Five nice things about myself.

When Dot was nominated by Ricky, it had brought a smile to her face. Everything about this challenge made her smile: it was nice to see a positive force in Tulsa for once, nice to remember how much she loved it. She had tucked the note away and exuded light for the rest of the day.

Then she'd gone back to an empty house, to the home she'd made with one of her best friends. Made herself dinner, brushed her teeth, tidied up, checked the messaged. Found a notepad and pen, ready to write down the five things she would say. And came up with nothing. She'd stayed up until the early hours of the morning, unable to stop trying to think of something that she liked. It should be easier than this, yet everything she thought of seemed tainted by something she had done, or she managed to twist it into something undesirable: Loyal, but she hadn't been. I don't like hurting people, and yet she'd hurt them. Thoughtful, but overly so. Listens to people, too quiet.

In all honesty, she wasn't used to being a part of these trends. She was used to slipping through the cracks, used to sneaking around with Fletcher so much that they stopped noticing, or lying to the ones that did about why she wasn't there, why she hadn't taken part. And there was a part of Dot that liked the safety of that.

But there was another part of her that was tired of it, and that was the part that she focused on as she walked to work the next morning with a slight detour, still at just as much of a loss for what she would say as the night before. She ducked into Juliet's, smiling nervously around the place as her fingers played with the hem of her shirt.

"Hi," she started, voice somewhat meek against the current chatter of the café, and no one paid any mind. She gritted her teeth, raising her voice louder. "Um- hey. Everyone." Still nothing. Only the man standing next to her took notice. She grimaced, stuffing her hands in her pockets and preparing to give up when the man's shoot boomed through the café - "Oi!". Almost everyone turned, and the man shot Dot a kind smile which she hesitantly returned. "This girl's got somethin' ta say."

"Thanks," she whispered to him, before raising her voice again. "Hi, everyone. I, um, I was challenged by Ricky Jacobs to say five nice things about myself in public... So, if this is annoying, take it up with him." she smiled half-heartedly, deciding to latch on to the most obvious thing. "One. I'm a really good cook. It's what I love doing and... yeah." she trailed off, floundering.

She stood there frozen for a moment, no idea what to say, what was good about herself. The people in the café looked on in bemusement as she stood there like a goldfish. Why was this so hard? It would've been easier if she could say five nice things about someone else - hell, she could list 30 nice things about anyone she knew without so much as a second thought.

"Two," she swallowed, starting again. "I see the best in other people. Even if we're not friends, even if we don't get along... I don't think there's a person in this town that I couldn't say something nice about."

"Three, I'm a real fast runner. When I was thirteen I could beat Rodney in a race." she smiled fondly, getting into the swing of this. "Four, my dad tells me that I look like my mother, and even though I never met her, I know she was really beautiful. And," she took a deep breath, pausing for a moment. "I'm scared of a lotta things, but I'm not afraid to care about people. And I'm not afraid to tell them, either. I'm pretty sure everyone I love knows it, and they know that I'm there to help them no matter what."

Dear Anonymous Reader,

Any words? Murder and mayhem come to mind. A Griffin Walters’ party is never outdone, it just doesn’t happen. This weekend was no different. Ricky Jacobs gave a little smooch to our little chef, Odette Wilson, which was met with wild hollering and lead to a, shall I say, reluctant returning of said physical affection. Can I say affection? Sorry, Ricky, can’t really. If only that was all I had to report besides cute couples and flowing alcohol/drug combinations, this answer would be rather dullsville, ya dig?

That’s why I knew, in my heart of hearts, that the Socs would show. It was the ultimate showdown as the door flew open for their march inside. Stay loose, readers, because it’s about to really heat up. Brynn Turner isn’t exactly tight with the Greasers, but her scuffle with Sherri Voxing at Brett Kelly’s party a few weeks ago didn’t help her. Then, she’s always got to one up the competition by decking none other than Carmen Welch. If you’ve been around Tulsa say….five minutes, you know that’s never a wise choice. Because if she doesn’t get you, Rodney will. Your imaginations can fill in what happened next.

