The Great Gatsby Chapter 4
June's POV
I woke up to the sound of someone knocking obnoxiously on the front door. Why do I always have to wake up when I'm not ready to get up! It's Saturday which means I am entitled to sleep for a very long time! Maybe if I just pretend I'm not here they'll go away. That won't work. I can already tell from the way this person is knocking it doesn't seem like they're going to give up and leave anytime soon.
I threw on my silk robe and went downstairs to answer the door. I opened it to see a valet in a sky blue jacket with a tray containing a plain card. When the valet saw me he blushed a little but held out card to me. I took it and read the other side. It read:
Dear June,
I'm hosting a little party later tonight and the honor would be entirely mine if you could attend.
Your friend, Jay Gatsby
I read the card thoroughly and when I looked up, the valet was gone. I turned back inside and went to sit on the couch. I wonder if I should go or not. I've never really gone to a party before. I mean my brother Johnny and I used to be invited to them a lot but we're not really party people so we'd take turns faking sick. But now Johnny isn't here to pretend to be sick and Jay just saw me yesterday so I can't make up an illness. So I have no choice but to go.
I suppose I should start getting ready now. I ran to the bathroom, after grabbing a clean towel and took a long warm bubble bath. After I washed my hair I quickly dried off. I put on some vanilla scented lotion and deodorant. Then I went to my closet to pick out a shimmering silver dress with white and gold sequins in undulating patterns. I put on stockings and silver shoes then I opened my jewelry box to pick out a silver bracelet and dangling diamond earrings.
Lastly I went to the mirror to fix my hair and put on my makeup. For my hair I put it into a messy side bun with a golden hair comb with an attached ear cuff. Then I put on coal grey eye shadow, black eyeliner, and black mascara. After putting on some mauve lipstick and spraying some vanilla perfume I was ready.
Let's see now its 9:40 so I should probably head on over. I grabbed my invitation and walked over to Jay's house. As I got closer to the house my jaw dropped. Twinkling lights dangled across the driveway into the trees. Every room of the house was filled with light which cast a glamorous glow on the lawn. And there are so many people here! It's almost as if every person in New York was here! Goodness Jay must have had to write and send out thousands upon thousands of invitations!
I walked as carefully as I could to the front door. Some of these people really do not know how to drive and I swear if they hit me with that car... I'm not even going to think about it. As I walked through the doors I tried to show the valet my invitation but he seemed to ignore me and look away. I was swept on through the doors and I my jaw dropped even further when I saw the farther when I saw the foyer. How many people did Jay invite?!
The place was filled with partying people. Eris's were comparing inheritances on Jay's beach. I even saw Mrs. Yeske losing money at one of the many of the roulette tables! Gossip columnists were alongside gangsters and governors exchanging telephone numbers. There were Film stars, Broadway directors, morality protectors, high school defectors, and even the dubious descendent of Beethoven was here playing the organ alongside the band.
This is incredible! I can't even begin how to describe this party. I need to find Jay and thank him for inviting me. I walked over to one of the bars that were crowded with people.
"Excuse me but do you know where I can find the host Jay Gatsby?" I said over the loud music while holding up my invitation.
"Gatsby? I've never seen Mr. Gatsby why no one has!" The bartender said while handing me a glass of what smells like Gin. I took it with a strained smile then went off to find Jay and a place to put this stupid glass. I'm never drinking again. How on earth Jay holds parties and no one has ever seen him before is beyond me. I went up the stairs to wear I could have a view of everyone on the dance floor. I gave my glass to a waiter when I heard a voice from behind me.
"I thought I might see you here" I turned around to see Jordan. Oh here we go.
"Hello."
"I remembered you lived next door. Shall we?" She said holding her hand out. I took it and gave it a light shake.
"Did you get an invitation?" I asked as she led me down the stairs.
"People aren't invited to Gatsby's."
"Well I was and it seems I'm the only one. Do you know where he is?" I said. Why on earth would he invite me but no one else? Wow Jay way to make a girl feel special.
"Be careful around him he was a German spy during the war." A man said as we walked past him. Jordan introduced us but I couldn't hear what she said his name was.
"A German spy?"
"No no he's the Kaiser's assassin." Another man said as we passed him.
"I heard he killed a man once." A blonde woman said. Goodness I hope she made her hairdresser give her a refund for that hairdo.
"It's true. Kills for fun, free of charge. He's suddenly richer than God." The second man from before said. It looks like everyone has something to say about Jay but nothing good. If he's so bad then they shouldn't be at this party drinking alcohol that he paid for. Although that could just be the alcohol and jealousy talking so I'm really not going to pay attention to it.
Jordan led me across the dance floor, up the stairs and through some double doors to a library.
"But you are mistaken for I am the mysterious Mr. Gatsby." Jordan said as she crept over to a lamp to switch it on.
"You won't find him. This house and everything in it is part of an elaborate scheme. That Mr. Gatsby doesn't exist." A voice said above us nearly scaring me to death. I looked up to see a very old man climbing down a latter. That can't be safe I really hope he doesn't fall. He climbed down the stairs grabbed two glasses of gin and passed them out to us.
"Fowey I've met him." Jordan said as she took her drink.
"Really? Which one? The prince, the spy, the murder, I cannot find a single person who knows anything about Mr. Gatsby." The man said as he handed me my drink. Great now I have to hold it in my hand until I leave the room. I can't just put it down here and show I wasn't going to drink it in front of him. That might hurt his feelings.
