At lunchtime, Sharon waited in the queue for Louis, willing him to arrive before one of the pink ladies did. They'd decided that rather than telling everyone they were an item, and potentially rubbing Rhonda's nose in it, they'd simply make a point of being seen together. However, since they shared most classes making a statement wasn't that easy.

"Hey," Louis said appearing beside her.

"I thought you'd got lost," she said, while the students around them grumbled about him jumping the queue. "Have you seen Johnny or any of the guys?"

"Relax Sharon," he said putting his arm around her. "They aren't going to say anything."

She let out a heavy sigh as they moved forward, no it's the girls who are going to give me a hard time. "I'm beginning to regret not calling Rhonda over the weekend. Maybe I should have warned her?"

Louis shook his head. "She'd have probably taken it the wrong way, and besides, you don't have to explain yourself to her."

"That's what I told myself," she admitted chewing her lip. "I thought it might sound like I was gloating. Or worse, if I made a big deal about telling her, then that might make Rhonda think it is a big deal and that she should be upset...and if she wasn't upset and I went and upset her..."

"You're overthinking it," Louis said as they reached the front of the queue. "Look, we'll just get a table by ourselves and Rhonda will put two and two together. Once she does the hard work's over." Sharon nodded, if Rhonda didn't make a fuss then no one else could really. She grabbed a sandwich, and they scanned the room. Spotting an empty table they made there way over, passing the other T birds on the way.

"Sitting by yourselves?" Goose asked, elbowing Davey who choked on his food.

"Yeah, we are," Louis said and they continued to the empty table. "See, even Johnny didn't say anything."

"I'm surprised he hasn't lynched me."

"Johnny's cool, he doesn't hold a grudge," Louis said as they sat down.

"I was half expecting him to throw a drink over me," she admitted breathing a sigh of relief.

"He wouldn't do that," Louis said taking a bite of his sandwich. "He'd look like such a jerk if he did."

"Thank god he's so obsessed with his image, I can't believe he let me get away with it though." She'd expected some sort of reprisal and she wasn't sure she was off the hook just yet.

"Sharon, I won't let him do anything to you," Louis said intently. "Johnny knows that if it came to it, well I'm bigger than him."

"Most guys are." She let out a small laugh although most guys didn't have Johnny's quick temper. "Anyway, we have to get our story straight."

"We argued at the bowlarama, we talked it through, and went on a date," Louis said parroting her earlier words and making her smile.

"Right." She sat back twirling her hair around her finger. "So as far as everyone else is concerned, we've been seeing each other since the weekend."

"Yeah, we've got close real quick."

She kicked him under the table. "We're not lying. We have just got together, everything that happened before, it doesn't count."

"However you want to play it, it's fine with me." He shrugged. "Honestly, the guys won't care one way or the other."

"But the girls will," she said unwrapping her sandwich. However, before she had a chance to eat she saw Stephanie heading their way, Rhonda and Paulette behind her.

"Hi," she said as Stephanie stood in front of her glowering.

"What are you doing?" Steph asked sounding incredulous.

"Having lunch." She kept her tone light knowing now was not the time to express an opinion.

Stephanie arched her eyebrows in Louis's direction. "With him?"

Sharon felt her cheeks heat up as they all glared at her, only Paulette looking mildly sympathetic.

"Yeah, is that a problem?" Louis asked answering for her. His eyes fell on Rhonda, who looked away shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"I think Sharon knows what the problem is," Steph said scowling, and Paulette whispered something in her ear.

Sharon held in a sigh. Why is Steph interfering? If Rhonda has something to say then fair enough, but Steph should butt out. It's nothing to do with her.

"Look, I'm just having lunch with Louis," she said hating that her voice had gone up a pitch giving away her discomfort. "So stop getting your panties in a twist."

"Cool it Steph," Johnny said appearing behind the girls and making them jump.

"Don't interfere," Steph hissed while they all looked on agog. "This is the pink ladies business."

Johnny adjusted his collar and gave her a condescending smile. "Nah honey, it's T bird business."

Stephanie's mouth dropped open. "Are you kidding me?" She glared at him bug-eyed. "How is this T bird business?"

Johnny pulled her slightly to one side. "Do I have to spell it out? You're making a scene cos one of your girls is with a T bird right? Well, that makes it T bird business. It makes it my business." He glowered at Steph and Sharon had to stifle a giggle, however, Louis was openly grinning.

"Johnny, you're undermining me," Stephanie said under her breath, and Sharon held a hand over her mouth. "I'm the leader of the pink ladies, let me handle it."

"But you're making a scene." Johnny stepped back, looking around at the group. "Rhonda, you're okay with this, aren't you?" He caught her eye, turning on the charm, his smile infectious.

"Oh yeah, sure Johnny," she stuttered, her face turning red. "Of course, I am."

Sharon caught her eye and silently tried to communicate her thanks. It was killing her not standing up for herself, especially when Stephanie was escalating the whole situation. What is wrong with her?

"You see Steph," Johnny said smiling smugly. "It's cool. There's nothing to see here, everyone's happy." He crossed his arms over his chest, daring her to disagree. "So are you gonna have lunch with me or stand around arguing?"

Stephanie looked taken aback as she weighed up her options. "I guess I'm gonna eat." She shot Sharon a stern look which she returned with a smile.

"Now that's how you handle situations like this," Johnny said, putting his arm around her waist and leading her away. "You've gotta keep control of your emotions."

As soon as they were all out of hearing, Sharon burst out laughing. "Oh god, did you see Steph's face? I can't believe she let Johnny tell her off like that."

Louis smirked. "See, I told you he's not so bad."

"I guess he has his uses," she admitted as she mulled it over. If Johnny accepted they were a couple, then Stephanie and Rhonda would have to suck it up. As ridiculous as if was, Johnny was right, when it came to the T birds and the pink ladies, he called the shots.

~~~