Stephanie was only a few weeks into summer vacation and already she was bored. It was the same every year. She spent months looking forward to the summer and then found her days fell into a dull, predictable routine. Work, chores, Johnny. And it was Johnny who was becoming the biggest source of her discontent; she couldn't get a break from him! Working together, hanging out together, it was too much. At least in class, he had to shut up occasionally but her dad found him somewhat amusing. She guessed he indulged Johnny because he'd never had a son of his own, either that or he just had a terrible sense of humour. Well, don't get too comfortable with him Dad, he ain't gonna become your son in law.

"So how about we head to the Bowlarama tonight?" Johnny said by way of asking when they were on their break at work. "I'll round up the guys and you can call the girls."

"Can't we do something different," she said pushing her hair out of her eyes and re-doing her ponytail.

"Like what?" His face broke into a smile. "Would you rather spend some time alone together? I can arrange that." He pulled her towards him and tried to kiss her.

She squirmed, turning her head to one side. "Johnny, get off me."

"No one's watching."

"I don't care, I don't like you manhandling me at work." She was hot and sticky, and the last thing she wanted was his sweaty arms around her. "Can you treat me with a little bit of respect?"

Her let her go, holding his hands up. "Jeez, what's up with you? You're so uppity lately."

"Uppity?" She bit down on the inside of her cheek seeing her dad was watching them, and forced herself to remain calm. "You think I'm uppity?"

Johnny gaped at her, floundering for words. "Nah, not uppity but-"

"Hey guys, get back to work."

Steph saw Johnny breathe a sigh of relief as her dad shouted at them, letting him off the hook. Still, it wasn't the time or place for a heart to heart anyway.

"So about tonight?" Johnny asked reaching out and touching her arm, his gesture almost pleading.

"We'll go to the bowlarama," she said thinking it was better than spending more time alone together. "I'll call Paulette when we're done here and she can round up the girls."

"If you want to," Johnny said, now acting like he didn't care either way.

"It's that or washing my hair." She touched her head lightly. "Although I do need to wash my hair."

Johnny leaned closer and pretended to sniff. "Yeah, you do Zinone."

"And you need a shower," she said wrinkling her nose. "Don't come near me again until you've had one."

Johnny laughed, glad they were back to normal but the smile soon left her face. She was trying - oh how she was trying - but it wasn't working any more.

~~~

Rhonda took a seat beside Paulette in the bowling alley, a bright smile painted on her face as she hung onto the shreds of her dignity. She knew when she was defeated and if she created a scene she'd be out of the pink ladies, Johnny had intimated as much. Sharon was with Louis so her position was secure, she was untouchable. It sucked but she wasn't going to lose her friends over some semi-literate jerk.

"Where's Sharon?" she asked Paulette, looking around. "I know things have been a bit tense between us but I would have given her a ride here."

"She's babysitting for her older brother," Paulette said. "He's called Nathan, isn't he? Anyway, he dropped the kids off at the last minute and she couldn't get out of it since her mom and Sam weren't home."

"I bet she's fuming," Rhonda said holding back a smile although she was happy with the turn of events. "I would be."

"I think I'll head over there then," Louis said standing up. "And keep her company." He left before Johnny could object.

"Jeez," Goose said, his brows furrowing. "He's ditching us to babysit with some chick? Talk about under the thumb, they've only been together a few weeks."

"I don't think it's the kids he's gonna be looking after," Johnny said pointedly, and Steph gave him a filthy look. "What? Can't I make a joke without you getting pissed off at me these days?"

"Maybe Rhonda doesn't want to hear you talking like that," Stephanie said folding her arms across her chest. "Can't you have a bit of tact?"

Rhonda felt herself flush but it was Stephanie she was angry at. Why can't she butt out and mind her own business? She's embarrassing me. "Guys, it's fine, really." She looked at them imploringly. "Can you all please forget about it? Sharon and Louis are an item, and I'm over it. I am so over it."

"If you're sure," Stephanie said looking unconvinced.

"I am!"

"See," Johnny said, pointing a finger at Steph. "The only person with a problem around here is you, so you'd better drop it."

"Or drop you," Stephanie murmured as he turned his back on her, but only Rhonda heard her speak.

~~~

"I think Dimucci had the right idea," Goose whispered to Rhonda while Johnny was taking his shot. "The atmosphere stinks."

"I wish they wouldn't fight on my account," she said pulling a face. "It's embarrassing."

