West Side Story Imagine - Tumblr Posts

Riff x artist!Reader Chapter 3

Notes: sorry guys.😭 I wasnt feeling that great in the last weeks, thats why it took me so long to write a new Chapter. I m trying my best, Friends.✨Hope you like it. Stay Hydrated, love Mai💗

Warnings: bad grammar

Desperate about what had happend to my painting, I sat on the fire escape and pondered. I had to find a plan as quickly as possible. Preferably one that could still work out today. It was already in the afternoon. The sun was shining between the skyscrapers of the city. I saw mrs Murphy lugging her groceries across the street, talking to the janitor of the building across the street. She was probably spreading the latest gossip she had heard at the market. I found myself thinking about Riff again. I had heard his name before - I was convinced of it by now. Maybe mrs Murphy had talked about him once. I thought about how she would spread gossip about me and Riff. I would much rather have that, than stories about me and Tommy of whether or not we were engaged.

Only now the stories about me and Riff were not even that unrealistic. I thought with horror that Mrs Murphy could have found my drawings. If that had happened, then I was as good as dead. My father would probably lock me up in our apartment for months and John would lock up my stuff, or worse, throw it away.

John couldn't stand it if I had feelings for a jet. Or any gang member. He's dreamed of seeing me and Tommy together for too long. Nothing could stop him. Sometimes I think about what I would do if women had the same rights as men. I wouldn't be here anymore. Maybe I would travel around the world, or wear pants. But these kind of thoughts were pointless.

I thought I had reached a new low point of the day, when suddenly I had an idea.

John really wanted me and Tommy to get together. That was for sure. So what if I just played along.

"Brother, I have a question. I know I've already been to docs once today. But is there any way I can go there again real quick? I'll be back in 15 minutes I promise."

" I don't think so. I don't like you spending so much time there. Those gang boys hang out there a lot. That's no place for a young lady like you."

" I know, I know John. But you know I've been thinking about it and...I'd like to ask Tommy out.“ i tried to sound as honest as possible. „ And he's coming to see you tonight. So I thought it would be nice if I got him his favorite chocolate from Valentina. He really likes it and I would love to have a present for him. He is always so generous to me. Please John."

"If that's the case, then thats fine with me. I'm glad you finally fancy him. I've always said you'd make a beautiful couple. But be back in time."

I really hoped he didnt notice my fake smile. The idea of me and Tommy as a couple was too horrible. Nevertheless, I could not help but rejoice. If I was lucky, the painting was still where I had lost it.

I walked through the noisy streets of new york. Past the paperboys on the street corner. A confident look on my face. A bag in one hand. The other one was nervously playing with the hem of my skirt. A habit since childhood. Father had always hated it. He said that my insecurity could be seen from miles away. Besides fidgeting was nothing what a young woman in my social rank did.

Fortunately for me, Valentina had not yet closed. Without thinking further, I went into the store. At first glance it was dark and no one was to be seen. But I heard voices coming from the basement. It had to be Tony and Valentina.

"They will be with me soon," I thought. I was overwhelmed that I was so lucky again. There was no one in the store, which meant I could search intensively for my picture. Without having to find a stupid excuse like "I dropped my pearl earrings" . This thought made me smile.

I went to the table where I had been sitting in the morning. This was the last time i Hand Seen my painting. But instead of my drawing, there was only a pack of cigarettes. The box was almost empty. Only one cigarette was still in it. Dark blue paint was stuck to the side of the box. I took it in my hand to have a better look. Even though my brother and father had the habit of smoking, I had never held such a pack in my hand before. My brother said it was not something suited for me. Just like alcohol.

I had always kept to the rules of the two men, but in this moment the feeling of curiosity overcame me for the first time. What would happen if I would not keep to these rules. But before I should continue to think about whether I should dare to smoke a cigarette or drink a sip from the gin bottle that stood on the top shelf of the kitchen, the door opened behind me. Without giving it much thought, I put the pack of cigarettes in my pocket.

Standing in front of me were Tony and...

Not Valentina. It was Tony and Riff. The two were still engaged in their conversation. Neither had noticed me.

"Come on Tony, it will be fun for you to dance again. And please let me know if you find out anything."

