11) Did You Dance?

[starjargon]

Every little girl judges men by their their daddy...

She was popular with the guys- well, when they wanted something anyway.  She was Mels: wild, car- stealing, party hopping, what trouble could she entertain us with, how- far- will- she- dare- go Mels.  No boy ever bothered to try to initiate a proper relationship with her.  She was known more as a “call for a good time” rather than a “candy and roses” sort of girl.  And she didn’t mind.  Not really.

There were lots of things she didn’t mind.  She didn’t mind that she had only ever been on a “real date” once- when she was fourteen and he was from out of town and was honestly trying to get closer to Amy than to get to know Mels.  She didn’t mind that even the “hanging out” Amy and Rory did (her mother was still too thick to realize how enamored her friend was of her) made her ache a little for the type of relationship they shared.  She didn’t mind that most boys didn’t think her worthy of much conversation.  Or that they never thought to buy her dinner or to ask her what she wanted to do- not that that stopped her from doing it.  She didn’t mind that no one had ever come for her instead of expecting her to meet them.  Or that when trouble inevitably came, she was alone when she faced it.

She didn’t mind that no one had ever put on nice clothes just to impress her.  And she didn’t mind that she was always expected to look presentable because who really wanted her when she was in sweats or tears? And really she didn’t mind that no boy ever told her a joke just to hear her laugh.

She didn’t mind that the looks she got were not of adoration but of a purely physical nature.  Nor that she had never received cheesy promises of the moon and the stars from someone trying to really impress her.  Or even ever received a flower- just because she was special enough to warrant one.  She didn’t mind at all.  Or so she told herself every time she thought about what she was missing.

So she didn’t care, when the time came for the annual formal dance, that she wasn’t asked to go- again.  She thought it silly that she was constantly surrounded by excited girls giggling over their dresses, the boys complaining about the cost and new tie they’d have to get to match their dates’ odd color scheme.  Silly indeed. She would just roll her eyes and make sarcastic comments and do her best to drown out the madness.  She wouldn’t even be able to take shelter at her mother’s house this time- the new psychiatrist had suggested a retreat and a dateless Amy (really, Rory, when were you planning on working up the courage to ask her out already?!) had decided she had nothing better to do than go.  So Mels was stuck dreading the pathetic lies that were bound to come out when everyone else talked about what a good time they had.  Oh, well.  Dances were lame, anyway.

She had resigned herself to wreaking havoc on a local shop and perhaps sneaking into movie, when she was approached by Rory after school.  He had been devastated by the news he’d missed his shot with Amy, again, and she was tempted to invite him out to a night on the town when he truly and utterly shocked her to her core.

“Hey, Mels.  I’ve been looking for you.”

“Yeah. Well, Amy’s at home.”

“I know that.  I mean, I was looking for you.”

She looked at him, assuming she would have to help this lovesick puppy with his chosen owner problems once more.

“Well?”  Nice, Mels, remember, we’ve switched to nice.

“Well what?”

“You found me.  Did you need something?”

“Oh!  Yeah!  Er… I was just wondering… that is… if you didn’t have anyone already…  oh!  Mels, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the dance with me.”

“WHAT?!”  She was truly taken aback.  Was this some type of game of his?  Or worse- a pity thing?

Rory, of course, turned sheepish.

“Well, it’s just, I thought- since neither of us have dates, it might be nice if we went together.  You know… Night on the town.  Red paint and all.”

“Are you serious?  Is this just because Amy can’t go?  I’m just your safety or something?”

“No! Well, okay, so Amy can’t go- but Mels, you’re nobody’s backup.”

“So you are serious then?  You want to go to this idiotic dance with me?”

Rory was stammering.  He realized this hadn’t gone at all like he had planned.  He really did want to go, and sure, Amy would have always been his number one choice, but he hadn’t meant for Mels to ever feel like second best.  He took a deep breath and steeled himself, determined to do this properly.  He hadn’t meant to offend her.  His friend deserved a sincere request.

“Melody Zucker- would you please go to the dance with me?”  He looked her straight in the eye, and even though she looked for the telltale sign of a prank she’d almost been expecting, she saw only a genuine request made by her would- be father.  Father.  Dance.  She liked that.  She surprised even herself with her response.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah.  Meet at the school?”

“Oh.  I was actually wondering if it’d be ok if I came and got you a little earlier.  You know.  We could grab a bite to eat or something first.  That is- if you want to.”

“Sure.  Sure.  I’ll be ready.”

