so caught up in it, I didn't even hear my name when Vernon announced that I'd won.

"Congratulations, Bridget!" The other girls all gushed, Cherry especially, and Vickie least of all – no surprise there. I smiled at them, but had honestly thought that Cherry would have won, or one of the seniors. Cherry shoved me towards Principal Vernon, and I smiled at him as I had that plastic crown placed on my head. I waved to everyone, and Jerry smiled at me from the crowd and winked at me.

And then there was Vickie, staring at me from the other side of the stage, arms crossed tightly across her chest and glaring.

"Congratulations, Miz Stevens," Principal Vernon grinned at me. I smiled one more time at everyone, then he wrapped everything up and let all of us get on with the dance.

"I really am happy for you, Bridget," Cherry beamed.

I rolled my eyes as we walked back into the crowd. "It's not that big of a deal."

Cherry shook her head. "Bull. I saw you smilin' up there."

I looked at her face and saw genuine happiness there. Cherry was a good friend, and I felt as if I didn't deserve her. I wondered if I had really done enough for her after everything with Bob, or if I was being a wholly inadequate friend. All I knew was that I was grateful for her.

I was swarmed with girls congratulating me, all of my friends stopping me to hug me, but I just wanted to find Jerry.

But Vickie found me first. "Bridget, I really have to tell ya somethin'."

I let her pull me through the crowd to the girl's room, where we stood and waited for two girls to finish touching up their makeup before they left, and even then Vickie checked every stall to make sure the coast was clear. "What is it, Vickie?" I asked. She was scaring me.

"Remember how I asked you a while back if you were a virgin?" She asked.

I gave her a funny look. That was the last thing I had expected her to say. "Yeah. Why?"

Her face sank, and then I got a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Why do you think?"

"Oh," I whispered. Vickie was the most mature, most out-there girl in our group by far, but she also had strict standards for herself. She wasn't going to give it up to just any boy, even if that boy was George Washburn, who she had been dating for months now. "So, you and George – "

"No," she sighed miserably. "Not George." As my jaw dropped, her eyes welled up. "No, not with George. With the absolute last person you'd expect." She tried to laugh, but obviously she didn't find it funny.

I'm actually pretty embarrassed that I didn't figure out beforehand who she was going to say. Shouldn't it have been obvious? It was like it was staring me in the face the entire time, but in the moment, I just didn't connect the dots. Two-Bit would have been disappointed. Then again, who would have suspected Vickie of doing something like this?

"Who?" I whispered.

"Dallas Winston," she choked out.

My heart stopped. There it was – mystery solved. And so easily, too. Why hadn't I just gone and asked Vickie in the first place? But I knew that wouldn't have worked. She would have denied it at all costs.

Vickie Harper and Dallas Winston. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

"Oh my god," I breathed. "Vickie, you…you knew him?"

"Well I must have, if I fucked him," she spat.

"Right..." I trailed off. "Right. Well, I ought to go find Jerry now. He's probably wondering where I went."

I smiled weakly at Vickie and left her, all alone, and made my way to Jerry. When I found him, he was talking to some friends, and I cut in. "Jerry," I said, shoving my way into his tight-knit pack.

I saw Randy there. He should have been with Marcia, but Marcia didn't care for him much anymore. She liked Two-Bit, and I knew now why I was so against that: I already liked him myself. But just then, I wanted Jerry.

"What's up, Bridget?" Jerry looked down at me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"We need to talk. Alone," I said pointedly. All of Jerry's friends snorted and started whispering, like they knew what would happen. Like hell they did.

"Okay, then. Yeah, lead the way," and I led him away from the group. "Bridget, what's wrong?"

"Everything," I replied dramatically. "Everything is just royally screwed up right now."

I leaned into his chest and stayed there, not knowing what else to say. I thought I knew what was going on around me, where everyone stood. Turns out, I don't. And it was tearing me apart. I had gone behind everyone's back and had been sneaking around with Two-Bit Mathews, pretending I only wanted to be his friend and nothing more. But Vickie, who had sworn up and down that she hated greasers, had gone and slept with one.

