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Look Alive, Sunshine

three

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The next morning brought a wave of discomfort as soon as Natasha woke up, it was taking every bit of her willpower just to open her eyes and she wasn't sure how she was going to make it through the shower and get herself dressed for class. It had been past midnight by the time she got back last night, she fell right asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow but for some odd reasons even with six hours of sleep she was still exhausted. Natasha groaned as she flipped around under the blanket and she hit something soft face first, she opened her eyes and briefly smiled when she found Mr. Snuggles watching over her. She began to wonder what he was up to and if he was heading to class this morning. The first period was art… which she had good reason to believe that Johnny wasn't coming in, and it was beginning to grow tempting for her to sit it out this one time today. After all it wasn't as if art was an important part of the curriculum and to be perfectly frank she was terrible at it, she could just use this precious time to do something else… such as sleeping in.

That was until she heard Mrs. Peabody coming down the hall making her morning rounds, banging on the doors and checking that all the girls were up and on their way. Natasha hurriedly climbed out of bed and headed out the door into the showers after grabbing a change of clothes and her toiletries. She just managed to evade Mrs. Peabody and missed her wrath but as she entered the washroom she ran into Mandy who had been on her way out. Mandy did not so much as spare her a glance and shoved past Natasha making her drop her bag, the redhead closed her eyes and took a deep breath in attempt to calm herself down and after a few seconds she reopened her eyes and swiped her bag off the floor.

Natasha tried not to take too long in the shower but the hot water was lulling her and she got out of the shower feeling refreshed but in the opposite manner a morning shower should make you feel, she just felt ready to fall straight back into bed but there was not a chance with Mrs. Peabody watching her from across the hall beadily. So Natasha put her things away, grabbed her back and headed out.

The thought of art class was troubling her again and this time she knew for sure that she would just rather find someplace quiet to pass the period… somewhere such as under the bleachers where she could nap. Sleep definitely had more priority in her books right now so she made a turn and headed towards the football pitch instead, if she were able to sneak past the gym undetected then she should not have any more trouble since the prefects on patrol don't usually go as far out to the pitch. Luckily for her she managed to slip past Seth Kobe while he was chasing after a tardy student in the other direction. It was still early so the pitch was relatively empty apart from the gym class out running laps for Mr. Burton, though the teacher himself was nowhere in sight; no doubt off reading an inappropriate magazine in his office. Ben and Matt had warned her to steer clear away from their football coach back when they first made the team and Natasha has since always heeded her brothers' words.

Natasha walked down the familiar steps leading down to the pitch. It was a strange yet nostalgic feeling thinking that it was only two months ago that she walked down these very same steps in her bright cheerleading outfit and with Ted's fingers entwined with hers. It was odd how drastically things could change within a mere few weeks.

Stepping completely around the bleachers she found a spot to duck under and she crawled in, leaning her back on the frame she settled herself down and it did not take long for her to fall asleep.

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"Mr. Vincent, this is certainly a pleasant surprise."

Johnny hardly gave Ms. Philips a proper response as he stepped around her and found himself a seat near the back of the room, as he moved in he got a good look around class and he frowned when he came to realise that Natasha was not present. Ms. Philips proceeded to instruct the class of their assignment and they were sent to do their work. Johnny did not even bother and he just sat back just waiting for time to pass, after all he had only shown up hoping to see Natasha, there goes that idea but now that she was not here he really had no reason to stay other than he did not want to get in trouble for running out of class.

Last night like every other evening Johnny found himself unable to sleep. For the whole night he had someone on his mind but instead of the brunette he thought about so often for many nights before, last night he had a certain redhead in mind. A certain redhead that should be in class with him right now.

Even if she weren't here perhaps it was a good thing he showed up anyway. Johnny sighed as he reluctantly picked up a paintbrush. Maybe this could be the start of his grades improving.

'Yeah right, by showing up to art,' Johnny tossed the paintbrush back aside with a roll of his eyes at the thought.

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The lunch bell woke Natasha up and the first thing she noticed was the field was noticeably louder than before which meant that the football team were out doing their extra drills in preparation for homecoming. Natasha picked up her bag and emerged from her hiding spot, she glanced over the pitch and sure enough she saw Ben down running lengths for warmup. She tried to draw as little attention to herself as she made her way across the field and up a couple of stairs where she found a quiet corner to sit herself down.

