Davey
Dolores announced to everyone that we were an item during Stephanie and Michael's reunion, or whatever you wanna call it. I guess it was the ideal time since everyone's so relieved that the mystery biker is alive and so impressed that he's Michael. No way can my news that I've got a girlfriend compare. Even Paulette didn't seem interested, and I thought she might be reading me the riot act as I'm far too old for Dolores.
'That went well, thanks,' I tell Dolores and she smirks at me.
'If you're gonna be my guy you'd better start acting a bit tougher. All this gratitude, it's weak, it's not attractive so toughen up.'
'You want me to treat you bad,' I tease her. She folds her arms across her chest and pops her tongue in her cheek.
'Nah, but be a bit defiant, like Dimucci is when Sharon tells him what to do. We all know he's gonna do it but he gives her a bit of grief first.' I laugh, she's more clued up than I realised so this might just work.
'Do you think we should try out our new relationship status on someone?' I ask her. I wanna see if the guys buy it.
'Ok,' she says looking around. Paulette's fawning all over Johnny so I don't think they'll appreciate the interruption, I guess I should try Dimucci since he's probably my best friend. If he's fooled then I can assume everyone will be. I grab Dolores's hand and we make our way over to him and Sharon.
'Hey,' I say, and Sharon turns around smiling at us, or maybe trying not to laugh.
'So you and Dolores?' Dimucci asks with a raised eyebrow and Sharon giggles.
'Yeah, what about it?' Dolores snarls, and he shrugs.
'Don't you think she's a bit young for you?' Sharon asks me, and I'm ready for her.
'Yeah I know how it looks Sharon, the age gap is an issue so we'll take it slowly. I totally respect Dolores you know.' Sharon exchanges a look with Dimucci who shrugs again.
'Hey don't you worry about me,' Dolores says coming to my defence. 'I reckon I'm safer with Davey than you are with him.' She gives Louis a filthy look and Sharon's instantly offended.
'You don't know what you are talking about,' she says in that superior voice of hers. 'When you're in an adult relationship you'll have a different perspective.' I don't know what the hell she means, and looking at Dimucci I'd say he doesn't either.
'Our relationship is adult enough,' Dolores snaps. 'And it's way more respectful than yours.' Sharon scowls at her and even Louis looks annoyed.
'Leave us alone, we were having a private conversation anyway,' Sharon says turning back towards Louis. He gives me an apologetic look but his attention is on Sharon who now has her arms around him.
'Why'd you start an argument?' I ask Dolores as we walk away.
'Cos they weren't buying that we're together. Once I got Sharon on the defensive she wasn't thinking about whether we were the real deal or not.'
'Oh right.' I guess Dolores knew what she was doing. I hope we don't have to pull that routine with everyone though or I'll wind up with no friends. And if that happens then doing this will have all been for nothing.
****
Louis
'I kinda suspected Michael was the mysterious guy all along,' Sharon says as we make our way back over to the rest of the gang.
'Seriously Sharon?' I don't believe her for a moment. She pulls a face at me for doubting her.
'Well didn't you notice he kinda had an accent. I couldn't quite place it but it all adds up, like how he knew where Steph would be hanging out and everything.' I raise my eyebrows, she's so wise after the event.
'So you saw the so-called mystery biker and guessed he was Michael?' Sharon nods her head. 'Oh come on, you did not! He looks different, he even walks different, and no way would you have thought Shakespeare could ride a bike.'
'Actually, I would have. I mean he's practically related to Danny Zuko!' My jaw drops, I have no idea what she is on about, and she gives me a smug look.
'Ok, how is he related to Danny Zuko?' This I'd like to hear. She smiles to herself before taking a deep breath as if she's about to impart some important information.
'Michael lives with his aunt and uncle, and their daughter is engaged to Danny so that makes them almost like cousins-in-law. I daresay Danny gave him a few tips.'
'But if he knows Zuko why didn't he tell anyone?' Jeez, all this time us t birds have been beating up on him....if he'd opened his mouth Johnny would have backed the hell off. No way would he want a run in with Danny. He worships him.
'Well he told me,' Sharon says and she's proper gloating now. 'But then I did use to talk to him during rehearsals, not like the rest of you.' That's not strictly true, I talked to Michael but I can't tell her about our transactions.
'Ok you win, you're right as usual.'
She links her arm through mine smiling. 'And I'll tell you something else, I don't for one moment believe Davey and Dolores are a couple.'
'Nah, I agree with you there. I don't know what Davey's playing at but it doesn't ring true somehow.'
Sharon giggles. 'And there we were thinking Davey liked guys.'
'Sharon! You can't say that.'
'I'm only saying it to you,' she whispers.
'Well stop it.' She needs to shut up before the guys overhear. If Johnny gets wind of what we were thinking he'll make Davey's life a misery.
'What's so funny?' Paulette asks as we join them, and Sharon splutters, for once lost for words as everyone looks at her. I give her a warning look.
'Oh I'm just happy,' she says. 'We've finally graduated, and everyone's happy together.' She looks at Stephanie and Michael who are in each other's arms, and Steph readily agrees.
'I can't believe how things have worked out! I get two for the price of one.'
Everyone laughs, but I can tell Johnny's laugh is a bit forced. Paulette's hanging off him like a limpet, and he keeps shooting curious glances at Michael as if he still can't quite believe how things have worked out.
'Everyone's ended up with the person they should be with,' Paulette loudly declares and Johnny's smile definitely slips for a moment. I glance down at Sharon but she hasn't picked up on it.
'So how come I get Goose,' Rhonda says laughing.
Goose acts mock offended. 'Hey I'm a sought after guy, you won't get better than me.' Rhonda rolls her eyes and Paulette speaks up.
'But isn't it funny, we've all wound up together after all.'
'And now the code doesn't even apply,' Sharon adds. 'We're not t birds chicks anymore.' I hope she's joking.
'I never was a t bird chick,' Steph says sounding smug. Johnny doesn't react though, I think he knows there's no getting back with her.
'But you were a pink lady,' Sharon reminds her forgetting that Johnny threw her our the gang not so long ago.
'Yeah,' Paulette adds. 'Remember till death do us part, think pink!' They all join in and I try not to groan. Sharon suddenly smiles at me.
'So you're not a t bird chick?' I ask only half serious. She wraps her arm around my waist and looks up smiling.
'I think you know the answer to that.' I lean over and kiss her. I guess I do, somehow things seem to be working out despite everything.
****
The End
Thank you for reading, I do appreciate everyone's votes and comments. This story picks up in Cool Rider which shows how the gang's lives change post graduation.