Chapter Six
"And you're sure about this, are you, Mia?" Kelsey asked apprehensively as she fastened my necklace.
"Quite sure," I replied firmly, spritzing on some perfume.
"I still cannot believe you are going to—to one of those rave parties," Kelsey said, her voice disapproving. "And dressed like that! If any word of this gets to the papers-"
"This is Tulsa," I pointed out. "Not New York. Don't worry, Kels! There won't be any Page Six columnists where I'm going, trust me. Now, is my hair ready? I want to see."
"You're all done. Go take a look."
I got up and walked over to the full-length gilt mirror that stood in one corner of my dressing room. I've always been critical of my appearance, but tonight I was pleased with what I saw.
Many times in my life, I have had cause to wear a ball gown. But this one outshone them all. Midnight-blue silk, with layers of tulle under the skirt making it very full. Little capped sleeves and a plunging neckline- the first time I'd worn one. Silver slippers on my feet. White gloves going all the way up to my elbows. A diamond pendent on a silver chain around my neck. My hair down around my shoulders, with just the sides swept back in- this was my favorite part- a small diamond-and-sapphire tiara.
I turned to Kelsey and gave her a big grin, feeling every inch the confident heiress in this dress. I was done trying to conform now. I was going to be myself, and I was going to do it to the hilt.
Kelsey gave me a satisfied smile- she loves seeing me all dressed up- before saying worriedly, "I just wish someone besides that Dallas was going with you, I'm very anxious at you there on your own-"
"Oh, I won't be," I assured her. "Two-Bit said he'd come and check up on me."
"Thank you, I feel much better now," Kelsey said sarcastically.
I giggled. "Can you believe, Kelsey, that I'm really here? That is this is really my life?"
Kelsey kissed my forehead and stepped back, her hands on my shoulders. "Yes, I can. What I can't believe is that the little girl I was hired to look after is this beautiful young woman standing here in front of me."
"Stop it," I laughed. "You're going to make me get all teary, and he'll be here soon."
"And you're really going to do this? Because it seems like an awful lot of fuss just to make a point."
I just stood there and raised one eyebrow, and Kelsey sighed. "Oh, I know, I know. You've got that look again. Just be careful."
"You worry too much," I replied, turning back to the mirror to apply one last coat of lipstick.
There was a knock on the door, and a bellhop walked in, a rather young gentleman who said, "Miss de Barbarac, there is a young man in the lobby who claims to be your escort for the evening. Do you happen to know a Mr. Dallas Winston?"
"Yes," I replied, "please tell him I will be down shortly." The bellhop nodded and left.
"Looks like it's time. Wish me luck!" I gave Kelsey a quick kiss on the cheek and dashed from the room, enjoying the way my dress rustled when it moved. I took the elevator to the mezzanine floor, but had decided to take the Grand Staircase to the lobby. I was going to make an entrance.
At the head of the staircase, I took a deep, deep breath and began the descent slowly, slightly lifting my skirts so I wouldn't trip. As I neared the bottom into the marbled elegance of the lobby, I saw Dallas, slouching against a wall near the fountain. When he first saw me his mouth dropped open, and I felt vindicated that I had managed to shock him for at least one moment. Then, slowly, he grinned, shook his head, and walked over to meet me at the foot of the stairs.
I inclined my head graciously and said, "Good evening, Dallas."
Dallas looked me up and down again and said, slightly incredulously, "Well, you got more guts than I gave you credit for, kid."
"I cannot imagine what you mean," I replied in a very dignified sort of way.
He cocked an eyebrow. "Come on. I ain't an idiot, y'know. I was expecting some Socy dress, but not a whole Cinderella getup."
"What did you expect, after that last crack of yours?" I retorted. "Any woman of spirit would have reacted in exactly the same-" Dallas was shaking his head again, cutting me off.
"Look, I don't care what you're wearing, even if I am lookin' forward to seein' Shepard's face when he sees you. Let's just get outta here, this place gives me the creeps. My car's parked out back."
"Oh, no," I said coolly as we made our way to the main doors. "We're taking my car and driver. I refuse to get in a car driven by you, and since they're expecting an heiress, that's what they'll get."
Dallas just shrugged. "Whatever you say."
I rolled my eyes, and we started crossing the lobby to the doors. People turned and stared openly as we passed. After all, I looked like I was on my way to a ball, and Dallas- well, he looked like a stereotypical hood. I caught sight of us in a mirror and giggled. Dallas followed my gaze and cracked a smile too.
"We're gonna be turnin' a lot of heads tonight, babe. You better get used to it," he murmered in my ear.
Fighting to keep my face straight, I replied, "But of course. Turning heads is one of my main goals for the evening."
The doorman opened the heavy front doors, preceded him out into the cool night, where the stretch limousine I'd ordered was waiting. The chauffer, in an English uniform, opened the door for us, and I slid inside first. Dallas gave the interior a once over, obviously impressed in spite of himself.
