California Runaway

chapter three

       Going out to a party definitely wasn't on my to-do list today, but Mary Jane is right. I do need to loosen up a bit. But I definitely am not drinking. Darry will skin me alive. But right now it is almost 7 and I'm in Mary Jane's room trying to pick out a decent enough outfit for the party. I looked through her closet and decided to wear this cute green short sleeve sweater and a brown faux leather skirt with my converse. Mary Jane wore a pink and white mini dress with shiny white flats. 

    "Damn, we look pretty hot." Mary Jane exclaimed. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought I looked okay. I smiled at her and she got her bag as well as I and we left. Her parents were asleep so we had to get out from her window.

     "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm actually doing this." I cried out to Mary Jane as we're almost to the party. Now I've done worse stuff then sneak out. Never have I gone to a socs house for a party. "Yes yes yes! It'll be so fun." Mary Jane cheered. 

  It was only a 5 minute walk and now we're at the end of a cul-de-sac. I huffed and looked at Mary Jane with excited and nervous eyes. We locked arms as we both entered the house that was filled with boys wearing polo's and girls in long skirts. I don't look too out of place. Hopefully nobody will really recognize me while I'm here. 

   During the party Mary Jane spotted some of her old school friends and left me alone. Not that it mattered, it's just now I look like a loser not knowing what I should do. 

   I decided to get a beer from the icebox and walk around some. I noticed some kids looked at me, but nothing happened. I was a little worried. I mean I think any greaser would be. Not that they knew I was one, but they're could always be someone I recognized, or someone could recognize me from someone in the gang or my brothers. In spite of that, I won't let it get to me. I see a cute blond boy in the corner. He looked to be by himself. I took a swig of my beer, and I marched toward him. "Hi." I carefully blurted out. He looked startled but he chuckled and spoke, "Hi." I smiled at him and he then questioned, "are you new here? I don't think I've seen you around." I didn't know what to say, but I wasn't going to lie. "Oh, no. I just don't get out much." I didn't say I would tell the whole truth. "Oh sweet, well I'm Mark. Mark Anderson." I smiled but then something ticked inside my head. Randy's little brother? I think I do know him. "Oh cool. Nice to meet you Mark. I'm... Uh, Carly. Yeah, Carly." Harley, Carly. What's the big difference? 

     Now there are many reasons why he might not recognize me. First of all Randy and him just moved to Tulsa a year ago, and I wasn't all that social last school year. For obvious reasons. "Well Carly, it's nice to meet you as well." He softly smiled as he whispered into my ear, "Do ya wanna get out of here?" My stomach suddenly had a weird feeling. I don't know what it was, maybe anxiety? "Uh... Sure. Let me get another beer. Do ya want one?" I looked back him and questioned. "Sure, thanks."

    Before we left I needed to find Mary Jane and tell her I'm leaving. I was roaming different rooms to see if I could spot her. I finally searched the basement, and there she was. Chatting with some girls I remember from school. I lock eyes with her and wave for her to come to me. She realizes what I'm asking and walks over. 

   "Hey, is everything okay?"  "Oh yeah definitely." I smirked and she looked at me. "What...?" I giggled for the first time in a hot minute and muttered, "I'm leaving with a guy." Her eyes almost popped out her head and smiled her teethy smile, "really? Who!?" She demanded. I just grinned and said. "This guy named Mark. I'll tell you all about it later. Bye!" She waved bye and smiled some more at me and I went back upstairs. 

   I found Mark waiting for me on the porch with my unopened beer in one hand and his beer in the other. He saw me and handed me my drink and we strolled off to where ever side by side.