Nervously I started playing with the hem of my skirt again. I wanted to stare at the floor but instead I looked at him again. As if we were the only two people on this planet. He had a beautiful laugh. One of those laughs you always want to hear. His whole face was beaming.

He turned his head a little to the side. With his left hand, unnoticed by Tony, he reached into the bowl next to him.

"Would he look at me? Would he know it was me who had drawn him like a madwoman in front of the store. Maybe he'd say something to me..."

The thoughts just bubbled in my head. I had the feeling of completely losing my mind. I didn't even know this young man! What was i thinking?!

„Yeah, we'll see. And hey, Riff! Don't steal milkyways again." Tony tried to take the candy out of Riff's hand. But Riff was faster, he turned around and ran past me without giving me a glance. I didn't realize what had happened until the door had closed behind him and Tony had said my name out loud several times.

The rest of the day felt numb. I bought the chocolate for Tommy and asked Tony as uninterested and normal as I could about the drawing. But Tony just gave me a knowing look and told me to ask Valentina about the drawing. Tony definitely knew more than he wanted to say. He had probably found the drawing himself. Normally I would be freaking out now. Or start asking Tony about every detail he knew. But the disappointment that Riff hadn't even noticed me, had already triggered a different feeling.

Lost in my thoughts, I walked home. I hadn't been feeling this low in a long time. Now I had to go on this stupid date with Tommy. And my excuse was pointless. With my head down I walked along the street. Not knowing that on the other side, across from docs, an excited young man was walking up and down the road. In the small pocket of his ripped shirt, was a carefully folded sheet of paper.

Dancing in the Dark

Baby John x reader.

Content warning: blood

Word count: 1.5k

Summary: Valentina’s granddaughter and Baby John have been keeping a secret from the Jets and the Sharks: they’re dating.

Note: This is my first x reader ever, so if anyone has any constructive criticism I’d love to hear it.

Early in the evening you sit at your desk, scribbling in a notebook as your mind wanders to the dance later that night. You had picked out your dress days ago and then your grandma disapproved of it, so you picked another one along with a pair of small heels. You'd made a plan to rob your grandmother's jewelry box later to find accessories.

To be completely honest, your life wasn't very exciting. You work at Doc's DrugStore every weekend and after school to assist your grandma. You didn't get paid for it, but you are happy to help out. She had been taking care of you since you were little. Your father works two jobs to provide for you. Your mother passed away when you were 3 from pneumonia. Valentina raised you to be the person you are now.

A dance was something you thought would change everything. It was an escape from the bland routine you repeated every single day without end. It would be a night full of dancing and music to clear your mind. Even though you don't have an official date, it still excites you a lot.

Something hitting its head on the window and falling onto the floor snapped you out of your daydream. You turn around in your chair to see the boy better known as Baby John getting up with his hands stained orange and blood dripping from his ear. His disheveled appearance raised a number of questions you wouldn't even bother asking.

"What the hell happened to you?!" you question, standing up and walking over to him. You place your hand on his cheek and turn his head to the side to get a good look at the wound.

"It was a nail. It's not that bad." Baby John tries to assure you. He places his hand over yours and lowers it away from his face.

"Stay here." you tell him before walking to the bathroom. You run a clean towel under the tap and return to your room. You press the towel against his ear, attempting to clean the wound. Your grasp on the towel softens when most of the blood and dirt comes off. Your eyes trail from his ear to his eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes that you swore you could get lost in. Despite his affiliation with the Jets, they still held innocence, something you don't want him to lose.

You worry a lot for him. It had been a few weeks since you started seeing each other, but he had become one of the best things in your life. whenever he had to sneak through your window or you would meet in secret, you got a rush of adrenaline. If either the Jets or the Sharks would find out about you, you'd both be disemboweled, In a way, that made the moments you shared even more special.

You know Baby John isn't a bad person, just someone who found the wrong crowd. The jets had been coming into your grandparents store as long as you could remember. It was one of the few things left that wasn't being torn down. You grew up around them. You know all of them by name and which ones hang around the store more often than the others.

At some point, Baby John started coming in by himself to talk to you. One thing led to another and here you are.

You two sat down on your bed and you put a bandaid on his ear. "Are you excited for the dance tonight?" you ask him.

