A/N: Random drafts I've had forever and am tired of sorting through ;) *also these aren't edited so ignore spelling errors and bad plots ;)
September 16th, 1953. 3:44 PM. Lubbock High school
Vi!" Someone says from behind me. I stop walking and turn around.
"Hey! Congrats on the new relationship!" Loretta Lancing smiles.
I grin. "Hey, thanks!" I decide not to mention that Buddy and I have been seeing eachother since March, only making it offical in June.
"No problem!"
"You made the cheer team?" I ask. I think saw her at practice.
She nods. "Yeah, I'm on junior varsity, but I'm only a sophomore. I'll make Varsity next year."
I forgot that she's a year under me. "Yeah, I bet you will."
"How did you and Juliet make varsity so fast?"
I shrug. "Probably because we're twins. They told us that us being twins was 'always a bonus'. I can't say that I know why."
"Yeah! But I have a question about you and Buddy..."
I raise my eyebrows. "Okay?"
"Y'all been dating for a couple weeks?"
I shake my head. "No, we started dating in early June. A week after school ended."
"Oh. Well, why are you with HIM outta all people? You could have anyone, and you chose a music boy? You coulda been with any football player you wanted!"
I scoff. "Excuse me?"
"Well, he's a little nerdy?"
"Uh, okay? Since when was he nerdy?"
"You're a cheerleader and he's got glasses..."
"So what? I like him, he likes me. He's a kind, funny, talented guy. I'm sorry that you can't see past his glasses."
I cannot believe that people are equating his worth to a lousy pair of glasses. It's not like he can control his God damn eyesight.
"Oh..."
"He's an amazing person, does the fact that he wears glasses really discredit that?"
"No?"
"It doesn't. He's a fantastic boyfriend and I love him."
"I'm sorry..."
"You should be. Don't judge people based on their appearance." I turn on my heel and continue walking to Buddy's car.
Am I too defensive?
Was that uncalled for?
Do people actually think that?
Have people been judging us because he wears glasses?!
I never perceived him as a nerd. He never hung out with the nerds. I've always seen him as a normal guy.
I see Buddy as he puts out his cigarette and opens the passenger door for me.
I take off my backpack and climb into the car.
Buddy climbs into the drivers seat. "Doll, what's wrong?"
I can't tell him, he already hates himself. "Just dumb cheer drama."
"Aw, I'm sorry, baby. Can I help at all?"
I shake my head. "No, it's girl stuff." I roll my eyes. "Buddy, I love you."
"Hey, I love you too." Buddy smiles.
I scooch over to him and kiss his cheek. "I think you're an amazing person."
"Thanks, doll." He turns to me.
I kiss him.
September 21st, 1953. 3:53 PM. Lubbock High School
"Hey, Vi!" Loretta smiles.
I roll my eyes. "What? Come back to insult my boyfriend?"
She shakes her head. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything I said. I heard Buddy on the radio last weekend."
I slowly nod. "Uh, yeah."
"He's really good!"
"I know."
"He seems like a great guy. Real handsome, too."
Is she joking?!
What a fake!
"Are you kidding me?"
"What?"
"Two weeks ago you implied that I could do better! Now you're saying he's handsome and talented?!"
"He is-"
"Just leave me alone. I have no desire to be around two faced people."
She frowns. "I'm sorry!"
"He can't control his eyesight, it's what he got stuck with. I cant believe that you have the audacity to judge him based off that trivial fact."
"I-"
"No. Talk to me when you've grown up." I say, walking away.
That might've been too defensive but I'm sure as hell am not going to let anyone talk about Buddy.
June 5th, 1953. 11:32 PM. Lubbock High Stadium
"So, we're actually really steady?" I ask timidly.
Buddy wraps an arm around me. "Yeah, if you wanna be."
"Do you want to be?"
"Of course I do, that's why I asked you earlier."
"That's why I said yes earlier." I blush.
He kisses my cheek. "So we are officially steady."
I nod."No one else."
Buddy pulls me closer. "No one else."
