Warm. That's all I felt. The blankets over me were warm, the bed was warm, and Tim's body against mine was warm. However, I was colder than a block of ice. Not for any particular reason, I just was. God, I envied Tim's talent for not getting cold.
"Your hands are freezing," The boy beside me whispered as his hand touched mine.
"I'm cold," I mumbled into the blankets.
Tim smirked, his fingers intertwining with mine. He pulled me closer to him so that my back was pressed against his chest and his arm was tightly wrapped around my waist. "I think you're getting sick, my little soc." He joked.
I rolled my eyes at the nickname as he began to play with my hair. "I would rather be sick than go to this stupid party," I mumbled.
"Speaking of parties," He started to say. "There's one at Buck's tomorrow night if you wanna go to that-" Tim stopped talking as I tilted my head to look at him.
"I would love to," I said. He smiled a little, flipping my body over so I was facing him. Gently, he brushed my hair behind my ear before kissing my forehead.
"What was that for?" I asked.
He shrugged. "What? I can't kiss my girlfriend?"
I couldn't help but smile as my body melted into his. "You can, but give me a real kiss."
He smirked, lifting my chin with his fingertips before his thumb brushed over my lips. He smirked before kissing me.
- - -
Mom and Megan were running around the house like chickens with their heads cut off. They were shouting things I couldn't understand and it wasn't just them. James and Paul had joined in at some point, and even Linda was yelling because she couldn't focus on doing my makeup with all the ruckus they were creating.
"Try to get your dress on, darling." She said with a smile.
I nodded, watching her leave and unintentionally slam the door behind her. I sighed, glancing at Linda's work in the mirror. I loved her definition of "natural" because it was only a little bit of concealer, some blush, and clear lip gloss. My eyelashes were already pretty long, so there was no need for mascara and eyeshadow just made my eyes itch. She also put my hair in a sleek, high ponytail.
I sighed again, standing up and grabbing my dress off my bathroom door. It was a long blush pink dress that fell to the floor. Tight around the waist, in the hips, and the bust, with a v-neck. I think mom was trying to show off my chest, which is funny because I don't have one. And the back was wide open.
It was a nice, simple dress, really, but I hated it. It reminded me of what a typical soc was. It was the picture of everything I resented. Wealth, money, and power, a rich girl who didn't care for anything but herself and money. It showed someone snobbish and prudish. Not someone unhappy with the social division of socs and greasers. Not someone who wanted change. I guess, it kind of reminded me of my mother and sister. Their values, not my own.
The dress was indeed, tight, and nearly impossible to get into. I'm convinced it was two sizes too small, but I would never know because mom ripped off all the tags and threw them away. I didn't mind though, for me, the party would only last about an hour, then I would ditch and meet up with Tim by the tracks as planned.
"We leave in five minutes!" Linda called as she knocked on my door. "Are you ready- Oh my God!" She cut herself off mid-sentence as I opened my bedroom door. Her black eyes went big, and her mouth dropped open. "Connie!" She gasped. "Oh, you're beautiful!"
"Thanks, Linda," I said quietly, crossing my arms.
In truth, I didn't feel beautiful. More exposed, than anything. Linda smiled, patting my shoulder reassuringly. She wasn't happy about the party either, like me, she was just trying to survive the night.
"Let's just try to have some fun, alright?"
I nodded, following her out of my bedroom and into the living room where the rest of the family was.
Mom was dressed in the only color of dress she owned, black. The boys both wore suits with little pink roses in their pockets. And Linda had on a white blouse and navy skirt. But the real star of the show was Megan, wearing a full face of makeup, her long black hair all pinned up in curls, and her blush pink dress with a full tulle skirt and pearl accents. God, she looked like a fairy princess or something.
If you didn't know any better, you might have thought we were going to the Queen of England's wedding or something. It was typical that Megan would pull something like that. She picked out my dress but made sure she had a bigger and better one. She loved the spotlight, and she sure got a lot of attention that night. I just wished the dress was the only stunt she pulled that night.
Mom looked at her watch, not even bothering to say "hi" or "you look nice" to me before she ushered us out the door and to the limo. The ride to (quote by Paul Holden) "that nice place down by the river" consisted of everyone gushing over Megan. I didn't mind though, it meant everyone left me alone and distracted from the backpack of extra clothes I snuck out of the house.
Inside the hall, it was packed with people, most of which were young men from mom's work, or boys Paul went to high school with. Very little, we're my family, and that's saying something because my mom's side of the family is quite large.
I couldn't even breathe before I was surrounded by boys, and not just me, Megan too. The funny thing was, I didn't know a single one of them, but they all talked to me like they had met me before. Megan was loving the attention, me and Paul, not so much. He was glaring at his girlfriend, and I was keeping a close eye on the clock. Of course, that's hard to do, when there are twenty faceless boys in your way all the time.
My saving grace was Linda, who pulled me away, saying, "Geez, give the girl a little space and some water"
"Thank you," I mumbled as we sped walked away from a group of grumbling guys.
"Don't thank me yet, hon. I have a feeling that's not the only time I'll need to save you." She said. I weakly chuckled as we sat down at our table.
