The day after the party, Stephanie was still at Sharon's house. Partly because she wanted to make sure she was okay before she left, but mostly because she knew there was no chance of Johnny looking for her there. He knew what a gossip Sharon was so he wouldn't turn up and risk making a scene. However, once she was at home and away from prying eyes it would be a different story. If only my dad could see what an asshole he is, he wouldn't let him get within a mile of me.

"Wow you look rough," she said as Sharon entered the kitchen, her face ashen. "I'll make you a coffee."

"Thanks," Sharon said sitting down and rubbing her head. "I still can't believe Goose spiked my drinks. What have I ever done to him?"

"You know what an idiot he is," Stephanie said, not quite believing that he didn't know the punch was already alcoholic. "I guess it was a joke that went badly wrong."

Sharon pulled a face, looking aggrieved. "Why pick on me though? I agreed to throw a party, against my better judgement, and this is how I'm repaid."

"I think he was trying to impress Rhonda."

"I see," Sharon said quietly seething. "So she was probably in on it as well."

"Possibly," Steph said, although she was shocked Rhonda could be so vengeful. "But I don't think she realised it would get so out of hand."

"Out of hand? Oh, it's going to get so much more out of hand. I swear I'll give her the nose job she's always wanted but she won't like the result!"

Stephanie burst out laughing. "I can't say I blame you but I think you need to take a step back. No one is going to come out of this smelling of roses, and Rhonda and Goose know they're in the wrong which gives you the upper hand. "

"I guess," Sharon said mulling it over. "But I feel so humiliated."

"They messed up, big time. Believe me, I left them in no doubt about that."

Sharon looked at her uncertainly, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Stephanie felt her stomach knot, please God, don't let it be Johnny. She took a couple of calming breaths while Sharon answered the door.

"Oh hi Louis," she heard Sharon say sounding brighter than she had a moment ago. "I wasn't expecting to see you. Come in." She strained to hear their muffled conversation before they joined her in the kitchen.

"How's the head?" Louis asked Sharon giving her a quick hug.

She grimaced at him. "I feel like I've gone through a meat grinder."

Louis laughed and then turned to Steph his face hardening. "So you and Johnny tidied all the mess up last night?" 

"I did most of it," she said shrugging. "You know what Johnny's like."

"And was he in on spiking Sharon's drinks?"

His aggressive tone instantly pissed her off. "Not as far as I know, he was with me all night. But if you have a problem sort it out with him!"

"Leave it, Louis," Sharon said touching his arm. "I don't want you getting into a fight because of this."

Louis shook his head. "No, you're my girlfriend and I'm not gonna let them get away with doing that to you."

Sharon simpered but Stephanie rolled her eyes, it was always about the T Birds's egos.

"Look Dimucci I handled it," she said exasperated. "But if you wanna have it out with Johnny then go ahead, I don't care."

Louis and Sharon exchanged looks, silently communicating with each other.

"Has something happened?" Sharon asked tentatively.

Stephanie took a deep breath. "We broke up last night." She tried to keep her voice steady, not wanting to let on how upset she was. "It's no big deal, it's been over for a while."

"I'm sorry," Sharon said looking at Louis, who shrugged.

"It's just one of those things," Steph said standing up. "I'd better get going, I've got things to do." She left the kitchen and went to get her stuff together before Sharon could question her any more. 

                                                                                         ~~~

"Can you believe it about Steph and Johnny?" Sharon exclaimed, her hangover temporarily forgotten.

"Yes, I can," Louis said, his eyes focused on the TV. "You've mentioned it at least ten times already."

"I have not."

"Okay, five times."

"I wonder what happened though?" she said mulling it over. "Steph's been saying she was going to dump Johnny for ages but I didn't think she'd actually go through with it. Something must have happened." Louis pulled a face, and she sighed. He was kinda boring when it came to gossip. She suddenly smiled and got up to grab the phone.

"What are doing?" Louis asked frowning at her.

"I'm just going to call Paulette."

"You know Sharon, I came round here to spend some time with you but if your gonna be on the phone with your friends then I might as well go home."

She paused, she was being rude, and it was only last night she thought he might dump her. "Please don't go. I promise I'll be quick, and then you'll have my undivided attention."

