Stephanie was on the phone to Rhonda, listening to her rambling on about Goose. Or half listening, her patience for her friends' romances was wearing thin.

"We've been hanging out together," Rhonda said, her voice brimming with excitement. "We went for burgers the other night, by ourselves. Nothing happened though."

Stephanie was glad she was on the phone; her boredom was easier to hide since there was no need to mask her facial expressions. "Do you want something to happen with Goose?" she asked, trying to keep the disdain from her voice. Goose was Johnny's closest friend but nothing more than a sycophantic lap dog.

"I thought we were just friends but he's been really supportive, more than I ever would have expected," Rhonda said gushing. "He's actually very sensitive."

Here we go, you just want to get loved up with a T bird.

"So why don't you make a move on him?" she suggested, feigning interest. "If he's such a catch."

"Maybe I will."

"Good."

There was an awkward silence which Rhonda filled by clearing her throat. "So Steph, have you sorted a car out for the drive-in? It's just we planned to go next Friday and I can't fit us all into my car."

"Now that would be a squeeze," Stephanie said glad that she'd changed the subject. "I'm going to borrow my dad's car. It's a shame Sharon or Paulette can't drive, it always falls to us two to sort the transport out." She knew she was being a little unfair, one of the guys could have looked into borrowing a car but she'd told Johnny she'd make the arrangements.

"I don't mind driving," Rhonda said quickly, and Steph smiled to herself.

Yeah, if you didn't drive you might have had some competition to be a pink lady.

"Okay, so can you take Paulette, Goose and Davey? I'll get Johnny, Dimucci and Sharon," Steph said thinking that would be the best way to split the group.

"If you're sure? I don't mind taking Louis and Sharon."

A likely story but I wouldn't be that cruel.

"Look you should pick up Goose, it'll give you a chance to spend some time together without any pressure."

"Thanks, Steph."

"However, if Sharon and Louis are all over each other they'll be walking home."

"Haha," Rhonda said with a slightly forced laugh. "But I think Johnny will be keeping you distracted anyway!"

"Urgh," she said with more vehemence than she'd intended. Just the thought of Johnny's wandering hands made her shudder. I shouldn't feel like this, I should want him to touch me, I should want him...

~~~

Stephanie parked up at Sharon's house and tooted the horn. Almost instantly Sharon and Louis appeared, climbing into the back of the car.

"Late as usual Steph," Sharon said by way of greeting. "I was going to cancel but your mom said you'd already set off."

Stephanie sat stony-faced, she wouldn't have been late if Johnny had got his act together. Okay, her timekeeping wasn't the greatest but how much gel did his hair need?

"I'm here now, aren't I?" she said, failing to sound lighthearted. "If you don't like it you can get out and walk." Johnny shot her a look signalling she should cool it, and she could hear Louis whispering to Sharon to calm down. They fell into silence until Johnny spoke up.

"Hey guys, did you hear Balmudo stopped by the service station?" He paused, waiting for one of them to bite.

"So what happened?" Louis asked taking the bait.

"Well, he ain't half as tough without his cronies. I refused to serve him."

"Really?" Sharon asked sounding sceptical. "Are you allowed to do that?"

"Probably not but I ain't waiting on Crater Face."

Louis laughed but Steph remained silent since that wasn't quite what had happened. Sure Balmudo had shown up, as he was prone to, but one of the other guys had dealt with him. Johnny had simply glowered in the background.

"So what are we seeing anyway?" Sharon asked.

"The House of Usher," Stephanie said. "It's a horror movie."

Sharon shuddered. "I hate horrors. What's the point of paying to be scared shitless."

Johnny laughed. "I don't think the point of a drive-in is to watch the movie." He looked pointedly at Steph before turning to the passengers in the back of the car. "Dimuccui, you're gonna have to teach this girl a few things."

"It's in hand," Louis said and Sharon giggled.

Stephanie cringed, not liking where Johnny's mind was going, she was so not in the mood tonight. She tried to tune him out as she drove around looking for a parking spot. However they were late and she struggled to find a decent space, Johnny's attempts to direct her only adding to her irritation. In the end, she parked in a spot towards the back.

"We're not going to be able to see a thing here," Sharon grumbled, muttering something to Louis under her breath.

Stephanie's head spun around. "You can go and sit somewhere else if there's a problem!"

Sharon starred at her taken aback. "Okay, I will." She opened the car door. "Are you coming with me, Louis?"

Stephanie groaned, Sharon always had to escalate things. Fine, she can do what she wants. Louis reached for the car door, giving Johnny an uncertain look. Johnny shrugged as if to say go ahead and they exited the car.

"Dimucci's got his work cut out with that one," Johnny said stretching out and putting his arm around her. "He's gonna have to bring her into line."

Stephanie gawped at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Sharon doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut. She should be letting Dimucci call the shots."

"Are you for real?" Yeah, Sharon was a pain in the ass but she was entitled to have her voice heard. "Do you seriously think the little woman should go along with what the guy says?" The smile fell from his face when he realised she was genuinely angry.

"No, not you obviously," Johnny said trying to mitigate his words. "But chicks like her, chicks like Sharon, she shouldn't be telling a T bird what to do. She's forgetting her place."

Stephanie looked at him opened mouthed, shaking her head. "I don't believe you. You're such a sexist pig." She shuffled away from him and folded her arms, making it clear he'd better keep his distance.

