Author's note: I would like to thank all of the readers for sticking with this story and begging me to get back to it! You're Awesome!
Chapter Seventeen
I slipped my toe into the high heeled shoe. The pair had been my mothers, and they were the perfect shade of blue to go with my formal gown. Straightening my posture, I slowly inhaled to calm the butterflies in my stomach.
"Don't tell me you're nervous." Casey said as she primped my hairdo one last time.
"I am."
"Don't be. You look gorgeous." Casey stepped back to look at me.
"I'm so nervous I can't stop shaking for nothing." I held my hands together to hide my trembling fingers.
"You aint shaking cause your nervous." Casey tried to calm me down. "You're probably just shaking because you're in those high heels. You just got steady on your legs in your tennis shoes, you shouldn't expect to be too steady in those heels."
"I know. I know." I took in another deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I thought about how the boys in the gang smoked cigarettes to calm their nerves. I considered it briefly then came to my senses knowing tobacco would do nothing more than make me sick to my stomach.
Ponyboy's voice echoed in the hallway. "Scout! Owen's here."
I shot Casey a nervous glance and bit my lower lip.
"Don't do that sweetheart. You'll ruin your lipstick."
Pony appeared in the doorway. "Wow!" is all he said.
"Gorgeous, aint she?" Casey asked with a pride filled grin.
"I'll say." Ponyboy replied sounding a bit like his friend Johnny.
"Both of you just hush!" I commanded. "I am anxious enough without you two doting over me like that."
"If you want us to stop, you're gonna have to leave." Casey reminded me that my date was waiting. Pony walked over to me and offered his arm to escort me down the hall. I grabbed on, Casey led the way and my brother and I walked slowly to the living room.
My twin spoke in a low voice. "I hope you have a real good time tonight."
"I will, I promise." I assured him as we walked into the living room to find Darry and Sodapop grinning ear to ear. Owen, dressed in a striking black tuxedo and a bow tie, stood next to Darry. Owen held my corsage in his hand. He looked a little paler than usual, I wondered if he was nervous too.
"Scout, you look beautiful." My date said, and he took my hand in his. They were cold and clammy, he was nervous.
"Thank you, Owen." I responded and felt the feeling of butterflies increase in my stomach as my date lifted the rose filled corsage to my chest and carefully pinned it on. I felt flush and embarrassed as his warm hand brushed against my chest. Then he kissed my cheek and took my hand again. "Are you ready to go?" I shook my head yes.
"Not so fast!" Sodapop grinned and walked over to the fireplace mantle. He picked up mom's old camera. "You two get together for a picture." As Owen and posed to have the moment captured forever I wondered how Darry and Soda had afforded the film. Pictures were expensive.
After the flash bulb popped Soda trotted up to me and grabbed me in a big hug. "Sissy, I hope you have the best time ever!" Then he turned toward Owen, "you take good care of her or you'll have me to deal with." Everyone in the room laughed a little at the lighthearted threat.
"Trust me!" Owen reached out and shook my brother's hand as he gave him his word. "I will."
I looked over at Darry who was standing tall with an odd grin on his face. I paused a moment waiting for him to threaten Owen too. Then he stepped forward and kissed my cheek. "You two have fun."
I giggled at the sight of my tough brother having so little to say. "We will, thanks Darry."
Owen and I headed outside while my family crowded in the doorway to watch us leave. Owen led me to the porch steps, and I looked out into the street. My face dropped at the sight. "Is that the new car your parent's bought you?"
"Yeah," Owen said as he looked at the shimmering blue and white striped Chevy Camaro. "I know it's kind of eerie, but I insisted it not be a convertible, so…"
"It's fine. I'm not worried." I lied to Owen. The truth was it was eerie to be climbing into a car almost identical to the one that almost cost me my life. I bit my lip out of nervousness again and heard Casey's voice in my mind that I would ruin my lipstick. I gently pressed my lips together to fix any cosmetic damage I had done, and walked beside Owen to the car. He was a perfect gentleman, opening the car door for me and helping me climb into the car.
Owen pulled the Camaro into the long line of expensive cars waiting outside of the Tulsa County Club. I carefully watched as the parking vallets escorted elegant girls out of the cars, while their dates walked around the car to join them. I studied the debutante's posture and demeanor to be sure I emulated them. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself with poor manners.
