Here is another chapter.

He pulled into a hopping joint, but only a few of what they called squares are here. It looked more like greaser territory. "It's cool," he smiled again as a girl skated up a small pad of paper in hand.

Vinnie put his arm over my seat, "A burger, fries and a cherry coke. And you Doll?" his brow raised. I ordered, "May I please, have a burger with no onion, fries, and a chocolate shake," he smiled giving the girl a nod.

She spoke again, "Lawson is waiting for you, go and I will keep an eye on your friend,"

He looked unnerved but when he turned to me his smile was gone. "Be back, don't cut out while I am gone,"

It was a little unsavory here, even as I could see him standing with Richard Lawson and a few others. Richard put his hand on Vinnie's shoulder talking when our food arrived. "Hunnie, he is not a good guy. You best away from him," she whispered, and I knew she was dead on.

I gave her a nod taking my dinner, the shake was boss. "Dig in, doll," he returned and was happy once again, maybe being in Lawson's gang was stressful.

"So?" I asked him as we ate.

He chewed before he talked, which alerted me he had some manners. "The conversation was hairy, but in the end, Richard ain't unglued about you in my car. David, on the other hand, is in deep with him," that was it, all he was going to say and so I leave it, right now it wasn't my business.

The food was boss, when he was starting the engine Lawson showed up. "Hey there chick, really sorry about David,"

Vinnie gave me a look as I opened my mouth, "You should keep your pet on a tight leash," my words sharp.

"She is a tuff chick, get her home and meet me at David's," but those words had a double meaning to leave me alone too.

The drive home was nearly silent, gazing straight ahead, only half-aware of a world outside the claustrophobic comfort of the car, of Vinnie's hands, stroking the wheel, the almost soundless changing of the gears, the pattern of traffic lights...

I gave him directions to my house, and he followed them until he pulled to the curb of my family's house, he cocked his head. "I live a street away," that was new.

"Thank you, Vinnie. Not just for dinner but for everything you have done in my honor. Lawson made it clear this will be the last time I should be in this car," it was the truth and Vinnie never denied it as he opened my door, how was this greaser nicer than some squares.

His voice was sly and worried, "Richard is my best friend, the leader but not my master or father. I want to see you again, had a blast tonight you're choice," thankful it was dark now as my face felt hot with my blush.

His hand touched my cheek before I even knew it, he placed his lips to my own, we didn't swap spit, it was a simple but lingering kiss. His hand caressed my cheek like velvet on silk.

It ended, "Sleep well, doll," I was taking this night to the grave.

I walked into the house happier than when I left, I bathed and just gushed to myself over Vinnie. But if he and I could be together, it is in secret never out for all to see. My brother and his gang leader would have us killed; my family wouldn't be thrilled either.

Days passed in a blur; Vinnie kept his distance but whenever I chanced a look he was already watching me his eyes watchful. He would call at night right before I was to go to bed, we would talk for a good hour before it was hard to hang up. It was Friday, I stand in front of my locker talking with Wayne and Peggy when Nathan walked up he was an upperclassman and on the football team, I think it was junior varsity. He was tall and what Peggy called a manly man, his voice was deep too but it didn't cause my stomach to turn into a swarm of butterflies.

His body leaned against the lockers, "So, I talked to Joseph and he gave his blessing. I would like to take you out tonight," in no way was my brother my boss. I just gave Peggy a look, she knew something was up with me but not the what's and who's.

I smiled, when my eyes met Vinnie's he was walking past us so I was going to let Nathan down easy. I sighed, "I am sorry, but I have plans tonight," Vinnie just gave a loathing look to the guy in front of me, but he fixed it and gave me a small smile.

"Come on, I am a hunk you and I together would make a hot couple. I will pick you up at eight,"

Peggy gave him an angry look her mouth about to open. I cut in, "I said no, I meant no. Beat feet, loser," angry, angry because he thought it wise to tell me I would be going out with him angry because my brother sent him my way. So now I leave him and Wayne with Peggy hot on my heels.

"He is a candyass," she fumed beside me, she had Wayne who was a total sweetheart.

