It’s My Party

It’s My Party

Old Fiat

So this is the final chapter. I hope you all like it and I apologize for it taking forever. Damn writer’s block! It wouldn’t get off my desk! Sorry, that was a corny (lol) joke.

Anyway, I just want to thank my writing partner (Old Fiat n. France), my reviewers, all my readers (whether you’ve reviewed or not), Frankie Valli who recorded the song “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night!)” without which I wouldn’t have gotten through this last chapter and, finally, one of the coolest chicks around, Lesley Gore, who recorded the song “It’s My Party” when she was only about 16.

By the way, I am truly aware that the song “L-O-V-E” only came out in 1965 and not 1962. I didn’t have a lot of time to look up other songs I know for dates and stuff.

Enjoy the chapter!

-Old Fiat s. Italy

Ps, Just so you all know, today’s the day of our school’s play, The Wizard of Oz. I am playing Glinda the Good Witch and Old Fiat n. France plays The Wicked Witch of the West. Wish us luck! (Well, actually… don’t. XD)

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Part Three: The Present

“Howdy Link!”

Link almost jumped almost a foot in the air as he turned around, spooked by the sudden address. Brad and Sketch, to whom he’d been talking before, started as well.

“Oh… Hi Amber,” he said, avoiding her gaze. To his surprise, she didn’t hit him, but extended a hand with three cream colored envelopes.

“I’m holding another party,” she said and though she had a wide, sparkling grin on her face, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She knew she had to look like a total idiot hosting another party, but she tried to remain calm. Corny had settled everything, or at least he’d said he had… “Would you guys like to come?”

The boys nodded and took invitations. All three of them were remembering what Corny had said after he had returned from girls’ bathroom, grinning hugely:

“Alright!” He’d rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Amber is going to host another party this weekend and you will all be there—right?”

The council boys and girls nodded, worried by his wide smile.

“And if any of you do not come, you had better have a damn good excuse. Like… your mom died or something—got it?”

They all nodded again and Corny had nodded in satisfaction before dismissing them and walking off.

Amber nervously went over to each of the council kids during the rehearsal on Wednesday and offered a cream colored invitation. All of them took the crisp envelopes with uncertain smiles. Even some of the more out-going ones, like Seaweed and Tracy, looked a little anxious.

She didn’t really know how Corny had managed to convince her that this was a good idea. Actually, now she thought about it, it seemed to be a completely stupid idea. She almost decided to call off the entire party, but then she thought of Corny. Even if she told all the council kids that the party wasn’t happening, Corny would somehow manage to convince her to hold it anyway. But whenever she pictured her new party, all she could think of were images of the old one.

Despite her nervousness, when she finished lunch on Saturday, she went into the kitchen and pulled a roll of streamers and a pack of balloons from a drawer near the door labeled Party. She would’ve decorated the night before, or even that morning, but she was worried of what her mother would say. Velma was still blissfully unaware of what had happened at her previous party and Amber preferred to keep it that way. She listened carefully, waiting until she heard the sound of the front door closing before bringing her supplies into the living room.

Corny had already ordered a cake for her from the near-by bakery, saying he would bring it over when he came early to help her decorate. Unfortunately, Amber didn’t have the patience to wait for him, so, balancing on the arm of the sofa, she began to string the streamers across the room.

By the time Corny finally arrived, she had already decorated the entire house, including the bathroom.

“What happened to waiting for me to help you?” he asked, laughing a little as he tapped one of the balloons attached to the banister.

“I couldn’t wait,” said Amber, her voice and her carefully curled hair quivered. “I’m too nervous.”

She looked up at him, biting her lip.

“Do you think anyone will really come?”

Slowly, he placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. Her hands balled into fists and she bit her lip even harder.

“They’ll come,” he said confidently, his warm breath tickling her cheeks. “I swear it. And even if they don’t, I’m here this time and I’ll kill them tomorrow.”

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Luckily, the other council members began arriving at five o’clock, so Corny didn’t have to carry out his threat.

The first to arrive were Tracy and Link. Five minutes were spent in awkward half-conversation as they placed their presents for Amber on the coffee table and glanced over at Mr. Collins nervously. The stiff semi-silence was broken by Brad arriving with Tammy, Becky, Shelly, Darla and Paulie in a large pack. Soon after came Noreen and Doreen, neatly dropped off by their goofy looking father, close followed by Seaweed, his friend, Stooey, and lil’ Inez.

Within thirty minutes, the expensively decorated house was packed with teens. Corny watched in satisfaction as Amber chatted happily with Shelly and Cherry, a long, thin councilette with smooth, chocolate colored skin. He was still angry with most of the council kids, but they were trying to do the right thing. They came at least, and most brought presents.

He grinned even wider as she ripped open the brightly colored paper wrapped around his gift and squealed in delight at the stack of records inside. Stepping gracefully around her guests, she quickly ran over to the cupboard pulled out a turntable.

The strong, rich tones of Elvis filled the house and all council kids whooped.

“Bitchin’ present, Corny!” said Link, pulling Tracy away from Inez and Brad. “Let’s dance, lil’ darlin’!”