And I didn't know what to think.

"It's all gonna be okay, Bee," Jerry whispered into my hair.

I didn't say anything. We just stood on the dance floor and swayed back and forth, me leaning into him as he held on tight. That stupid plastic tiara was starting to hurt my head, but I didn't mind much. I just danced to Bobby Darin and The Supremes and tried to figure out what exactly I was going to do next. I didn't know how I felt anymore, or what I felt for who, and that scared me.

xXx

Christmas came and went. We went to OSU faculty parties. My father and I stayed with his parents in New York for the holiday, and I found myself wishing we could stay. I had missed the rest of my family, my wonderful city, but most of all, going back to Tulsa meant a return to a whole new set of problems for the new year. I was going to have to tell Two-Bit about Vickie and Dallas. I was going to have to sort out what it meant that she had gone and slept with somebody she had told me was of a dangerous sort that I should never interact with – who she had claimed to hate.

And I was going to have to figure out what to do about these weird feelings I was having for Two-Bit, which meant I was going to have to think about where I stood with Jerry, and it was all just too much.

When we returned to Tulsa, I didn't have any plans for New Year's. I would probably just stay in and watch late night television, listen to my records, and read. But, then I had an invitation extended to me. Of all the parties I could have gone to, I chose to ring in the new year in the back of Two-Bit's truck.

xXx

The very last thing in the world I expected Two-Bit to ask me about was the mob.

"Why do you want to know what I know about the mob?"

I had seen him at the drug store, the one right by the school, while I was buying pantyhose, and he had asked how my break had been and if I would maybe like to meet him at the school that night. Which, of course I did. I had things to tell him, and I just wanted to see him. But the first thing he asked me when I saw him was what I knew about the mob. Of all things!

He sighed. "Because a mobster showed up on my porch, that's why. All the way from New York."

I was shocked. Why on earth…? Actually, maybe I didn't want to know. Two-Bit got himself into plenty of trouble. "And you're assuming that because I'm from New York I should have some deep connection to the mafia and their inner-workings, maybe know who exactly they have vendettas against?"

"No," he said testily, "it's just that I thought you might know a bit more about them than I do, which you clearly don't. I need to figure out how to deal with this."

"Well, I know we're friends and all, but I don't think I can really afford getting caught up in any mob stuff, especially after what happened with our friends this fall."

He sat down on the school's back steps and smeared his hands down his face. "Yeah, kid, I know. Lord knows, I know. Just…forget I said anything, okay?"

I sat down beside him. I was wearing a new dress – one of my Christmas gifts from my grandmother, a deep green that I thought looked nice with my eyes. I had caught Two-Bit staring at it. "Why do you have to deal with it?" I asked. "Why are you the one?"

"He's here cuz of my family. You gotta clean up your messes."

"I get that," I said slowly, "but I still don't see why it's you that has to deal with him."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Is somebody worried about me?"

I snorted. "Come off it, Two-Bit." He just kept staring at me with a smile on his face. "Alright, fine. I'm a bit worried. I don't like it when bad things happen to my friends."

"I'll be careful," he promised. "Speakin' of friends – have you figured out any more on this whole Vickie-and-Dallas thing?"

I swallowed. "Maybe," I whispered. Two-Bit watched me expectantly, so I went on. "She, uh…she slept with him," I whispered, and his eyes looked like they might pop out of his head.

"You're kidding me," he said, voice flat. "You're fucking kidding me." I wasn't though. That was what she had said. "Oh my god."

"That's what she told me at the dance," I said. "I didn't even know they knew each other."

"Well, everyone knows Vickie, just like everyone knew Dallas," Two-Bit chuckled darkly. "In a weird way, it kinda makes sense."

True. I sighed. "I don't get her. Some days, I wonder if she's really my friend. Or, maybe not that, but that maybe she's not exactly the best person all the time."

"Oh, really?" Two-Bit asked sarcastically. "How come?"

I leaned forward and hugged my knees to my chest. "She just says some awfully mean things sometimes. I mean…I get that things are rough down here. I do. But I think she likes it that way. I think she likes being on top."