I gave my brother a hard glare, this had him rushing forward his friends backing him. They probably all thought I had another run-in with Lawson's gang. "Your friend, the one you sent my way. Never do it again, how he spoke to me demanding I go out with him as if I had no choice," his blue eyes moved up to where I ditched his friend than he was gone as his girl just sighed.

"His heart was in the right place, go Elizabeth before he returns and starts groveling for forgiveness," he would too, it was like his life mission to protect and love me, sometimes I thought he loved me more than our parents since they just work and do old people things.

"Thanks, Jane," making my exit seeing David coming our way, Peggy went stiff, but I just glared forward walking right by him his tone was low not wanting to be heard. "I will get some sugar soon,"

I giggled, "Try it," knowing Vinnie might do more than just pound him.

The school was a blast at times and a drag at times, right now the weekend it here as we walked to our shared English class. The halls filled with yelling and fighting as it looked like Richard was pounding someone when it looked like Nathen jumped in and it looked as if Vinnie was hoping for this as he jumped in his fist slamming into Nathen.

I just sighed, this was him and not something I liked.

Our Principal and a few male teachers rushed to break it up, sending Nathan and his friend one way and Vinnie and Lawson in our direction. Vinnie was laughing it was shrill and manic as he and Lawson smiled at the fun they just had. His face fell for a moment seeing me but played it off as Lawson punched his shoulder talking as they are nearly close to us girls. 'Let's ditch the rest, I want to work on my car before my date," like what deranged slut would want to date him, or anything more.

"Let cutout," Vinnie smirked as his hand brushed mine, it was warm and soft even as he passed me a note, I just tucked it into my hand and moved on acting as if it was nothing had happened.

His script was not what I was expecting, it was neat and round, his penmanship was boss.

"-Doll

I want to go steady; I know how hard it will be to keep us a secret. I want you as my old lady. Meet me outside of your place at seven.

-Vinnie"

He was asking me to go steady with him but he was right none of our friends could find out, it be trouble and nothing more. Peggy couldn't know, I had wanted to talk to her but in the end, I couldn't.

So, by seven.

I was standing by the curb waiting, my brother was home and getting ready to leave himself, so this was dangerous. But like he said his Corvette pulled up, his body moved around his car to open my door, he smelled like the nighttime air and cologne with a hint of sage. "Hey there, Doll,"

"Hiya Vinnie, my brother is coming out," he understood just fine as he shut my door and got into the driver's side and peeled out leaving my house behind.

He asked me, "You have a curfew?"

"Ten,"

He retorted, "Cool. We going over to Hartford we can be together and have a blast without my gang or your friends. Its an hour drive though," but he drove like the wind one arm wrapped around my shoulders holding me closer, every once in a while he would place a kiss to my head. Hartford was a smaller town but he pulled into a diner where the local teens were dancing and having a good time.

It was nice, he was nice away from his gang, he was open and smart. Our pizza was delivered it was boss, the shakes better than ever. He joked, Vinnie was different from the other "funny guys." He used his wit for satire, his comments were clever and insightful. Even the subject of the ridicule often joined in the joke, he always presented it in such a way that they were free to laugh at themselves and become the star of the situation rather than himself.

Nothing was ever a problem to Vinnie. Bread would come, today was more important than a hundred tomorrows. Today was given, tomorrows were only a concept. Everyone in his gang was "dude" to him. He was humble, warm, smart, and caring when around me nothing of the sinister laughing, not the anger, jealousy, and bad nature he carried when around Richard and his gang of thugs.

He gave me a look, "Will you be my old lady,"

Only a single word came to mind, "Yes,"

He held me close as we danced, my head on his chest as Elvis- Are you lonesome tonight played softly in the background because all I smelled was him, all I heard was his slow deep breaths.

Before he let me walk away, he kissed me once more it wasn't as intense as when we made out in Hartford, this was simple and loving it meant more than the others. He whispered, "Your mine, never will you have another," his words sounded crude but for now I just let it go.

This was the beginning and also the beginning of the end.