Page 18 of Love Story
The Big Bopper belted through the tinny music system that night in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tucked near the back of campus, the dance hall was a favorite spot for students. Dances were always packed and the hall stayed open till midnight. U of M held mixers there every other Friday night and this was the first of the school year.
The rule was the same each time. Only underclassmen could attend the dances. Period.
The idea that John might go to the dance came from Bill Wesley, a freshman that year. Bill begged John to come, mostly because Bill didn’t think the night would go well if he attended by himself. That year, Bill was a skinny kid with bushy blond hair and pale skin. A few years and he would grow into his lanky frame, but still back then he was probably right about needing John.
Since Bill was like a little brother, John agreed.
He didn’t doubt himself until he walked through the doors and saw the students. “That’s it. I’m too old.” John turned toward the door. He had to get out of there before one of the administrators saw him. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this.”
“No one cares.” Bill grabbed his arm. “Everyone says it’s a dumb rule. No one enforces it.” He talked loud enough to be heard over the music. “Besides, you can’t leave. You’re my secret weapon. My ace-in-the-hole. The girls won’t look twice at me if you’re not here.”
“The girls will find you. Have you looked in the mirror, Bill? You’re a regular Casanova.” John reached into his pocket for his car keys. “I’m out.”
“John! Come on.” Bill trailed him as they wove their way through underclassmen. “You’re my wingman.”
John looked over his shoulder at Bill. “You’ll have to fly alone.” He laughed and gave a shake of his head. They were almost to the front of the dance hall when the double doors opened and a group of girls stepped inside. A rainstorm had burst over Ann Arbor in the past ten minutes, and the girls squealed as they brushed the rain from their bare arms and dresses.
That’s when he saw her.
There amidst the other girls was one that took his breath. He’d never know why she looked up at him at that moment, but she did. The raindrops on her eyelashes made her blue eyes sparkle, and John was instantly sure of one thing.
He’d never seen any girl more beautiful.
And just like that he was Bill’s wingman once again. He stopped in his tracks and leaned toward his friend. “What a great dance, right, Bill? That’s what I was just saying, right?”
“What?” Bill was a little slow on the uptake. He followed John’s gaze and then he caught on. “That’s Elizabeth. Prettiest freshman of our class.”
“Definitely.” John felt like he was in a trance, the ground beneath him less sure than before. “Elizabeth.” The sound of her name on his lips felt right. Like he’d said it a thousand times before. “Come on. Let’s get some punch.”
John and Bill made their way back into the crowd, Bill celebrating the victory and John intent on one thing alone. Dancing with Elizabeth. Once they’d found their place near the drink table, John slipped his hands into his pockets and looked for her.
It didn’t take long to find her, because she was doing the same thing. Their eyes met across the crowded dance hall just as the Beatles came on.
The words filled John’s mind with possibilities. “All you need is love... all you need is love...”
Bill sang along beside him. “Come on, girls. Can’t you see me over here?” Bill said the words loud enough for only John to hear. “A little love, please! Right this way!”
John laughed. Bill always made him laugh. But he wasn’t sticking around for the private concert another minute. “I’ll be back.” He patted Bill on the shoulder. “You’ve got this.”
John made his way through the crowd again until he was standing right in front of the pretty brunette. John looked at her wet dress and grinned at her. “If this is a new style, no one wears it better.”
Her eyes shone brighter than the chandeliers that hung over the doorway. Elizabeth giggled and looked away briefly. As if she were surveying the room. When her eyes met his again she seemed suddenly shy. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I’m John.” He grinned at her.
She did the same. “Elizabeth.”
“As for the compliment, that’s how it was intended.” John bowed like a knight of old. “Would the beautiful Elizabeth like to dance?”
Instantly she crossed her arms and took a step back. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
This wasn’t going to be easy. John didn’t care. He was too caught up in the nearness of her, the smell of her perfume to give up now. “You can’t? Or you won’t?” His tone wasn’t serious. He angled his head. “Because I’ll bet you’re a really great dancer, Miss Elizabeth.”
She laughed again, and once more she looked around.
John followed suit, trying to imagine what she was looking for. “If you’re running from the law, I’ve got you. No one’ll get past me.”
This time she laughed out loud. She stopped looking around and focused her attention straight on him. “My parents won’t let me dance. And even if they did, I can’t do it. I... never learned.”