Since Natasha quit the squad she has been dividing her time between the dorm and the bleachers since she has always liked watching the boys practice but nowadays those moments tend to be short-lived with Mandy making it clear that she was no longer welcome even just to watch or read in a corner. Though back then there would be another person running down there and every now and then Ted would look up and smile at her.

Natasha shook the thought out of her head. If she started to think like that then she was just going to upset herself again. What she had back then… was all in the past now and there was no point in dwelling in it.

"Thought I might catch you here."

Johnny's voice called from behind and she glanced over her shoulder and smiled when she saw him heading down towards her. She greeted him as he sat beside her.

"So the only time I come to class you decide to ditch, huh?"

"You actually went to art?" she scoffed. "I mean, I am proud of you and everything but art? Really?"

"Yeah well I reckoned I'd catch you there but you were too busy…?"

"Sleeping actually," she ran a hand through her red locks. "I woke up exhausted and I just knew I wasn't going to make it to class."

"… Then you up for skipping maths?"

"And… do what?" she glanced to him, peering at him under her long lashes. He did not reply for a few moments and Natasha nudged him. "Well?"

"We could hang at the tenements."

"… Isn't that where your friends hang out?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Do you know how intimidating those guys are?" she groaned lightly. "I once walked into Ricky and almost fell back on my butt, all I could do was mumble a sorry before running away."

"What, really?" he retorted. "That guy?"

"Yeah, I get the feeling he doesn't like me very much."

"Uh, well that could be the case but then again he's pretty mopey these days," Johnny shrugged as he got up. "So you coming or not, doll?"

"… You know what, yeah sure," she grabbed her things and hopped up. "Lunch first though."

"Don't tell me you fancy Edna's food."

"No, let's grab something on the way. Your pick."

"Now we're talking."

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"Hey Evans."

While the coach was not looking Ben loosened his pace to allow Casey to catch up to him, he glanced to the blond who lifted his chin in the direction of the bleachers. "See that? Isn't that your sister with Johnny Vincent? They going out now?"

Ben snapped his attention up and just as Casey had said Natasha and Johnny were chatting while making their way up to the bleachers. Of course he has heard the absurd rumours going around, the terrible ones about Happy Volts which he already knew were a load of crap but he has also heard the Johnny Vincent ones… and those he wasn't so sure about. His thoughts briefly flashed to yesterday afternoon where he saw them walk out of school together and although they did not spend time after that… it was the way she looked at him… and he at her.

This was getting all too strange. After the accident, Natasha had quit the squad and detached herself from everyone close to her, her best friend, her boyfriend and even him. So why was she starting to warm up to Johnny Vincent of all people? What could possibly be going on between them?

"Oi, Ben, you listening?"

"Natasha can do what she likes," Ben replied although he was not sure if he meant what he was saying. "Even if she's with a greaser it's none of my business."

"Oh, well if she is that's kinda shit," Casey sighed. "I always thought she was hot."

Ben shot him a stern glare and Casey shut his mouth immediately. Ben may have managed to play it cool this time but he seriously needed to speak to his sister to gain a peace of mind, he needed to address the rumours, Johnny and of course about their brother.

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"… So this is where you boys hang out?"

"That's right."

They had just had a brief lunch at a nearby diner and she had been excited to see the infamous tenements the greasers have claimed for themselves but she was frankly underwhelmed. Natasha eyed the worn out building warily as Johnny opened the door for her, she gave Johnny a look before taking an uncertain step in. The floorboards creaked as she cautiously followed Johnny inside and ahead she could see holes in the wooden floor.

"Is it actually safe to be here?"

"Well… probably not," he admitted with a quiet chuckle. "But that's part of what makes it so great."

"I can never understand that guy logic," she sighed. "I mean I grew up with two older brothers and I should have gotten used to their obsession with danger, rebelling and all that excitement but I just don't get it."

"Well, stick around doll and I'll show you plenty of excitement," he smirked at her causing her cheeks to grow hot and she hoped he would not notice. "Now come on up, it's not much longer."

