Chapter 5 The dance
Darry nearly flipped his lid when I arrived home with my black eye. He cursed the Socs unmercifully while pacing back and forth for what seemed like forever. He ordered Two-bit and Ponyboy to keep an eye on me at all times. For the rest of the week, Two-bit walked me to every class. I was beyond relieved when it was finally Friday and I could relax for a few days without any Socs. I hadn't seen the guys that got me by my locker. But I was still wary of them.
Jesse and I had gotten closer. I even convinced Two-bit to let me stay at the school for lunch and we ate together. He was a real nice guy. Funny too. He told me all about his life in New York. His father was a fireman and tragically died in a house fire when Jesse was 10 years old. After his death, Jesse's mom met a man named Jack. Who she married about a year ago and he moved them to Tulsa. It turns out that Jack's son was Joe Larson, a guy in the Shepherds gang that Soda used to buddy around with. That's how Jesse got involved in the Shepherd outfit. I also found out that Jesse was actually fifteen. He had taken a lot of time off of school when his father died and got left back a year.
After school we went to the DX as usual. We would hang around there until Steve and Soda's shift ended.
" I heard there's a dance over at the community center tonight. Ya'll wanna check it out?" Johnnycake said as we sat around the living room watching TV. I had never been to a dance before.. Other then the small " Prom" the middle school threw for the 8th graders. But I knew the guys sure loved them. Especially Soda.
" Yea I'll go." Soda answered almost immediately. Two-bit, Pony and Steve agreed aswell.
" How 'bout you Daisy?" Johnny looked at me.
"Yea, I'll go with you guys." I was so excited! I had always wanted to go but the boys would always say I was "too young".
" Awe it's Daisy girls first dance." Two-bit ruffled my hair.
" Maybe we can even get Darry to go." Soda said hopefully. I really hoped Darry would come. He deserved a night of fun.
Darry wouldn't be home for another hour so I went into my room as Soda and Pony got started on dinner. I searched my closet for something appropriate to wear at a high school dance. I found a black pleated skirt that I wore to my 6th grade christmas show. I still fit my waist well, but I had gone through a growth spurt since then and the hem fell a good 2 inches above my knees. It was long enough to hopefully keep my brothers off my back. But short enough to fit in with the other greaser girls that were sure to be there. I laid it on my bed along with a white cotton dress shirt and a baby blue sweater. I pulled out my black mary-jane's and placed them on the floor. I was interrupted by a knock on my door.
" Come in." I called. The door opened to reveal Soda.
" Hey. You ready for tonight?" He asked.
" Yea, It's gunna be really fun." I smiled.
" Don't you think that skirt is a little short?" He asked as he examined my outfit.
" It goes almost all the way to my knee, Soda." I said. He was starring at me with a weird look on his face.
" Why are you looking at me like that?"
" It's just crazy." He said, shaking his head. Causing His soft brown locks to fall in his face.
" What's crazy?" I was so confused.
" You... Growing up. Boys and short skirts. It's just crazy. Your my baby sister. But your not a baby anymore and it's weird." He sighed. " Look Daisy, I know I can't stop you from growing up. But Promise me you won't grow up too fast."
" I won't Soda." I gave him a hug and he squeezed me so tight I thought my eyes would pop out of my head.
" Daisy, we need to talk about this dance tonight." He started. " This isn't like the junior high prom. There will be older kids and the dances are a little different. The guys there don't dance like us. They get real close and you feel uncomfortable of if one tries to bother you. Don't be afraid to push him away. And I better not see you dancing like some of the other girls. Or you'll be stuck in this house till your twenty-five. I laughed at him. It was so rare for Soda to be serious. He was so care free that when he flipped the switch to serious, it was pretty comical.
"I'll be good Soda. I promise." I assured him.
" I know you will." He ruffled my hair.
After he left, I went into the shower. When I got out I found my mothers curlers and put them in my hair as I used the blow dryer to make it shiny and smooth.
That's when Darry got home. I don't think he even put a foot in the door before the boys began to bombard him.
" Come on Darry, It'll be great." Soda tried to pursued him.
" Fine! I'll go." He gave in.
I figured I'd better get ready so I began to get dressed. When I had all my clothes on, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The clothes fit my body like a glove. The skirt was a little shorter then I expected but it looked real good. My long brown curls fell perfectly around my shoulders. I pulled out my mothers make-up bag and attempted to make it presentable. I picked a light eyeshadow that really made my blue eyes pop. I didn't put too much on. Just a little lip gloss and some mascara. I looked great! For the first time ever, I felt grown up.
