Disclaimer: You should know the drill by now.. I don't own it.
Chapter Nine- Old Love, New Admirer
Cherry entered the gym to the sound of a booming voice, and looked over to the stage to see their principal speaking into a microphone. She smiled and quickly made her way over to Maggie, who was smiling wildly. "Hey," she said quietly. Maggie turned around and hugged Cherry.
"I just want you to know that who ever wins, we're still best friends." Maggie's smile was as big as Cherry had ever seen it, and she smiled back at her friend.
"Right," she said it meaningfully, although her tone sounded a bit sarcastic. Apparently, Maggie hadn't noticed though, because she turned right back around to face the stage. Cherry brushed a strand of red hair out of her face and blinked hard. When she opened her eyes she saw Maggie standing in front of her, joining hands with Karen, both girls crossing their fingers. Cherry couldn't help but feel out of it. Karen wasn't even Maggie's best friend, Cherry was. Or at least she was supposed to be.
"And now, we'd like to announce the Homecoming King and Queen!" Cherry turned her attention back to the booming voice on stage, then glanced around her at hundreds of smiling faces. She suddenly felt her stomach flop, and she closed her eyes again, waiting a name to be called.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, your new Homecoming King is-Bob Sheldon!" Cherry opened her eyes wide and stared at the principal standing on stage wearing a humungous grin. Her mind was screaming, and she glanced in front of her at Maggie and Karen who were both jumping about and cheering. As Bob took the stage the applause settled, but Cherry felt like she was going to be sick. She prayed that her name would not be called, she crossed her fingers so hard she thought her hands would fall off.
"And for Queen-" Cherry waited anxiously, feeling her stomach rise to her throat, "Sherri Valance!" Cherry sighed and forced a smile as she began to walk toward the stage. Maggie hugged her and Karen smiled happily, many other girls doing the same as she passed. She couldn't stand to look at Bob, although he seemed to have no problem looking at her. She carefully stepped up on the stage and received the silver tiara and bouquet of roses. She smiled falsely to the crowd of students standing in front of her and took her place next to Bob. But what she most dreaded was the dance that her and Bob would have to share. She blinked, wishing that everything would just go away, but when her eyes opened again, she was still standing on a stage next to her ex-boyfriend.
"Don't they just make an adorable couple!?" The principal's high, excited voice was enough to make Cherry sick. She swallowed fast and looked out over the crowd. She spotted Ponyboy standing against a wall on the opposite end of the gym, smiling to himself. "Now, let's have the traditional dance between the King and Queen!" Cherry sighed and began walking down the steps of the stage to the front of the gym.
"So, Cherry, I guess love does find it's way, huh?" Bob's eyes were sparkling and Cherry could smell alcohol on his breath.
"In your dreams," she said quietly, looking at the clock. Bob laughed and wrapped his arms around Cherry's waist. Cherry swallowed again and placed her arms around Bob's neck, hoping the song they'd picked for the dance was short.
"I was thinking, you and me, we should hang out after the dance," Bob said looking Cherry in the eyes. He slid his hand down her back and back up, smiling the whole time. Cherry rolled her eyes in disgust but continued the dance. "There's a cute little hotel down the street, you know." Bob stopped his hand over the opening to Cherry's dress and slowly began reaching down it. Cherry jerked away, glaring at him.
"No, Bob. I don't know how to say it any clearer! No!" Bob laughed and Cherry wrapped her arms around his neck again, still praying the song would end.
"Do you remember that time, in April, when you and I were sitting by the lake and it started to rain?" Bob whispered. Cherry shook her head trying her hardest not to think of the night Bob was about to refer to. "Well, we got wet, and you were so gorgeous. You're parents weren't home, and you forgot your key so we went to St. Patrick's Inn, just to stay until the rain stopped." He paused, looking Cherry in the eyes. "You loved me, Cherry. What happened?" Cherry looked at Bob closely, his eyes were serious and she could tell that he really did still love her.
"Your ego happened. You always think you are so much better than people. You need the thrill of hurting people who never hurt you, you need to know constantly that is someone backing you up. And I guess I just got tired of being that someone." Cherry said it with feeling, and she meant every word. "And as for that night at St. Patrick's, I didn't know what I was doing. I just thought because you loved me, you would lead me." Bob nodded and smiled a little.
"But you stopped me. Is that when you stopped loving me, Cherry?" Cherry looked at the floor and then back at Bob. She shook her head.
"Maybe," she said smiling to herself. The song ended and Bob pulled his arms away from Cherry, turning to walk over to his other red head. Cherry stared after him, feeling like she'd finally come to a truce with him. Maybe she had, maybe she hadn't. But she did know that he wasn't the one anymore. And nothing could change that now.
"Cherry," Ponyboy said coming up to her with two glasses of punch. "Congratulations!" Cherry smiled and tugged on the side of her dress with embarrassment.
"Thanks." Ponyboy held the punch out to her, and she accepted it.
"So, how's it feel being this well liked?" Ponyboy pretended to be an interviewer, causing Cherry to laugh.
"Pretty nice, actually. Thanks for backing me up," Cherry said happily. Ponyboy laughed.
"Actually, I didn't vote for you," he said seriously. Cherry looked at him with shock. "I'm just kidding." The two kids started laughing even harder, walking toward the back of the gym. As they opened the door to the outside of the school, Cherry was greeted by a bouquet of white roses, with maraschino cherries spread through the leaves and petals. Ponyboy smiled and walked away, leaving the owner of the roses and Cherry alone.
"Hey," Dallas Winston said, looking more at the ground then at Cherry. "Congratulations." Cherry stared in shock at him, not being able to believe that he was standing in front of her, holding roses! "Um, look I don't really know how to do this, but here." Dally thrust the roses in her direction looking at the ground the whole time. Cherry took them and ran her finger over one of the petals.
"Th-thank you," she stuttered, still stunned. She looked at Ponyboy who was standing behind Dally smiling widely. Cherry reached up and adjusted the tiara on her head. The silence was almost unbearable, but thankfully Ponyboy spoke up.
"I have and idea, lets go." Cherry began walking toward Ponyboy, but she felt Dally take her hand. She smiled and just as she was about to wrap her fingers around his, he let go. Cherry was disappointed, but tried not to let it show. The two continued following Ponyboy, neither one having any idea where he was taking them. Ponyboy, though, was determined to make it the best night of Cherry's life.
So, there you go. More story, and I hope you guys still love it! Next chapter will start something big. I like the part about Bob and Cherry.. it shows Bob's softer side and that he's not just a creepy stalker hahhaha. Oh, and babygurl33, there was some more Dally/Cherry action there. Better read the next chapter cuz it's gonna get exciting!Reviewsssss are nice.