#btw 'soc' is pronounced as 'soshe' as in short for 'social'

[bluefirewrites]

More 50's Juke

continuation of my quick little ‘50s juke blurb along with the full pic of my artwork (the drawing in the middle)

click on pic for better quality

"Hey,"

Greaser Boy had hung back, leaning against the classroom door once she and Flynn stepped into the hallway.

His unexpected greeting startled her, but it was taking all of Julie’s willpower not to cower under his open, public acknowledgement.

"Hi," she said, which triggered a subtle elbow to her side from Flynn, who was trying to tug her down the hall, away from trouble.

Julie let her friend lead the way.

But trouble still followed.

He hustled over, dodging the oncoming crowd of students hurrying about trying to leave school, "Need, uh, any help?"

She blinked at him, "Excuse me?"

The Greaser ticked his head towards her belongings.

"With your books?"

Julie nearly stumbled on her Mary-Janes, but Flynn steadied her. They shared a look.

Did he really just-?

The inner monologue of hers was screaming. Because it was one thing to say hi to her.

It was another thing to offer help her with her books that was a gesture none would take lightly. 

They- she, her bestie, and this oddly-chivalrous Greaser- were still walking the halls, heading for the exit.

"Uh," She kept glancing between him, Flynn, and the sweet sweet freedom that was the open door leading out to the bright blue skies.

"No thanks," Flynn answered for her, smiling sickly sweet at the Greaser, which basically read as 'Get lost'.

It only made the boy chuckle.

Julie frowned, opting to be nicer, "No, that's very nice of you-"

"Luke," he introduced.

"-Luke. But Flynn and I have plans at-"

"-Salt and Pepper?" He must have caught her look of apprehension and held his hands up in surrender, "Lucky guess. It's just the spot for your group."

Her group. The cream of the crop at Los Feliz, who always had pocket change on them for a quick dance and shake at the diner. A place were she rarely saw anyone the likes of Luke hang out.

"Oh. And where does your group go?" she inquired.

And there was that smile again.

"Wouldn't you like to know..."

Much to Julie’s horror, she did want to know. She had always been a curious person and she did wonder where all the Greasers would meet. She would watch them from time to time, getting up to their own fun near school grounds, listening to music that Julie’s dad wouldn’t want her to listen to. 

And was this Greaser- sorry, Luke- just as curious about her? And her world? What were his intentions anyway? If this was some sort of prank, some prelude to trouble she wasn’t ready for? She had to know. 

Suddenly, she gave him a grin, seemingly normal but to Flynn it held the hint of mischief. 

“Well since you know where I’m gonna be, you should come by. To S&P.” 

Flynn’s eyes bugged out of her head and for a moment Luke was thrown off too. She had extended an invitation to the most Soc place in town. 

Then after some careful scrutiny, he smirked. And called her out on her bluff, “Yeah. I’ll be there, Julie from History.”  “Yo, Luke! Come on man! Let’s go!” A group of boys glided by, all sporting the Phantom crest on their leather jackets, and picked up Luke, who went without protest. 

Flynn would end up calling her different shades of crazy all the way to the diner, where they meet the rest of their group at their usual booth. 

Julie spent the whole time at Salt and Pepper anticipating Luke's arrival.

She didn't mention it to anyone else apart from Flynn who had been there when it happened. So she sat in the booth, flanked by Kayla and Carrie, trying to keep up with conversation regarding their next choir practice. 

But mostly spotting the door for any flash of a chain, a switchblade or even the sheen of greased up hair.

An hour passed but everything carried on like normal. She should have known. This wasn’t his scene. 

Then it was eventually time to go, although most of her friends kept the little party going. But Julie had a ways way get home so it was best to start going now before it got too dark.

She and Flynn exited the diner and started making their way towards the street when all of the sudden they were bombarded by frantic honking to their right.

The vehicle in question stuck out like a sore thumb, less shiny and new like the other cars in the park. And as Julie walked over for a closer look, she could spot the telltale swoop of the ‘Curve's curve running along the body.