"Don't you?" He asked. "I mean, lookit you. I know you said that you weren't exactly Miss Popular at your old schools, but here…you'd think it was Grace Kelly came to this school, not just – "

"Li'l' ol' Bridget Stevens," I sighed. "I know. I guess you're right. It does feel good to not get ignored all the time and all that stuff. I sometimes feel like a totally different person."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I dunno," I shrugged. "Maybe. I mean, do you ever wish you were a different person?"

He thought about it. I thought about it, too, and realized how true it was that things had changed for me since coming here. My best friends were some of the most popular girls in school, I was school dance royalty, a cheerleader, had a boyfriend, and everyone seemed to know my name. It was…weird. Because honestly, I hadn't changed much. It was everyone else that was different.

"Ya know, I don't think I do."

"Really? I mean, not even with the way, uh, we treat you?"

"Really."

"You never wish you lived in a better part of town?"

"Naw. Peach, what can I say? They're my kind. It's who I am."

I watched him, real sad. "Two-Bit," I breathed, "you gotta stop saying stuff like that. They don't make you who you are, ya know? You decided all for yourself. And you don't have to be who you are forever."

I shrugged, like that was all there was to it. But Two-Bit wasn't buying it. "I don't know if I exactly have that luxury," he explained. "Startin' over is harder than you think."

"Really?" I scoffed. "I just had my entire life uprooted. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the queen of starting over."

Two-Bit nudged my shoulder with his. "And of somethin' else, too."

"Would you shut up about this snow queen thing?"

"Nup! I had complete faith in you, and it happened. That's a miracle right there."

"It wasn't a matter of faith, Two-Bit. It was a matter of people making a choice – about something totally stupid, might I add – and your big mouth."

Two-Bit laughed, but I could tell he wasn't sorry. Made me wonder how bad he had wanted to go on that date, and that was a dizzying prospect. "Tell me somethin', Bridget."

"Shoot."

"Do you believe in God?"

What was with him and all these weird questions? First the mob, now theology. Quite the range of topics. "God? Like, capital-G God?" He nodded. "Well…I don't know. Sort of, I guess. I never went to church or anything, but I guess I think there might be one. Why? Should I?"

"I mean, I don't. I just thought maybe you might. You seem like you might be the godly type."

I raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you're able to take a few things on faith. Ya know? Some things are a matter of faith, and some things are a matter of chance. It's what we were just talkin' about. It was pure coincidence that we turned out the way we are, that we got stuck with the hands we were dealt. But you have the luxury of believin' that you can go somewhere completely different and become a whole new person. Anywhere I go, people'll know my poor mother raised a hood like it's written on my face. And I don't believe that – I know that."

"Seriously, Two-Bit. Quit saying things like that. You're a good guy –"

"Am I?" he asked, playing devil's advocate with me. "You sure? Then you must've changed your mind in the past few months because I know for a fact that hasn't always been your opinion of me."

I was starting to get frustrated with him. My face had flushed red and my fists were clenched at my side, and I realized he was the only person who could get me worked up like that. "Why would you bring that up? That's in the past – "

"The past follows you everywhere you go, honey." He smirked, though it was probably more sarcastic than anything. "And I guess we've come full circle, because it's like I said – people will be able to read me easy no matter where I go or what I do. And I think it's starting to bite me in the ass now, even if this time it ain't my fault."

"You mean this mob business?" He nodded, and I sighed. "You'll figure it out," I said sourly.

"I sure hope so. Can't risk him breakin' my legs. Then I wouldn't be able to come out here and see ya like I like to do."

You can say a lot without saying a word. We just glanced at each other and that said everything that either of us needed to say. But I had to go and say something anyways. "Sometimes, Two-Bit, you really surprise me. You really do."

"Yeah, I'm full of 'em."

"More like full of it. But really, you really do surprise me sometimes. You're a lot different than I thought you were when I met you."

"Well, you're the one made me read that play. I think it gave me all sorts of ideas."

"You mean Our Town?" I laughed. "You read it? Really?"