"Yeah," he nods. His hand reaches out to take yours, not really caring if he gets paint on you. "I just wish we could dance together."

"Me too." you sigh. "I picked out a really nice dress too."

"Can I see?" Baby John asks eagerly, the smile you love so much prominent on his face. How could you possibly resist?

You get up to open your closet. Your fingers glide over the delicate fabric of the dress, admiring the work Anita had done to shorten the dress a little so it was more comfortable. She is truly a witch with a sewing machine. It's perfect.

You look over your shoulder to see your boyfriend watching you full of suspension. "Turn around." you tell him.

"Right." he nods, turning to face your window and give you your privacy.

You pull your blouse over your head, step out of your skirt and put on the dress. With your back faced to your mirror, you zip up the dress. You turn back to face the mirror and fix your hair. Satisfied with your appearance, you turn around to face your boyfriend. Even when partially covered in paint and dirt, he still managed to look cute.

"You can turn around." you tell Baby John, your hands resting on the waistline of your dress to appear confident.

When his eyes meet yours they light up. His pupils dilate and his lips form into a smile full of admiration that makes your face turn bright red. His lips were slightly parted as if he was trying to find the right words, but remained speechless.

"It's not the entire thing yet. It really comes together with the heels and the jewelry." you promise, rolling the purple fabric of the dress between your thumb and index finger.

"It's perfect." Baby John finally manages to speak. "It's just, uh, you look like a princess."

You didn't think it was possible, but your smile grew even bigger. Baby John offers his hand, which you gladly take, and twirls you around, the skirt of your dress flaring out as you spin.

"It's gonna be hard to stay away from you tonight." Baby John admits.

"Well, you're gonna have to try your best then." you tease with a grin. You lean forward to place a kiss on his cheek. "Abuela wants to see me before the dance, I should get ready."

Baby John nods. "Guess I'll see you later then." he returned to your window, exiting the same way he came to avoid anyone seeing him leave your apartment.

You grab his hand just when he had both his legs out the window, stopping him for one last kiss goodbye. You place your other hand on his face, pulling him in until your lips finally meet. His hands trailed along your waist, being careful not to ruin or wrinkle your dress. He was always gentle with you, seemingly afraid to hurt you in any way. Heat was rising to your face at a rapid pace and you couldn't help but wonder if his heart was beating as fast as yours.

Your lips part, allowing both of you to get some air. You pull back slightly, your hand lingering on his cheek for just a second. "I'll see you later." you smile.

Baby John nods, fully removing himself from your window. "Not if I see you first." he teases, disappearing down the fire escape.

You close your window, allowing yourself to take a deep breath. The one thing you had feared about yourself was just confirmed, you are head over heels for a Jet boy.

──────── Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ────────

You push open the door to Doc's drug store to find it empty. All the lights are still on, but neither Tony or your grandmother were anywhere in sight. You take off your coat, hanging it over the back of a chair.

Ever since your grandma hired Tony they'd become thick as thieves. She always saw the good in people. So when Tony got out of prison, she insisted on giving him a second chance. Tony had quickly become a friend to both you and her. He's an entirely different person compared to who he used to be. You only hope the rest of the Jets somehow see the same light he did before they end up in prison.

You approach the basement, trying to spot someone. "Abuela, you down there?"

Valentina emerges from the shadows, placing a hand on her heart when she sees you. "Mija," she sighs, walking up the stairs to embrace her granddaughter. "You look just like your mami the first time she came over for dinner." she said lovingly, tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.

"Please don't cry. You know if you start crying, then I'll start crying." you sniffle, wiping away the tears building up.

Valentina hands you a tissue. "I asked Bernardo and Anita to escort you to the dance."

You groaned. "I don't need protection." you protest, taking the tissue and drying your lower eyelids.

"Yes, you do." Your grandma insists. "It's dangerous at night."

You roll your eyes despite knowing she has a point. Police sirens could be heard all through the night. Your dad kept telling you to stay in after dark. Usually you listened, but tonight was the dance so you couldn't care less.

Before you get the chance to argue back, the door swings open. Bernardo stands in the doorpost, Maria, Anita and Chino just behind him. "Why so somber, who died?" he jokes

"My mother, vamos!" you cheer. No time to dwell on the past, it's time to dance.