Deenie

A couple of weeks later, Mrs. Anderson asks Deenie whether she gave the bus form to her parents. Deenie lies and says that it is easier for her to take the regular bus with her friends. She is horrified when Mrs. Anderson calls her condition a “handicap.”

At home, Aunt Rae and Thelma happily tell Deenie that, after calling the modeling agency, they learned that Deenie will still be able to start modeling when she is 17. Deenie snaps up at them, angry that they are not considering her own wishes and ambitions.

On Thursday, Deenie introduces Barbara to Midge and Janet, who both like her immediately. They learn that Barbara is new to the area, and she explains her skin condition to them. They go to the mixer together, where they meet with Steve and Buddy, who is getting ready with the band.

Deenie chooses not to dance because she does not want to draw attention to her brace, but as she watches everyone enjoy themselves, she feels left out. After Buddy plays his drum solo, he invites Deenie to dance away from the crowd. He takes her to the locker room, where they dance for a while. Deenie feels self-conscious, but Buddy then kisses her.