~~~

Sharon headed towards the drinks kiosk, Louis following behind her.

"I've had it with Steph telling me what to do," she snapped. "She has no leadership qualities whatsoever!"

"Aw just ignore her," he said reaching out to pull her into his arms, but he did think she should have kept her mouth shut. Why was she arguing with Steph when they were better things they could be doing?

"I never wanted to see this stupid film anyway," she huffed and he silently agreed, these group get-together's were cramping his style. How was he supposed to get anywhere with his girlfriend when he could never get her alone?

"Hi guys, what are you doing?" Rhonda asked, joining them. Sharon told her what had happened, exaggerating for full effect.

"Honestly, she went completely off the deep end, didn't she Louis? She's always in a foul mood these days."

Louis shrugged, not caring about Steph's foul moods.

Rhonda moved closer to them whispering. "I don't think things are going well with Johnny." She looked around surreptitiously. "In fact, I know they're not."

Louis yawned, signalling his disinterest, but Sharon was all ears.

"Personally, I wouldn't take it out on my friends," she said sniffing. "It's not our fault they're having problems."

Rhonda nodded. "Why don't you join us in my car? Paulette cancelled so there's plenty of room."

Louis looked at her, taken aback by the offer, and he expected Sharon to decline. However, she readily agreed and the girls linked arms, whispering conspiratorially as Rhonda led them to her car. Louis followed along behind them, frustrated he couldn't get Sharon alone for long.

~~~~

At the interval, Sharon and Rhonda went to get popcorn, and Sharon was quick to pry about Goose, pointing out that they seemed rather close.

"We're sort of seeing each other," Rhonda admitted. "Just casually."

"Casually?" Sharon raised her eyebrows.

"We've hung out a few times together as friends but I think it's a bit more than that."

"Like boyfriend-girlfriend?" Sharon asked sounding pleased.

"Maybe but I don't think we'll be giving you and Louis a run for your money."

Sharon flushed. "What do you mean?"

"He's all over you," Rhonda said with a laugh, and she was happy she didn't feel particularly envious.

"He is not all over me," Sharon said rolling her eyes, as Stephanie approached them.

"Hey," Steph said. "I'm sorry about earlier Sharon. I've got a lot going on and I guess I took it out on you."

"Yes, you did," Sharon said looking at her non-plussed. "So what's happening?"

Stephanie took a deep breath. "Can you guys keep a secret?" Sharon caught Rhonda's eye and they both nodded. "It's Johnny. I'm through with him, I'm done."

"But why?" Rhonda asked her eyes widening. "You're like couple goals."

Steph let out a rueful laugh. "Hardly. We don't work anymore, I've outgrown him. Working together has made it painfully obvious. I'm gonna have to finish with him but in the meantime keep it to yourselves." She gave them both a hard look.

"Of course Steph," Rhonda said quickly but Sharon merely nodded. "Look I'll take Sharon and Louis home so you can talk to Johnny."

"I don't have to do it tonight." Stephanie suddenly sounded less sure. "I want to pick the right time."

"You shouldn't drag it out though." Rhonda imagined word would soon get back to Johnny, Sharon was bound to blab to Louis. "That will only make it worse."

"She's right," Sharon added. "It's not fair on either of you if you've made up your mind that it's over."

Steph sighed and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply. "I guess, but he won't have seen it coming." She blew out a long stream of smoke. "As hard as it is to believe, I don't want to hurt him. Johnny's not as tough as he looks."

Rhonda gave her a sceptical look. "That sounds like an excuse."

"It's not! I'll finish with him before summer is over. I swear that come senior year I'll be young, free and single!"

~~~~