Its 1953... n.h.

Chapter 6

A few weeks later, mid June, the girls and I are out at the Frontier. I point out some boys, Marilyn points out some and Betsy sniffles every so often. She and her boyfriend had broken up after going steady for about 3 months, her longest relationship since junior high.

"What about Mr. green eyes over there?" Marilyn points to a guy a few tables behind me and I turn to see Harry. Of course it's Harry.

"He's alright," I say with a small smile, I take a ire of French fry and nearly shove another three in my mouth to avoid any questions she may conjure up.

"He's dreamy," Marilyn says still looking at Harry. I roll my eyes and almost slam my fist on the table but regain myself and set my hands in my lap.

"He's Harry," I shrug, "very nice."

"I should talk to him, he's looking at me," Marilyn makes a move to get up but I place my hand on hers ever so lightly.

"Harry ain't nothing special, just stay here," Marilyn pouts but does so.

We end up discussing Betsy's new job at her daddy's auto shop downtown and how she's making enough money to get a perm next week.

Marilyn continues to eye Harry until she gets a hint of curiosity in her gleaming brown eyes.

"Isn't that that boy you were seein' there at the end of school?" I groan and turn even though I know exactly who she is talking about. I see Niall sitting around with his friends, Louis on his left and Zayn on his right.

"I wasn't seeing him, we were just friends," I sigh and rest my head on the palm of my hand.

"He's got a guitar too, Beth," says Betsy who is now looking behind me, straining to see Niall clearer.

"Of course he does," I sigh and finish off my fries just as I hear chords to an all to familiar song.

"I'll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places, that this heart of mine embraces..." by now I've tuned the song out.

"How about we run off and find something else to do? What about the drugstore and get some root beer floats?" I ask even though I can tell my girlfriends are swooning.

"Why? He sings so good!" Marilyn says holding her head up with both hands under her chin.

"Is he famous? He looks familiar?" Betsy says with wide eyes and an eager smile.

"You're recognizing him from school," I answer plainly. By now the song is already almost over, in that small cafe, the bar across the way...

"He's just dreamy," Marilyn adds and I shoot up from my seat.

"That's about enough of that, let's go," without waiting I dash off to Betsy's car and open the backseat door. Eventually I see my friends coming along.

"I was just told about a party next weekend, let's all go!" Betsy says turning in her seat to look at me with a smile.

"Sure," I nod, my mind thanking her for the idea. I need anything, anything at all to forget tonight.

>>>

A basement full of kids I'd never seen before is where I end up next weekend. Looking around, couples are making out, side by side, on the couches. Of course there are smokers and drinkers, all trying to hook up with the girls there. There is a bar which I have claimed as my spot and have been sitting there for the past two hours since Betsy and Marilyn left me for some guys they'd met.

"All by yourself?"

The new voice makes me jump and whirl around to the sound of it. I find a very tall man with brown hair and a gentle smile looking at me, holding some whiskey in a glass.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he adds and sticks his left hand in his pocket.

"it's alright," I return the smile and brush a bit of hair behind my ear.

"Ronald, but you can call me Ronnie," he offers a large hand and I take it apprehensively.

"Elizabeth," I answer quickly, not really understanding why I gave my full name.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl." Ronnie smiles again and leans onto a chair next to me. We end up talking for about an hour. I find he is 20, going to college to become a lawyer and has just moved into town not three months ago to finish his schooling.

"So what will you be doing with yourself now that you've graduated?"

"College," I feel as though I'm lying, but I'm not. I'll go through with it, I suppose.

"For?"

"I'm not sure," I laugh and he smiles. Ronnie is a very charming man, a fluent way with words and dazzling green eyes. He is the perfect man, going to college, handsome, smart, comical.

"You'll figure it out," he winks and finishes off a drink and sets it on the counter beside us. Behind Ronnie's head I see Marilyn entering the room and a group of boys following behind her. My thoughts begin to stray even though Ronnie is talking.

"Elizabeth," I hear a new voice say which snaps me out of my thoughts, which frankly I have no idea what I'm thinking. My head turns and heart drops when I see Niall on my left. Ronnie is looking at me confused and I have no idea what to tell either of them.

"Niall," I begin and he moves in between Ronnie and I.

"You with him?"

"Yes and if you don't mind," I try to push him away and only get so far before and takes hold of my wrist. "I'll be just a minute," I tell Ronnie before Niall practically drags me away and into a tiny supply closet.

Niall tugs on a string which turns on an overhead light and closes the door behind himself after guiding me in. "What are you doing with him anyway?"

"That's none of your concern, is it?"

"Oh yes it is, Bebe," Niall counters and I see a crazed look in his eyes, "you're my girl, not his."

"Excuse me, but you're the one who left me on the side of the road and never tried to explain yourself for a month afterward," I try to whisper, knowing for certain Ronnie is on the other Sid elf the door listening, "and I was never your girl, Niall."

He is visibly taken aback by this and his eyebrows furrow together in question, "then what are you doing with him anyway?"

"My friends left and he was sweet enough to accompany me until they came back."

"You damn well know they wouldn't have come back anytime tonight."

"So? At least he hasn't left me alone for a month!"

"You haven't even known him for a day!"

"Niall, please!"

"Bebe, I swear I will..."

"You will what, Niall, what will you do? Go beat him up and that will make me fall in love with you because that's not going to work!"

I ran the doorknob and jerk the door open, in fact finding Ronnie on the other side.

"Would you be so kind as to see me home?" Ronnie agrees and I take hold of his bicep, shooting one last look at Niall before we ascend the stairwell and leave.