Rhonda had hoped to catch Louis before the start of school but Paulette was running late, which meant she was running late, and they'd had to rush straight to homeroom. All morning her stomach had been in knots as she anticipated a confrontation at lunchtime; she couldn't believe he hadn't called her over the weekend. But he hadn't. In the canteen, she spotted him sat with the other T birds, so she joined Paulette and Sharon on the other side of the room. Sharon looked up and smiled weakly before turning her attention back to her sandwich. Not knowing what to say, Rhonda tucked into her own lunch while surreptitiously watching the T birds. Eventually, Louis picked up on her stares and made his way over.

"Rhonda, can we talk?" he asked as the girls turned their attention to him. Feeling self-conscious Rhonda got up and followed him outside aware all eyes were on them, everyone had heard about the game at Davey's house.

"What's going on with you and Sharon?" she demanded as soon as they were out of sight. "I've seen the way you look at her and I'm not the only one. Everyone has seen how you look at her." An unwelcome tear rolled down her cheek and she angrily brushed it away.

"You're seeing something that ain't there. We're just friends," he said shoving his hands in his pockets.

Her mouth dropped open. "You expect me to believe that after the way you kissed her?"

"It was no different to you kissing Goose," he said irritably.

She scoffed. "I think you're cheating on me with her. In fact, I'm sure of it."

Louis laughed. "Seriously? Don't be stupid, if you believed that you wouldn't have been sat having lunch with her."

She opened her mouth but no words came out. He's got a point. Why didn't I confront Sharon when I had the chance to? Am I really that pathetic?

"So what is wrong then?" she asked instead. He couldn't make his lack of interest in her much more obvious. "Something has changed between us these past few weeks."

Louis shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "You're right. We haven't been getting along, have we?" he admitted lighting a cigarette. "Maybe we need a break from each other to think things through."

She gawped at him. "A break, to think?" He'd said it as if the thought had just occurred to him but she wasn't convinced. "And what exactly are we supposed to be thinking about?"

"If we really want to be together."

"Right." She was almost certain his words were rehearsed. It felt like he was dumping her and at the same time, he wasn't. No doubt that would follow if she refused his suggestion, and he'd tell everyone it was her fault.

"Okay, so this break," she said stalling as she collected her thoughts. "It's just taking some time out to think? We won't be seeing other people?"

"That's right." He didn't meet her eyes, seemingly more interested in his cigarette.

"How long should we give ourselves?" She hated that she sounded pleading. "I mean to think things over."

"A week."

"A week!" That was hardly any time at all if he was seriously considering their future.

"Okay two," he said with a shrug. "I'm not that indecisive."

"Are you sure this doesn't have anything to do with anyone else?" She inhaled deeply. "It's just I can't help feeling like there's something more going on here. Things were going great a few weeks ago and now-"

"It's nothing to do with Sharon if that's what you're getting at."

"Whoa, I never mentioned her." She took a couple of calming breaths. His words said it all. They told her everything she needed to hear.

"Sorry, I just wanted to make that clear."

"Fine, it's clear," she said her voice sounding squeaky.

Louis nodded and cleared his throat. "In the meantime, I guess we shouldn't be around each other too much. While we're thinking it through."

"No problem," she said, trying to keep hold of some self-respect. "We'll talk in two weeks." She said goodbye and made her way back inside feeling like this break was nothing more than a stay of execution.

~~~

"Yo Ritter," said Goose grabbing a seat beside her in English class. She smiled even though he was annoying, at least he talked to her. Johnny never so much as said hello, despite her being one of his girlfriend's best friends.

"Are you okay after the other night?" Goose asked awkwardly. "I mean, you left so suddenly."

She smiled through gritted teeth. "I had a headache but I realise I left at the worst possible moment."

"Right," he said looking perplexed. "So you weren't upset?"

God, what's with all the personal questions?

"I had a headache," she repeated. "I guess I overreacted."

"Have you and Dimucci called it quits?"

She looked at him wide-eyed. His face was open, his blue eyes innocent if that was even possible, not giving away any hint of an agenda.

"We're on a break," she said reluctantly. "It's cool, we're just taking some time out."

Goose nodded. "That's good. Time out's good."

Rhonda nodded as Paulette and Stephanie came into the classroom. Paulette sat down at the desk beside her, and Steph sat next to Johnny behind them both.

"What's that about time out?" Paulette asked in a stage whisper.

"Louis and I are just having some time apart, that's all," she said lightly wishing Miss Mason would hurry up and start the lesson.

Paulette gave her a knowing look. "I bet that was his idea."

Rhonda felt her stomach sink, she knew what Paulette was implying; Louis wanted to break up and he was taking the easy way out.

"I think it's a good idea," she said determinedly. "I have a few things to think through myself."

Paulette spun around. "You hear this Steph? Dimucci's got Rhonda thinking they're on a break. No prizes for guessing what he'll be up to." She laughed lightly, and Rhonda couldn't even attempt a smile.

"Shut up," Stephanie hissed leaning forward. "Can't you quit with the gossip for two minutes, you don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm just saying what we're all thinking. She's being made a fool of. Dimucci's after Sharon and he has been for a while." She gave Rhonda's arm a squeeze. "I'm sorry but I'm not gonna sugar coat it. It needs saying."

Rhonda felt her cheeks heat up. "I'm not sure what you mean?"

Paulette's face softened. "You really don't see what's happening here? Your so-called boyfriend likes Sharon and while you're on a break he'll go for it. If he gets nowhere with her he'll come back to you." She glanced behind her. "That's right isn't it Johnny? Louis will make his move while the coast is clear."

Johnny's head sprung up as he heard his name. "I dunno," he said shrugging. "It's nothing to do with me."

Rhonda's cheeks were burning, she didn't want them dissecting her relationship in front of her. They might be correct but that wasn't the point. She opened her book, facing forward and ignoring Goose's stare.

"Is Paulette right?" she heard Stephanie whisper to Johnny. "If she is you'd better tell him to back off, I won't let him mess Rhonda around like that."

"Why don't you speak to Sharon," Johnny grumbled. "It's as much her fault as his."

"I have," Steph hissed and Rhonda strained to hear. "But it's up to you to speak to Dimucci. You have to tell him to keep the hell away from her."

Johnny snorted. "I can't tell him who he can or can't go out with. Get real."

Rhonda wanted the ground to open up and swallow her, she was sure she wasn't the only one who could hear them. She'd be the laughing stock of the whole school before the day was out.

"Okay, have it your way," Steph said in her normal voice. "But don't come crying to me when there's a scene."

Johnny laughed. "That's your best come back," he taunted her. "There'll be no scene, the T birds don't make scenes. If there is, then that will be down to your chicks."

Rhonda heard Steph loudly slam her books on her desk. "You know, I sometimes wonder why I bother with you. I wonder that a lot lately."

"You love me really. You just hide it well."

"If you say so," Steph said dismissively and Johnny laughed again.

Rhonda weighed up their confrontation. Steph definitely sounded like she meant business but Johnny called the shots. He was the leader of the T birds and there was no getting around it. Stephanie would have to fall into line.

~~~

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