I look back up at the stars and I pull the blanket up more. Why is it so chilly? It's June in Texas!
"I've been into you since the day we met." Buddy mumbles.
I grin. "Really?"
"Yeah, really. You're amazin'."
"You're too sweet." I look over to him.
"And t'think that you're my girlfriend!"
"And that you're my boyfriend!" I reply.
"You, Violet, are the prettiest girl in this entire stadium."
I giggle. "It's just us!" We came to sit in the Lubbock High School stadium/football field to stargaze.
"How 'bout you're the prettiest girl in Lubbock High?"
I shake my head. "Even then, Juliet looks the exact same as me!"
Buddy looks at my and raises an eyebrow. "Nope. You have a much more natural look to you. She looks like a fashion model. Or a mannequin. You look like an actual human."
"How's that work? We're identical."
"Trust me when I say that you certainly look better. You don't cake your face or spend three hours on your hair. You are naturally beautiful."
I feel my face turn red. "Thank you."
"Of course, doll."
"Buddy?"
"Yes?"
"I think you're really handsome,"
"But I wear glasses."
"I think they're cute!"
"I hate these things!"
"Buddy, you're legally blind."
"I know, but they make me look geeky."
"Nah, you look perfect."
"Even with my horrific 'west Texas teeth'?"
I laugh and roll my eyes. "They aren't that bad, really. You forget that I lived in England."
"I should get them fixed."
"If you want to, go ahead. If you don't, then don't."
"You, Vi, are very good at makin' me feel better."
"That's my job. I'm your girlfriend." It feels weird to refer to myself as his girlfriend after so long.
"That is correct!"
"What happens to the cocky music performer when we're alone?" I ask.
Buddy purses his lips. "I trust you and I feel like I can confide in you."
"Yeah?"
"And I feel like you listen to me when no one else really does."
I put my head on his shoulder. "That's the least I can do for you."
He kisses my head. "You're georgous."
"So you've said."
"Also you're great at cuddling."
"How the hell is someone good at that?"
"Uhhh you let me do it. Duh."
"Buddy?"
"Hmm?"
"I can't express how happy I am that we're together now. I really do like you. A lot. I've been sort of pining after you for so long and I finally have you. I lo- like you a lot."
Buddy looks over at me. "D'you actually feel that way?"
I nod. "I promise I do. I've never been this into someone."
His breath hitches. "Really?"
"Really. Really, really. Can I kiss you?"
"You don't gotta ask, doll. I really like kissin' you."
I lean in and we kiss.
Eventually we pull away and I put my head on his shoulder. "You're the best thing that's happened to me in years."
"You're the best thing that's happened in my life, Violet."
I feel like I'm gonna cry. There's a million butterflies in my stomach, but I'm not nervous. I just...I haven't felt this way about anyone ever. Am I in love with him?
"I never thought that a girl like you would end up with me. Me!"
"I never thought that I would end up with a guy like you."
"A guy like me?"
"A kind, humble, caring, handsome, talented guy."
"My lord, do I like you." Buddy mumbles.
Does he love me? Will he ever love me?
Hush, Vi. He likes you enough to date you.
I kiss his cheek. "You're the most wonderful person."
"No, you really are."
I'm so over come with...love and affection right now. I hope he doesn't mind.
"I like you so much." I mumble.
"I like you so much too, doll." He replies softly.
June 17th, 1954. 4:08 PM. The Winter Household
I hear a knock at the front door, startling me from my book. I quickly close it and head to the door.
Knock knock KNOCK KNOCK.
I roll my eyes and open the door. There stands Buddy's cousin with her two kids, Ryan and Riley.
"Violet! Hey, I really need a favor!" She ushers the two inside. "Can you watch them? I have an emergency!"
My eyes go wide. "Uh, what?"
"Just watch them, please!"
"Karla, it's just me in the house for another couple days. My family is out of town."
"Yeah, I know. Buddy and them are all fishing! Please, just a couple of hours."
I cringe. "Okay, okay fine."