It was obvious that the dynamic between the pair have changed significantly since the incident at the beach and their unplanned not-so-date at the carnival. The change is so subtle that an outsider would not notice the distinction but she certainly did, the teasing and flirting was different from what it used to feel like; back when he was Johnny the greaser leader and her the head cheerleader their little interactions had little meaning and their words carried no weight but this was now not the case.

Johnny stopped abruptly and Natasha walked straight into him.

"Wha-," she groaned as she rubbed her nose.

"Quiet," he whispered.

"I already told you… he's at school."

"Johnny? At school? Please, I dated him? Johnny does not go to school. If you were going to lie you could have come up with a better one."

"No, I'm serious Lola. Now you gotta leave."

"Hear that? That's him coming up the stairs! And you told me he wasn't in."

"Well now that he's back he wouldn't wanna see you anyway."

"Don't be ridiculous, Pucino. My Johnny loves me, he's always happy to see me!"

Johnny pushed Natasha behind his much larger frame as someone approached the staircase and that someone was none other than Lola Lombardi. Natasha felt herself heat up at her close proximity to Johnny… but also at Lola's crude self-proclaimed remarks.

"Oh, Johnny," she cooed as she tapped him on the chest. "I've missed you so much. There's no other-."

"Get outta here, Lola," Johnny hissed, swatting her hand away. "Ricky's goddamn right, I don't wanna see you."

"Oh? What's the matter?" Lola smirked. "Haven't you missed me too, Johnny baby?"

"I won't ask you again," Johnny eyed her coldly. "Go now."

Realising that she was not having her way and Johnny was not budging, Lola decided to have a graceful retreat instead and scoffed a 'your loss' before leaving. As she walked by Johnny turned around so to keep Natasha still hidden behind him. Eventually the sound of Lola's heels grew faint and Johnny let out a sigh.

"… I can't believe you actually went out with her," Natasha patted her uniform down, straightening out her skirt that had deflated slightly. "And thanks for almost breaking my nose back there."

"Just be glad she didn't see you," Johnny rubbed his forehead. "She'd freak out and probably have a go at you-."

"One more thing!"

The staircase began to creak again as the familiar clicking returned. Panicked, Johnny and Natasha exchanged looked but before they could do anything Lola emerged from the shadows.

"If you see my skirt somewhere in this dump, could you return-."

Lola's voice faded at the sight of the redhead, she looked perplexed for a moment before her red lips curved into an unfriendly smirk and she placed a hand on her hip. "Well, well, well, look who we have here. Natasha Evans, last I heard shouldn't you be locked up in Happy Volts? What are you doing here with my man?"

"Look Lola, I'm not entirely sure what's going on with you…" Natasha remembered the time Johnny stood up for her with Bif and Derby so the least she could do was say something back to Lola. "But what I do know is that he's not interested in you anymore."

"And what?" Lola took a step towards Natasha. "You trying to say he's interested in you now?"

Natasha did not respond and simply looked at Johnny who looked like he wanted nothing more than to disappear. He licked his chapped lips and looked between the two girls.

"Well Johnny?!" Lola glared at him expectantly. "Do you?"

"Lola, leave," he eventually sighed back. "I don't want anything to do with you."

"Oh, so it is true," Lola gasped audibly as she shook her head. "You know Johnny, I expected better from you. She's an embarrassing downgrade."

"Well I reckon Natasha's a large improvement from the last whore," Ricky's voice appeared and he walked in with his arms crossed. "Are you done yet?"

"Because you idiots are the best judge of character," Lola spat back before turning around. "Whatever, I'm leaving."

Despite being taken down a hunch Lola took her time down the stairs, savouring each step knowing that the lot upstairs were anxious for her gone. After the brunette finally left, Ricky unfolded his arms and sighed.

"I already told her she had no business here," Ricky shook his head. "… She's a serious piece of work."

"Yeah, some people just can't take a hint, huh?" Natasha said knowingly as she glanced to Johnny before turning to face Ricky.

"I'm Ricky, by the way."

"I know," she half-smiled. "I'm Natasha."

"Yeah, I know," he smiled back.

"Where's everyone else?" Johnny asked when he realised how unusually quiet the upper level was. "Shop?"