"'Course I did! You said you liked it, so I decided to give it a shot. Remember?"

"Oh, I remember that you said you would. I just figured you were being facetious and wouldn't actually do it."

"Well, I did. So there." Then he decided to up and change the subject again. "Bee?"

"Yeah?"

"You think maybe you might wanna hang out with me on New Year's? Ya know, as pals? We could tool around town, find a party. Or just hang out. Whatever you want to do is fine by me."

This sounded sort of like Two-Bit was asking me on another date, but for real this time. But also sort of not because he was clearly keeping it casual. It still sent a little spark through me. "Well," I sighed, "I think maybe I would like that. I just gotta weasel out of a few things, okay?" I gave him a stern look. "And don't be getting any ideas."

"I've got the purest of intentions, Miz Stevens. But we're pals, ain't we? We could even consider it a second chance at a first impression – new year, new us, right? Clean slate. Everybody gets a second chance, honey."

Maybe it was the idea of a second chance, or maybe it was something else, but I nodded my head mutely and turned away quickly because oddly enough, I was starting to cry.

xXx

"I have vodka."

I was not impressed with that fact. "Vodka. That's, uh…um. I don't drink, Two-Bit."

He smirked. "Who said you were gonna drink it? I didn't say I was sharin'."

"People usually ring in the new year with champagne," I said slowly, playing like he was stupid. I took the bottle from him. "You weren't thinking we were both gonna drink out of this, were you?"

"I already told you! I don't plan on sharing."

"Oh, c'mon, Two-Bit." I didn't actually want any – I was a good girl, and all – but I was pissed that he had brought it without the intention of sharing. It's the thought that counts, and I had come to meet him still all dolled-up from our neighbor's party, so I figured at least offering to share was the least he could do.

"Thought you didn't drink."

"I do when you refuse to share with me!"

He laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll share." He held out the bottle. "Interested?"

"Did you bring glasses?"

"One step ahead of ya, Honey Bee."

Two-Bit poured each of us a shot and we sat down on the hatch. "Just a try," I insisted. "Well, for me, at least. Worse comes to worst, I'll just drive us home."

"Sounds good to me." He held his glass up and raised an eyebrow. "Toast?"

I faltered. "To what?"

"Whatever you'd like. To love, life, the inevitability of death – "

"Two-Bit!"

"Kidding, kidding. But whatever floats your boat, kid."

I thought for a moment, and then a smile curled my lips. I lifted my glass to his. "Here's to 1967."

"And to hoping that it's a hell of a lot better than 1966."

I smirked, we clinked glasses, and I finished the toast by delicately sipping from my glass. It was the worst thing I had ever tasted, and as soon as the first drop hit my tongue, I cringed. "Ugh," I spat. "That stuff's horrible. I don't know how you can stand it."

He shrugged. "It's an acquired taste. Here – I'll take it."

"And I'll take your keys." He scowled. I cocked an eyebrow and smirked, maybe like I was doing an impression of him. "Hey – it's a fair trade."

"You're a goody-two-shoes, is what this is. I ain't givin' 'em to you yet."

"Oh, alright. Ya know, I didn't think I'd be spending my New Years in the bed of a truck," I thought aloud, "let alone with you."

"Ouch. But hey – you could've gone to any number of parties, and you chose this one," Two-Bit parried. "Was it a good choice? Definitely. Was it a surprising one? Of course."

I laughed quietly and patted Two-Bit's knee, which seemed to surprise him. He was a good guy, I decided. He was worth spending New Years with. "So, I thought you'd want to be with your friends tonight. What changed your mind?"

"Dunno. Guess we all just had different plans tonight, and, well, Darry ain't exactly a party person anymore, so he was out to spend time with. So – here we are."

"Here we are," I repeated.

We just kind of sat there then, looking up at the sky and just sorta being. It was an interesting way to ring in the new year, to say the least. Cold, but interesting.

"Hey, Bee?"

"What?"

"You got any resolutions?"

Resolutions? Hell no. I had never really made any before, and I figured that if I did it wouldn't last. "No," I said. "I don't. Do you?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I do."