Not ten seconds later, Megan and Paul strode up, his arm around her waist and nervous yet excited grins on both their faces.
"We have an announcement!" Paul started. Megan held up her left hand and squealed. On her finger was the biggest rock I had ever seen in my entire life, glittering in the dim light. A murmur of delight sprang up around all the family as they congratulated the newly engaged.
Linda and I sunk back in our chairs in pure shock. But Megan wasn't done yet.
"But that's not all!" She said, glancing at Paul.
"Were pregnant!" They said in sync. The family exploded in joy. Except for Linda and me. Her jaw was on the floor, and her black eyes were wider than I had ever seen them, it looked like they might just pop out. She couldn't even speak up she was so in shock.
I was not just in shock, I was angry. I left, my disappearance going unnoticed by the rest of my family, who were too busy congratulating the newly engaged and parents-to-be. Linda didn't even follow me she was so shocked by the news.
I marched outside to the back porch and leaned against the railing. I needed the fresh air, and it was really nice out there, the porch overlooked the river and the sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink.
I didn't know what to think, all I felt was anger and sadness, and shock. Engaged and pregnant. Engaged and pregnant! ENGAGED AND PREGNANT! Of course, Megan just had to announce it at my party. It wasn't even my party. It was my mother's and Megan's.
Made I was being selfish, but I think I had a right to be angry. After all, Megan made it all about herself on a day that was kind of for me. She couldn't stay out of the spotlight for five minutes so she had to push someone out of the way to get it. Typical. My sister was raised to get whatever she wanted. And all she wanted, was attention.
"Are you okay?" A voice suddenly asked.
I glanced over my shoulder, my eyes landing on a tall boy with green eyes and messy auburn hair. I was surprised to see he had followed me, honestly, I thought no one would care.
"Yeah, I just needed some fresh air." My voice sounded strange like I had choked it out of my lungs. I motioned to the sky and the setting sun. The boy nodded coming to stand beside me.
"Do you mind if I say?" He asked. "I just really like the sunset."
"I don't mind." I shrugged, looking at the setting sun in front of me. Once it was down, I would be gone.
"Happy Birthday." The boy suddenly said, he didn't bother to look at me, his green eyes were just looking to the sunset.
"What?" I asked, sure I don't hear him right.
"Happy Birthday." He repeated. "It is your birthday, right? 'Cause if not, that's awkward, on my part, I mean." He chucked, finishing off his stuttered sentences. I couldn't help but chuckle too.
"It is my birthday. Thank you, you're the first one that's said it, so..."
"No one wished you a happy birthday on your birthday?" He asked curiously. "Not even your parents."
I shook my head.
"Oh," He said sadly. "Well, how old are you now?"
"Nineteen," I said.
"I'm twenty." He remarked. "Sorry, my name's-"
Before the boy could say his name, someone else said it for him. His voice was gravelly but in a way warm, and familiar from hearing it so often over the past month.
"Ricky Kallan," Tim said coldly, finishing the boy's sentence for him.
Ricky stepped away from the railing and the soft smile he once wore faded away along with the setting sun.
"Tim Shepard." He said just as coldly. "I didn't think I would be seeing you around birthday parties. Not really your speed, are they?"
Tim shrugged, glancing over at me. "Heck, I wouldn't turn down a good party. Besides, I'm not here for that."
"Then what are you here for?" Ricky inquired, taking a step towards Tim.
Again, he shrugged. "You're standing right next to her."
Ricky looked over at me. "You know him?" He asked me, his eyes wide.
"Knows me? She loves me, don't you, my little soc?" Tim joked before I could answer. Ricky and I both rolled our eyes.
"I wasn't asking you, Shepard." He said, taking another step towards Tim. "I was asking the lady."
"That 'lady' just so happens to be my girlfriend, Kallan," Tim said.
"And you just so happen to be outta your territory, Shepard," Ricky argued. "Last I checked, that was in those run-down alleys by the tracks. Now, listen, your beef's with the Tigers, not the Kings, so leave us out of it."
"Wasn't planning on bringing you into it." Tim shrugged. "Now, do us all a favor, run on back to daddy, we can't all have a rich one and choose the outsider life instead."
Ricky scoffed, glaring at Tim and smiling at me one last time before he left. Tim sighed, his posture returning to normal.
"Ricky Kallan, leader of the River Kings," Tim introduced after Ricky had disappeared inside. He walked up to me, smiling softly. "You look beautiful, doll. Happy Birthday."
"Thank you." I shrugged. "But what are you doing here, I thought we were meeting by the tracks?"
Tim held up a shoe box I didn't realize he was holding. "You're birthday present."
"You didn't have to," I said, my cheeks heating up a little. I didn't want him spending money on me.
Again Tim shrugged, handing me the box before leaning against the railing. I sighed, flipping open the lid. Inside was a pair of black Chuck Taylors. I couldn't help but smile and chuckle at the same time.
"Thank you, I love them," I said.
"I'm glad you do," He replied, moving over to me, lifting my chin, and lightly pecking my lips. "C'mon, we're gonna be late for Buck's."
I smiled.
Connie's birthday dress: