Davey

Louis is so smug cos he's in Sharon's good books after going to her sister's wedding and impressing her dad. I doubt he's won her dad over but he seems to think he's got Sharon right where he wants her.

'So has Sharon shown you her appreciation yet?' Goose asks grinning.

'It's just a matter of time,' Louis says, chewing his gum.

'Why do you even like her?' I ask feeling a bit like the kid in first grade whose best friend has gone and found another best friend.

'Yeah she's hard work,' Goose adds.

Louis smirks. 'I like that she's hard work.'

'Really?'

'Well not in that respect,' he says and they laugh but I fail to see what's so funny.

I clear my throat. 'So are we all going to the Bowlarama tonight?'

'I guess,' Goose says shrugging. 'Unless Johnny has a date with Paulette.'

'What's even going on there?'

'I dunno, Johnny says it's just a bit of fun but he's getting in deep,' Goose says. 'Rhonda was telling me that Paulette thinks she's his girlfriend now.' This time I do laugh, we all know how delusional Paulette is. Johnny's using her, and for one thing only.

****

Well it sucks at the Bowlarama, the guys have well and truly set me up! They've only gone and arranged a blind date for me with this girl Donna, she's in the same homeroom as Goose. I guess Rhonda sorted it out. So I'm sat with Donna trying to pretend my blood isn't boiling. Fortunately, the guys went over to the pinball machines so I don't have to put up with them listening in and poking fun at me.

'So you're friends with Goose and Rhonda?' I ask Donna trying to be friendly cos it's not her fault we've been set up. She is really cute, small and blonde, but I can tell we don't have any chemistry.

'Not exactly, the pink ladies aren't really friends with anyone are they?' She gives a small laugh. 'I mean apart from each other.'

'Nah they're kinda bitchy.'

'I don't think I'd call them bitchy, there're just distant,' Donna says.

I shake my head. 'I know them and they are bitchy.' Donna laughs so she's obviously at ease with me. This probably means she doesn't see me as a potential boyfriend since she's not trying to impress me.

The noise in the room suddenly goes up a notch and I see Dolores running towards me. 'Balmudo's out front and he's all alone,' she exclaims grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. 'Come on.'

I don't need telling twice so I run after Dolores figuring the guys are already outside. We've been waiting a long time to get Balmudo alone.

'Hey where is that rat face Balumdo,' I say as I push open the door. I stop dead in my tracks, the guys are nowhere to be seen! Balmudo is towering over me, surrounded by his thugs. I take a step backwards but the doors are already locked behind me. Dolores must have got back inside, I hope to god she's getting reinforcements.

'Are you looking for a rat face, mouse brain,' Balmudo hollers grabbing me by the collar. I close my eyes waiting for the inevitable punch when a motorcycle comes tearing towards us showing no sign of stopping. We jump in opposite directions out of the way and I bang on the door for help. Balmudo is screaming after the cyclist, and the guys open the doors to let me back in. Nice timing, I think as we all huddle behind the doors out of harm's way. Some t birds we are!

***

Sharon

'Hey did you see that,' I say to Louis as we head back inside. I can't believe that one guy was running rings around the cycle lords or whatever they're calling themselves. It must have been at least ten against one.

'Yeah I saw it,' Louis says acting like he's not that impressed.

'Hey come on Steph,' Paulette shouts. Stephanie's stood there like she's dazed or something.

'I'll catch up with you guys in a few minutes.' She waves us away. We look at each other and then walk back to her, it's about time we said something. I glance at Paulette and she nods.

'You know Steph there's been talk.' She chews her gum looking away from us.

'We haven't been talking but there has been talk, questioning your loyalty to the t birds,' Rhonda adds. She's lying actually, we have been totally talking!

'I don't think you should go steady with Johnny,' Paulette says hastily. 'I think it's better for both of you that it's over.' Better for her she means.

'But the code says we're t bird chicks,' I remind them, and Stephanie gives me a filthy look. 'Let's go Louis.' I run back to him and we wrap our arms around each other.

'What was that all about?' Louis asks.

'Just how Steph's been sorta off with you all lately. You saw her watching that guy on his bike, her mouth was practically hanging open.'

'Yeah and Johnny saw it as well,' he says as we go back inside.

'There's going to be trouble...' Steph's pushing Johnny too far. She knows the code.

'It ain't our problem,' Louis says steering me towards the back of the pinball machines.

'Louis, what are you doing?' But I know what he's doing. We start to make out but Johnny comes stomping over yelling.

'Where are the chicks?'

I roll my eyes at Louis before answering him. 'They're outside. I think Stephanie's hoping to catch another glimpse of that guy who saved Davey.' I'm totally stirring it, and Johnny takes a step towards me looking belligerent. Louis raises his hand, and Johnny backs away, straightening his jacket collar.

'Right, ok.' He storms off, knocking Davey into Goose on his way out.

'Watch it,' Davey mutters under his breath.

'He's just pissed off cos everyone saw him back down in front of Balmudo,' Goose says.

Rhonda nods. 'And cos that mystery guy took Balmudo and his gang on single-handed, and Johnny wimped out!'

Goose frowns at her. 'Keep that to yourself.'

'Yeah you don't wanna get on the wrong side of Johnny,' Davey adds.

'So where's your date?' Rhonda asks looking around, and Davey blushes.

'I dunno, I forgot all about her.'

'You should go find her,' I say. 'Or she'll think you ran out on her.'

Davey shrugs. 'We didn't really click, I'm sure she won't mind.'

Louis and Goose exchange looks, and Rhonda stares at Goose.

'Uh Davey,' he starts to say. 'It took a lot of persuading to get Donna to come here tonight, can't you make a bit of an effort.' Davey looks at the floor and I'm not sure if he's embarrassed or angry.

'I didn't ask you to do that,' he mumbles.

'Well, we did!' Rhonda says. 'So show a bit of gratitude.'

'Yeah,' Goose adds, and now it's getting awkward. Davey's scuffing the floor with his shoe not looking at anyone so I come to his defence.

'Davey, you should go and find Donna, and you two shouldn't have set him up in the first place. It's not fair to anyone.' Rhonda scowls at me.

'Go find Donna,' Louis says, and Davey scurries away.

'What's his problem?' Goose asks sounding annoyed. 'He's gotta be the only t bird ever not to get a girl.'

'He's weird,' Rhonda says giggling.

'Well personally I think-' I don't get the words out. Johnny's heading for us, dragging Paulette behind him, and he looks furious.

'You chicks had better find yourselves a new pink lady leader! Stephanie is out!'

****

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