"What?"

Two-Bit cleared his throat and set the bottle down next to him. "I wanna start figuring stuff out," he answered vaguely. "Small scale. I ain't gonna start asking big questions, like about God or something. That's something I don't touch." He sighed, but I remembered him asking me if I believed in Him just the other day. But maybe Two-Bit meant his own personal thoughts on the matter. "But I wanna figure things out for myself. Like why the hell Pony's acting all tough. Do you know why? Cuz I sure as shit don't."

To be honest, I hadn't really noticed. I still talked to Ponyboy occasionally, and he didn't seem too different to me. But I wasn't one of his best friends, either. "I don't know, Two-Bit," I whispered. "I feel bad saying this, but I can't say I exactly noticed. So, I don't know."

"Well, that makes two of us," Two-Bit grinned.

I wrapped my arms around myself. It was pretty cold, but it was okay; I could look up and see the stars. That was a benefit of Oklahoma; you had a better chance at seeing the stars. Not so much in New York.

"What time is it?"

I looked down at my watch. "Eleven fifty-four." A smile crept across Two-Bit's face. "What?" I asked him. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"What're we s'posed to do once it's midnight?"

I raised my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Two-Bit rolled his eyes. "Don't be so dense. Ya know you're s'posed to kiss at midnight. I'm askin' if we're gonna kiss each other."

I hope to this day that he wasn't able to see me blush through the dark. I swallowed roughly. "Well, I don't know," I whispered. "Maybe...well, it doesn't have to be a real kiss." I knew even as I said it that was stupid.

"What's a real kiss, Bridget? Define real for me."

"It's just as friends."

"Just as friends? That's a real laugh, Bee."

"Friends kiss!" I said indignantly. "All the time."

"Oh, yeah? All the time? So I'm guessin' you just go around kissing all your friends, then. Is that right?"

"No! I don't do that."

Two-Bit eyed me for a minute, then he hopped out of the bed of his truck, headed for the front seat, and turned up the radio. "Paint it Black" faded to Sam Cooke and Two-Bit came back around with his hand held out to me. "Word on the street is that you're a pretty good dancer. So, for the next...four minutes, would you do me the honor?"

I wasn't sure. Dancing with somebody is awfully intimate, isn't it? "Oh, I don't know…"

"Time's a-wastin', Miz Bee – it really is. 1966 won't be with us much longer, and this is your last chance to get me on your dance card. C'mon. You know you want to, Peach."

I scowled at him, but still hopped out of the truck and surprised myself by wrapping my arms around his neck and allowing him to put his around my waist. Two-Bit looked surprised that I let him do that, and he had to sing along to the damn song to keep himself distracted. And that made me smile bigger.

"You're a terrible dancer," I proclaimed. "Absolutely horrible." But that was okay because this was better than dancing with Jerry. Jerry may have had all the technical points, but Two-Bit was making me smile because he was being…well, Two-Bit.

"Yeah, yeah. Two left feet, I know. I've been told. Hell – told you myself. Hey, how much longer?"

I checked my watch over his shoulder. "Fifty seconds."

We stopped and stared down at my wrist, watching the little second hand on my little watch speed toward the New Year, as if it couldn't contain itself, either.

"Bee."

"Yeah."

"I wanna thank you for tonight."

"It's no problem."

"I really mean it, ya know."

"I know you do."

"I'm gonna do something when that hand reaches twelve."

"What's that?"

At midnight, he grabbed my shoulders and kissed me like his life depended on it.

And it was perfect. More perfect than I had ever thought anything could be. It was so unexpected that I had no time to think about it at all, I just went along with it. And that in itself, the spontaneity of it, was perfect. But so was the actual fact and feeling of kissing him.

Who ever thought I would be kissing Two-Bit Mathews?

He finally let up, and Two-Bit stared down at me, smiling. I bit my lip.

"Just as friends. Right?"

"Just as friends," I repeated, voice soft. "Right. Right."

But I knew that friends didn't kiss like that.

Thanks for reading!