Sixteen
Chapter Six
Author's Note: Hello, Everyone! I hope you're having (or had) a fabulous Friday! I hope you're ready for another installment of this story. I'm excited to share this chapter with you because some pretty exciting stuff happens. :)
When you get done, I would really appreciate if you all review / follow / favorite. It would mean a lot!
Steve reclaims his seat beside me in chemistry, and like usual, he looks as though he despises the world; the only difference is that today, he looks ten times angrier. "What's crawled up your butt and died?" I tease, beginning my warm up. Steve groans loudly and rolls his eyes. Without even knowing it, he confirms my assumption.
Evie broke up with him.
"Nothin' I can't handle," he grumbles. "Evie broke up with me on Monday. She says she ain't feelin' nothin' between us no more."
"Well," I sigh awkwardly, desperately searching for the right thing to say. "All great things come to an end, but don't worry. Someday, you'll find the one that's right for you." I praise myself, proud that I came up with such a response on the spot.
Steve doesn't appreciate my answer as much though.
In response, he rolls his eyes, muttering something incoherent under his breath. "That ain't the problem," Steve answers. "The problem is she wanted me to take her to that dance this Friday, so I bought a ticket. Well, now what the hell am I suppose to do with it? That stupid thing was five dollars." A few swear words slip. "You goin'?" I shrug my shoulders, shaking my head slowly.
"No, dances aren't really my thing."
"Well, if I asked ya to go with me, would you?" Steve inquires, looking towards me. "I ain't itchin' to go and be by my lonesome all night." My heart skips a beat. So badly, I want to agree right there and there's only one thing stopping me.
Evie.
Sure, the two of them broke up, but she said it herself. She'll always love Steve. Knowing that, I'm left oblivious to how she'll react if she catches us together on Friday. We're finally friends, and I'm not too eager to ruin our friendship.
"I'm not too sure, Steve." I answer nervously, mentally throwing myself into the sun. Deep down, I pray that he'll beg me, but he's not the type.
"C'mon, what else do you have to do on a Friday night?"
"Well," I sigh, knowing he's right. "I don't really have anything planned for Friday night."
"That's what I thought," Steve smirks. "So, will you go to the dance with me?" Emitting a sigh full of mixed emotions, I nod my head. Steve relaxes, almost as though he's relieved.
On the inside, I pray – pray that Evie won't hate me after this stunt.
XxXxXxX
Grabbing a tight hold on Sandy's arm, I rush her off to the bathroom, calling over my shoulder to Steve, Soda and the rest of the group that we'll be back soon. Unintentionally, I catch a glimpse of Evie, and I start to feel even worse for agreeing to go the dance with Steve.
She sandwiched in between Two-Bit and Sylvia, and instead of participating in their conversation, she's pushing her food around blankly with a fork – almost as if her mental state in somewhere else.
With a dejected sigh, I turn back around, continuing my journey to the bathroom.
"What do you need, Eileen?" Sandy asks, stepping into the restroom, ignoring the glares from the rich girls. One of the girls blow past me, pushing me out of the way, with her cronies following close behind.
"Sandy, I feel bad," I answer truthful. "I mean, you've seen Evie today at lunch? She looks so upset." Sandy frowns slightly, knowing what I'm getting at.
"You don't have to feel bad. She broke up with Steve. It wasn't the other way around. To be honest, I ain't sure what her problem is. She probably got inta another fight with her older sister."
"It's not only that," I sigh. "This morning in chemistry, Steve asked me to go to the dance with him, and I don't know, Sandy. I said yes, but now I'm afraid Evie is going to hate me. I don't know what to do." Sandy starts to grin.
"You're goin' to the dance with Steve," she repeats cheekily. "I never thought I'd see you goin' on a date with a greaser. Let alone, Steve Randle." I cross my arm over my chest, rolling my eyes at her childish behavior.
"That's not the point."
"I don't know why you're so afraid. Evie ain't gonna care. She broke up with him." I emit a heavy breath, indicating my increasing frustration.
"But at your house she told us that she's always going to love him." I reason. Sandy goes straight faced.
"So?"
"So? Sandy! What if she sees us together? What if she realizes she wants to be with Steve again, but I'll be there, preventing that. What if she decides she doesn't like me?" Sandy rolls her eyes at my antics.
"I still think you're overreactin'. Eileen, don't you 'member what she said? She's been havin' these thoughts long before you joined our group. She ain't gonna care." I bite my bottom lip, thinking hard about her reasoning.
"I guess you're right." I mutter, ultimately admitting my defeat. Once again, Sandy starts to smile.