When I was satisfied, O walked out into the living room where all the boys were waiting. Their mouths dropped and their eyes grew wide when they saw me in the doorway. It was rare that I actually got dressed up. I usually just wore jeans and a t shirt.
" Holy macaroni." Two-bit gasped.
" Do I look alright?" I asked shyly.
" Girl, you look great!" Two-bit was the only only one commenting. All the other boys just starred in shock. Even Steve.
" You look beautiful Daisy." Pony said as he tied his shoes.
" I think that skirt is a little on the short side." Darry said, clearing his throat.
" Oh leaver her alone Superman. The skirts fine." Two-bit piped up.
" Fine. Let's go everyone." Darry sighed.
The dance was already in full swing by the time we got there. You could hear the music blasting from the parking lot.
" Stay close to one of us ok Daisy." Darry instructed as we walked in.
There were people of all ages there. Ranging from my age to even older then Darry. They were playing Elvis Presley's 'Are you lonesome tonight'. I was surprised at how they were dancing. There wasn't a part of their bodies that wasn't touching and the guys were practically hanging all over the girls. The gang all went their separate ways when we got in there. Darry went over to Tim Shepherd; Two-bit went over to bother a couple of blondes standing by the punch bowl. and Steve and Soda hit the dance floor with a couple of girls I recognized from the DX. I didn't know anyone so I followed Pony and Johnny around like a lost puppy. We ended up leaning against the wall with a few other kids.
"Hey." I looked up to find a boy standing in front of me. He was a real greaser. Not too attractive either with his dirt brown eyes and dirty blonde hair. "You wanna dance?" I looked over at Pony and Johnny who were too engrossed in their conversation to notice me. I didn't really like the boy. But I figured a dance wouldn't hurt.
"Sure." I said as he grabbed my hand and led me to the dance floor. Now, Elvis Presley's ' Love Me Tender' was blaring from the speakers.
"I'm Luke." He drawled into my ear, pulling me in a little too close for comfort. We swayed back and forth slowly. I spotted Soda leaving the blonde he was dancing with and going over to Darry. Then the two of them stood there watching me.
By the middle of the song, Luke's hands became a little too friendly. I would push them away and he'd slither them right back. I noticed my brothers were still watching and I was worried about what they would do if he kept on. They sure didn't look happy.
" Luke, stop." I said sternly.
" What's the matter baby?" He drawled into my ear as he grinded on me. His hands resting dangerously low on my back.
" Keep your hands to yourself." I warned.
" Awe come on baby. There ain't no fun in that." He got even closer.
" Let me go." I snapped, trying to pull away from the overly friendly boy. He just held me tighter.
" Just relax." He drawled,
" No, I don't want to relax! I want you to let me go!" I shouted over the music. His grip got so tight it hurt. I looked behind Luke where my brothers were still standing . I saw Darry's ears turn red as he made his way through the sea of couples.
" I think she said to let her go." A voice growled from beside us before Darry could make it to us. I whipped my head around to find an angry looking Jesse.
" Who the hell are you?" Luke asked." This ain't your business buddy."
" No, but it is mine." Darry hissed from behind Luke. THe boy turned around with shock written all over his face. Darry was at least a foot taller and had three times more bulk.
" Oh yea, how so?" That boy had some balls.
" Im her brother." Darry said as he grabbed my other arm and pulled me from Luke's grasp. Luke quickly turned around and bolted for the door. I watched as Steve and Two-bit followed him out.
" Are you ok?" Soda asked as he came over and threw an arm around my shoulders. I was a little embarrassed about the whole situation.
" Yea, I'm fine." I turned to Jesse. " Thanks for coming over to help me."
" Anytime." He smiled at me. " You wanna dance?"
I looked up at my brothers who seemed a little wary. But I accepted anyway." I'd love to."
Dancing with Jesse was a totally different experience. He held me close but his hands laid respectively on my waist. There was none of the aggressive grinding Luke was so fond of. We just swayed as Elvis Presley's 'only fools rush in' played. I looked up into his sparkling blue eyes and got lost in their beauty. We starred intently as or faces got closer and closer until we were just inches apart. His soft lips touched mine and we shared a long, tender kiss. My lips tingled and my heart soared. It was my first kiss. So flawless and magical. So innocent. " I've wanted to do that since I first saw you." Jesse sighed after we pulled away. I leaned my head on his chest and savored the moment. I had just taken my first steps into maturity. I only wished I had a mother at home to share it with. I realized this was one of those things I would have sat on my bed with mamma and talked about. It hurt to know I wouldn't be able to do that. But I pushed it out of my mind and decided to live in the moment.
