Summer of '76

Emporium

When I got to my bed room I started to get ready for tonight. I changed into a different pair of jeans and put on a light pink, cropped t-shirt that has ruffles on the sleeves. I touched up my makeup and my hair a bit. I heard a car honk out side and quickly put on my converse, grabbed my purse, and threw my cigs in there. I walked out and locked my front door and put my key in my purse. When I turned around I saw Wooderson's car instead of Pink's. I went around the car to the passenger side. I saw Mitch sitting behind Wooderson. "Hey Woods. How you doing, man?" I asked, and hugged him around his neck. "I've been doing alright, pretty lady." Woods said, driving off. I sad back in the seat and lit a cig. I turned to Mitch, "I didn't know you were comin out tonight." Mitch looked really nervous. "Yeah, Pink asked me and I decided to." I flicked the ashes out Pink's window. "Thats pretty cool of you to show up. Show-'em that they didn't bother you that much." I said, playfully elbowing him and winking at him. He smirked and chuckled. We pulled into the Top Notch, looking around for anybody. Pink and Wooderson were talking about Aerosmith tickets. I threw my cig out the window. "You guys still driving to Houston in the morning to Aerosmith tickets?" "Yeah, you need me to pick you up one?" Wooderson said, pulling out of the Top Notch. "Well, what if I want to have Benny join me?" I said. "Alright two it is." Wooderson said. We started to drive towards the Emporium, since we figured thats where everyone would be. When we pulled up I saw Pickford's car, and Benny and Darla's trucks in the parking lot. I didn't see O'Bannion's car though. But I figured O'Bannion and Benny were out hunting for freshman, by the rec. center. They were having their last junior high party over there, so there were going to be tons of freshman hanging out. "Hey man, are you sure I'm alright in here?" Mitch asked as we wer getting out of the car. "Oh yeah, man. Look if anyone starts giving you a hard time, just play it cool, man." Pink said pulling his seat forward for me to get out and shutting the door. I pulled another cig out and had it in between my fingers. "Yeah, or you can come and find me. I'll rough them up for ya." I said, punching the air. Mitch and Wooderson chuckled at me. "Yeah right, man." Pink said, smirking. I looked at him and put my hand on my heart, pretending to be hurt. "Excuse me. I'll have you know that I happen to have a very good right hook." Pink just rolled his eyes and I laughed. I lit a cig again and we headed into the Emporium. Slater was over playing on one of the pin ball machines, with Michelle watching him. Melvin was playing pool with some guys. We made our way towards the back where Pickford was playing fuse-ball with one of Slater's friends, that I can never remember the name of. I went over to where Melvin was. "Hey, Mel. Do you know where Benny is?" I asked leaning on the side of the pool table. "Yeah he's out riding with O'Bannion looking out for any freshman." Mel said shooting one of the balls. "I figured as much. Well, if you see him before me, tell him I was looking for him." I said. "All right, girly." Mel said smiling at me, while the other shoot at one of the balls. I looked over and saw Mitch and Pink talking to Julia, who's a sophomore. Then I heard Pink say "Donny, I got a big surprise for ya, come on!" I saw Pink, Pickford, Michelle, Slater, Mitch, Wooderson, and Don all make their way back outside. Me being curious I wanted to see what they we doing. "I'll see you later, Mel." I said following them outside. Mel nodded. When I got out there, I saw two statues with their faces painted like members from KISS. They looked really cool. I was kinda shocked. Don was talking about having a beer bust later on. The Slater cam over say that Pickford has a doobie thats ready to burn and asked Don if he wanted to come. Then was asking Mitch if he gets high. I went up and leaned on Pink's car. "Hey, Erin, you wanna join us?" Slater asked, pointing back to Pickford's car. "No, I'm good." I said, shaking my head. He turned around and sped walked to Pickford's car. "Is this what you been hiding under that blanket that past couple of days?" I said pointing at the statues, smirking a little. "You bet." Pink smiled. Pink turned to Mitch. "He was just asking if you get high." "yeah, like smoke pot?" Mitch asked wiping his nose and pulling his hair back behind his ear. Pink sighed out. "Yeah." "I never have before, but you know." Mitch said shrugging. "Don't feel embarrassed about it. I've never smoked it either." I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. We stood in silence for a few seconds. "Well, what are gonna do?" I said, looking at Mitch and Pink. Mitch shrugged. "Wanna play some pool?" Pink asked. "Sure." Me and Mitch said. We headed back inside and played pool, and waited for our friends to show up or either come back.