Spring Dance by Pat Johnson (the little red hen ebook .TXT) 📕

the walls of cars and movie stars of the '50s. The attire of evening were poodle-skirts, button-down blouses, white socks and either tennis shoes or saddle shoes for the ladies, and jeans and tight white tee shirts and tennis shoes for the guys.

The band was just starting to play “You Are My Special Angel” a song Jim had requested they play when the saw him enter the gym.

Turning to Marrisa, Jim asked, “Dance?”

She started to say no, then noticed Rocky and Sherry moving onto the dance floor. Marrisa nodded her head and let him lead her to the floor.

“Come on,” Sam told Molly, “let's join them.”

Figuring to have her toes stepped on and be crushed up against Jim's chest with his arms tight around her, Marrisa was surprised to find Jim place his arm gently around her waist and keep some distance between their bodies. Taking the lead, Jim led her around the dance floor, singing the song softly in her ear, not once stepping on her toes. As they passed by Rocky and Sherry, Marrisa looked over and gave him a slight smile.

“What the heck......” Rocky muttered when he saw who Marrisa was with. “Nerd boy.”

As the song ended a band member shouted, “Okay everyone, hit the dance floor and let's TWIST!”

Immediately Marrisa headed off the dance floor when Jim caught her by the arm and pulled her back onto the floor.

“No need to let good music go to waste,” he told her.

Ashamed to admit it, Marrisa said softly, “I am not really up on how to do dances like this.”

“It's easy. Just watch me.”

“And us.” Molly told her as she and Sam joined them. “Just stand still, and twist your body. You can even move your feet. It is fun.”

Watching them for a minute, Marrisa gave it a try. Within a few minutes, she had the hang of it and actually found that she was enjoying herself. When the band switched back to a slow song, Jim pulled her into his arms and held her a little closer. Without thinking, Marrisa found herself resting her head on his shoulder as he sang softly in her ear.

Suddenly Marrisa found herself being yanked out of Jim's arms and an angry voice saying, “Okay, enough is enough Marrisa. I don't know what you are trying to prove but you are my girl, not nerd boy's so let's get the heck out of here....NOW!”

Looking at him, she asked, “Where is Sherry, your date.”

“I dumped her and left her with one of my friends so let's go...NOW!” Rocky told her again as he gripped her arm tighter.

“Let go Rocky,” Marrisa said. “You are hurting me.”

“That is no way to treat a lady,” Jim said as he tried to get between them. “And besides, she asked you to let her go.”

Lady? I don't see no lady.” Rocky said with a smirk on his face. “All I see is Marrisa who likes to be handled rough.”

Snatching one of her hands free, Marrisa slapped Rocky across the face. “I told you were hurting me.”

Reaching up, he rubbed his cheek and said, “That was a big mistake baby.”

Not wanting to fight and get expelled from the dance, maybe even from school, Jim told Rocky, “Let's take this outside and settle it man to man.”

“Oh my, nerd boy wants to fight me,” Rocky said laughing. “over Marrisa's honor, which she doesn't have considering....”

But he didn't get to finish his sentence before he found himself on the floor, knocked there by one punch from Jim. Jumping to his feet, ready to fight, he looked around for Jim and saw him heading for the door.

“That was a lucky shot....and a big mistake.” Rocky said angrily as he followed Jim outside.

Marrisa, Molly and Sam quickly followed them outside. Marrisa just knew that Jim was going to get hurt because Rocky out weighed Jim by at least fifty pounds and was on the wrestling team but Molly
and Same were more worried about Rocky because they knew a secret about Jim.

The two guys moved away from the gym to a grassy patch at the end of the gym. Rocky quickly rushed Jim, only to find himself swinging at air as Jim danced out of the way. As he moved toward Jim again, Rocky felt a kick to the back of his knee, causing him to hit the ground. That kick was quickly followed by one to the side of the head, laying Rocky flat out on his back and staring up at the night sky.

“Are you ready to apologize to Marrisa?” Jim asked “Or do I need to kick your butt some more?”

Rocky struggled to his feet and glared at Jim. “I ain't going to apologize to no....”

Once again Rocky did not get to finish his sentence before Jim grabbed his arm, pulled it behind his back and slammed him to the ground, making him eat grassy dirt.

“I suggest you apologize and go home before I seriously hurt you.” Jim warned.

“I would do what he says Rocky.” Sam told him. “He is a black belt in Karate and he can and will hurt you.”

Realizing no matter what he did Rocky was not going to apologize, so Jim let him up. Rocky opened his mouth to say something else derogatory but instead looked at Marrisa and said, “You ain't worth apologizing to.”

And with that, he headed for his car spitting grass out of his mouth. Jim started to go after him when he felt a soft hand on his arm.

“Let him go,” Marrisa spoke softly. “I know what kind of guy he is now. I just want to forget it and go inside and dance. Okay?”

“He had no right talking to you like that Marrisa.” Jim said.

Looking over at Jim, Marrisa leaned in close and kissed Jim on the cheek. “Thank you for standing up for me. No one has ever done that before.”

Jim and Molly just stood there and stared at Marrisa, both shocked to see a side of her that neither one had before.

Going over to Molly, Marrisa whispered in her ear, “Thanks. You are right. Jim is nice.”

Molly smiled and whispered back, “Not really a nerd, is he?'

“Not really,” Marrisa said as she looked at Jim with a smile on her face.

“Not really what?” Jim asked as he looked first at Molly, then Marrisa as he tried to figure out what they were talking about.

“Never mind” Marrisa said as she took his hand. “ I want to dance some more.”

Suddenly it came to him what they were talking about....him being a nerd. Deciding that he might as well go all the way to prove that he was not a nerd, he pulled Marrisa into his arms and kissed her deeply.

When he released her, he expected to be slapped for being so bold but all Marrisa did was lean in and kiss him again.

“I think four is a crowd.” Molly told Sam as she pulled him back toward the gym.

“So....want to get out of here and go somewhere for a bite to eat and get to know each other better?” Jim asked “Or would you rather go in dance like you suggested?”

“Dancing sounds like fun but going somewhere to talk sounds like a better idea.” Marrisa said as she smiled at him, thinking how wrong she had been about Jim and how much time she had wasted with Rocky when she could have been getting to know Jim.


THE END
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Publication Date: 04-24-2010

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