think pink.

6 big news

Sitting at this wooden desk about halfway back in the classroom, my ankles crossed, instead of focusing on the teacher, I watched the people around me. It was my final class of the day.

The girls.

Some chomped on gum not-so-discreetly or ran their fingers through hair they had wet set the night before like it was religion. Pencils pressed against tight lips. Pastel colors and the look of itchy nylons on crossed legs lead to fidgeting feet in saddle shoes.

I had been practically ignored other than the many looks I was getting. It wasn't anything I was not used to.

I hadn't done much schoolwork since being here, most classes were in the middle of lessons. I was given papers from the duplicator but wasn't expected to do them. I was told to look them over. I didn't mind. In my mind, I had perfect permission to do the bare minimum until further notice.

I tuned into a few conversations about boy trouble and the upcoming dance and something about some announcement I guess I missed.

I was conflicted, to say the least, about how close I should let myself get with the new girls in my life. They were all so different but must have had some things in common to be together so often.

Distancing myself from most, was the easiest option but I kind of just fell into this group. I guess I would see where it goes.

Maybe I should talk to June.

When the school day was over, it wasn't really over. Kids would sit in cars, more like on cars, or just along the outskirts of the the schools and the school's parking lot, smoking, talking, playing back seat bingo, or whispering.

Rizzo then came out of my peripheral as I exited, humming a bit with her pink jacket across her shoulders. 

"Are you coming?" She asked.

Frenchy, following behind, quickly let me know that they were heading to the nearby diner where I agreed to also go, but on my own. The 'Frosty Palace' she called it. They had a booth they loved to take up and waste some time.

They were meeting up with some T Birds and I wasn't sure how I'd be looked at. God forbid, I was to be recognized. I wanted to hang back and take it in.

"Hey, uh- Frenchy?"

She gave me her attention as we were now walking side by side, Rizzo strutting out ahead.

"There's a dance?" I knew it was that time of year but I needed info.

"Oh yeah! I'm sure you've heard everyone chatting about it! Me and Doody are of course going but the big news is, it's going to be on live television!" She was excited.

Not too sure with what to say, I nodded.

"All of us Pink Ladies, go with a T Bird."

"That part I noticed," I told her, though I needed to figure out who went with who just to be sure.

As we got closer to the other girls, Riz had her sunglasses towards the tip of her nose and was looking at me with a fire of some sort. Jan was propped up on the hood of the car adn seemed to be talking Marty's ear off. No sign of Sandy. Though she wasn't a Pink Lady, she seemed to be close with them.

I was still worried I'd get clanked if I tried to hang out with them too much. I'd wait to be invited to be involved in any other their 'activities'.

Torn between distancing myself, or trying to get as close as possible, I waved bye to everyone who was already staring at me and went to my car.

Frosty Palace, I guess.