Chapter Text
“See the pyramids along the Nile. Watch the sun rise on a tropic isle. Just remember, darling, all the while you belong to me.”
As Tara left Opie’s for the dance with the group, Jax could not stop looking at her. She was completely oblivious and looked so happy when fucking Lowell offered her his arm. That SOB couldn’t get a girl if his life depended on it any other day, then hits the jackpot for being the nice guy. They all gave him shit saying she’ll probably show up in flannel, jeans, and a training bra.
Well, she showed up and then some. She looked like one of the porcelain figurines his mom collected wearing gowns while a music box played some lullaby. He caught himself staring and and had to make sure Wendy didn’t catch him. He was still going to peel that dress off her later, so he needed to keep up appearances.
The difference between the two of them though was almost laughable. Tara looked all ethereal innocent elegance while Wendy was sexy as hell but Tara, holy crap when did she get those boobs?
When they got to the gym, almost everyone had the same reaction. It was like one of those cliche teen movies where the nerd girl transforms into gorgeous vixen.
She went up to the Home Economics table to check in for the scholarship. Ms. McGinnis, the head of the department was completely awestruck. Tara showed proof that the dress was homemade with Mary’s help. The design was based off of a cotillion dress Mary had worn when she was Tara’s age. Mary loved the movie Sabrina and based her dress off of Givenchy’s design in the film.
Lowell made sure to stay by her side and when the dance began. Tara felt like Deborah Kerr dancing with Yul Brynner in the King and I. Lowell looked seriously handsome in his suit and she felt like a princess. Opie was watching them like a hawk. Tara had the feeling Opie was going to snap Lowell like a chicken if he got too friendly.
For the first time since she could remember she felt truly happy. She needed that scholarship money but honestly just feeling pretty for once in her life was overwhelming but fun. She wasn’t going to make out with Lowell and shot Opie the calm down look. Donna took the cue for Tara and led him off to the punch bowl so she could enjoy her moment.
Meanwhile Tara was living in Jax’s head, but Wendy was all over him. Jax was in it enough that Wendy got her pictures so she could brag with her friends.
Jax was dancing with Wendy, but thinking about how Lowell was looking a little too handsy with Tara. Opie caught him staring and all he could think was he might end up beating Jax and Lowell up by the end of the night.
Then a break in the music gave Tara the chance to go to the restroom where she ran into Wendy and her friends.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Cinderella all dressed up for the dance. When is your pumpkin coming?” Wendy’s herd of followers cackled along with her.
Tara rolled her eyes. “You look great in that dress. You really do. If you win the competition, where are you planning on going to college?”
Wendy was taken aback by Tara not taking the bait. “I hadn’t really thought about it. My parents are pushing me to go to UCLA, but I’m not sure what I’ll do. How are you going to pay for college since your daddy drinks all of the money up? Opie’s parents practically raised you.”
Tara took that as her cue to leave. She went looking for Lowell but ran into Jax. He was definitely looking good in his leather jacket and greaser style hair. As she entered the gym, he stepped in front of her.
“May I have this dance?”
Tara was flustered. Jax Teller wanted to dance with her? Lord, she hoped Wendy didn’t flip out. That pack of hyenas would pounce in a heartbeat.
“I don’t know, I think Lowell is waiting for me and Wendy is probably looking for you too.”
Jax laughed, “One dance won’t hurt either one. The look he gave Tara made her uncomfortable. He was Opie’s friend but all she knew of him was his player reputation and she overheard him once tell Opie that she was flat-chested and looked like a boy in her jeans and flannels all the time.
One dance couldn’t hurt though, and then she could say she at least got to dance with the hottest guy in school. Once she went back to her regular wardrobe, he’d be all over Wendy or the next girl in line and forget about her.
“They, said some day you'll find all who love are blind. When your heart's on fire. You must realize smoke gets in your eyes.”
Jax was fun and joked with her about how he looked like a hoodlum and she looked like a princess. Tara was blushing when he whispered in her ear about how she was the prettiest girl there. Tara knew this was the Prince of Charming routine he probably threw at hundreds of girls. She had to get back to Lowell before Wendy kicked her ass too. Once the song was over, she thanked Jax and high-tailed it back to Lowell who was looking for her.
They danced some more and by the end of the night she had a bit of a crush on Lowell. He was so nice and she thought for once she might like the girly stuff.
The break also included the announcement of the scholarship winner. It was Tara by a landslide and she couldn’t have been any happier. She felt like for once in her life things were going in the right direction.
As the dance ended, Jax made sure to invite Lowell and Tara to the party at the clubhouse. He could have cared less about Lowell but Tara was just too pretty to walk away from now.
As they arrived at the clubhouse, Tara was nervous. Piney always kept her away from here because he said the guys were perverts. She remembered that Piney and Mary would be there so she felt a little less anxious.
Jax and Opie with Wendy and Donna entered the clubhouse first. The party broke out in cheers for them. Tig yelled, “Where’s Lowell’s date? In his imagination?” That comment died as Tara entered the room it was like the air was sucked out of everyone’s lungs.Tara was nervous again and saw Gemma looking shocked. She hadn’t seen Gemma since about a year after her mom died and the look on her face made Tara think she should go home.
Tig finally got his shit together and called out, who’s the princess? Piney yelled back, “That’s my little girl Tara and I’ll rip all of your dicks off if you even look sideways at her.
Piney and Mary called her over and she gave Mary a hug and then went over to thank Gemma for having a nice party. Piney kept an eagle eye on her then shot a look at Gemma daring her to say something rude.
Everyone came up to Tara and Lowell and even the Croweaters gushed over how pretty Little Tara looked.
Wendy and Gemma were furious. Gemma even more so when she saw Jax’s dopey grin fixated on Tara.