"Great! I'll pay you!" Karla calls as she runs back to her car.
I close the door and turn to the two small children. "Um, hey, I'm Violet."
"I know that." Ryan huffs.
I purse my lips. "So, are you guys hungry?" I've met these kids once and said maybe three words to them. I don't know what they like. But I do know that all kids love food.
Riley nods. "Yes, I am!"
"Okay, come here, let's get you some lunch." I lead them to the kitchen. "What do you guys want?"
"I want a sandwich!" Ryan cheers.
"Me too!" Riley agrees.
"What kind?" I ask.
"Turkey and cheese and mayonnaise and lettuce and tomato!" Ryan nods.
Riley grins. "Me too!"
"Perfect." I say, opening the fridge and gathering all of the ingredients.
"Why are you dating my cousin?" Ryan asks. "My mommy said you guys are steady and go on dates and kiss!"
I shrug. "Because I like him and he likes me."
"Do you really kiss?" Riley presses.
I nod. "Sure do."
"Just like a princess! You look like a princess, Violet."
"Thank you!"
"Yuck, I'm never gonna kiss a girl!" Ryan scowls. "Cooties!"
"Cooties aren't real!" Riley shoots.
"Yes huh!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No they're not, egghead!"
"Hey," I intrude. "No arguing."
"But Violet! Cooties aren't real! My teacher said so!" Riley frowns.
"Your teacher is right, but we don't argue right now." I cut the sandwhich in half and put half on another plate. "Let's eat lunch."
We all sit down at the table.
"Your house is like a castle, Violet!" Riley smiles, biting her sandwich.
"Thank you,"
"You really are a princess!"
"No, no, I'm just like you guys."
"But you have a boyfriend and you kiss and you look like a princess and you live in a castle!"
"Well, thanks."
The kids eventually finish eating. They run up the stairs before I can tell them to stop. They dash into my room and climb on my bed.
"Hey!" Ryan points to the picture frame on my nightstand. "That's Buddy!"
I nod. "Yep."
"You guys really are dating!"
"Yep."
"Woah."
Riley grins. "I can't wait to be a teenager so I can date!"
"Hey, stay a kid for as long as you can." I reply. "I wish I hadn't grown up."
"Why?"
"Because I have a lot of responsibilties now."
"Like what?"
"Well, school work, band, cheerleading, actual work, friends, my relationship-"
"How is a relationship a responsibility?"
"Because I have to make sure that we spend enough time together and that he's still happy and likes me."
"Why would he ever stop liking you?"
"I don't know, people fall out of love for a lot of reasons."
"He won't fall out of love. You're too good!"
I laugh lightly. "Yeah, thank you. He better not."
The kids eventually find monopoly and force me into playing them. I'm just about to win when Karla comes back and scoops up the kids.
"Violet, you are a LIFE SAVER! Here. Take this, thank you so much, you're the best! Proud to have you as a cousin! Okay, okay, I gotta go, thanks again!" She hands me a crumpled up $5 bill.
"No, Karla I can't take the money,"
"Too bad, take it!" She says already walking to her car. "Thank you!"
Wait, did she call me her cousin already? Buddy and I aren't even engaged. His family seems to have a lot of faith that we'll get married someday.
I have a lot of faith too.
May 10th,1953. 12:13 PM. Lubbock High School
Buddy and I sit down at our usual spot outside of Lubbock High behind the band room. We've found that its relatively secluded and no one comes by often.
We open our respective lunches and make our normal banter. How was your day, inside jokes, plans for after school, music, whatever else.
Today seems to be a more flirty undertone. More so than usual. We never do this in public or outside of a bedroom.
We're sitting closer together and we've been teasing and keep getting a bit too close to kissing.
I need to know what he thinks is going on. Because I have no idea what's going on between us anymore. We flirt, we hook up, we cuddle, but only in private. In public we're just like, well, best friends.
"Buddy," I say cautiously.
"Yes doll?" He replies.
"What is...this?" I ask, motioning to him and I.
"What's what?" He raises an eyebrow.