" I really like you Jesse.' I looked up at him.
He smiled down at me. " I like you too Daisy."
After the song was finished we stepped off the dance floor. Jesse went over to get us some punch.
" So it looks like your having a good night." Pony suddenly appeared beside me.
" Yea. This place is pretty awesome." He smiled at me.
" I saw you and Jesse." He yelled over the loud music. I couldn't read his face. It was a mix of happiness and concern.
" It was amazing Pony!" I said, referring to the kiss. I knew Pony hadn't had his first kiss yet. Pony's cheeks grew red. He always was shy about things like that.
Jesse returned with two cups of punch and Pony went back to talking with Johnny. The rest of the guys were spread around the dance floor. Soda was still with that blonde girl.
" Hey Jesse." A girl came over to Jesse and I . I recognized her as the Shepherd's sister.
" Hey Ang." Jesse smiled. I began to panic. Did he have a girlfriend? ! " Daisy this is Angela Shepherd. She's my step brother's girlfriend." Phew!
" Joe dot himself into another fight. I think he's gunna need some backup." Jesse didn't even wait for her to finish before darting out the door. Angela and I followed.
It was a full on brawl. I noticed the boy Joe was currently pinning to the ground was none other then Luke. The same creep from inside. A few of Luke's friends were ganging up on Joe. Jesse pulled one guy off and took him out with a single punch to the jaw. It didn't take long for them to finish off the guys.
" Well done boys." Angela cheered, completely unfazed by what we had just witnessed.
I for one was shocked. I had been so scared for Jesse. But Angela just walked over to Joe and draped herself over him. Jesse grabbed my hand and led me away without saying a word.
" Are you ok?" I asked when he finally stopped and leaned against a parked Plymouth.
" He always does this. I have a great night and he has to get in a fight or get arrested and ruin everything!" Jesse was pissed. He pulled out a pack of kools and lit one.
" It doesn't have to be ruined." I moved closer to him and wrapped my arms around his waist." Lets just forget about the fight." I looked up and gently kissed the spot right below his chin. I was shocked by how comfortable I was being so close to him. It just felt natural. His arms wrapped around me and I could feel him relax under my touch.
" Your so amazing." He gazed down at me.
" No I'm not." I could feel the scarlet blush creep onto my face.
" Yes you are," He pulled me closer. " And you know it." I laughed as he lowered his head and our lips met once again in another wonderful kiss. This time I participated. I felt his tongue glide across my bottom lip and I opened my mouth against his, deepening the kiss. I entangled my fingers in his hair as his hands laid firmly on my hips. It was amazing, I was definitely liking this whole kissing thing.
" Oh boy! Is that little Daisy Curtis?" I heard Two-bit's laugh. Jesse and I immediately separated.
" What do you want Two-bit?" I asked, A little annoyed by his interruption.
" Your brother is looking all over for you. He's ready to leave." I really didn't want to go. I was having a good time with Jesse.
" Ok tell him I'll be there in a minute." Two-bit took the hint and walked back to wherever he came from.
" What are you doing tomorrow night?" Jesse asked as he grabbed my hand.
' I don't have any plans." I said.
" Well how 'bout we go to the drive-in or something?" Jesse asked as we began to walk hand in hand towards my brothers truck.
" I'd like that. But I have to ask my brother.
" Ok well call me when you do." He smiled down at me. Darry just had to say yes.
" Ok I will." We stopped briefly for a quick kiss. " Goodnight." I whispered as we pulled away.
" Goodnight Daisy."
All of the boys were waiting by the truck when I got there. I could tell by the looks on their faces that Two-bit had informed them on what he found me doing. But no one said a word.
It was 10 o'clock by the time we got home. Two-bit and Steve went over to Buck's bar to find some action and Johnny came over to crash on our couch. I didn't want to give my brothers the opportunity to pick in me so I made my way to my room. I got changed into my PJ's and slid into bed. I laid awake for a while. For the first time in weeks, I was feeling a tiny shred of happiness. My heart ached for what I had lost. But I felt a whole new joy for what I had gained. Jesse had kissed me and he asked me out on a date. I was entering a whole new world and as scary as it was, I loved it!. I didn't know where things were going with Jesse. But wherever it went I would follow.