Louis couldn't have been happier about how things were working out with Sharon, however, there was still the not so small matter of Rhonda to deal with. She was suffering from a bad case of sour grapes and making no attempt to hide it. If only she could find herself a new boyfriend, then he'd be off the hook. He looked over at her in the canteen; she was sat with the pink ladies but it was clear from her body language that she was barely talking to Sharon.

"I wish Rhonda would get over herself," he grumbled to Goose. "It's not like we were serious."

Goose stared at him blankly. "Was she cut up?" he asked taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Nah, she knew it was coming. It's no big deal." He glanced over at her again. "She's just giving me grief about Sharon."

"You can't blame her for that," Goose said, unusually critical. "You are kinda crossing a line."

"Not really," he said remembering his promise to Sharon to be discreet. "The break up was pretty much mutual, and no one else was involved, but Rhonda wants to play the victim now everyone knows about it."

Goose looked doubtful. "So what's the story with Sharon then? Everyone's saying you like her, and more than that."

Louis shrugged, playing dumb. "I guess I do like her. Anything more than that is speculation."

"You're playing with fire," Goose said, his voice a strange mix of admiration and disapproval.

"Rhonda needs to move on," Louis said giving him a pointed look. "She needs something, someone, to distract her." He left the hint hanging in the air.

"You reckon?" Goose frowned at him, perplexed. "I don't think she's out to get another guy. It sounds like you want her to give you a free pass to get with Sharon."

"Yeah maybe," he admitted with a shrug. "I don't get why she cares though."

Goose gaped at him. "Come on, Sharon's her friend. Of course, she's gonna have her nose put out of joint." He let out a small laugh. "And it is a big nose."

"She's nice and she's not bad looking," he said trying to pitch her good points to Goose. "I hope she does find someone else."

"But the nose," Goose said laughing. "It's hard to see past it."

"Grow up, there's more to her than that." You've never had a real girlfriend, lower your expectations. "And she's bound to be on the lookout for a boyfriend now."

Goose's frown deepened. "What about the code though? She can't go out with just anybody."

"So she'll be looking for a T bird boyfriend then," Louis said nudging him.

"But Johnny's taken, you're out of the picture, and Davey's not girlfriend material." Goose looked at him cross-eyed. "So that only leaves...No, no way. Me and Rhonda?"

Louis raised his eyebrows. "Why not?"

"No...just no."

Jesus, Sharon's right. He really is six foot two of nothingness. Being Johnny's henchman all these years has done him no favours at all.

~~~

Stephanie stood by the school's flag stand waiting for Johnny to give her a ride home. Rhonda passed by with Paulette, both of them waving, but Sharon was noticeably absent. She opened her mouth to ask where she'd got to but stopped herself. Don't go there, you don't wanna know.

"Hey Steph," Johnny said approaching from behind and throwing his arm around her. She felt momentarily claustrophobic before she relaxed into his hug. "So did you ask your old man about me helping out at the service station this summer?" Inwardly she groaned, Johnny had helped her dad last year and they'd had fun, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he'd want to do so again.

"I'll ask him if you're sure about it?" She smiled at him, trying to give him pause for second thoughts. "I mean all the guys are gonna be hanging out at the beach, and this will literally be your last summer with no responsibilities." She knew he wasn't going to college, come graduation, he'd be entering the world of work. If anyone would have him...

"I could do with the dough, my folks ain't the generous kind," Johnny admitted with a half-laugh. "And it didn't feel like work last year, I enjoyed myself." He winked at her. "Don't tell my old man though."

She couldn't help but smile as she remembered constantly sneaking off to top up her body spray last summer, paranoid Johnny would smell her perspiration. "I'll ask tonight," she said thinking she should give him credit for doing the right thing. The responsible thing. She looked across the parking lot and spotted Sharon stood by Dimucci's bike.

"He's not wasted any time," she said as Johnny followed her gaze.

"So?"

His blase attitude got her back up.

"Well tell him to back off," she said scowling. "He's only just finished with Rhonda. He should have enough respect to not go sniffing around her friends, at least not yet."

"Maybe you should to talk to Sharon," Johnny said after watching them for a moment. "It takes two."

"Why don't we both talk to both of them?" She smiled through gritted teeth. "It's gonna mess up the whole group if they go and get together under the circumstances. Imagine the drama, everyone taking sides."

"You've got a point," Johnny said watching Sharon get on the back of Louis's bike. "But there won't be a scene if the girls don't get over-emotional."

"That's easy said." She shook her head as Louis and Sharon took off. Oh yes, that's very easily said...

~~~

"I think I've found a way to get us off the hook," Louis said to Sharon as they went through her math work, her books scattered on his bed. He was glad it was mostly correct so they could get onto doing better things. Much better things.

"So how's that?" Sharon asked looking up, and he explained about getting Rhonda together with Goose.

"Hmm, he is kinda dumb," Sharon mused. "And I'm not sure Rhonda will be interested in him." She frowned mulling the idea over. "That said, her pride's taken a hit, and the code does say we're T birds chicks. Goose might be in with a chance. Possibly."

"I think she'll go for it if Goose makes a move," Louis said putting Sharon's books to one side. He wrapped his arm around her, lowering her down onto the bed, and instantly she tensed up.

"I should get going soon, my mom will be wondering where I've got to." She tried to sit up, making some space between them.

"It's still early though," he said, leaning closer and kissing her. She hesitated before reaching behind his head and pulling him closer. He deepened the kiss, his hand inching up her leg, making her breath hitch. She pushed his hand away and sat up straight, yanking her skirt down.

"Louis," she protested. "Please, don't."

"What's wrong? You were okay a minute ago." 

"Well, I'm not now," she said her cheeks flushing. "Just stop it."

"What's the problem? No one's home and they won't be for ages." He tried to reassure her, but her embarrassment gave way to indignation.

"Oh my god, do you think that cos we're alone...' She stumbled over her words. "Do you actually think I'd do it after just one date?"

He looked at her confused. "What's the big deal? It's not like..." He stopped himself, not sure of what he was trying to say, but it dawned on him, too late, he was reading the signs all wrong.

"It's not like what?" Sharon spat out, her face scarlet. "You know, if you're only after one thing then go back to Rhonda. Go after the girl who is desperate for a bit of male attention!"

He burst out laughing. "Do you seriously think Rhonda and I... jeez." He thought he'd convinced her how insignificant that relationship had been.

"So Rhonda wouldn't do it but you think I will?" she asked crossing her arms, her face furious.

He frowned, no way was that what he'd said. He hadn't really been into Rhonda, not in that way, they should never have been more than friends.

"I'm sorry," he said trying to salvage the situation. "It's just, well come on, you went out with Steven for ages."

"That doesn't mean..." She glared at him, managing to look both cold and furious as she grabbed her books. "You are treating me like a slut!"

"Hey, I've never said that." He couldn't believe how things were going downhill so rapidly. "I wouldn't say that about you, ever."

"You don't have to." She looked at him her eyes bright with unshed tears. "My God, we went on one date and now you think I should just fall into bed with you."

He groaned, yeah put like that it sounded bad.

"Okay, you're right, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry," he said holding his hands up. "I guess I'm getting ahead of myself but it's only cos I like you."

She glared at him angrily. "Too right you're getting ahead of yourself."

"I'm sorry."

She got up, making her way to the door, before turning and looking at him despondently. "Stay away from me Louis, we're obviously on completely different wavelengths." She slammed the door behind her not giving him a chance to reply.

~~~