Louis ran after Sharon, not caring that he'd left a belligerent Johnny behind him. If he didn't sort things out with her now he never would.

"Hey Sharon, wait up," he yelled as she exited the Bowlarama. Hearing him she paused, and then picked up more speed. "Sharon!"

She turned around and glared at him. "What?"

"Don't look at me like that, I'm the one dripping in coke." He tried to laugh whilst he wiped his hand through his wet hair, and she giggled involuntarily.

"You deserved it."

He shrugged. "Yeah maybe, but come on, you've just totally humiliated me, and I'm still here. You've gotta believe I like you." The corners of her mouth twitched and he could see she was trying not to smile. "You can at least talk to me."

"I'm not sure there's anything to say," she said, her mouth turning down again. "I think we're on different wavelengths."

He frowned, wondering if she had a point. In many ways, she was infuriating but he liked that she had her own mind, girls who hung off his every word soon got boring.

"I don't think that's true Sharon," he said choosing his words carefully. "Okay, I admit I was coming on too strong but it's not cos I think..." Don't say slut again. "I misjudged things, I'm sorry."

"I don't understand how you could have misjudged anything," she said folding her arms around herself. "What have I ever done that would make you think I'm a-"

"I don't think that! I just thought since you'd been with Steven for so long...but it doesn't matter." He tried not to feel hard done to, he had moved way too quickly. "I shouldn't have assumed you'd want to rush into anything like that again."

"Again?" Sharon looked up at him frowning. "I didn't do anything with Steven, well not what you're thinking anyway."

"Oh." He tried not to sound pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah, so if you're after one thing, forget it." She gave him a stern look. "As I said, we're on different wavelengths."

"We're not, I swear I'm not after one thing," he insisted sensing she was relenting. "Can't we try again? You know we break up for summer vacation next week, and I think we could have a pretty good time together."

"I guess I might have been a bit hasty," she said after a long pause.

He put his arm around her and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't shrug him off. They walked along, heading towards her house when she suddenly stopped.

"Oh my god," she said groaning dramatically. "I threw a drink all over Johnny."

He couldn't help grinning at her horrified face. "Don't worry, I'll square it with him." He wasn't sure how but he'd figure it out. Maybe he'd let Johnny hit him or something.

~~~

Paulette had felt something like jealousy building up in her as she'd witnessed Sharon and Louis's confrontation, especially when he'd gone running after her. Why can't I find a guy who'll show me that sort of interest? She watched as Stephanie approached Johnny who was furiously wiping his face.

"Look at what she's done to me," he yelled almost childlike, and Stephanie recoiled. "This is down to you. You made her a pink lady, she's your friend."

"Now wait a minute, don't you dare blame me." Stephanie rounded on him, equally furious. "I told you how to handle this."

"You don't tell me shit, Zinone."

She blanched. "What the hell. Why don't you blame Dimucci? He's the one acting like a dog in heat."

"A dog in heat?" Johnny laughed at her. "I think you need a few lessons in the birds and the bees."

"Oh, screw you." Stephanie looked at him with contempt before flouncing over to the bowling lanes.

Paulette watched Johnny, his face unreadable, while Steph stomped past her, clearly angry. She should have gone over to sympathise with her but Rhonda was there, meanwhile, Johnny was alone. Letting her hormones take charge she grabbed a handful of serviettes and made her way over to him.

"What is wrong with that girl?" Johnny asked as she tentatively gave him a serviette to mop himself down with.

"Who? Stephanie?"

"No Sharon," he said wiping his forehead as she handed him another serviette.

"She's highly strung." She gave him a small smile. "I'm sure she didn't mean to throw her drink at you."

"Well, she's got a shit aim," he said, not sounding less angry now. "She got more on me than Dimucci."

"I can't argue with that." She looked up at him simpering. His wet shirt was clinging to his chest which was actually kinda sexy, not that Steph had noticed. Poor Johnny, he deserved a girlfriend who cared about him, who looked after him. "I have to say though, the wet look suits you."

"Do you think so?" Johnny asked, a grin spreading across his face.

"It sure does." She couldn't believe she'd been so brazen but Johnny didn't seem phased by her compliment.

"Thanks." He glanced over at the group gathered by the lanes, all but Stephanie watching them. "I guess we'd better get back to the game."

"Okay," she said following him, disappointed their conversation was over already.

"So are we gonna play now?" Goose asked nervously, no doubt wary of how Johnny was going to react after his soaking from Sharon.

"Yeah line them up," he said getting a cigarette out, and Paulette smiled. He was so cool, the way he'd regained his composure was impressive.

"I guess Dimucci ain't coming back," Davey said looking slightly bewildered.

"Nah, that chick's got him wrapped around her finger." Johnny shrugged dismissively, and Paulette saw Stephanie scowl.

"What's up with your face?" she asked taking a seat beside her.

"Johnny just tore a strip off me cos Sharon threw a drink at him, and now he's acting like it's a joke." Steph grabbed her purse getting some gum out. "I've had it with him."

"But you can understand him being upset," she said trying to placate Steph, although what she was hearing was music to her ears. "He only went over there to mediate and he ends up getting soaked."

"Well, I told Johnny weeks ago he shouldn't let those two get together but would he listen?" Steph gave Johnny an angry look which he returned with a blank expression.

Paulette frowned as she watched them. Why's Stephanie so invested in this, it's got nothing to do with her. Unless she just wants a reason to argue with Johnny? Hmm that could be it, that would make sense.

"Steph?" She tapped her on the shoulder. "You have to be fair. Why shouldn't they get together? They're both single." Steph looked over at Rhonda, she was talking to Goose seemingly disinterested in what was going on around her.

"It'll be pretty shitty for Rhonda if they get together," she finally said.

Paulette contemplated her for a moment. "Rhonda has to move on, it's not like she can expect Dimucci to remain single until she gives him the green light to get with someone else."

"He doesn't have to get with one of Rhonda's friends though, there are other girls."

"But the code?"

"It doesn't apply to T birds," Steph said her mouth turning down. "Of course, it only applies to us girls."

"Yeah and that sucks." Paulette let herself feel aggrieved for a moment, forgetting that Johnny was the only guy she was interested in anyway. "But I do think Sharon really likes Louis, I think she genuinely likes him."

"But she should have more respect for Rhonda," Steph said scowling. "Hasn't she ever heard of girl code?"

"Hmm, I guess it's not that simple." Paulette looked at Johnny again and held in a sigh. If he ever dumps Steph, will his attention turn my way?

~~~