Riff walked into the gym, more jittery than usual. He had to talk to Bernardo. It had been difficult enough to get Tony to agree to come; he couldn't leave without making arrangements for the rumble. How would that look? To the Sharks? To the other Jets? To Tony? He couldn't risk it.
He saw Bernardo walk in, with his girl and surrounded by his family. Even Riff knew you didn't make arrangements in front of someone's girl. Well, it was something he'd learned. Along with the fact that boys fight a lot harder after their girlfriend breaks up with them for being in a gang.
Once enough PRs arrived, Riff noticed they kept on their own side of the gym. Whether it was because they knew each other or wanted to avoid the Jets, there was no way Riff could walk over casually and get Bernardo to a quiet place to talk. So, he danced with Graziella instead and kept an eye on Bernardo. Well, it was hard not to, the way he immediately went to the center of the floor and started dancing. Riff kept dancing as well, even going so far as to bump into him– always an easy way to start a fight–but their exchange of insults was over as soon as it began, and once again he was stuck with Graziella.
When Glad Hand announced the next dance, Riff wasn't paying attention. Experiment, guinea pigs, girls, boys, he didn't care. All that mattered to him was Bernardo. So, when Bernardo stepped into the center with his girl, Riff knew what he had to do. Taking Graziella's hand, he too glided onto the floor. He wasn't exactly sure what that would accomplish, but at least it would get Bernardo's attention.
More couples joined them on the dance floor, and eventually, the music started. He followed the other guys around the circle, now even less sure about whether it had been a good idea. What did it really matter who he would be paired up with? It would probably just end up being Velma or Liza or–
Oh
The music stopped and he found himself opposite Bernardo's girl.
She looked at him over her shoulder, clearly not impressed by his appearance.
After his initial shock, he realized what a perfect opportunity it would be. Bernardo couldn't keep avoiding him now.
She turned to the band, but just as she was about to say something, he grabbed her hand and led her onto the dance floor. She shot a confused look to Bernardo, and with a shrug of her shoulders followed Riff. He started off slow and basic, one hand on her waist, holding her hand in the other; he knew what a good dancer she was, but that didn't mean they would be compatible.
He figured he would try the most direct approach first.
"You're Bernardo's girl, right?"
"I'm Bernardo's fiancèe. Anita"
"Sure, darling." He talked as quickly as he could, not wanting to run out of time before the dance ended. "Now listen, I need to talk to your fiancè so, maybe you could do me a favor and tell him…"
"Oh, no." She interrupted. "I came here to dance, not deliver messages from little boys who want to play war. If you want to talk to him, you can do it yourself, Riff"
He squeezed her hand tighter and smiled to himself. So, Bernardo was talking about him, at least. "Sorry, darling. It's just that Bernardo hard to get ahold of sometimes"
"Mmm, sí" She smiled at Riff for the first time. Playful. Flirtatious. He was always a sucker for red lipstick. "He has a job. He has boxing. And he has me. So, he doesn't have all the…cómo se dice…leisure time that you do". Riff smiled back and released the hand that was around her waist, spinning her around so that her back was against his chest. He was going to have to try something else. Something a little more drastic.
"Is it true what they say about boxers?"
"I don't know, what do they say about boxers?" Her voice still carried that flirtatious edge to it, daring him to continue.
"That they ain't allowed to screw before a match." He felt her body stiffen against him. He smiled and slid his hands down to her hips. "'Cause that would be a real shame. I'd hate to think of you getting all…frustrated." She remained silent, so he continued, imagining her face contorted with anger "But you know, if you ever got lonely like that, you could always call me up, 'cause I'd sure like–"
She turned back to face him, and to his surprise, she was smiling.
"I think I know what you're trying to do." She put her hand back in his and continued dancing. "You're trying to make me angry so that I'll tell Bernardo and then he'll start a fight with you. Well, that won't work today, my mood is too good."
He couldn't help but smile, even though his plan had been so easily foiled. Smart kid.
"I'm kinda glad. I was about to start telling you to 'go back where you came from'"
"No" she shook her head. "I hear that one too often. You would have to do better."
"Okay". He jerked his head toward the girl in white who'd come in with them. "What if I called your sister a whore?"
Anita laughed softly. "That's Bernardo's sister. You call my sister a whore and I'd say, 'Oh, you've met her?'"
Riff laughed and spun her around again. "Hey, you're cute"
"'For a spic', you mean"
"No, I mean…for a girl"
"Thank you. But don't expect me to call you if I do get lonely."
As she said it, another idea struck him. The only foolproof way to get Bernardo's attention. "Sure, darling" he answered her absently as he scanned the room. He saw Bernardo dancing with Graziella, both of them looking miserable. He led Anita closer to them as subtly as he could.
When they were close enough, he spun Anita around and around, her skirts flying, making Bernardo look up at them. Locking eyes with him, Riff smiled before pulling Anita in close and kissing her as hard as he could.
He had never known time to slow down so much. She was pushing against him, but he was strong enough to keep her in place while he eased his tongue into her mouth. He might as well enjoy it. Then the inevitable happened, and he felt himself being pulled away from her.
"Thanks, darling" he smiled at her one last time before turning to Bernardo, who had a death grip on his shoulder with one hand and was flexing the other into a fist.
"All right, Bernardo. What do you say we meet outside and have a little talk?"