Just in case your imaginations lack luster, here’s what went down: the Socs thought they were going to have a good time at Greaser expense, but Rodney had other ideas. Sending his best hound in for her infamous beatings, Bria Martins was chosen to accompany Carmen and Sherri for what must have been Miss Turner’s worst nightmare. With the only hope she had in that unfair fight, Brynn struck first. (I’m being generous with my wording here, Miss Turner, you’re welcome.) The rest was a blurred chaos of the Wolf Pack girls most vicious natures. Her screaming and pleading for her life wasn’t something ears were meant to hear and could churn the stomach of anyone with an active conscience. Apparently, few were to be found. Hailey Adams, of course, raised quite a commotion with her husband but was forced to endure the torture of a former friend’s terror. Gwen Tanner was the only one to stand up and attack when it was Sherri’s turn on the girl. After Voxing turned on that sweet blonde, Castello stepped in. Are we seeing a pattern of Penny Lane’s beautiful accuracy of reports? Pause for a moment of silence for all your nay-saying…appreciate me…have you done it yet? Okay, continue.

Castello and Sherri argued about whether or not he wanted the Soc pleasures Miss Tanner offered, reaching no real conclusion but denials and frustration from all involved. Then things heated up one last time. Rodney wasn’t satisfied with the torment, wanted to get action himself, or just couldn’t resist watching Hunter Finn flinch? The only one who can get in that head, if anyone even can, won’t ever tell the real reason behind his actions that night. Ripping Brynn from her safety, he held a blade to her throat with threat to kill her as a grand finale. After much sweating, and unfortunately not the good kind, he released her after she appealed to Carmen for her life and gave a rousing speech about torments and mercy. Whether it be Carmen’s whispered words or Brynn’s plea, he dropped the helpless mess of a girl to the floor. Bria ushered the unwanted party out of the house, while Brett picked his best friend (finally) from the floor and lead them out at her request.

Why would you even bother to miss a party around here? You never know who will show up, who will kiss, and who will, well, nearly die.

Sincerely,

Who else woke up with that warm, fuzzy feeling still lingering a little in your stomach? The reception for Cain and Hailey Adams was quite possibly the biggest event in Tulsa since Rodney and the Wolf Pack beat the stuffing out of Hunter Finn at the carnival. You know what they say about big events? It's harvest time for the gossip column. Even a glowing wedding with cheerful guests brought a surprise or two to report, so welcome to the wedding edition of everyone's favorite, wicked column.

The speeches were moving...and well, uneventful. No one fell or carried on with slurred vowels or revealed any former trysts with the bride or groom. They were long, but far from pointless. Tip to all my readers for future tipster ambition...look around. Griffin Walters was not seated by his former lady love, and I say former because she was there and they weren't speaking. Trouble in muted, dysfunctional paradise? Oh yes.

A new generation of 'will they, won't they' couples shown through the dance floor last night: Brynn Turner and Brett Kelly, Seth Mann and Jamie Hall, and looks like Griffin may be jumping right back into the ring with Sherri Voxing. Place your bets now because as we all know from the tear-jerking ceremony and reception, you should always marry your best friend.

What good, well, anything doesn't save the best for last? Don't worry, little Jenny Adams, I'm sure Rodney doesn't even read this. As the saying goes, you may kiss the bride, but Jenny wasn't the bride, Benjamin, didn't you know that? Well, not yet anyway. The young Adams wasn't content with leaving all the lip-locking to her brother last night. 

Didn't think anyone saw, did you? I've told you before, I see everything.

Stay Fab!

So quiet lately in our bustling city of Tulsa, I feel like the cousin who's been cut out of that nice little family tree. Whisper your sweet gossip again, and I'll cross my heart and hope to send it to print.

I see Cain Adams hobbling around town these past few days, I guess that Greaser training of his wife may have backfired. Domestic dispute or clumsy accident? We all know from my last article that he isn't shying away from the violence as of late, how about the wife? Anyone notice any injuries to the blonde Adams? Either of them?

No reported sightings of Griffin Walters and Bria Martins together since they attended the Sadie Hawkin's (as a couple, maybe?). I'm placing money on his secret drug-dealings with an anonymous poster. Mr. Walters, Miss Rafferty, somebody really does need to tell that little secret. It could do wonders for your relationships, or in Miss Rafferty's case, lack thereof.

Too much silence, too much time for my little mind to spin. Until next time, hope to see you in the post.

Stay Fab!