The Mob from TAC

by Richard Pinkerton

  * * *

  Chelsea danced with Sheep, but she wasn’t particularly enjoying it. He kept moving in too close and his breath smelt of cigarettes. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to just fob him off and she didn’t want to appear snobby just because of her new look, so remained on the dance floor with him. His hands began to roam and they ran down her back to her butt and caressed her.

  She grabbed his hands and pulled them away. ‘No, Sheep.’

  ‘Oh come on, Chels, it’s all harmless fun.’

  ‘I said no, Sheep.’ She stopped dancing.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Sheep said. ‘I didn’t mean to piss you off. It’s just that, wow, Chels, I can’t believe how amazing you look. You should have had this makeover ages ago. I mean you really are swelteringly hot!’

  His words irked her even more and she peered at him with distaste. ‘Is that all that matters to you? Whether a girl is hot or not?’

  ‘No, of course not, it’s just that I can’t get over you that’s all.’

  The more he spoke, the less his words impressed her. ‘Rog. I am the same person I was yesterday. In fact, I’m the same person I was a year ago. You never took an interest in me until this year.’

  ‘Hey, I ’ve always liked you, Chels, it’s just that we’re older now, you know? It’s only now that I’ve started to see you in that type of light.’

  Chelsea studied his expression. She didn’t buy his sincerity. ‘Come on, Sheep, I know what you’re like. You’ve been chasing girls since you became a teenager. If you really had any interest in me that wasn’t more than just sexual, you would have shown it well before now.’

  Sheep stared at her, at a loss for words. ‘I…’

  ‘Save it, Rog. That time at the cemetery that told me all I needed to know. I just wish I’d listened to my instincts back then. You don’t want me for me, you just want sex and I’m telling you now, you’re not going to get it. When I give myself to someone, it’s gonna be someone who treats me with respect and dignity…’ Her eyes moved to Rex who was on the dance floor with one of the other girls in her class. ‘Like him for instance.’

  ‘Cassidy?’ Sheep said. ‘Are you for real? He’s been flirting and hitting on almost every hot chick in our class. In fact, I’ve heard rumours he’s already got it on with a couple. You think he respects you?’

  Chelsea knew that Rex was a bit of a player, but at the same time, he also seemed like a real sweet and caring guy. He had noticed her right from the beginning. Even with the glasses, he had seen the real her. If only she didn’t have so much tough competition. Girls like Jacqui, Holly and their other friends were just too darn beautiful, so it was quite logical he would seek them out first. ‘Sheep, you just don’t get it. I’m sorry that you don’t.’

  ‘Yeah, well of course I don’t. You think that guy would ever be loyal to you? Hell no. But I would.’

  Chelsea decided she’d had enough. She turned and headed back to her chair.

  Once she sat down, Sheep dropped down beside her. ‘Oh come on, Chelsea. I’m sorry. Maybe you’re right and I haven’t been that respectful to you. I’m an ass and I should have treated you better, but I really do like you, honestly.’

  Chelsea still didn’t buy it. ‘What, because I had this makeover? Would you be even sitting with me right now if I was still wearing my dorky glasses? I doubt it.’

  ‘Come on, Chels, don’t be like that.’

  She was about to say something else when Rex appeared in front of them.

  ‘Sheep,’ Rex said in a friendly tone. ‘Would you be offended if I asked the lovely Chelsea here for a dance?’

  Sheep at first didn’t look pleased but then he nodded ‘Sure. Go for it.’

  Chelsea was speechless and stared in awe at Rex as he extended his hand. For a moment, she was so dumbfounded that she didn’t know what to do. Rex didn’t seem to mind though and remained in the same position, an alluring smile on his face.

  She finally came to her senses and rose to her feet, placing her hand in his. Wow! Here she was being led to the dance floor by Rex Cassidy. Then she realised that there was a slow piece of music playing. This was a dream come true.

  He pulled her close and they began to dance. He was good. In fact, she felt like an amateur compared to him.

  Best of all his breath was fresh. ‘Your new look rocks, Chels.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Her heart beat so fast, she thought she might faint.

  He stared into her eyes.

  Chelsea couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind as he stared at her like that. ‘Is everything ok?’

  He blinked. 'Sorry. It's just your eyes... ah... never mind.'

  'What?'

  'You don't want to know.'

  'I do!'

  'No, I shouldn’t say anything. I should just shut up.’

  Chelsea was very intrigued now and couldn’t possibly let it go. The curiosity was just too great. ‘No, please. Tell me.’

  Rex paused for a moment and then sighed, ‘Well… They remind me of someone's... someone who was very special to me.'

  'A girlfriend?'

  Rex smiled. 'She was so much more than that.'

  Curiosity overwhelmed her now. 'What happened? Did you have to leave her behind when you came here?'

  Rex shook his head. 'She left before then.' His eyes saddened.

