Look Back At It

At A Sock Hop

It's a crisp Saturday evening in September, and the Teenagers, Alyssa, and I are at a sock hop. Currently, my group-mates, along with Alyssa and I, are just leaning up against a wall, chatting with each other. It's been almost a month since Alyssa met us, I randomly think. As we make small talk, Rin appears, saying "Hey, y'all! I didn't know y'all were gonna be here!" Billy says "Glad you're here, Rin! Andrew Harley told us about the sock hop, so we decided to show up!" "Cool. Andrew said on Tuesday's episode of Pirate's Island that he was gonna be at the sock hop tonight," Rin responds. Then, I hear a familiar voice say "Hey there, everyone! Glad everyone could make it here!" Quickly, I turn and notice Andrew has appeared. Andrew says "I've got my dancing shoes on and I'm ready to dance! Who wants to dance with me?" "I'll dance with you!" Alyssa says, smiling. Rin turns to face me as Alyssa and Andrew walk to the gymnasium floor where lots of people are dancing. She says "Oh. I wanted to dance with Andrew, but I guess Alyssa got the chance before I did."

Fifteen minutes later, Joe and I are drinking fruit punch and leaning up against the wall, watching everyone dance. "This is pretty fun," Joe says as he takes another sip of the fruit punch. I nod, responding "Yeah! I like it here." However, as Joe is about to say something, Alyssa runs up to us, looking somewhat exhausted. My eyes widen, and I ask "Babe, are you alright?" "Yeah, but I need to tell you something. I don't know if this is true or not, but apparently, Billy recently recorded two songs for the Diamond Records label," Alyssa replies. Stunned, Joe asks, "Who told you that?" Alyssa says "Rin and a few other girls told me! I've already told Herman and Jimmy. Please don't tell Billy." Slowly, I nod my head and respond "Alrighty. Now, let's get out onto the dance floor and dance, my dear." Please let these silly rumors be untrue.

A short time later, Alyssa and I are dancing to "Sh-Boom" by the Chords. "You know, Shermie, my life has been a pleaseant dream since we met," Alyssa says. While we dance, I overhear Andrew exclaim "Oh my god! Clyde McPhatter, the guy who used to sing with the Drifters, is here!" Alyssa looks at me and says "That's cool. Andrew must really like those Drifters guys." As "Sh-Boom" ends, I glance over towards Clyde and state "He must be popular. Look at all of those girls crowding around him!" "Yeah. Andrew seems to be the only guy in the gaggle of girls surrounding Clyde," Jimmy says, walking up to me. Then, Jimmy looks at Alyssa, then back at me, and asks "Have you heard that rumor about Billy yet?" "Yeah. I'm hoping it isn't true," I respond. Alyssa is about to say something when Andrew and Rin walk up to us. Andrew grins and says "I've been meaning to tell you guys something. Tomorrow night, I'll be the emcee of the show New York Local Vocals. It's going to feature local singers that are signed to record labels and some singers that aren't signed to record labels." Slowly, I nod my head. What if Billy is on there? My thoughts are interrupted by Andrew saying "Come on! Get on the dance floor for the last slow dance of the night! Let's go, Rin!" With the thought of Billy sneaking behind our backs and starting a solo career on my mind, I hold Alyssa's hand, and we walk onto the dance floor once more.