"What are we?" I pause. "One second we're in, yeah, then we're just friends then we're, well, yeah,"
He looks at me. "I know what I wanna be,"
"Well so do I but that doesn't mean I know," I respond.
"What do you wanna be, Vi?"
"What do you want to be?"
"I wanna be steady, I wanna actually be together and I actually want people t'know!"
I feel my face heat up. "Really?"
"Well yeah, didn't you know that? I really like you, you know that, I've told you however many times and hell. Last night?"
I giggle nervously. "I mean... I want the same thing,
"I like you so much, I really wanna be steady but we both have some things to get in order before we do anythin' offical,"
I resist the urge to lay my head on his shoulder. "I know,"
"But soon, doll,"
Whatever, I should just kiss him now.
We start to lean in and well, we kiss.
"Hey, can y'all be done? I gotta coupla questions for both of you," Jerry says.
Buddy and I jump away from each other.
I look to Buddy and he's bright red. I'm sure I am too.
We both look at Jerry. "What d'you want?" Buddy asks calmly.
"So tonight I was gonna go downtown with that gal and I was gonna ask where should I take her? What do women like?"
I roll my eyes. "Ice cream. You can't go wrong with ice cream,"
"Neat, and Buddy how do I make a move?"
"I dunno,"
"You clearly do know because I just saw that nice little kiss yall did,"
"If you tell anyone, I'll have to kill you," Buddy says seriously. "Do not tell a soul,"
Jerry puts his hands up defensively. "I won't, I won't. Won't benefit me none, anyway,"
"How much did you see?" I cross my arms and glare.
"Enough to know that yall are gonna be an item here soon and that you've hooked up,"
"Damn it, no joke, you tell ANYONE and I'll ruin you!" I say sternly. "Juliet can get anything, any rumor, spread around the entire school in three hours flat,"
"Vi, calm down, I won't say a word to anyone. Frankly I don't really care. I only care enough to know if you're steady or not, which you're not. Far as my concern goes,"
"Good," Buddy says. "Anyways I dunno it depends on the girl. Maybe hold her hand or wrap an arm around her,"
Jerry looks at me. "Yeah?"
I nod. "Yeah, that's about how,"
"Great, thanks. I'll let yall go back t'makin' out," Jerry says as he turns and walks away.
Once he's definitely out of earshot, I roll my eyes and turn to Buddy. "He knows more than hes letting on, but I trust me wont tell anyone,"
"Yeah I think he knows exactly what's been goin' on between us, but he ain't gonna tell,"
I really wanna kiss him again.
I just should do it.
I lean in and kiss his cheek. "So, do you want to come over after school? Juliet has plans with Cara and Vincent has baseball practice,"
"Parents have work today, right? Work weekdays?"
I nod.
"Well of course, I can't turn that down," he laughs. "Can't wait,"
I smile. "Neither can I,"
September 20th. 1952. 4:12pm. The Winter Household
"This is my friend, Buddy," I say to my parents.
My dad immediately launches into DADMODE. He glares subtly at buddy.
"Hi, I'm Buddy Holley, great t'meet ya," Buddy smiles and extends his right hand.
My dad takes it and firmly shakes it. "I'm Frank Winter,"
Buddy turns to my mom.
"Aw! You're the one who I've been hearing so much about! Aren't you cute!" Mom chirps.
I feel my face slowly turn red. "Mom,"
Buddy laughs. "Thank you!"
"You're very handsome,"
"Thanks again, Mrs. Winter!" Buddy grins.
"Well, you guys go do whatever teenagers do nowadays," Dad says lowly. "Just not anything...physical."
"Dad!" I exclaim. "We're just friends!"
"That's what I used to say about Isabella,"
"You're embarrassing me!"
"That's my job, Vi," dad laughs. "I'll see you when you get home,"
"What time d'you want her back by, Mr. Winter?" Buddy asks.
"Whenever, really. She hasn't had much fun since we moved,"
Mom nods. "Yes, you look dependable, use your judgment, have fun you two!"