"Luke?" The greaser's name was readily waiting on her lips that she forgot she had only heard the name once a few hours ago.

This time around a pair of shades were perched on the bridge of his nose, his arm hanging out the window, fingers drumming along the exterior.

"Hey, Candy Girl” 

The newly minted nickname brought on the encore of blushing.

Coughing, she stamped down the awkwardness, "Uh. Did you just get here?"

He shook his head, "Nope. Just been waiting."

"For what?"

The boy disembarked his vehicle, slamming the door and leaning against it. She could see his hands twitching to reach into his pocket and pull out a cigarette before deciding against it.

He shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Do you need a ride home?"

Okay. Julie needed... to process this. After weeks of nonverbal exchanges, now all of the sudden he was offering to carry her books and take her home?

“Yeah,” Julie said. There was just something about Luke, something genuine about his concern.  Luke offered the same to Flynn, who seemed to want to keep Julie in her sight at all times.  “Julie?” Carrie had come out, along with a crowd of kids, and was making her way towards them.  Deciding to be brash and bold for once, Julie practically leapt into the passenger seat, Flynn doing the same for the back. Luke sent an amused glance to the group of Soc’s, saluting them before returning to the wheel. 

With a rev of the engine, the ‘Curve peeled out of the lot, leaving the rest of Julie’s friends dumbfounded. She couldn’t help but giggle at their expressions in the rearview mirror.  The ride home had been fun, with Luke cranking up the radio and bursting into song, delighting Julie, who sang along with him (and bewildering Flynn, remaining silent).  Flynn was the first to be dropped off, not too far from Julie’s. She left with a very poignant warning directed at her best friend, “Don’t make me call your dad if you never come home.”  Luke waved at her good naturedly, not offended in the slightest.  All too soon they arrived at Julie’s, though safely concealed behind a bush. If her dad was home, he wouldn’t be able to spot her from inside. 

Luke seemed to know this already. Or was smart enough to know what would happen if someone like her was seen in his car. 

“Thank you, Luke,” 

“It’s no problem,” 

“But can I just ask?” Julie gestured at the space between them, “What is this?” 

Luke ducked his head, scratching the back of his neck, “Um, isn’t it obvious? I’m, uh, trying to court you.” 

“Yeah but why me?”

“‘Cuz you’re sweet and pretty and talented. Why wouldn’t it be you?” 

"I could say the same about you,” Julie recalled his singing from earlier. He sounded great. Would make a great addition to the school choir. But that didn’t seam feasible for him. Luke didn’t seem to go to school regularly. Except for their shared class. 

“Look, I know it’s a gamble, I’m a gamble, but how about one date? Passion pit’s playin’ that cat Dean’s movie tomorrow night?”

That sounded so enthralling too. 

Julie risked a glance at her house and then she nodded, “What time?” 

Luke beamed, a full on goofy smile, which was uncharacteristic for a Greaser like him, “I-I mean I got help the boys out at the garage, but after, ‘kay? 7. I could pick you up?” 

“Or I could meet you at the garage?” She knew where it was. Her mom had made sure she knew, “I’ve seen you guys working on that Oldsmobile. A ‘55? It looked like.” 

Stunned, Luke struggled to speak, “You know cars?” 

Julie wasn’t ready to divulge too much about that. Instead she shot him what she hoped was a flirty smile, “Goodnight, Ghost Boy”  “Goodnight, Candy Girl.” 

She exited the car and hurried to her door, hoping her neighbors hadn’t caught her yet. Her dad wasn’t home. Neither was her brother, and so Julie made a beeline to her room, collapsing onto her bed with breathlessly. 

She had a date. With a Phantom. A greaser. Tomorrow night. 

And she didn’t mind one bit. 

Tagging @blush-and-books @lydias--stiles @teenagepeanutbird @thedeathdeelers @shelvesofgold @untidytowns @echocharm17618 @hey-there-juliet @ourstarscollided @pink-flame @missjoolee​ @smolfangirl​ @story-courty​