"Jeez, one of these days you chicks will be on time," Johnny said shaking his head at Stephanie as the girls made their way over to the bowling lanes.

She glowered at him, in no mood to listen to his tiresome complaints. "Knock it off already, will ya." He went to put his arm around her but she pulled away, sitting down to put her bowling shoes on.

"Now what's the problem?" he hissed sitting down next to her.

She looked at Goose and Davey, not even attempting to hide that they were eavesdropping. "Don't make a scene, okay. I was five minutes late." She yanked her shoelaces making sure they were tight enough, while Johnny looked at her aghast.

"There's no scene," he said giving Goose and Davey a hard look that sent them scattering.

"Good." She gave him a small smile before joining the girls.

"So we'll play in our usual teams then," Johnny said loudly, getting the groups attention. They nearly always played boys versus girls, and he and Stephanie were naturally team captains.

"Why don't we mix it up a bit," Louis suggested looking at the pink ladies. "We should let a couple of the girls have a chance of being on the winning team."

"Oh, you're that confident you'll win," Rhonda said a smile playing on her lips.

"We always do," Louis said grinning, and Rhonda pulled a faux outraged face.

Stephanie frowned, mulling it over. It's not the worst idea and it is kinda boring when we know the boys are gonna win.

"Well, I think it's a great idea," Paulette said jumping into the discussion a bit too enthusiastically. She turned to Johnny. "You and Steph should be team captains, and you should take turns to pick your teammates." She fluffed her hair and pushed her chest out, trying to keep his eyes on her.

"Okay then," Johnny said after a contemplative pause. "I'll still win though, even with a handicap."

Stephanie mock groaned. "Fine, in that case, I'm having the first pick." Insolently she chewed her gum before blowing a bubble, daring Johnny to object. When he didn't she picked Louis and Johnny gave her a look.

"What?" She asked cocking her head to one side. "You didn't think I'd take your best player?"

"You'll need my best player," he said with an edge to his voice. "Right, I'll have Paulette."

Paulette let out a squeal as she almost ran to his side, and Stephanie rolled her eyes. So the cat's got her cream...well Johnny, you're gonna have to try harder than that if you want to make me jealous. She considered her next choice carefully, she probably should pick Rhonda since she was Louis's girlfriend but she was also the worst player. To hell with being tactful, I'm gonna whip Nogerelli's ass.

"Sharon," she said, ignoring the daggers Rhonda shot at her.

"Okay, Goose," Johnny said, leaving Davey to join Stephanie's team and Rhonda his.

"Prepare for a beating Zinone," he said as he got up to bowl. He flexed his muscles and she pulled a face at Sharon, they all knew he was such a child when it came to winning. She watched as he got into position in front of his lane ready to throw the ball. When he did he only knocked three pins down.

"Well done Johnny!" Goose cheered and Paulette joined in, whilst Steph's team stifled their smiles.

"That was a practice shot," Johnny told Sharon as she started the scoring.

"What," she snapped, glaring at him. "Do we all get a practice shot?"

Johnny looked at Steph, "Are you gonna let her backchat me like that?" he snarled under his breath.

"Jeez, do you have to cheat?" she said not caring to lower her voice. "It's embarrassing."

"But Johnny was just getting into position," Paulette piped up in a sickly sweet voice. "Don't be so mean." Sharon started to giggle, and Davey and Louis were smirking at each other. Steph could see Johnny was getting angry, a vein in his temple throbbing dangerously.

"Mark it a practice shot," she said, giving Sharon an apologetic look. "We'll be here all night otherwise."

Sharon scowled but she crossed the score out and Johnny bowled again, this time knocking down eight pins. Looking smug he joined his team, Paulette watching him adoringly.

"Doesn't that bother you Steph?" Sharon asked giving Paulette a pointed look.

Stephanie shrugged but it did irritate her that Paulette was supposed to be her friend and she couldn't make her crush on Johnny more obvious.

