Chapter 17: Common Ties

The annual dance between St. Christopher's and Cedar Springs High School was a major event for both small communities, and Mia was very glad she didn't have to miss out on it. Mia brought her clothes and make-up to Carly's house so they could get ready for the dance together. Carly cranked up the volume on her stereo as both girls took turns sitting and standing in front of the mirror in Carly's room putting on their make-up and fixing their hair. Mia had arranged to spend the night at Carly's house, after the dance, so they were both excited about that as well as the dance.

Both girls had attended the football game in the early evening and now the time for the long-awaited dance had arrived. Even though St. Christopher's had failed to win the game, that didn't seem to lessen everyone's anticipation about the dance. Mia's heart was beating fast as she and Carly entered the high school gym. The decorations this year were somewhat sparse compared to previous years, but none of that seemed to matter to Mia, she was just happy to be attending her first high school dance. The dress style was casual, so Mia wore her favorite skirt and blouse and blended well with the other students. Some of the girls wore expensive clothes, and Mia envied them, forcing herself not to think about her own simple wardrobe.

Mia and Carly were part of a larger group of friends, so as they arrived at the dance, they congregated with their friends and immediately all the girls in the group began complimenting each other's appearance. Mia always felt a little shy around her friends. She couldn't help remembering how she had felt compelled to hide her bruised bottom earlier that day as she was changing her clothes for gym class. She wasn't sure if any of her friends had seen the marks on her bottom despite her panties mostly covering them, but if they had, she was grateful they were kind enough not to mention it. All of her friends knew about her grandpa's belt because they talked about it sometimes and unfortunately most of Mia's friends had seen the belt hanging by the back door of her grandparent's house. She had confessed the truth to them about being spanked with it, even though it embarrassed her to do so.

Frank volunteered to be a chaperone at the dance, mainly because he usually attended the high school football games, sometimes accompanied by several of his old high school pals and other times accompanied by just his Pop, Martin. Frank had been known to assist the high school coach at St. Christopher's as well sometimes, so it was not difficult for anyone to see why he was often a chaperone. Being in the high school gym and on the school grounds again always took Frank back to his glory days in high school, where he had once been the star quarterback. He remembered those times with fondness.

Frank was pleased to see his friend and former coach, Wiley Bills, chaperoning the dance on behalf of Cedar Springs High School and Frank immediately sought Coach Bills out so they could talk at length about the game. When Frank noticed his niece Mia arrive at the dance, he couldn't resist leaving Coach Bills side to rush over and grab Mia by the arm, "C'mon I want you to meet someone," he said eagerly as he forced Mia toward the place where Coach Bills and his son Riley were standing.

Mia was always happy to see her uncle Frank. He seemed more like a big brother to her than an uncle most of the time. Frank led Mia over to where Coach Bills was talking to his son Riley. Carly couldn't help but follow them. Frank presented Mia to Coach Bills and Riley, "This is my niece Mia," Frank said with enthusiasm as he thrust her towards them, "and her friend Carly," he added with a grin as Carly eagerly joined them.

If Mia had known Frank's intentions, she would have resisted, but it hadn't occurred to her that he intended to introduce her to Riley. Her face flushed red as she looked up at the legendary Riley Bills, star quarterback of Cedar Springs football team. Riley was definitely good looking. She hadn't been able to get an adequate view of him during the football game because he was wearing his protective football gear, but now she could see him very well and he was quite handsome, not the sort of boy she usually talked with.

"Hello Mia," Coach Bills greeted Mia with a warm smile, "I remember you," and he winked at her, "how could I forget you since your uncle never stops talking about you." Coach Bills playfully slugged Frank in the arm.

Mia looked down nervously, "Hi Coach."

Riley admired Frank and he was glad to finally meet Mia since Frank often talked about her and his son Cody, unless Frank was talking about football. Riley stepped forward with enthusiasm to greet her, "hey Mia." He smiled.

"Hey," Mia looked away nervously.

"And I'm Carly," Carly smiled at Riley and extended her hand.

Riley laughed, "Hello Carly," he shook her hand and smiled playfully at her. He quickly sized up both girls and he could tell Mia was shy compared to Carly who seemed to be a little more outgoing and bubbly.

Coach Bills turned his attention away from them to speak with another teacher.