I feel myself turning red. "Thanks mom,"
"See you, it was great meetin' yall,"
June 10th, 1953. 7:56 PM. The Hi-Di-Ho
CARA MAYFIELD'S POV
"Did ya hear that Buddy Holley and Violet Winter are steady?" Bill asks
I nod. "Sure did,"
"Ain't that cute, I was waitin' for 'em to get together," Betty giggles. "They sure are an item,"
"We all knew it was gonna happen sooner or later," I say.
"Where'd you find out, Cara?" Bill sips his coke.
"Straight from the source, right from Vi herself," I reply. "I was with Juliet when Vi told her,"
Betty leans in. "What'd Vi say?"
I shrug. "She just said that Buddy and her were offical and they kissed,"
"They've kissed already?!"
"Apparently that sorta started the relationship," I choose not to mention the fact that Juliet and I read Vi's journal and found out they've done more that kissed.
"Do you know details?" Bill laughs.
"No, I just know what Vi told us," I lie. I know far, far more than I wanna let on. Vi and Buddy might be popular but they sure deserve privacy.
"Huh, speak of the devil! There's Vi and Buddy right there!" Betty discreetly points out the window. "They must be serious if they're coming together and not just meeting,"
Lubbock teen culture is odd. We all hang out at the Hi-Di-Ho to see who's here and who's here together. We all get our cigarettes and bootleg liquor here, too. The unspoken rule of the Hi-Di-Ho is that if you show up in the same car, you're steady, dating, in a relationship, or just having sex. If you simply meet someone here then you're just friends.
This, of course, only applies if you're alone with the other person.
Bill, Betty, and I all came here together. If Betty wasn't with us when we arrived, that would mean that Bill and I are steady. But since Betty is here, we're just friends.
However, there's another exception.
If you show up with two boys and two girls, that makes it a double date which means that each pair is steady.
If you show up alone together, you're steady.
If you meet here alone, you're just friends.
If you come in a group of 3, you're just friends.
If you come in a group of 2 boys and 2 girls, you're on a double date meaning you're steady.
I casually watch as Buddy opens the door for Vi and they walk in together.
The hostess greets them and leads them to the booth behind ours.
Vi pauses before she sits down. "Hey Cara! How are you?" She chirps.
"I'm pretty good, you?"
"I'm pretty good too," she smiles and brushes her bangs out of her eyes. "I'm glad it's summer vacation,"
"Me too!" I reply. "Can't wait to spend all my time at Ransom Canyon,"
Vi nods. "You know my parents just bought a little house out there, if you wanna use it. I doubt I'll be there much this summer,"
"Really?!" I ask.
"Yeah, cute little four bedroom two bath just off the shore. It's a really great view ,"
"I'll make sure to bring Juliet when I go," i grin
I'm a little shocked that she refers to a four bed two bath as small. But I've been in her house. It's bordering a mansion. 7 rooms and 4 bathrooms and a library and a huge dining room and a parlor. The whole thing. I'm incredibly jealous, but I'll never let on.
I wonder what it's like to have money like that.
Vi and Buddy sit down and start to just simply chat. I strain to hear.
"Did I tell ya we're movin' again?" Buddy asks.
"No!" Vi responds. "Where to this time?"
"Down the street," Buddy laughs. "We finally flipped the house we're in now so were into the next one,"
Oh yeah, I forgot that Buddy's family does that. They move into junky houses and fix them up real nice and sell them for much more than they bought it for.
"Do you guys need help?" Vi questions.
"Nah, but we could use a pretty face to look at while we pack," Buddy says.
I can tell that Vi is blushing up a storm. She always get red when people compliment her.
Vi laughs. "Can do,"
"We're gonna be out two weeks from tomorrow,"
"Okay,"
"Ain't much time, but we can manage. Not much other stuff t'do 'round here,"
"Am I going to finally meet your niece?" Vi giggles.
"I still can't believe you haven't yet. You've sure been around a lot,"
"How old is she now?"