"Yeah, Lefty's just finishing the adjustments on his bike so most of them are down there," Ricky adjusted his jacket. "I was actually on my way out when Lola showed up."

"Oh, well then go ahead," Johnny tilted his head towards the stairs. "We're good."

"Alright then," Ricky gave Johnny a smile before turning to Natasha "Nice meetin' ya."

"You too."

Ricky gave her a kind smile before heading his way leaving Natasha and Johnny completely alone in the tenements. It was strangely quiet between the pair and Johnny gave Natasha an unreadable look before prompting her to follow him inside, the room upstairs were surprisingly better kept than the rest of the building and there appeared to be a small functioning kitchen and even a small television set. It was obvious this was where the boys usually hung out, there were piles of empty pizza boxes and cigarettes butts littered the floors. It was not really her kind of place but for whatever reason it felt homey – lived in.

"Beer?" Johnny called to her as he examined the contents of the fridge. Natasha peeked into the fridge and she should have known that it was just filled with beer bottles and a tub of ice-cream. "Not your thing?"

"Not in the middle of the day, no," she shook her head. "… I don't really drink much to begin with."

"Ah, well that's fair enough," he shrugged as he pulled one out for himself. He walked around and opened a cupboard where there was a stash of water bottles, he grabbed one and passed it to her. "Here, I got an idea. Come with me."

Natasha watched him head to a cracked window sceptically but followed anyway. She paused when he climbed out and he helped her out onto the fire escape where he directed her up the stairs leading to the roof. Not entirely sure if this was such a great idea, Natasha gave Johnny a glance before taking the first step up the metal steps. The steps creaked under her weight and she would have felt more panicked if Johnny did not immediately start following after her, his boots taking even louder heavier steps behind her.

Once reaching the top she understood why they had gone through the trouble to get there. It was a much better choice than the kitchen which was not only messy but slightly stuffy, there was a slightly torn up sofa and a coffee table set up to overlook New Coventry. The streets may have been dirty and poorly kept but the view from the top was not half bad.

"This isn't bad at all," Natasha murmured as she pulled her cardigan off and placed it on the backrest. She basked in the warmth from the sun, enjoying the tingling sensation left on her skin. "I can see why you'd rather be here than class."

"If only all could see it, huh?" Johnny said as he watched her step around the sofa, her fingers running along the stained material before she stopped in front of it. "… The decent company helps."

"… Yeah, I can imagine," she offered him a smile as she sat down. "… The feeling's mutual. It's been a while since I could just… speak to someone without worries about judgement or prying…"

"… I hate to ask when you just mentioned it but could I ask you something?"

"… What about?" she glanced around and saw as Johnny just pulled his leather jacket off, he pulled his Bullworth sweater sleeves up and folded the white button up underneath. She didn't mean to stare but there was a reason why practically all the cheerleaders had carried a secret torch for Johnny Vincent at some point. "…"

"It's uh… about the thing with Happy Volts."

"Oh," well that threw her off. "… Do you believe it?"

"Well I mean I've only heard what my boys have been saying," he turned to look at her as he leaned back on the sofa, he stretched his arm around placing them on the headrest landing just above Natasha's shoulders. She remained perfectly still as his dark brown eyes bored into her blue ones before he spoke again. "I don't really know what to think… I don't wanna get in your business or anything… but thing is since I got locked up there … well you know. I was just curious if you were there."

"… Were you actually locked up there? I mean I only heard rumours… as well," Natasha's words ceased when she saw Johnny smiling and she realised how silly they sounded. Both of them questioning each other over others and speculations when it would be so easy to just simply share. "Yeah, I was there. Just visiting though."

"Ah well, I was there too. Was locked up though."

"I see," she laughed as he took a swig from his bottle. "It must have been scary, I can't imagine."

"Yeah, it was scary as hell," Johnny shook his head. "And if it weren't for Hopkins I'd probably still be in there."

"I didn't realise you two were friends."

"We're not," he gave her a look. "Are you?"

"Never spoken to the guy," she looked away. "Seemed a bit like a pervert."

"Well you are you," Johnny chuckled.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well you're a nice looking girl," he waved the bottle in his free hand towards her face then to her figure. "You have to know you… incite something in most guys."