"Steph probably didn't want to remind you that Louis is with Sharon now."

Rhonda inwardly groaned. "At least you're not sparing my feelings!"

"Sorry."

"It was a joke Goose, I don't care. It just bugged me that he was chasing Sharon when we were still together." Well, it had more than bugged her but in hindsight, she should have dumped him after they played spin the bottle, if not before then. "I guess I just feel disrespected, by both of them."

"They were out of line," Goose said surprising her. "I mean, he was seeing Sharon when he was still dating you, it's obvious."

"I think there was an overlap but how come you do?"

Goose chewed on his unlit cigarette, collecting his thoughts. "Take tonight, the way he's gone to her place. Do you think she's allowed to let any old random guy in? We all know what Mrs Cooper's like, and it's strictly no boys allowed. Her mom must have given him the green light already."

"You're right," she said nodding vigorously. "Sharon wouldn't let him in without her mom's permission or she'd be grounded for a month. And she wouldn't formally introduce him to her mother unless they were serious and she was sure her mom wouldn't scare him off."

Goose chuckled. "See I'm not so dumb after all."

"No you're not," she said although it didn't change anything. Still, it was nice that someone was accepting her version of events.

"Hey, I haven't upset you have I?" he said when she didn't carry on the conversation.

"No, but I have to admit that part of me hopes he cheats on her and dumps her."

Goose laughed, lighting his cigarette and then offering her one. "She might do that to him."

Rhonda smiled. "That would be a much better payback!"

"Maybe we could arrange it?"

"I don't see how, especially with the code standing in our way. No offence but I don't think she likes you or Davey."

"What about Johnny?" Goose lowered his voice. "He's not the faithful type, believe me, I know."

Her eyes widened. "Really? Poor Steph. But going back to Sharon, no, I don't think she likes Johnny at all." They fell into a contemplative silence.

"Why don't you come and get something to eat with me later?" Goose asked, clearing his throat. "We can plot your revenge."

Rhonda hesitated for a moment, before telling herself not to be so stupid. I'm single, what have I got to lose?

"Okay," she said leaning forward so he could light her cigarette. "Why not?"

~~~

"What's with you tonight?" Johnny demanded, taking Stephanie to one side. He was sick to the back teeth of looking at her sulky face, and her moods were something else.

"Nothing's wrong," she all but growled. "Leave it okay." He saw Goose watching them and snapped at him to butt out. Goose shrugged apologetically and backed away pretending to be more interested in bowling.

"You know Steph you wouldn't have got the whole pink lady leadership gig if it wasn't down to me," he said trying a different approach.

Stephanie shrugged her shoulders, seemingly disinterested. "Do I look like I care?"

"You could at least try to be a bit grateful. You know there's plenty of chicks who would kill to be in your shoes." He looked over at Paulette, and Steph let out a fake laugh.

"Look if you wanna get with someone else, then be my guest."

Johnny paused, taken aback. Why isn't she getting jealous? She's supposed to get jealous, not push me into the arms of another girl.

"I did not mean I want to get together with another girl," he said speaking slowly, choosing his words deliberately. "I'm just saying, you being the leader of the pink ladies is down to me. If you weren't my girl you wouldn't be the leader."

Steph shook her head. "Okay, so who would be the leader then?"

Johnny paused, glancing around the room. "I guess Paulette looks the part," he said tentatively.

Stephanie snorted. "Paulette's an airhead. No one would respect her."

He nodded, conceding her point. Paulette was pretty but she was soft, her looks would only take her so far. "Well, Sharon has certain leadership skills." Stephanie couldn't deny that. Somehow, despite the whole mess with Dimucci, she'd managed to come out of it blameless and they all knew she wasn't. Hell, she'd even got away with throwing a drink at him!

Stephanie let out a hollow laugh. "I admit Sharon has certain qualities, but being bossy is not the same thing as being a leader." She suddenly slapped a hand to her forehead and fake coughed. "Oh silly me, it is to you, isn't it? You think you can click your fingers and we'll all fall into line. Well, your dumb ass friends might, but not me." She cocked her head to one side and glared at him. He looked at her uncertainly, not sure where all her animosity was coming from.

"Lets bowl," he said abruptly ending the conversation. He genuinely didn't want to argue since they'd been doing a lot of that lately. No matter how hard he tried, pretty much every time they were together they wound up fighting.

I guess we're going through a rough patch, it's probably only natural after all this time, but I'm sure we're right for each other. There will never be another girl more right for me.

~~~

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