  Chelsea felt goose bumps. She so much wanted to know more details, but didn't want to pry. 'What was her name?' That seemed like a harmless enough question to her.

  Rex paused for a few seconds, back to his far away state, but then, finally, he smiled. 'I saw the way you left the dance floor after your dance with Sheep. You looked kind of pissed. Figured it was the right time to ask you to dance. I hope that’s ok. Holly said he wasn’t your date.’

  For him to divert the subject like that told Chelsea that the memories were much too painful for him to talk about. She was mystified now and even more curious than before, but she didn't push it. ‘He kind of pissed me off with his attitude towards me.’

  ‘So he’s not your boyfriend then?’

  ‘No way!’ Chelsea laughed. ‘Sheep’s ok. But I don’t think he’s for me.’

  ‘And what sort of guy are you looking for?’

  She felt embarrassed, but couldn’t resist saying it. ‘Someone like you.’ She turned her eyes away, unable to believe that she had been so bold. Maybe something in the punch was doing it. Or was it the fact that she felt like an entirely new person done up the way that she was?

  Rex replied, ‘You shouldn’t be looking for a guy like me.’

  ‘Why?’

  He smiled. ‘You just shouldn’t. It’s… it’s too soon for me. You know what I’m saying?’

  She gazed into his face, a hint of disappointment coming upon her. ‘Because of her?’ She could see it now. The pain of losing that girl was something that still left a scar on his heart.

  Rex smiled. ‘I like you, Chelsea, I really do. There’s something different about you... something I like and I’m not just talking about your eyes. I just don’t want you to expect too much. I don’t want you to be disappointed.’

  Chelsea was smart enough to know what he was saying. He was telling her he wasn’t ready for any serious relationship like his last one and he was making her no promises. She respected that, even though it disappointed her a little. However, she was happy just to see where things led. She was just so happy to be the one that he had chosen to dance with right now.

  Chelsea smiled. ‘I’m glad that you asked me to dance. I kind of figured that Jacqui might be your first choice.’

  ‘Jacqui?’ Rex chuckled. ‘No way. Very hot, but way too conceited. You outshine her any day.’

  She felt warm inside. ‘You really mean that?’

  ‘You bet I do. Any guy in this school that can’t see you are something special is an eejit.’

  ‘Well… in all fairness to those other guys, I don’t normally look this good. The girls gave me a ma
keover.’

  ‘And you look amazing,’ Rex said. ‘But if they couldn’t see how beautiful you were before the makeover, they’re still a bunch of assclowns.’

  She gazed at him, loving him even more for saying that. She could see in his eyes that he was sincere and it wasn’t just a line to seduce her. She wanted to say something, but she was at a loss for words.

  Rex veered away from that subject to another. ‘I hear that you had some trouble making it here tonight though.’

  She found her tongue once more, grateful that she no longer had to gaze at him like a stunned mullet. ‘Well, yes, sort of.’

  ‘Your parents, I understand.’

  ‘You heard?’

  ‘Jacqui was filling us in on all the details. What are you going to say to them when you go home?’

  ‘To tell you the truth, I don’t have a clue. I’m still working on that one.’ She felt so at ease talking to him now. She felt as if she had known him for years.

  ‘Well, I hope that you don’t get into too much trouble.’

  They continued to dance right into the next song - a rock song and Chelsea enjoying being swung around and pulled backwards and forwards as they dance. Ginge and Jacqui came onto the dance floor and occasionally Chelsea and Jacqui exchanged glances. Jacqui narrowed her eyes each time their eyes met.

  It felt good to be the successful one for a change. Not that Jacqui had anything to complain about - Ginge was a top-notch guy.

  After a few more dances, they collected a drink each and Rex invited her to go outside for a short work. There was no way she was going to decline that opportunity and even if he asked her to walk to the cemetery, out to the trees behind it; she was going to let it happen.

  They wandered around the grounds for a while until they came to the teacher on patrol who happened to be Mr Harris. There were rules against leaving the hall during a school dance. You stayed near the main entrance. Chelsea hadn’t given the rules a second thought when she left with Rex, as she was too busy walking on air.

  ‘Mr H!’ Rex greeted him.

  Chelsea had heard all about Sergeant Major Harris from some of the other boys so became very nervous, expecting him to blow his stack, but he didn’t. ‘Rex, my boy! Taking an evening stroll are we?’

  ‘Good to get away from the loud music for a while.’

  ‘Especially when you’re with a beautiful young lady, right?’

  ‘Damn straight, Mr H.’

  Wow, Chelsea could hardly believe Mr Harris was being so blasé. Perhaps he wasn’t as mean as the boys made out.

  ‘That’s what I like to see.’ Mr Harris began to move off. ‘Don’t let me interrupt you now.’ He hadn’t gone but a few steps when another couple arrived on the scene. When Chelsea saw who they were, she froze in horror.

  It was her parents.

  Her first instinct was to hide, but it was too late. They had seen her and advanced towards her.