"Good!" She squeals happily, reaching for my hand. "You should come over Friday after school, and we can get ready for the dance together, and then Steve and Soda can pick us up from my house. Are you in?" Her smile grows, consuming her whole face. I nod my head, a grin of my own emerging.
"Yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun."
XxXxXxX
Surprisingly, Friday comes fast, and after school, Sandy and I begin our walk to my house, to grab my things for the dance and to spend the night.
Jacquelyn walks with us, and thankfully, her and Sandy hit it off fast. "So, are you going to the dance tonight, Jackie?" I ask curiously, watching the sidewalk for any raised pieces of concrete. Beside me, she shrugs her shoulders.
"I haven't decided yet," she shares. "I don't have anyone to go with, and I'll probably be by myself." Sandy's ears perk up at the idea of being able to play matchmaker.
"Don't worry, Jacquelyn..."
"Sandy!" I laugh, shaking my head. "Leave my friend alone!" She rolls her eyes playfully right as we reach Jackie's house. She shares a quick goodbye before hurrying to the door.
"Are your folks gonna be home?"
"I'm not too sure actually. My mom will be home because it's her day off, but I don't know about my dad." I explain.
"Are you nervous?"
"About what?"
"You know. Your parents. Your mom. She's goin' to be meeting me. Ain't they not fond of you hanging with us?"
"They like you. They're not too fond of Steve, Soda, Evie, Dallas, Sylvia and Two-Bit. My older brother and sister enlightened my parents of their typical behaviors and personalities."
"So, they have no idea that you're goin' to the dance with Steve?" I shake my head. "Ooh, so, you're decidin' to be sneaky again? Even though y'all got caught by the fuzz last time?" I nod my head, smiling as the night comes to the front of my mind.
"You better not tell my mom about Steve either!" Sandy raises her hands defensively, failing to hold back an evil, teasing smirk. "I'm serious, Sandy!" I laugh, leading her up the walkway to my house.
"Your secret is safe with me, Eileen. But if your mom asks, I'm gonna have to be truthful." She jokes. I push open the door, stepping into the house.
"Mom, I'm home!"
"I'm in the kitchen!" Mom calls. Sandy follows behind me like a lost puppy as I navigate our way to my mom.
Inside, she's putting dishes away, and once the tile squeaks underneath our shoes, she turns around. Once Mom sees Sandy, she starts to smile. "You must be Sandy."
"Yes, Ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you." Sandy laces her fingers together, smiling sweetly at my mother.
"I'm going to go grab my things." I whisper, slipping behind Sandy and heading for my room.
Thankfully I packed last night.
XxXxXxX
"Sandy, do I look okay?" I turn around slowly in front of her mirror, desperately trying to look my very best.
Without her knowing, I stole one of Imogene's dresses from when she was going through her rebellious phase.
Its sleeves, made of lace, stop at my elbows while the top looks like a regular, white tank top, decorated with lace - much similar to the sleeves. Meanwhile, a black belt separate the navy blue, knee length shirt from the white lace.
Although the skirt is shorter than my parents' liking, it's a really cute dress.
Sandy looks up from painting her nail, and with a satisfied smile, she nods approvingly. "You look great. Are you going to paint your nails?"
"Do you have white?"
"Do the soc ruin our lives?"
"Where's it at?"
"Right here," She tosses me the bottle before touching up her nails. I take a seat on her floor and begin. "Hey, want me to do your makeup?" I nod my head, silently praying I don't completely mess this up.
Fifteen minutes later, Sandy finishes putting makeup on me. I'm granted with a couple seconds to look at myself before her older sister calls, announcing that our dates have arrived.
Sandy sequels, tossing her makeup bag onto her bed. With me following behind her, she hurries out of her room. I move at a slower pace, hoping I don't kill myself in the heels.
Something else I stole from Imogene.
Soda and Steve wait patiently for us at the door. Steve stands silently, hands shoved into the pockets of his dress pants. Soda eagerly waits for his date, and when his eyes land on her, his jaw drops. "Oh, wow. Sandy, you look absolutely beautiful." He shares breathlessly. She starts to blush, mumbling stuff to him under her breath.
He extends his arm; Sandy takes his arm in her hands before following him to Steve's truck. Soon, Steve and I are left alone.
"Hey." I greet happily.
"Hey, you ready to go?" He asks, like Soda, he holds out his arm. I link mine together with him, allowing him to lead me to his truck.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad - sad that he didn't compliment me like Soda did with Sandy.
Sandy and I squeeze in between both boys. It's uncomfortable, but I don't think she minds too much; it gives her an excuse to press against Soda, and honestly, I don't think he minds too much either.
As for Steve and me, I'm not too sure how I, and he, feel about this.
