Grease Lightning | K.M

Show Up

Sandy had decided she'd show up and surprise Danny at the carnival, even though I'd tried to convince her to come to the race in her new clothes. She still dropped me off and said she was going to watch from afar, but I was on my own from here on out.

I took my time walking and drinking in the looks of people who had started to see me. Groupies I've never seen before who sat on the outskirts of the party noticed me first. I watched everyone, seeing the chain of command start to take effect. The forgotten noticed me first, then the ones who were barely remembered, then people like Doody and Putzie, until the news spread to the big boss: Danny and Kenickie.

I waved to the boys, fluttering my fingers and flipping my hair over my shoulder. Just when they thought I was coming over to them, I made a b-line for Leo. I didn't spare anyone a smile, I just huffed and lifted the small pointed glasses off my face.

"Move it", I snarled, looking directly at Cha Cha, who was the only person standing between me and the leader of the Scorpions.

She ruffled out the tacky blue dress she was wearing and crossed her arms. "Excuse me?" She scoffed. "Who let the tramp in here?" She'd yelled it for everyone to hear, but my only problem was with her.

I braved myself for my first fight, but luckily it didn't come to that. I looked silly in my stance when Leo finally told her to cool it and take a hike.

I had to mask the surprise splashed across my face when she actually left, but not before pretending to lunge at me. I almost flinched. Almost.

Leo adjusted his mirror in order to stay busy so he wouldn't have to look me in the eye. "You like it", I asked him, twirling around so he could get a good look at the new me. I wanted to lighten the mood.

Leo pulled the toothpick sitting between his lips and  shrugged his shoulder closest to me. "Smokin", he said indifferently.

I tried not to get discouraged by his lack of interest. It didn't take a genius to figure out his pride was hurt, and I'm the one who hurt it. I leaned my arms on his car, looking him in the eyes.

He tried to pull away, but my head kept following him. "I'm sorry", I finally said. "But you need to try and understand. You kissed me because you wanted a fight, and you didn't even ask me. I have just as much of a right to be mad at you right now. But I let it go, Leo. And you need to do the same", I tried explaining in my most soothing tone.

His forehead was less scrunched up now, but he still wouldn't look me in the eye. I pressed on, "the T-Birds were the very first friends I made here and that means something to me. I'd never ask you to be friends with them, I know that's impossible for the both of you. But as my friend, you need to understand that I like Kenickie. Don't make me choose, please Leo. I need you both."

Something in him changed. It was like a weight was lifted from his shoulders. "Fine", he grumbled as he cleared his throat in a strange attempt to seem more masculine while we're talking about feelings. "I'll leave em' alone. But you can't ditch me for greener pastures no more. You're either here or you're not."

I hadn't grown up here, so I was afraid I wouldn't ever truly understand how much bad blood was between these guys. I suspected this was much harder for Leo then I was giving him credit for. And now, Leo was promising me not a friendship with the T-Birds, but a partial truce. I still needed Kenickies word to stop messing with the Scorpions, but I was hopeful in what his answer would be. And wherever last score they needed to settle, they could do it on the race track.

A large smile spread across my face as I digested what he'd said to me. I squealed and grabbed his face to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. Thank you so much", I rambled.

Leo finally pushed me off him. I was sure he didn't like getting this attention in front of his friends so I dropped it. "Ok", I breathed out. "I'm going to go talk to Kenickie. I'll see you after the race", I said as I walked backwards and waved bye to him.

Just as I was about to turn around, I swung back to him and called out his name. "I'll cheer for you", I shouted. I made sure I didn't say it loud enough for anyone on the T-Bird's side of the road to hear me.

Leo scoffed and threw his hand in my direction, dismissing me. I laughed, glad we were getting back to normal, and finally made my way back to the T-Birds.

They were all buzzing about me by the time I got to them. Half were talking about my new style, and half were talking about my connection to Leo. "Hi boys", I giggled, confidently walking past them to where Danny and Kenickie were.

Kenickie was, of course, occupying the front seat, and Danny was leaning against the drivers side door. I followed suit and propped myself up on the back seat, flicking my heel over my leg.

Danny looked speechless, like he wasn't sure if I was real or not. But Kenickie looked furious. "The hell", he finally exploded, after realizing he couldn't squeeze the steering wheel any tighter. "You can't just kiss him and come over here."

Today wasn't going to be a good day, and it had started off so nice. I almost took the yelling and apologized, but I stopped myself. I wanted to wear this outfit as a symbol of the change within myself. I wanted to be stronger, more assertive, and confident. I can't let him try to destroy my friendship with Leo any longer.

"Kenickie", I sighed. "You need to stop. Actually you know what, Danny you need to give us a minute", I said, turning my attention to Zuko.

Danny perked up and looked between the both of us. They gave each other a particular look, before Danny kicked himself off the car. I glared at him. "And drop the attitude", I told him as he walked off towards Putzie.

"You're done talking about my friendship with Leo", I said, emphasizing the word friendship. "And you're done calling him scareface. The both of you will coexist, or you will loose me. All this fighting is over. If you've got a problem with him, ignore it", I told him.

I was sure I was a sight to behold. I was waving my finger and my hand was on my hip. I looked like a mother scolding her child after they were caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Kenickie just stared at me with a blank face, not sure what had just happened. Moments past until it became awkward and he finally spoke. "Ok", was all he said. It wasn't exactly the engaging conversation I was hoping for, but at the very least, he understood the boundaries now.

"Good", I said crossing my arms. "Now get out and kiss me for good luck."