Rebels Never Smile

June

June: Is It So Strange

I couldn't stop thinking about Elvis kissing me. Last night, I had a dream that I was an ant and I fell off a leaf and Elvis caught me. For some reason he was a really handsome ant, and his arms were really strong and then our antennas connected. I think we kissed but I don't even know. I have really strange dreams. The next morning I couldn't find Elvis. He wasn't underneath his tree and he didn't come to class. For some reason it really bummed me out. Skylar and Hayley didn't come to school today, though I don't blame them. Me and Val spent most of the day in the library doing research for English on the Romeo and Juliet project. I was actually really glad to be partnered with Elvis.

After school Val had her father pick her up and so I walked by myself. I was walking past the crosswalk when I saw Elvis sitting on the bench with his head facing the sun. I guess he wanted a tan and to be honest, the boy really needed one. " Hey Elvis." I said in a friendly tone. He cocked his head sideways and opened his left eye. He glanced and then rose his eyebrows. Is that how they say 'hello' here or is that just Elvis? I was staring to sweat and Elvis must have noticed because he stood up and he asked if I needed help with my books. I never realized how heavy my books were and my arms and back were numb.

We were nearly by my house when Elvis stopped. " I should probably stay here." And he tried to hand me my books. " why?" I asked. His eyes were filled with hurt though his head was held high. " I don't think your daddy would be happy to see me." He put his head down. At that moment, a burst of happiness erupted inside me. Elvis just told me how he felt. I started laughing and his eyes narrowed. " Whasofunny?" " Gee, I just thought how great it was that you told me how you felt. I think you consider me a friend." I smiled at him. He laughed without humor and without smiling. " It's okay, I explained what happened to my dad and he actually wants to apologize and thank you." He had on a blank face and he seemed to relax a bit. He walked beside me and together we walked to my house. He came in without me inviting and stood in my living room " Where's your room?" He asked. I closed the door and told him to follow me. We walked to the end of the hall and the first door on the left was my room. It was full of Frankie Sinatra, Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Gene Kelly posters. My bed sheets were purple and white flowers. And I had a record player on the counter next to my picture of me and my family. Elvis set my books on the table, and studied my room like he actually was interested in it. He walked to my record player and asked if I had any music.

" Sure as hell I do." I said proudly. I walked to him and opened the drawer next to him and told him to pick out a record. He looked through my music and he took out a song that I didn't see. As soon as I heard it, I closed my eyes and smiled. " Oh if you tell a lie, you know that I'll forgive you." I opened my eyes and saw Elvis looking at me. He walked toward me, making me sort of nervous. He took my wrist and whispered " Dance with me?" He twirled me, and my head was spinning and I'm pretty sure it wasn't because of the twirl. " I don't know how to dance." I croaked. " I don't either." He responded. We both didn't say a word but just danced till the song ended. We were both lost in each other's arms and we just danced without music. His head on my shoulder, mine on his chest. He was the first to break away. " I should go." He said. His eyes were filled with so much pain and I held his hand. " Just stay for a little while." I pleaded. He shook his head aggressively and pulled away not making an effort to be careful. I followed him to the door and he hesitated to leave. He looked back once, and he left, walking to those stairwells that I so despise.

I couldn't even stop him.