We pulled up under the entrance canopy and the valet pulled open my door. "Good evening Miss." The dark haired man greeted me and offered his hand. I stared at his gesture and panicked a little. I knew my legs wouldn't help me out of the sports car without more assistance. In the background I heard Owen's voice yell out.
"Hold on Sam. I'll help my girl out of the car."
"No problem Mr. Jasper." Sam backed away from the car door. Owen leaned into the car close to me. His cologne smelled intoxicating and my heart beat fast as his strong arms lifted me to my feet. Outside the car, Owen made sure I felt steady on my feet before we slowly strolled toward the front door. I kept a tight hold on Owen's arm and reveled in the extensive glamour of the evening event.
"O!" A familiar voice yelled out.
Owen glanced over his shoulder. "Pete!" Owen and I stopped to wait for his friend.
Pete and his date, Bethany, walked towards us. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, and Bethany was stunning in pink chiffon gown. Pearl and diamond earrings hung gracefully from her ears and matched her ornate necklace. Pete's smile was ear to ear as he greeted us. "Scout, it sure is good to see you. You look very nice tonight."
"Thanks." I smiled back.
"I bet you are happy to be out of the hospital." Bethany added as more Socs began to gather around us.
"Yes, I am." I simply said. I noticed her demeanor was very different from the first time I met her in Rusty's diner the day of Dallas and Johnny's funeral.
"Jasper!" A loud voice called out. "Man, what are you doing here! I thought you'd be hanging out on the other side of the tracks with that girl you almost killed."
The expressions on the faces in the crowd turned to frowns as Owen's eyes fell to glare at David, the same rude boy from the diner.
"What?" David rudely questioned, but he didn't recognize me. "It's just sad that you'd choose a greaser chick over your team. God knows if you'd been hanging out in your own back yard you'd have been able to finish off the football season and we'd all be walking in here state champions. But we aint, no thanks to you!" A few of the bystanders quietly warned David his comments were out of line.
Owen's ears began to get red as he snapped at his classmate. "You better watch it David."
David didn't care, as he grew cockier. "I'm just saying I think you ought to leave the trash in the dump."
"Knock it off!" Pete yelled out in an attempt to keep the peace. He stepped in front of David and gently pushed him backwards away from Owen.
"Let's go inside Scout." Owen said. I agreed and we turned to head inside. My steps were slow and labored as my legs were getting tired.
A few yards behind us David couldn't resist one last comment as he realized I was Owen's date for the evening. "Oh my … looks like your girl's a greaser and a cripple!" David laughed at his comment then added the final blow. "Did you do that to her Jasper?" David didn't have time to utter another word. Owen shook my hand off his arm, darted towards the boy and threw a hard right handed punch at David's cheek. David's head snapped to the side following the impact, but he didn't falter as he charged toward Owen, fists ready. Owen threw one more punch before David, the bigger of the two, returned the gesture. The two boys fell to the ground in a makeshift wrestling competition.
"Hey!" Sam's voice called out as he and the other valets came running towards the fight. "You two break it up this instant!"
Pete reached down and pulled Owen up and away from David. My date's hair was tussled and his cheek was beginning to redden from where the punch had landed. I looked at David, his nose and lip were bleeding, but he didn't mind. He seemed to welcome the clash.
Sam stood in front of the young man as he sat on the ground licking his wounds. "David Pearson I've had about all I can tolerate with you! Every week it seems your causin' some kind of trouble. You're going to have to talk to the Director of the Board before I'll let you in the country club tonight!"
David jumped to his feet. "I didn't cause any trouble. Jasper did! He attacked me!"
Sam shook his head and I heard him say. "Owen Jasper doesn't cause trouble." Then the man escorted David to the service entrance of the building.
Embarrassed by the spectacle, I looked away into the crowd of people and my eyes met with a familiar face, Cherry Valance. She stared back at me, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. I sized her up in her long, dark red gown and glanced at her date, Randy. I recognized him from his visit to our house. Instantly I felt horribly out of place.
Owen brushed his jacket clean and walked up to me. I looked back at him and wanted to ask him if he was alright, but a lump had formed in my throat. I didn't know why I was getting so upset, but I was. Owen noticed. He took my face in his hands and looked into my eyes. "It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You're the girl for me, and nothing is ever going to change that."
His words were sincere as they rushed through my soul and helped to calm me down.
"You understand that. Right?"
I gently nodded my head. My date smiled in relief. Swiftly he bent down and picked me up off of my feet like a new bride. I wrapped my chilly arms around his warm neck and smiled as he carried me inside to the dance.