“Good!”  He wasn’t positive why he felt so relieved.  Mels had been a true friend to him for years.  No more ruthless teasing.  Anyway, he just wanted to go out and have a good time, and she was the only non- Amy he had even the remotest possibility of enjoying himself with.

Amy teased her mercilessly for weeks.  Despite what Amy really thought about Rory, she did put aside those feelings to suggest he had an interest in her.  And, despite Mels’ insistence that that was really, REALLY NOT EVER going to happen, Amy was convinced all the same.  She took Mels’ shudders at the thought for low self- esteem, and assured her any man would be absolutely lucky to have her.  Well, Mels knew that, but only she knew that Rory was not any man.  Not to her.  Eww.  Just eww.

Still, Amelia’s best friend duties beckoned.  Amy dragged her into a shop then forced her into a gorgeous dress with matching shoes to die for.  Okay.  So maybe she was grateful for and excited by her mother’s enthusiasm.  And maybe she was truly amazed when she looked at herself in the dress and felt more beautiful than she had in ages.  But, she put up a good protest all the same.

The night of the dance, she had to admit she was still a little nervous it was all some elaborate prank.  No, she told herself.  This is Rory.  He’s funny.  Not cruel.  But she couldn’t help a small pace around Amelia’s house (she was always insistent Amy and Rory never know where she lived), trying to pretend she hadn’t gotten ready hours earlier in her excitement.  She had to stop herself from running when she heard a knock at the door, and she opened it with all the confidence of a girl much too cool for a silly school dance.

Rory stood there in a nice suit, a small bouquet of rose in his hand.  He smiled gently and told her sincerely that she looked quite pretty in her dress.  Then he held out his arm and led her to the car he had borrowed for the evening, where he opened her door.

They laughed all throughout dinner, and he confided in her his (blatantly obvious) feelings for Amy.  She told him she wholeheartedly approved of them together, and encouraged him to just tell her already!  He was about to explain how he would never be good enough, when he realized that perhaps he should not be talking about another girl the entire night he was out with his friend.  So, he changed the subject, and they started talking about old times and future plans.  He asked her opinions on several different matters, and genuinely listened to each response.  He asked her about her family; she told convincing half- truths and was quick to turn the conversation back to him.

When they got to the dance, they spent half the night making jokes about the couples around them, snickering together conspiratorially.  When he asked her to dance, she tried to make excuses, until his persistence led her to finally admit she didn’t know how.  He looked at her for a beat, then pulled her up anyway.  He made sure they were off to the side, not wishing to embarrass her, as he slowly moved her back and forth- counting to the beat.  When she finally found her rhythm, he whirled her out onto the main floor, where they spent the remainder of the night swaying to different songs, laughing and joking and, she was pleased to say, bonding.  When a photographer came by later, they both made the most ridiculous faces they could, giggling at their childishness.

Then, finally, the night ended.  Rory took her to Amy’s, where she was spending the night, and walked her to the door.  He still had laughter in his eyes as he thanked her for the fun night, then he leaned forward and placed a friendly kiss on her forehead.  She smiled as she thanked him for teaching her to dance, and didn’t even crack a joke when she bade him goodbye.

---

Years later, she fell in love with a man who treated her as her father had that one night, so long ago.  He always came for her when she called.  He always tried to look his best for her and never cared in what state he found her.  He would pick her up wherever she was and would laugh with her at even the most inappropriate moments (like at gunpoint or surrounded by monsters).  He actually did promise her the moon and the stars, but his offer was most definitely not cheesy.  And, when she was in trouble, he was usually right there next to her, both causing it and fixing it.  But most of all, he listened to her, never treated her as a second best, and, whenever the opportunity presented itself, danced with her.

---

Their silly picture together became one of Mels’ most treasured possessions.  It was a reminder of her first proper date- a date with someone who wanted to be around her and with her.  Who taught her she was so much more than a body and was in fact a person who was to be cherished and respected and complimented and loved.  She rejected every other offer for “dates” after that dance, holding out instead for someone who acted like she herself mattered.  And, though there were complaints and rumors (albeit short- lived- never anger a trained psychopath) and pleas and propositions, Mels stuck to her guns.  Her daddy had set a very high standard for the man who entered her life.  But he was worth it.  And so was she.

Comments

[alisanne.livejournal.com]

*sniffs*
Oh, that's just beautiful.
YOU MADE ME CRY AT WORK, DAMN YOU! LOL.
Thank you. :)

[starjargon.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yea for inspired tears! Sorry it happened at work though... Glad you enjoyed it! You're Welcome :)