"You played a great game," Carly said, batting her eyes at Riley.

"Thanks," Riley grinned.

Mia shifted her weight uncomfortably and Riley turned his attention back to Mia. Something about Mia seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Mia continued to feel awkward. She wasn't good at talking with boys, but she managed to compliment Riley, "You played a great game," she said and thought she must sound rather pathetic echoing Carly's words.

But Riley was somehow taken with Mia and found her shyness refreshing, "Thanks Mia, want to dance?" He asked.

Mia looked around and noticed that no one else was dancing, "No one is dancing," Mia observed and realized her knees were shaking.

"That's never stopped me before," Riley beamed and he quickly took her hand and led her towards the dance floor, "C'mon I bet you are a good dancer."

Mia reasoned to herself that Riley was in for disappointment if he thought she was a good dancer. She stood out on the dance floor with him feeling everyone's eyes upon her.

Carly was a little crestfallen that Riley had chosen Mia over her. She watched Mia and Riley momentarily before quickly making her way back to their small group of friends.

Mia's face was bright red as she began to dance with Riley. She glanced around and it seemed to her everyone was gawking and whispering. The music was loud and upbeat. Mia was relieved when other couples began to join them on the dance floor. Frank grinned from ear to ear as he watched them dance. He thought to himself that he had made a good match and that they belonged together.

Coach Bills stared wide eyed at his son and the girl he secretly knew was his daughter as they danced. Over the years Coach Bills had tried telling himself that Angel had probably been with a boy her own age, and that boy had gotten her pregnant, but deep down inside he knew differently. He knew he was Mia's father. He stood watching his two children dance together, realizing they had no idea they were so closely related.

"So how do you like St. Christopher's?" Riley asked Mia as the two of them danced.

"It's OK," Mia said shyly, "My mom, grandma, grandpa, and probably their parents before them attended this old school."

Riley laughed, "So it's a family tradition." Riley found her very endearing, "Well I like this school. My dad used to coach here a long time ago, but he didn't want me to attend here, he wanted me to go to the regular high school in Cedar Springs, I don't know why."

Mia nodded, "Well at least you don't have to wear a uniform to school."

Riley felt Mia was more genuine than many of the other girls he knew. She didn't seem to be trying to impress him by telling him what he wanted to hear and that was a refreshing change. "You're uncle Frank was a very good football player," Riley said, "My dad talks about him all the time."

Mia nodded, "I heard he was a good player, until he got injured."

Riley continued to dance with Mia as a new song began. "So, did you grow up in Argus Falls?"

"Yeah," Mia said.

"Do you have any brothers and sisters?" Riley asked in order to keep the conversation going.

"No, I was raised by my grandparents," Mia said, "I don't have any brothers and sisters that I know of."

"Oh," Riley said and he listened intently as Mia attempted to explain all about her mother becoming pregnant as a teenager and running away, leaving her with her grandparents who decided to raise her rather than put her up for adoption. Riley found her story refreshing compared to the typical scenario he was so used to hearing about with all the two-parent traditional families that were so prevalent in their area. The predominant religion in the community was Catholic and most of them still believed divorce was wrong.

Mia was surprised to find herself caught up in telling her life story to someone she had just met, "But my mom came back to Argus Falls recently, in the past week or so," Mia said, "But I don't really know her or have any idea if she had any other kids, and I don't know who my dad was."

Riley was perplexed, "Why don't you know who your dad was?"

Mia looked down uncomfortably, "I guess he was some teenage boy, but no one ever talks about him."

Some of Riley's friends wanted his attention and began to interrupt him and Mia as they danced. Finally Riley led Mia to the side of the dance floor where he stood talking with his friends. Mia attempted to fade into the background, and go back to her friends, but Riley kept close tabs on her and wouldn't let her get away. He kept insisting she join in the conversation and he introduced her to his friends, who were not interested in her at all.

Mia was used to being ignored by people like Riley's friends, so it didn't bother her much. Riley was the focus of everyone's attention and seemed larger than life as she watched him. When Mia looked over to see what Carly was doing, she saw her dancing with a couple of boys from their school, and part of her felt she was missing out on something by not being there with Carly, but she was strangely drawn to Riley and even when she might have been able to leave, she continued to stay with Riley.