VANILLA, BABY • KENICKIE

FIFTEEN

FIFTEEN - all the truths come out

The gym had never looked so polished. Streamers draped across everywhere, pastel colours lit up the gym hall, the polished floor gleamed under the colored spotlights, and a banner read in bold glitter: Rydell High Christmas Dance – As Seen on TV!

One by one, the Pink Ladies and T-Birds filed in with their dates. Marty arrived first, dripping in emerald, batting her lashes at the poor TV presenter like he was her personal gift under the tree.

"Hey, Marty. Lookin' good." Sonny said to her as he approached her but she was paying no mind, too in captivated by Vine Fontaine.

"Sonny! There he is. Vince Fontaine." She fawned from a distance.

"I seen better heads on a mug of beer." Sonny muttered.

"Grow up. He's the living end."

"Yeah, if you like older guys."

Ducky walked in ahead of her sister, she was wearing a light green halter neck dress that had a mesh floral fabric on top. She wore light makeup and her hair was down, curled down to the middle of her back. French had helped her with her hair and Ducky had helped French by doing her makeup. Their parents had gushed over how lovely they both looked.

Frenchy waltzed in on Doody's arm, newly blonde-coloured hair tucked into a bow that made her look cute, Ducky had told her earlier when she helped her get ready at home. Her dress somehow matched her hair.

"Doody, how do I look?" She asked, smiling at him with nerves.

"Like a beautiful blonde pineapple."

Jan and Putzie entered, Jan was wearing a lovely pink dress and he was proud to call her his date to the dance, she looked beautiful.

"The gym never looked so good, not as good as you." He looked over to her and she quickly kissed his cheek.

"You bring the provisions?" She asked and he nodded.

Sandy and Danny followed, picture-perfect, with Sandy glowing in her white dress like the good girl she was, Rizzo was half right, she was too pure to be pink. Ducky waved to them and admitted the couple, they looked good together and Danny was head over heels for the Australian.

Rizzo entered with her date and Ducky had to admit, she looked drop dead gorgeous, she was wearing a red and black polka dotted halterneck and she owned the room.

And then Kenickie strolled in with Cha-Cha DiGregorio on his arm. Ducky caught sight of them from the punch table, and her stomach dropped, why was she feeling sad? This was her fucking idea. Cha-Cha clung to him like she'd won a prize, her hips already swaying to music that hadn't even started.

Ducky had no date. She hadn't wanted one. She told herself it didn't matter because she knew how the night would end, with Kenickie's arm around her waist, his lips pressed to her temple when no one was looking. But it didn't stop the sting when Cha-Cha pulled him straight to the dance floor when the competition was about to start.

The Principal took the microphone for a rambling speech about school spirit, the importance of good behavior, and how proud she was that Rydell High was chosen to host. No one really listened. Everyone's eyes were on the tribute band setting up, guitars gleaming under the lights.