"Want one?" he asked, holding out his cigarettes as he lit one for himself.
I shook my head. "I actually hate the taste. However…" I reached over and opened one of the mahogany cabinets on the other side of the car, pulled out two crystal goblets, and then opened the small refrigerator, where the champagne I'd ordered was chilling. I opened the bottle and calmly poured us each a glass, handing one to Dallas, who raised his eyebrows but took a drink.
"Wouldn'tve figured you for the drinking type. You know you'll catch it if your big brothers find out."
I took a sip, closing my eyes in pleasure- I love champagne- and said, slightly annoyed, "I have no idea why people here are under the impression that my brothers are in charge of me, because they're not. In fact, no one is."
Dallas chuckled, drained his glass, and said, "Hate to be the one to tell you, doll, but they don't see it that way."
"How they see things is no concern of mine." I leaned back and polished off my glass too, determined that tonight I was going to relax and have fun.
Fairly soon, we pulled up in front of a ramshackle house that was obviously hosting a big party- there were people everywhere, including couples scattered on the porch and front lawn, and loud music blared from inside.
Without waiting for the chauffer, Dallas opened the door and hopped out of the limo. He actually extended his hand to help me out, to my great surprise. Dallas kept me guessing, something that I was not accustomed to.
We made our way to the front door, stepping over beer bottles, trash, and the occasional unwashed, unconscious boy. I was beginning to get nervous now. The door was flung open already, and I paused at the threshold, feeling very unsure of myself now. Dallas just glanced at me, grinned roguishly, and pulled me through.
Inside we were greeted by all sorts of rough-looking people yelling Dallas' name, coupled with a few unprintable adjectives at whose meanings I could only guess, and, of course, everyone stopped short and stared when they saw me.
"This," Dallas announced grandly, "Is Mia de Barbarac." Unsettled though I was inside, outwardly I was composed and poised, flashing the assembled guests my most brilliant smile.
"What, the Curtis chick?" asked one of them critically, a young man who looked to be slightly older than Dallas, with curly black hair, dark eyes, and a long scar that started up at one temple and ended at his chin.
"That would be me, yes," I said pleasantly.
He seemed to size me up before saying, "I'm Tim Shepard. My brother Curly's around here someplace."
"Charmed," I replied, putting one ankle behind the other and dipping a quick curtsey.
Tim stood there for a second and stared before laughing. Everyone else in the room joined in, but it was pretty good-natured. The ice broken, people just started introducing themselves, including Tim's younger brother, Curly, who expertly twisted the top off a beer and handed it to me.
"Thank you," I told him, rather surprised. I took a sip, and was surprised that I quite liked it. Nerves had made me thirsty, so I downed half of it at once, and when I finished it, someone was on hand with another.
Dallas escorted me to a poker table, where I sat down next to Tim, who'd agreed to let me watch so I could learn to play.
"So you're really the Curtis girl?" asked Buck Merril as he placed several more chips in the middle of the table.
"Yep," I replied, taking another long drink.
Tim shook his head as he scrutinized his cards. "Never would've guessed you for a greaser chick, I gotta admit. This really oughta show them Socs."
"What should?" I said, confused.
"You," Tim said, waving at my clothes. "I ain't never seen a Soc dressed so fancy, even. And you're a greaser."
I sat straight up. "I am, aren't I?" I giggled and took another swallow. "Isn't that great?"
Curly Shepard appeared at my side then. As a new Elvis song began playing, a nice respite from the abominable noise I'd since learned was Hank Williams, he said to me, "Hey, you maybe wanna dance or somethin'?"
"Sure," I replied, still giggling. "Why not?" I got up and followed him to the next room, where the music was.
Two hours and several more beers later, I was feeling very happy, relaxed, and at peace. I could play cards and dance like I'd never seen back home. And moreover, I felt actually accepted. Despite the obvious differences, they accepted me as one of theirs, which I had not expected. It was a good feeling.
Around twelve-thirty, Two-Bit finally showed up. I was in the middle of a poker game, but I waved him over.
"Two-Bit! How's life? Isn't it kicky? I think it's kicky." I really was in a good mood.
"Kicky?" Two-Bit repeated, then he grinned and said slowly, "Mia, have you been drinking?"
"Sure. Why not?" I replied, dimly aware that my words seemed to be slurred a little.
Two-Bit just shook his head and laughed. "Listen, kiddo, you better get back to the Curtis' place. Darry just found out where you are, and he's pretty ticked off."
"Oh, hell's bells," I muttered, clumsily getting up- getting up off the floor in a ballgown is not easy- and brushing myself off. Yelling goodbye to everybody, and accepting Buck's offer of another beer for the road, I told Dally I was going and then dashed out to my waiting car.
A/N: Thanks go as per usual to my reviewers. Please continue giving me feedback, and I will honor most requests in the way of plot.