"Let's thrash them and wipe the smile off all their faces," she said. She got up to bowl, giving Johnny her best screw you look. I'll show him.

~~~

Rhonda glared at Stephanie. I can't believe she didn't pick me. She'd told her she was barely getting a chance to spend time with Louis - he'd ditched her on Wednesday - and here was Steph making the situation worse. She watched Louis bowl, predictably he got a strike, putting his team in the lead. She hoped he would join her between shots but both teams were huddled together taking the game far too seriously. So much for having fun.

"Paulette you gotta knock at least six pins down," Johnny said as if she couldn't work that out for herself.

"I'll try my best," she cooed at him. "Maybe you should come and guide me so I don't mess up." Johnny got to his feet and joined her in front of the lane, standing closely behind her as she lined up the ball. Rhonda saw him glance in Stephanie's direction but she was looking at the scorecard. He put his hands on Paulette's hips as if helping her get into position and Rhonda turned away. It was so obvious what he was doing, however, Paulette did knock down seven pins.

"Game on," Johnny said punching the air but Steph continued to ignore him.

Sharon got up to bowl and Rhonda knew they were about to lose their lead again. As Sharon got into position she couldn't help notice Louis eyeing her up. Urgh, he's as bad as Johnny. I hope he watches me that closely when I bowl.

"Something on your mind Rhonda?" Paulette asked, sidling over to her.

"What? No."

"Oh it's just I've noticed the way you keep looking at Louis, that's all," Paulette said, her face the picture of innocence but Rhonda wasn't taken in. Paulette was the worst gossip.

"Well, he is my boyfriend so of course I'm gonna pay attention to him," she said as she watched Sharon sit down and take a cigarette out. Louis leaned over and lit it for her and for some reason she felt irrationally angry.

"Seems like he might be interested in someone else," Paulette remarked slyly.

"Cos he lit her cigarette," Rhonda said trying not to sound rattled. She took a deep breath and forced herself to look away. "You know, I'm surprised her mom even lets her smoke."

"I don't think she knows," Paulette said, letting her change the subject. "As far as her mom's concerned Sharon's a good girl." She let out a laugh. "Mrs Cooper is one deluded lady!"

"What are you implying?" Sharon pretty much was a good girl, she got good grades, kept out of trouble. In a way, she was an odd pick as a pink lady.

"Appearances can be deceptive Rhonda, maybe you should watch your back."

Rhonda glanced again at Sharon and Louis; Louis was looking over Sharon's shoulder at the scorecard or maybe down her top. She told herself to stop being so stupid, Paulette was just out to cause trouble. They all knew she was jealous of anyone who had a boyfriend since she couldn't get one of her own.

"Look if you've got something to say spit it out, otherwise, I'm gonna assume you're just trying to stir shit up cos you're bored," she said snapped, and Paulette jumped, her eyes widening.

"I don't know anything, but I've got these vibes. The other day..."

"What happened the other day?"

Paulette took a step back, shaking her head. "Nothing, nothing happened. I mean nothing more than is happening now."

"Nothing's happening now. If they weren't on the same team I doubt they'd have said two words to each other." But what happened the other day? She was desperate to ask but she wouldn't give Paulette the satisfaction. Dumb bimbo is probably jumping to conclusions. "I really don't think she's his type anyway," she said feigning nonchalance.

"She's got a pulse, she's his type," Paulette said laughing. "Oh, Rhonda your face. I'm joking!" She scowled in reply, and Johnny shouted over.

"Hey Ritter, you're up."

She got to her feet relieved to leave Paulette's company for a moment. However when she threw the ball she only hit four pins, and Johnny cursed while Steph cheered gleefully.

"Does anyone want to win this game?" Johnny growled looking at his teammates, but Rhonda knew his words were meant for her and she felt her face heat up.

"Cut it out Johnny," Goose said, giving Rhonda a sympathetic look.

Johnny turned on him. "What did you say?" He grabbed Goose's shirt, pushing him back. Goose held his hands up but he stood his ground, letting Johnny take his aggression out on him.

"Come on, it's only a game," he said when Johnny loosened his hold on him. "You don't wanna pick on a girl."

Johnny froze, seeing everyone was watching him with varying degrees of disgust on their faces. He removed his hands from Goose, lightly punching his shoulder, and laughing as if he'd been joking all along. Goose responded in kind and there was a ripple of nervous laughter.

"Thank you," Rhonda silently mouthed to Goose, grateful he'd come to her defence. She was pretty surprised he had, he was very much Johnny's right-hand man.

~~~

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