"She's two I think, April '51,"
"Mhm, two,"
"Y'know Maxine, Larry's wife, got red hair too,"
"Seems Holley men have an affinity for redheads," Vi laughs
"We look good with em, what can I say?"
The waitress passes us and asks Vi and Buddy what they want.
Strawberry shake, chocolate shake, fries. Very standard for the Hi-Di-Ho.
They don't seem to be talking about anything interesting or gossip worthy. Buddy's moving, but we're all used to that by now. His brother is also with a redhead, but that isn't very interesting. Boring. Her journal is way more entertaining.
"I don't wanna go home," Violet sighs. "I hate it there,"
Wait what did I miss?!
"Why's that?"
Vi stays quiet for a minute. "I don't fit in right,"
"How?"
"I'm just not like them. I'm just, secluded. I'm not very extroverted, I'm not really proud of the money, I don't wanna be better than anyone, I just don't think I quite belong there. It's like I was mixed up somehow. Juliet and Vin? They're completely fine. Mom and daddy love them. They don't particularly like me too much,"
Shes not wrong. Juliet's told me about that many times. About how Vi isnt like her and how she struggles to accept that her sister just doesn't roll the same way. Of course Juliet loves her to death, but she's frustrated she can't relate to her identical twin.
"I'd say you fit in with me," Buddy says.
"I'd say so too," Vi replies. "It's just weird to be in that limbo,"
"Purgatory but for families,"
"Exactly! I really do wish I fit in, but I just don't and I have to deal with that until I can move,"
"Time moves pretty damn fast, you'll blink and be livin' in a completely different state,"
"I know, it just sucks for now,"
"I'm sure it does,"
Still nothing too interesting. Vi feels like she doesn't fit in but that's obvious to everyone. She doesn't really fit in, yeah, but I'll be damned, I never thought she'd admit it.
Well, her and Buddy have been close for a while, I'm sure he's heard this kinda stuff from her.
They suddenly start laughing. Huh. I wonder what happened.
I'm sure it's an inside joke of some sort. They're going on about snakes and ducks and automobiles.
It makes absolutely no sense. It has to be an inside joke.
"You're cute when you laugh," Vi says, still giggling. "Have I ever told you that?"
Buddy continues laughing "No, but I'm sure the snakes are cute too,"
This makes them both laugh harder.
I admit, it's cute hearing them. I wish I could have a good relationship. They seem happy together. They seem to get eachother.
"Cara, how's things with Vincent? Are y'all ever gonna make it steady?" Betty asks, snapping me out of listening.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, no, probably not. I wouldn't mind though, he's great," I reply. I really do think I'm catching real feelings for Vincent.
But I can't date him, he's my best friend's brother. Juliet would never speak to me again!
"Oooo! You totally like Vincent! You wanna date him!" Betty teases.
I blush. "I do not!"
"I'm sure he'd date you,"
"He's Juliet's brother, I'm not going for it!" I reply. I hope Vi doesn't hear us. I don't think she does, her and Buddy and still laughing.
Betty rolls her eyes. "Whatever Cara, whatever. Anyways I think I like Jason from my English class. He's a real dream boat!"
Bill turns to her, wide eyed. "No way! Jason Defunkle?"
"Yeah, he's real sweet. Always talks to me in class. He even walked me to my history class!"
"Seems like he likes you back," Bill grins.
"Oh I hope so! I would go steady with him!" She grins. "I hope he asks me on a date,"
I stop listening to Betty go on about Jason.
I wish I could date Vincent and I wish I could have a good relationship with him.
And I wish I could stop crushing on Buddy. I've liked him since 6th grade.
But as much as I wish I could be with him, I want him to be happy, and he's happy with Violet.
I can't believe I like two guys. I've never had a crush on two boys at once. Of course I'm getting over Buddy, though. Seeing him being so close to Vi for the past few months then reading her journal has been pushing me off.
"Cara?" Betty snaps in front of my face. "You okay?"
I snap out of my thoughts. "Yeah I'm fine,"
Someday soon I'll figure these dumb boys out.