**Ren**

"Give it a little more gas." Willard ordered me over the sound of the engine. Nodding at him I step down on the gas pedal a few times. After listening to the sound for a few seconds Willard nods his head in approval. "Yeah, that sounds good. Cut it." Banging on the good he walks away and I shut off the car, form the rear view mirror I see Derek slam the hood down.

"So, what the deal with the preacher's daughter? Is she worth all that attitude?" I asked, climbing out of the bug and shutting the door. Whipping my hands down my shirt walking over to the rear of the bug I plop down on the fender.

"I hear, back in the day, she used to be a goody two shoes. Now she fronts like she's some kind of hell raiser. Wearing her jeans all tight and everything." Woody said his spot on the bench press, taking a drink from his soda.

"You could put a quarter in that girls back pocket and tell if it's heads or tails." Derek added with a laugh in his tone. At the blondes comment Willard scoffed.

"That doesn't stop you from trying to get with her though, does it with Derek?" Willard asked to which Derek replied middle finger salute. Laughing at Derek's expense Willard turned back to me. "Anyway, why do you want to know, Ren? Oh you're trying to knock boots with her, aren't you?" The hick shouted accusingly.

"No." I countered with a roll of my eyes.

"Yes, you are. He is." He said pointing and nodding to the other two sitting in my garage.

"I'm just curious. I ain't trying to bang her or take her ballroom dancing." I said as I picked up a rag from my uncles worktable and started wiping my hands clean of grease.

"Well that'd be pretty hard considering that that's against the law." Derek quipped casually as if he were talking about the weather. I gawked at him incredulously.

"What? Banging a preacher's daughter?" I laughed.

"No, public dancing's against the law if you're under the age of 18." Woody said.

"Shut up." I huffed. When no on said anything I backed up. "Wait, wait, wait, jump back. Are you kidding me? Dancing is against the law?"

"Yeah man, we got laws up the poop chute around here. I can't even bring a bandanna to school because they think I'm in a gang. If my face gets sweaty I got to use the back of my hand. Let me tell you something, this country was built on bandannas." Willard ranted walking over to the fridge to get a drink.

"So you're telling me Beaumont high doesn't have a prom?" I asked.

"Well you know they got the fall ball, right? Okay so all the churches get together and put it on. The whole town shows up and everyone's eyes are on you, to make sure you're dancing at least 6 inches away from your girl." Willard said.

"You got to add another 2 inches for me though." Woody joked.

"Dude, you wish. Anyway the schools don't want to have dances on their property. They don't want to be held liable." Derek added.

"They don't want to be held liable for what?" I asked.

"Five seniors died in a car crash coming home from dance and that's when the whole town went crazy. They started blaming it on the liquor, the music, dancing. After a while everybody started thinking dancing as a sin." Derek explained.

"But we're talking about the law right? Not Heaven and hell?" I asked them.

"Yeah, take that up with Reverend Moore." Willard said as he took Woody's spot on the bench press. "I'm my machine, I'm the machine." He chanted as he started doing reps.

"So, what about Sammy? What's her story?" I asked as casually as I could. I wasn't really friends with the girl, more acquaintances if i was being honest. I was interested in her though, that's for sure. She seems like a fun kind of person and I wouldn't mind getting to know her a little better. From the looks I was getting from the guys I could tell I was in for some more interrogation.

"Why do you want to know?" Woody asked first.

"Well you know... I'm curious." I said.

"Oh I get it! It's not Ariel you wanna knock boots with, but Sammy!" Willard exclaimed with a shit eating grin.

"I don't want to knock boots with anybody... well at least not yet. I just want to know about her since she basically ordered me out to the movies tonight." I pointed out, throwing my arms out to the side.

"Well there's her wild child attitude, but she's always been that way. She dances a lot with no regard to the law, she's had to community service twice for it. No brothers or sisters and no parents. She lives with our grandma. That's about it." Willard said.

"There are rumors around town about her but they're a bunch a bull. I wouldn't pay much attention to them if I were you." Woody added.

"Rumors, like what?" I questioned, arching a brow. Who would spend the time making up rumors about Sammy? Or anyone for that matter?

"Like her mom was a junkie that sold her to a drug dealer to pay for some dope." Derek said counting on his finger.

"Or the one about her being easy because her mom was a prostitute. Like mother like daughter." Woody put in. Derek added another finger.

"There's the one I heard during class that said the reason she doesn't get tickets and fines is because she's sleeping with Officer Herb." Derek said holding up three fingers.

"I remember that one. Curb stomped the hell out of the guy who started it." Willard confessed angrily throwing his empty soda can into a metal barrel.

"Damn, those are brutal." I admitted with a shake of my head. The guys all nodded their heads in agreement. It was silent for a moment, everyone in their own thoughts before it was broken by a phone chime. All of us looked over to Derek as he extracted his phone from his pocket. He fiddled with it or a second before pocketing it once again.

"That was Sammy. She says we better start getting ready for tonight."

"I have a question. How is it that as her cousin, her family, she texts you more than me?" Willard demanded. Derek was about to retort when he was cut off by a chime. Retrieving his phone once again he unlocked his phone and read out the text.

"Willard, shut up. Go wash your ugly face."

We all busted out laughing.

**Samantha**

"I'm going to go get some soda, you guys want anything?" I called out to the group, standing from my spot on the picnic bench. It's Saturday night and we were all at the drive-in. We had abandoned watching the movie a while ago when we realized it was the same movie they showed last week. Instead we're all at the outside patio of the snack bar occupying a picnic table. At my question Etta, Woody and Derek shook their heads no. Rusty, however, raised her hand.

"Sammy, can you get me an order of Frito Pie?" she asked to which I replied to with nod and a yeah before disappearing inside. Walking up to the counter I rang the bell, catching the attention of my friend Steve behind the bar. Claude was busy in the back.

"Hey Sammy, what can I get for you?" Steve asked as he walked over with a smile on his face.

"Hey Steve, can I get a medium Dr. Pepper and a Frito Pie?"

"Sure. With or without jalapeños?" Steve asked at he grabbed an empty cup and paper boat for the order.

"Jalapeños, please." I answered with a smile.

"All right, I'll have that right up." Steve chimed with a nod before turning towards the kitchen.

"Thanks Steve." I thanked as Steve disappeared into the kitchen. While I waited I pulled out my phone and send a quick text to Willard asking him if he was on his way yet. Hitting send I opened message inbox to see if I had any other texts I might have missed. I'd been standing at the counter for a few minutes when I felt someone grab the belt loops of my shorts, giving them a sharp tug that made me grunt. Turning I raised my fist ready to knock out whoever dared to touch me but my fist was caught mid-swing when a strong hand caught my closed one.

"What the hell do you want?" I hissed as I struggled to pull my hand away.

"Whoa, slow down, little girl. There's no need for violence. I just wanted to say hello." Chuck drawled flashing what he thought was a charming smile. All that smile did was make me furious. I honestly have no idea how Ariel doesn't vomit every time she looks at him.

"Goodbye Chuck." I say finally pushing him away with a sneer. If my obvious dismissal bothered him he didn't show it. His smile didn't so much as falter, in fact it grew as he took his hands and placed them on the counter behind me. Boxing me in, much to my distaste.

"Sammy, when are you going to stop playing hard to get and be with me already? I hear you been hanging out with that new kid, the city boy, is that true?" He asks leering at me, shamelessly staring at my chest as he spoke to me, taking advantage of our height difference.

"It is absolutely none of your business who I spend my time with, Chuck. You know, I always thought it weird that you still hang out with high schoolers. I mean you graduated three years ago, don't you think you should have friends your own age? Are you too much of a loser that you're afraid to move on from the good old days?" I mocked. That comment brought his attention back to my face and away from my boobs. When his eyes met mine I added. "There will never be a you and I. Besides you have a girlfriend, or did you forget?" I challenged.

"You mean Ariel? Baby, she wouldn't have to know about us." He said bringing his face down closer to mine.

"You're a pompous ass!" I say putting a hand on his chest to keep him as far away from me as I could given the position I was in. I was ready to knee him in the groin when a new voice caught our attention.

"Is this jerk-off bothering you, Sammy?"
Peeking over Chuck's shoulder I was greeted with the sight of Derek and Woody standing menacingly at the door. From behind them I could see Rusty and Etta with concern looks on their faces.

"No, jerk-off was just leaving. Weren't you, jerk-off?" I say eyeballing the guy in front of me, staring at him expectantly. Chuck stared me down for a moment, face blank, before he smirked menacingly.

"Yep. I was just picking up my order." he says and reaches further behind me, bringing us almost chest to chest before he steps back and turns away. I watch him as he pushes past the guys and marches outside. Chuck melted into the crowd of cars and people before I let out an annoyed sigh.

"So did you guys change your mind about wanting something?" I joked. Scanning everyone's face I took stock of the various expressions of worry and anger.

"Why does that asshole always mess with you?" Derek asked as they walk over.

"No kidding. Ever since you turned his ass down in high school he's been obsessed, always harassing you." Woody added.

"Hell if I have a clue on how his small brain works." I shrugged turning around just as Steve comes out of the kitchen with my order.

"Sorry it took so long, Sammy. We ran out of cheese and we had to make some more." Steve said as he reappeared with my soda and Frito pie.

"That's alright Steve, I wasn't in a rush. How much is it gonna be?" I asked as I pulled some cash out of my pocket.

"Your total will be $3." Steve answered. Handing over the correct amount I grabbed my soda and handed Rusty her Pie.

"Are Willard and Ren here yet? I texted Willard before the whole Chuck thing but he hasn't replied." I asked her as I stole a Frito off her plate.

"Yeah, they're pulling up right now." She says and point out the window where a yellow bug just pulled in. I was stealing another Frito from Rusty's bowl when the door chimed. Willard and Ren saunter through the door, smiling when they spotted us.

"It's about time you two showed up!" I teased as I walked up to greet them.

"Hey! How you doing, pipsqueak?" Willard asks as he pulled me into a hug.

"Good, you ready to party?" I ask returning the hug before letting him go. A teasing smirk on my face. I knew for a fact that my cousin couldn't dance his way out of a paper bag, so every chance I got I liked to rub it in a little.

"Shut up." he replied pushing me in the shoulder slightly. I laughed moving onto Ren.

"Hey, how are you doing Ren? Find your way alright?" I asked putting my arms around his shoulders for a hug.

"I'm doing good. It wasn't hard finding this place." he replied returning the hug with his arms around my waist, giving a squeeze. Pulling away I smiled at him.

"That's good to hear. So are you hungry?" I ask looking over his outfit as he reviewed the item on the menu.

"Yeah. What's good here?" he asked.

"We'll we got nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers." I listed on my fingers.

"Nah." He smiled scrunching up his face cutely and shaking his head no.

"How about-"

"Frito pie, all the way!" Rusty interrupted cutting me off mid-sentence. "And if you're a real man? You'll eat jalapeño. Get your fingers out my pie!" She snapped at Willard when he also tried some of her food. Quickly Willard shoved the food into his mouth before his girlfriend could smack it out of his hand.

"What about that guy? You don't know where his fingers been." While they were bickering Claude, Woody's uncle, stepped out of the kitchen.

"Hey, check the door! Are the cops still here?" ordered the old man. Woody walked to the door and looked out.

"Five-O getting his move on." Woody replied with a smile, before walking back over to his uncle. "What you got for me, uncle Claude?" Woody's uncle smirked before pulling out a CD case from the pocket of his apron.

"David banner. Bootleg." Woody took the CD holding it in his hands like Gollum did the ring in the movie Lord of the Rings. I almost half expected him to say My Precious to be honest.

"Don't get too crunk out there. First sign of the police, I'm gonna pull the plug. I don't wanna get a fine, and you don't wanna get another ticket." Claude warned his nephew with a raise of his wrinkled finger. Woody nodded in understanding but by the look on his face, worrying about another ticket was the last thing on his mind.

"You got a ticket for dancing?" Ren practically shouted, staring at Woody like he spontaneously sprouted a third head. Etta was the one to answer his question.

"He got two tickets for dancing, one more and he's off the team." She said holding up two finger to Woody for emphases. But her boyfriend just smirked and headed for the door. As everyone followed Woody outside I waited with Ren as he ordered himself a drink.

"So, are you ready to be amazed?" I asked. He turned to me with her brow arched in suspicion.

"What you mean? It's just a drive-in." He asked. I laughed out loud at is his response, when I got my laughing under control I smiled at him.

"You've been in the city for way too long. C'mon!" I said motioning to the door and leading the way out. Outside Woody and his guys were working to clear a spot in the parking lot. The boys were hollering and waving their arm around directing cars this way and that. Pretty soon there was a big enough spot cleared for a makeshift dance floor. The cars lined the space in a huge circle illuminated the space where everyone was dancing in the middle. Everyone was dancing to the music blasting from the Snack Bar speakers and the Speaker boxes all around the driving in lot.

"Whoa." Ren muttered.

"I told you. C'mon let's get closer." I said reaching for his hand and leading him towards the fun.
Finding the others gathered around some random car we walked over to them and watched the dancing people. Woody was in the middle of the crowd, dancing and looping around with his crew of dancers.

"Go Woody!" I cheered from my spot between the girls. I stood and watched for about a minute before deciding it was time to dance. Shrugging out of my jacked I turned to Rusty.

"Watch this for me?" I asked.

"Sure." She replied taking it in her hands. With a smile I slipped back over to Ren.

"Okay, now it's time to show me what you got!" I shouted before running out into the thick of the crowd and started dancing. Once I was in the crowd I cut loose and let the music take me. I moved body with the beat, popping my hips, rotating them to the rhythm.

**Ren**

I watched as Sammy ran off into the crowd to dance, and man could she dance. Her feet moved with the beat and her hips swayed with the rhythm. She moved her body in all the ways she could and it attracted attention. She was rotating her hips when some dude came up and started dancing with her. And as I watch them dance I couldn't help but feel jealous of the guy that was dancing with her. Wishing I was in this place at that moment. I didn't get to be jealous for long though before pulled out to dance myself. Etta, Woody's girlfriend, stood from beside me and took my hand in hers.

"Hey, you, c'mon let's dance." she said pulling me to my feet. Complying with her I followed her onto the makeshift dance floor. We weren't dancing for long before Woody came up to me and was pulling my jacket off.

"Me and my boys are gonna push everyone back. Let me see you do that city boy thing." He said then moved away. Glancing around at all the people watching me, I spotted Sammy leaning against a car. I decided it was time to show off and impress the wild girl.

**Samantha**

I was leaning against a car as I caught my breath for a moment. During that time I notice Ren had made his way to the dance floor with Etta. the two laughed as they danced together causing me to smile. Suddenly Woody appeared behind Ren removing the boy's leather jacket. From the distance I couldn't hear what Woody was saying to Ren, but soon woody moved away from Ren leaving him standing in the middle of the crowd. Curious I watched as Ren looked around at the people cheering him on before his eyes landed on me. Grinning like the Cheshire cat I threw him a wink and nodded at the dance floor, challenging him.

Ren jumped, twisted, skid, and loped around the circle like he had been waiting for this since the moment he got into town. He pulled out all his best tricks and moves as gliding on the asphalt, mixing his dancing style with gymnastics. At one point he climbed up onto a parked big four-wheel truck kicking off it and doing a backflip off the side, setting off trucks the alarm. I laughed as the owner of the truck, a big man both in width and height, came out from behind the truck and clicked off the alarm glaring Ren down. Ren raised his arms in surrender before moving way to started dancing again.

