Grease 2

Chapter 24

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Louis

I've barely seen Sharon all day, we've all been roped into helping Johnny out with his king of the luau duties. Eventually, I catch up with her, and I pull her into my arms as we sit down.

'I guess we won't see each other any more?' she announces waving her cigarette holder in the air.

I breathe in sharply. 'What do you mean?'

'Well after graduation, we'll all go our separate ways and we won't see each other.'

I look at her closely trying to work out if she's for real. 'Is that what you want?'

She shakes her head. 'No of course not, but I'm being realistic Louis, I don't want to have any false expectations.' She looks up at me, and I figure this is some sort of test, and I'd better say the right thing.

'Sharon I love you, I want to be with you.' Okay, that's not cool, but I don't wanna lose her.

'You do?' She sounds pleased so I guess that's one point to me.

'Yeah so stop being so stupid.' I lean over to kiss her but she moves back frowning at me.

'Do you like me, Louis?'

I try not to groan, the test's not over yet. 'I more than like you.'

'No I mean do you like me as a person?' Her frown deepens. 'Say we weren't together, would you still like me?'

'Of course, I would.' She can be a bit of a pain though.

'Well, a lot of people think I'm a pain.'

I have to stop myself from laughing. 'Where are you going with this?'

'Oh I don't know,' she says sighing. 'I just think that now we've graduated I'll lose all my friends.'

'You won't lose me,' I say putting my arm around her. I'm not so sure about her friends though, they are kinda flakey.

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Sharon

We're trying to get Steph dressed as queen of the luau but she won't stop whining. Frankly, I'm getting sick of it. If that biker guy liked her so much how come he's not got in touch with her again? The whole thing's nothing more than a dumb crush.

'Come on Steph,' Rhonda says pleading with her. 'You've gotta play your part.'

'Yeah there's plenty of girls who'd kill to be in your shoes,' Paulette adds resentfully. She'd love to be up there with Johnny.

'Well take my place,' Steph snaps.

'It's too late to make changes,' I point out before Paulette jumps in. 'Just get on that throne and smile.'

We push Steph forward to join Johnny and she gives him the foulest look. Louis is standing behind Johnny and my heart leaps, or maybe my stomach sinks. I don't know. I want to be with him but I'm scared stiff something will go wrong, and our whole relationship will be messed up. I wish I could stop over thinking it and just go with my feelings.

Steph and Johnny climb onto a makeshift float in the pool as Mrs McGee declares them king and queen of the luau. The twins look green but it's really kinda lame. They're sat like kids in a paddling pool while everyone around them is being encouraged to cheer. Johnny's smoking his cigarette and waving to us but it's obvious he's embarrassed.

The sudden roar of motorcycle engines disturbs my thoughts and it takes me a moment to realise that Balmudo and his gang have crashed the party. Paulette grabs my arm pulling me out of their path, and I see the t birds have jumped in the opposite direction. We try to take cover as the cycle lords run amok trashing the luau.

'Hey Balmudo,' a voice calls and I spin around. It's only Steph's guy, the mystery biker! Talk about making an entrance. The cycle lords all come skidding to a stop, and Balmudo hollers at them to get the biker. They make chase but they're no match for him, and after Balmudo falls off his bike the rest of his gang make a quick getaway.

The biker watches them retreat as a crowd begins to form around him. He won't be getting away this time but he doesn't look like he wants to. Steph walks towards him looking kinda shell-shocked and he slowly removes his goggles.

'Michael!' she exclaims.

Now that is a surprise! 

I look at the wide-eyed open-mouthed faces around me as we are all momentarily speechless.

'I thought you were dead?' Steph says her voice accusatory but before she can say any more Johnny has pushed his way forward, knocking her out of the way.

'You!' he snarls as his hands reach out to grab the collar of Michael's jacket.

'Yeah, Johnny.' Michael sounds almost cocky even as Johnny tries to shove him. I can see Goose and Louis exchanging embarrassed glances, Johnny is no match for Michael, he's far too small. 

'Haven't we had enough of this?' Steph pleads, grabbing hold of Johnny's arm.

'She's got a point,' Davey says.

'Yeah, Davey's right, she's got a point,' Goose adds.

Johnny looks furious. 'Shut up, I've gotta point to make too,' he rages and we all jump back. Louis puts his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him and for a moment I'm not thinking of anyone but us. I almost miss Johnny suddenly shaking Michael's hand and inviting him to be a t bird. Everyone's ahhing, and Steph and Michael gaze at each other all lovey-dovey. Crisis averted.

I let Louis lead me away, stepping through the carnage of what's left of the luau. In the distance, I can see Mrs McGee and Coach Calhoun with their heads in their hands

'Well I wasn't expecting that,' Louis says glancing back at Michael. 'At least he ain't dead.'

'Yeah, I guess it's all worked out for the best.' I keep my arms wrapped around Louis suddenly wishing we were alone. 'Everyone's all coupled up.'

'I want to be with you Sharon,' he whispers in my ear.

I swear my knees go weak. 'There's nothing wrong with just liking each other,' I murmur.

He looks at me intently. 'But I more than like you.'

'I know.' I rest my head against him, wishing I wasn't so undecided.

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