Our ride lasts a whole 10 minutes, plus another five to find a parking place. And as soon as Steve shuts the truck off, Sand and Soda are gone - leaving both of us alone. "Did you ever get a ticket?" I shake my head.
"No, but I planned on buying one at the door."
"Aight," he answers, opening the door. "We should prolly get goin' though. You ready?" Steve steps out of his truck, oblivious to my head nod.
"Can you dance?"
"Nope," he shares, turning around. Steve reaches for my hands, helping me out of his truck. "Can you?"
"Well, not exactly." I sigh, carefully stepping to the ground. Steve continue holding my right hand, after dropping my left one, we head towards the school.
Before I can protest, Steve has his wallet out, handing the lady my ticket fee. Once we're through, I hit him lightly. "Why'd you pay for my ticket? I had enough money." Steve starts to smirk.
"I felt like bein' nice today."
XxXxXxX
We stand in a corner, against a wall, for a reason unknown to me, but honestly, it doesn't bother me. I didn't even want to come to this stupid dance. "So, you two just gonna stand here all night, and be lame?" I look towards the source of the voice; it's only Soda and Sandy.
"Come on, you two have to dance for least a coupla songs." Sandy smiles. Soda nods in agreement. In response, Steve shakes his head.
"Make him dance with ya, Eileen," Soda advises. "Don't let him stand like a bump on a log in the corner."
"Will do, Sodapop,"" He grabs Sandy's hand and whisks her away to another section of the gym. "C'mon, Steve. Let's go dance. You're wasting your money otherwise." I grab onto his hand, and to my surprise, Steve follows me with ease.
"I already told ya that I can't dance," he warns. "I hope you don't mind me makin' a fool out of ya."
"I'm already going to make a fool out of myself without your help, so I guess we don't have anything to lose."
Steve twirls me around in the middle of one of the few slow songs. "You look nice tonight, Eileen," Steve smirks, breaking my spin. He pulls me closer, sealing the space between us.
My heart picks up speed; before long, it's pounding hard against my chest. I can feel the thin sheet of sweat forming underneath my hands, and I can hardly comprehend that I'm this close to him. No longer am I able to hold back the smile fighting to break through.
"You clean up nicely too, Steve Randle."
Right as the song ends, he drops his hands and steps back. "Stay right here, I have to go take a leak." I cross my arms over my chest, rolling my eyes at his word choice. Steve chuckles, punching my shoulder lightly before hurrying off.
Evie takes note of my loneliness because seconds after Steve's departure, she's at my side.
My eyes widen; my mouth drops; I don't doubt that I look like I've seen a ghost. Evie smiles, laughing quietly and shaking her head. "You can relax, Eileen," she grins. "I'm not mad that you're at the dance with Steve. Remember? I broke up with him. Besides, I had a gut feelin' that he was gonna ask you to go with him."
"I'm glad," I smile, laughing unevenly. "I don't know if Sandy told you or not, but when he asked me, I was really afraid of how you'd react." Evie nods.
"Yeah, she told me."
"So, who's the lucky lad that had the opportunity to bring you to this dance?" I inquire, nudging her side. Evie chuckles, staring at the floor.
"You remember how I was tellin' you n Sandy 'bout Brian Antisdale takin' me out on a date last weekend, right?" I nod slowly. "Our date went so well that he asked me that evenin' to come to the dance with him. I couldn't say no, Eileen. He's such a sweet kid. It's a real shame he comes from such a broken home."
"It breaks my heart to hear some of their stories."
"You get use to it," she shares. Evie looks towards me with a smirk all too similar to Steve's. "You n Steve are real cute together, you know that?" I feel my cheeks heat up, and thankfully the gymnasium is dark, hiding my multi-shaded face from Evie. "I'm serious, Eileen. You two are real cute, and he sure look damn happy with you. You can see it in his eyes. I think he's fallin' hard for ya."
"Evie, you can't be serious."
"I'm dead serious."
"Quit lying."
"I ain't lyin'."
Before I have another chance to speak, someone approaches my side, wrapping their arm around my waist. Evie's mood turns sour instantly, and once I see the nasty glare Steve's sending off, I don't blame her. I nudge him, silently telling him to straighten up.
He doesn't listen. Evie rolls her eyes and turns, no doubt heading back to her date.
"She wasn't causin' you no trouble, was she?" He asks sternly, keeping his attention fixed on her back.
"No, Steve. She wasn't causing me any trouble."
So, thoughts? I hope you're all right with me including him asking her to the dance & the dance in the same chapter. I couldn't think of anything to push the dance off until the next chapter!
If you would take a minute out of your day to review, I would really appreciate it. I love hearing what you guys say, and like I said last chapter, some big stuff happened, so it'd be nice to know how you all think I did. :)