He shook his head slightly before smirking at her. "Okay, but I'm gonna hold you to that."

Sharon smiled and began to dial Paulette's number, eager to break the news.

                                                                                  ~~~

Steph tried to relax at home; although she was relieved she'd finished with Johnny, she was on edge suspecting he wouldn't go quietly. The telephone had rung several times and she hadn't answered it, convinced it would probably be him. However, when it rang for the third time in ten minutes her irritation got the better of her and she picked up.

"Yeah," she snarled and there was a sharp intake of breath.

"Steph? It's me, Paulette."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, what's up?"

"I was just wondering how you were doing?"

 She inwardly groaned. "I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"

"It's just that I heard you and Johnny had a fight," Paulette said slowly. "That you'd split up?"

"So what?"

Paulette giggled nervously. "Well, I wanted to check you were alright, that's all. And like, well is it serious? Is it over with you guys?"

Stephanie did not miss the optimism in Paulette's voice, she sounded almost gleeful.

"Yes, it's over," she said curtly. "It has been for a while." There was a long pause before Paulette spoke again.

"The thing is Steph, I've always kinda liked Johnny but I guess you know that?" Stephanie made a non-committal noise. "And I was wondering, hypothetically, how you'd feel if I went out with him? If he were to ask me, not that he would."

"We're both free agents," Steph said although she was a little shocked that Paulette was so eager to take her place. "Johnny can see who he likes."

Paulette cleared her throat. "Okay, I just wanted to check. Not that I think anything will happen but I wouldn't want to risk us falling out the way Sharon and Rhonda nearly did. But if Johnny did ask me out, well you're my friend first...' She trailed off and Stephanie gritted her teeth.

"If Johnny asks you out then you can do what you want. It's none of my business." She quickly ended the call before Paulette realised how offended she was.

Talk about jumping into my grave!

                                                                       ~~~

"Why don't you go help your dad out?" Steph's mom suggested later that afternoon

"Okay," she said, grabbing a set of car keys. "I'm gonna get something to eat at the diner on my way there." She left before her mother could protest that there was lunch in the oven. Sorry, Mom, I need a burger with ketchup, vegetable soup doesn't cut it.

As soon as she walked into the diner she spotted Rhonda and Goose, a plate of fries between them. If she wasn't so hungry she'd have turned around and walked back out.

"Hey," Rhonda yelled a little too enthusiastically and she reluctantly made her way to their table. "So how did it go last night?"

For a moment Steph thought she was referring to Johnny but then realised she couldn't be.

"Sharon's fine, no thanks to you two."

"We didn't mean to make her ill," Goose said while Rhonda flushed. "It ain't our fault she's a lightweight."

Stephanie cocked her head to one side. "Well, why don't you discuss it with Dimucci, I hear he's looking for you."

Goose gave Rhonda a worried look. "It was just a joke."

"It's not my problem," Steph said knowing Goose wasn't half as tough as his appearance might suggest. "You'll have to sort it out with Dimucci yourself."

"But Goose didn't mean any harm," Rhonda said quickly. "Can't you get Johnny to tell Louis it was just a dumb prank that went wrong? We never meant for Sharon to get so sick."

She shook her head, enjoying their discomfort. "I can't intervene since I'm not talking to Johnny."

Rhonda's eyes widened. "Have you guys fallen out?"

"Something like that," Steph said but she refused to elaborate any further.

Rhonda exchanged a puzzled glance with Goose, and he patted Steph's arm. "Don't worry, Johnny will take you back," he said awkwardly.

Stephanie shot him a filthy look. "Do I look like I want him back?"

Goose shrugged. "I dunno, maybe in a week or two when he's calmed down."

"Shut up Goose!" Rhonda said kicking him under the table.

"I'm just saying he won't stay mad at Steph for long. He'll just be teaching her a lesson."

"I think you've got it all backwards," Rhonda said giving Stephanie an apologetic look.

"It's fine," Steph finally said biting her tongue. "It's good to know that Johnny will forgive me."

"See," Goose said sounding smug. 

Rhonda groaned and Steph would have laughed if there wasn't an element of truth in Goose's words. Johnny would forgive her and he'd be coming back for more...

                                                                              ~~~~

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