Corny was about to ask Tracy why she even bothered with the likes of Link and his clumsy nicknames when Amber caught his eye across the room. She smiled at him, her cheeks pink and eyes sparkling.

They were all in the midst of happily singing along with Nat King Cole’s song “L-O-V-E”, when the front door opened and Velma Von Tussle walked in.

“What is going on here?” she demanded at the top of her lungs. Everyone turned around and Corny pulled the needle away from the record.

Amber looked at her mother in fear. She had been certain she was not going to be home from the meeting at the studio until nine or ten.

“Mom,” she said, approaching the imposing woman in the living room doorway. “How was your meeting?”

“What is the whole Corny Collins’ council doing in my living room?” asked Velma, voice tight.

Corny pushed his way through the kids and reached Velma before Amber began to speak.

“Mrs. Von Tussle,” he said, earning a raised eyebrow from the middle-aged blonde—Corny never called her ‘Mrs. Von Tussle’. “May I speak to you in the kitchen?”

The two adults left and the kids stood in the living room, waiting.

Velma came back a few moments later, her face softened. She turned on Amber, who was standing uncertainly near the doorway.

“Everyone had better be gone by ten,” she said, the smallest hint of a smile on her lips. “I’m going to bed.”

Amber beamed at her mother as she left. Corny reentered a few moments later.

“May I have this dance?” he asked, a cheesy grin on his face as he mockingly bowed to her.

“Most certainly,” she giggled.

After a few moments of being led by Corny, Amber knew that none of the council boys could ever compare to the amazing dancing ability that Corny possessed. His gentle, but firm touch guided her smoothly through complex dance moves, ones she had never performed before. He never lost the beat of the song like Link had on countless occasions and his light touch informed her when to spin without shoving her out under his arms. It was so perfect. She smiled up at him as she slow danced in his arms.

“Corny, what did you say to my mother to make her agree to this?” she asked, a teasing tone in her voice.

“I told her the truth,” he said simply. She stopped dancing and gazed up at him in horror.

“You told her the truth?” she whispered. “Corny, how could you?”

“What? Amber, she would’ve found out anyway. She completely understood why you didn’t tell her at first. You were embarrassed, but you don’t have to be now. Everything will be perfect. Trust me.”

She took a deep breath, placed her hand back on his shoulder and looked right into his cool blue eyes.

“I trust you, Corny. Always.”

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“See you later Amber! Swish party!”

“Bye Brad!” Amber waved to her fellow council member before closing the front door. There was one person left in the house and it was Corny, wrapping up the last of what had been a very popular cake.

She joined him in the kitchen just as he slipped the tin foil covered plate into the refrigerator.

“You want me to help you take down the streamers?” Corny asked, his trademark grin on his face.

“Sure,” she said. Her dress was rumpled, her palms were sweaty and her hair was on the verge of deflating, but it was one of the best evenings of her life. She’d never had so much fun before.

Compared to the amount of time it had taken to put up the streamers, pulling them down took mere seconds. Soon she was shoving the balls of paper into the trash as Corny placed all the glasses and plates used during the party in the sink.

“So,” he asked as they flopped down on the living room couch. “Did you enjoy your party?”

“Yeah,” she said happily, fiddling with the hem of her flowered pink dress. “Wasn’t it hilarious when Seaweed and Link started singing along with those old Billy Holiday songs?”

“That was so funny,” he said, shaking his head at the memory. A silence stretched between them, but there was no discomfort in it. It was a companionable quiet—a moment of calm between two good friends.

“Listen, Amber,” said Corny, after a while. She looked at him, her eyes bright. “I think that… Well, I think my present was kind of crumby—”

“It was not crumby!” said Amber. “I love those records.”

“But… You know… Anyway, I just want to give you another present. What do you want?”

“Well… What kind of present?” she asked, tilting her head.

“I dunno,” he said with a shrug. “Anything, I guess.”

She grinned.

“I want a kiss,” she said, looking mischievous.

He winked at her.

“You got it, toots,” he said and pulled her into the most amazing kiss she’d ever had.

His lips pressed against hers, soft and warm. Electricity shot through her body and she felt something catch in her throat. It wasn’t a very passionate kiss, but it still made her heart flutter wildly.

As they broke apart, she felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

“Wow…” she said softly. It was the only thing she could think of to say. They sat for a couple moments in silence once more, her hand in his.

“Amber,” he began slowly, his voice a little rough. “This doesn’t mean that we’re… together or anything, you know that right?” I mean, you’re a great kid—don’t ever change but… You’re more like a best friend.”

She looked down at their hands. She wanted Corny—she wanted him bad, but she didn’t want to force him. They were friends.

She had a friend.

“I understand, Corny,” she said, leaning on his shoulder. His grip on her hand tightened for a moment, but then he relaxed again.

“I’m glad you had a good night,” he said and his lips brushed ever so lightly against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.

And with that, he stood up. She followed him, silently helping him into his coat and waving to him as he pulled out of her driveway.

The silvery moon and golden street lamps illuminated the night as she turned back into the house, the feeling of his present still on her lips.

THE END

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