I looked away from Ren to glance around the drive in. From my spot on the car I could spot Etta and Rusty dancing together which meant Willard was still sitting against Ren's car. Woody was dancing and battling with his friends. I couldn't see Derek but I'm sure he was lost in the crowd; either dancing by himself or with a lovely partner. I was interrupted in my people watching when Ren came dancing over until he was standing right between my legs, knocking his knees with mine. Looking up into his eyes I smiled.

"So are you amazed yet?" I asked him.

"I'd have to be truthful and say yeah. Yeah I am." He answered.

"I saw what you did with the truck. The kick off backflip. Pretty Impressive." I said motioning behind him to the big blue truck with an appreciative nod.

"Well you know, I try. I always try to put on a little more for the ladies." He said with a flirtatious wink.

"Wow watch out people, we got a badass over here." I say trying not to laugh. He smirked.

"I wouldn't use the word badass but it is pretty close to my level of awesome. So I guess it works." he replied with that cocky look.

"He's modest too." I smiled amused.

"Let's dance." He says before grabbing my hand and pulling me into the crowd.

He spun me around causing me to laugh. As I turned my back to him I felt his warm hands slid down my waist and down to my hips holding them firm but gentle. A thrill ran through me when his hands ghosted over the exposed skin on my waist. He pulls at my hips until my back meets his chest. We stood dancing like that, grinding to the beat. I moved and twisted my hips gently against his. It wasn't anything like in the movie Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray, but it was still close enough to be hot. Smirking I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his body closer to mine as we danced. The night was going great and I was having a great time dancing with Ren. Unfortunately the moment ended when I caught something happening over Ren's shoulder that instantly ruined my mood.

"What the?" I gasped shocked by the scene happening before my eyes. Out in the crowed not too far away from where we were I saw Derek dancing. Now that isn't so strange since he's a dancer and has been dancing ever since he could walk. No, what was shocking was that Derek was dancing with Ariel Moore. Ariel Freaking Moore! Now normally I wouldn't think anything of him asking her to dance since I know that he's liked since grade school. He's a big boy and can make his own decisions, it was his life. If dancing with Ariel makes him happy then dance on. What upset me was when Ariel would shamelessly lead him on. Which is exactly what is happening right now. He's dancing with her thinking he has a chance meanwhile Ariel's attention is focused of her douche bag boyfriend across the parking lot who, by the way, has his attention set on something else. On what you ask? On my ass. I guess I wasn't the only one to notice because Derek suddenly brakes off from Ariel and walks away from her. Leaving her standing alone in the middle crowd of dancing teens shouting after him.

The music broke off suddenly bringing the party to a screeching halt and Claude's voice came over the PA system.

"Attention! Would Ariel Moore please come up to the diner? Your daddy's here for you." His voice rang then the PA shut off. I removed my hands from around Ren's neck sliding them down to rest on his chest and watch the preacher's daughter as she looked across the lot at Chuck for help. All the prick did was smile and shook his head at her. Ren kept his hands where they were on my hips but took a step back so we weren't hip to hip as he turned and watched Ariel make her way up to the Snack Bar. Everyone else at the Drive-In turned to see the ever-intimidating town Reverend standing in the Diner's doorway staring down his daughter in disappointment.

"Show's over." She said with a forced smile when she walked by us. Keeping her head down low in shame and embarrassment.

"Daddy gonna take her out to the woodshed." Willard whispered from where he stopped beside us.

"What the hell does that mean?" Ren asked him. Willard opened his mouth to reply but I beat him to it.

"It means she's in deep shit." I answered for him.

"Oh." Ren muttered as we watch father and daughter argue before walking away.

"What a way to end a party huh?" I asked looking up at Ren.

"There could have been better ways." He said turning and looking down at me.

"Like what?" I asked, brow arched.

"Wet t-shirt contest."

"You perv." I laughed smacking him in the chest. Looking at everyone else I asked. "Alright guys, who wants to go back to watching the movie Grease?"

"NOBODY!" Everyone boomed sending me into a fit of laughter.