"Well I don't care. He throws large parties and I like large parties they're so intimate. With small parties you never get any privacy." Jordan said. Is she serious?
"But what's all this for?" I asked looking out the window.
"That my dear girl is the question."
"Well June and I would love to stay but we have some fun to have. Don't we June?"
"Of course." I said with a fake smile. I don't want to be around Jordan any longer but I do want this glass out of my hand. The smell is getting unbearable. We left the library and I gave my glass to a waiter. We went down to the dance floor and Jordan tried to get me to dance but I declined. I'm trying to get away from Jordan and find Jay. I walked up the stairs and lightly bumped into someone. When I looked over to apologize I saw Jay smiling at me.
Jay had one of those rare smiles that you only see if you're lucky and if you don't look closely you'll miss it. It seemed to understand you and believe in you just as you'd like to be understood and believed in.
"How is the party? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"This is all so wonderful Jay! Thank you so much I can only imagine how much effort and planning it took to make a party like this. Thank you." I said which made him look a little bit in shock. Don't tell me that none of these selfish fools who came to his parties have ever said thank you.
"You're welcome. Thank you for attending it. You know I've acquired another hydroplane. Would you like to take a ride on it with me tomorrow morning along with lunch together after?"
"Of course, what time?"
"What time suits you?"
"That's very kind of you. How about 9am?" I said and a butler came over and whispered something in Jay's ear. I have realized now that I can't hardly come over to Jay's house and talk to him because before I can even get a sentence out there's some servant from somewhere pulling him away for a phone call.
"That sounds fine. I have to run now but remember if there's anything you want you need only ask." Jay said as he kissed my knuckles.
"But Jay I…"
"Yes?"
"I haven't danced all night. And…I was hoping you would dance with me?"
"Alright." Jay said after thinking a little. He grabbed my hand and I felt electricity spark up my arm. He took me to the middle of the dance floor. Jay gestured at the band and a slow song started to play. He held on to my waist, pulling me flush against his chest our faces cheek to cheek and I felt him draw in a breath. Our bodies fit together like pieces to a puzzle. Together we moved in tandem.
"You're a wonderful dancer." He whispered, sweeping little strands of my hair to the side, his hot breath tickling my neck and sending shivers down my spine.
"Thank you. You're an excellent dancer as well." I said. He swayed us slowly, our hips moving in unison. He twirled me around and gently brought me back to him. His blue eyes swirled with compassion and care. And his hands are so soft and gentle; they caressed the small of my back. The emotions I felt danced around me as I moved with him.
"You look gorgeous tonight by the way." Jay said sending shivers down my spine. This must be complete bliss. Jay is moving me around the dance floor with such elegance and grace. I feel like royalty.
"Thank you. You look very handsome in black Jay." I said making a light blush and a small smile come across his face. Oh he's so adorable! And he smells so nice like sandalwood!
Then all too soon the song stopped and the dance was over. It was then that Jay and I were broken out of our world. As we reluctantly pulled away I noticed we were the only ones on the dance floor and everyone around us was clapping. That's odd I thought others would join us on the floor too. Some people were smiling as if they'd just seen the most romantic thing in the world. Others were looking with either disdain or jealousy.
Jay pulled away but took my hand and led me back to where we were before. As we got closer I saw Jordan standing there with a large smile on her face. I hope she isn't getting the wrong idea. Once we got there Jay nodded hello to Jordan and went into the house.
"He seems quite fond of you." Jordan said with a smirk.
"We're friends." I said and it was at that moment I noticed I had been staring at the hand he'd kissed earlier.
"I beg your pardon Ms. Baker but Mr. Gatsby would like to speak with you in private." A butler said nearly scaring me to the floor. Why do people keep doing that?! Is it some special mission for everyone to scare me! And where did he even come from?!
Jay took her time going into the house while I mingled around. I eventually found the snack table and stayed around there until it the party was over and people started to clear out. I ate one more cheese cracker then went to leave myself. I almost made it to the door when I heard someone calling my name,
"June! June! I've just heard the most shocking thing!" I looked behind me to see Jordan hurrying down the stairs. She ran over to me but the man she introduced me to before took her hand and started to lead her out.
"What?" I asked trying to keep up with them.
"I'm completely amazed! It all makes sense now! It all makes sense!"
"What makes sense?!"
"Everything! Oh but here I am tantalizing you when I swore I wouldn't tell!" Jordan said as she got into her car.
"Just tell me!"
"Oh June I'm sorry I swore! I swore I wouldn't tell!" She said as her car drove off. See that's why I don't like Jordan. If she knew she couldn't tell me what she heard she shouldn't have mentioned it!
"I'm sorry to keep your friend from you June." I heard Jay say from behind me.
"She and I are not really-"
"Don't forget we're going on that hydroplane tomorrow."
"Yes. 9am, I won't forget."
"Goodnight June."
"Goodnight Jay. Thank you!" I replied and started to walk back home when a voice stopped me.
"June! June come and see me! We'll have tea next week! I'm in the phone book!" I heard Jordan yell from her car. She must be crazy if she thinks I want to spend time with her.
I went home and as I walked up the yard I saw Jay looking at me through the window of his house. I waved and he waved back. I went into my house, put on my silk nightgown, and washed the makeup off my face. As I lay in bed I kissed the hand jay kissed and envisioned his thin lips on mine.