Paulette was sat with Sharon in the bleachers around the playing field. They had a study period and were waiting for her Rhonda to finish class and give them a ride home since neither of them had their licence. Paulette lit a cigarette as she looked out over the field, the sun blazing down on them.

"Wow it's hot," Sharon said taking off her cardigan.

Paulette nodded. "More a case of who's hot," she replied watching the guys doing laps around the track. Instantly, she picked out Johnny Nogerelli. He was shorter than most guys but she didn't care, he was pretty damned near perfect! There was just something about him...

"Do you ever think of anything else?" Sharon asked arching her eyebrows, her mouth twitching. "I swear you're boy crazy."

"That's not true, I haven't been on a date in ages," she protested with a mock pout, and it wasn't for lack of offers. However, Johnny was the only guy she was interested in but he was completely out of bounds since he was dating her best friend.

How typical, all my life I've been in Steph's shadow. She's always one step ahead of me. I liked Johnny first and the minute he began to pay me a bit of attention she fluttered her eyelashes and turned his head!

"Anyway what about you," she said trying to put Sharon on the spot. "It's been a while since you split up with Steve, aren't you interested in anyone else?"

Sharon waved her hand dismissively. "There's not much point now is there? If we're going to be pink ladies, we'll have to stick to the code."

Paulette rolled her eyes in disbelieve. Whoever had come up with the rule that pink ladies could only date T birds needed their head examined. "Steph wouldn't make us stick to the code, I mean we'd only be able to date Davey or Goose." She shuddered at the thought.

"It's a shame there's not a better class of T birds to chose from," Sharon grumbled. "I mean how did Davey Jaworski make the grade? He doesn't even have a bike!"

"Aww and he thinks so highly of you."

"I'm serious," Sharon huffed getting into her stride. "I bet he only got in cos he makes Johnny look taller, and Goose probably got in cos he makes Johnny look smart."

"Don't be mean," she said but she lowered her voice conspiratorily. "I guess Davey's the equivalent of our Rhonda."

"Paulette!" Sharon gave her a faux outraged look. "Now that is mean."

"It's true," she hissed. "She brings our brand down." She had to admit that Stephanie was a natural pink lady leader, she was effortlessly beautiful and cool. Sharon had an air of superiority that over half the school bought into, and she fitted in nicely between the two of them. She was attractive and accessible. Rhonda, however, had a rather unfortunate nose, glasses, and was a borderline nerd.

"You shouldn't say that about Rhonda," Sharon said admonishing her. "We're supposed to be friends."

"Oh, face it, Sharon. If she wasn't dating Louis she'd never have got in."

Sharon gave a slight nod of her head. "Well, she is in, and she has her T bird boyfriend along with Stephanie so they're probably happy with the code." She let out a sigh. "We'll have to suck it up."

"I'll have another word with Steph," Paulette said as she watched Johnny rather lazily complete another lap, Goose at his heels. She swore he smiled at her as he jogged past.

"Don't even go there," Sharon warned seeing the look on her face. "Stephanie and Johnny are solid. Nothing, or rather no one, is going to come between them."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," she said remembering their bickering in class. "I've been picking up on quite a bit of tension between them lately."

"You're delusional," Sharon said slowly. "But if you're not, then stop making eyes at him or you'll get caught in the crossfire."

"No harm in looking," she said playfully, and Sharon gave her a disapproving look before turning her attention back to the field. She studiously ignored the football team, and much to Paulette's surprise she caught Louis's eye as he jogged by. He waved in reply before jogging over to them, ignoring Coach Calhoun's protestations.

"Hey, are you guys skipping class?" he asked, his eyes on Sharon.

"We have a study period," she replied, holding her magazine aloft.

"Yeah, it looks like it," he said raising his eyebrows. "How have you been getting on with that math work?"

"I've been trying. Trying being the operative word."

"Right," he said his eyes lingering on her face. "Maybe you need a bit of extra help."

"Yeah, I probably do."

Paulette could have sworn Sharon blushed. What the hell! Is Dimucci tutoring her in math? No way. She's not that bad, it's not like she's gonna fail, and he's a dumbass. The only thing he could teach her is how to chew gum!

"Just let me know when you're free," Louis said snapping Paulette out of her thoughts. Sharon bit her bottom lip, looking warily at her.

"So are you guys bowling tonight?" she asked losing interest in their exchange. Let Rhonda worry about it. Bowling was her main opportunity to spend time out of school with Johnny and she had to make the most of it.

"Yeah, I think so," Louis said.

"Cool, I can't wait."

"It's only bowling Paulette," Sharon said, giving her a look.

"But we are so going to win," she squealed. Calm down girl, play it cool.

"Nah, Johnny won't have that," Louis said, chewing a piece of gum.

"Only cos he cheats," Sharon teased. "You forget, I keep score!"

Louis laughed. "See you can do the math when you want to."

"It's not the same. The most challenging part is adding a few points to Johnny's tally so he doesn't sulk."

They both laughed, and Paulette had to admit he was a sore loser and they had a better night if he won. "I wouldn't say he sulks exactly," she said unable to resist coming to his defence. "He just gets passionate about the game."

"Yeah, right," Louis said trying not to laugh, in a rare moment of disloyalty. "I guess I'll catch you guys later then." He looked expectantly at Sharon.

"Yeah later," she said, as he winked at her before leaving them.

Paulette grabbed her arm open-mouthed. "What was that about?" she demanded as soon as Louis was out of earshot.

"What?" Sharon asked innocently.

"He was flirting with you and you were flirting back!"

"Don't be stupid, he's with Rhonda."

Paulette frowned, she knew what she'd seen and what she'd heard. "I know he's with Rhonda but he was definitely flirting with you. I think he's interested."

"We're just friends, that's all," Sharon said breezily.

"I dunno, he wasn't looking at you like you were just a friend."

Sharon rolled her eyes and refused to continue the conversation. Paulette would have probed further but Johnny passed by again, and she was soon swooning over him instead. It was just a matter of time before he succumbed to her charms.

~~~

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