"… Does 'most guys' include you?" she raised an eyebrow. "… Johnny?"

"Well…" he looked her in the eye again and she felt his hand on the headrest slip down around her shoulder, his fingers playing with her red curls. Natasha subconsciously held her breath. "I'm not sure what that 'something' is but I won't deny it's there."

"… And…?"

"What do you reckon?" he leaned his immaculate face closer towards hers and she felt herself growing hot as his lips hovered over hers. "Should we give us a go?"

"… I'm not sure if 'us' is such a good idea," she whispered. "We're from two different worlds… and we've only just started speaking to each other and-."

Before she could say another word Johnny had pushed his lips against hers, his arms circling around her completely to pull her into a kiss. Natasha gasped into the kiss but after getting over the initial shock she found herself leaning into him and tilting her head slightly to meet him better. A hand strayed towards his face and she gently held his jaw as their kiss deepened, a deep groan erupted from him and she felt him pull her onto his lap so that she straddled him. It was not for another few seconds before they pulled away, Natasha breathed heavily as she rested her forehead against his and she sighed blissfully when Johnny circled his arms around her waist.

"This is a bad idea," she panted. "We are a terrible idea."

"And what exactly did you think I meant when I said 'us'?"

"I-… I don't know- w-what's that supposed to mean-."

"Aw, don't look so serious Natasha," he chuckled back brightly, one of his arms coming around so that he could pat her head. "I was only teasing you, doll… I am serious."

"… I'm not sure," she made an attempt to climb off his lap but he kept her there. "Johnny-."

"Does this… feel wrong to you?"

"Well no but-."

"Then don't fight it and just enjoy it," he grinned up at her, his hold on her loosening as he leaned back against the headrest. "There's no rush."

Trying to push aside the fact that she was on Johnny Vincent's lap on a rooftop in broad daylight, Natasha considered his words and she knew that he was right; there was no doubt in her mind that she enjoyed spending time with Johnny, even before this sudden turn of events she had already began to wonder about her feelings and this only cemented it. She definitely had feelings for him.

"I- um-."

"What's wrong?" he glanced up at her, one of his hands coming up to touch her face, his ringed index finger sliding down her cheek gently. "… If I overstepped any boundaries… I am sorr-."

"No, it's not that…" she could feel her cheeks growing furiously hot with every second under his dark smouldering eyes. She slowly climbed off his lap and this time he made no attempt to stop her, her reaction must have worried him and she could understand why since she was hardly able to look at his face… mostly due to embarrassment but he obviously thought different. "I guess I just never thought it was going to happen… this… us."

"You never considered it… ever?"

"Honestly no," she offered him a smile, hopefully he'll work out she was not truly upset. "Back then… it really just felt nice enough that we could get along the occasional time in class despite being who we were. Plus, at the time we both had our own… situation going on. Then after everything happened… well, let's just say it wasn't really the first thing on my mind to jump back into a relationship."

"Fair enough… I can understand that," his voice sounded distant as if he had thought back to it as well. He looked down as he rubbed the back of his neck slowly. "… I'm sorry I kissed you like that… I shouldn't have done it without uh- sorry. I wasn't thinking and if you think things are going too quickly or-."

Her laughter interrupted his rambling. "Stop saying sorry, it doesn't feel right hearing it from you. If you've overstepped my boundaries, trust me you'd be first to know."

"… Right, yeah," he looked back up at her. "Let's just-."

Clack!

Thud-Thud-Thud

A chain of noises erupted from the stairwell.

Johnny and Natasha both simultaneously looked over to the ledge where they found a group of boys peering over at them. It appeared Ricky had gone and informed everyone that Johnny had sent away Lola for another girl, this was tremendously exciting news for the boys and when Ricky mentioned it was Natasha they all bolted back to the tenements hoping to catch the glorious sight of their leader finally moving on to a much better girl.

"What are you boys doing?" Johnny demanded.

Ricky was first to bolt leaving behind Peanut, Lefty, Hal and Vance. Every second they stood there terrified, Johnny seemed to get angrier and it was obvious it would not be long before he lost his temper so Peanut took the initiative and yelled 'sorry Johnny!' before he ran off prompting the rest of the boys to do the same.

After they left Johnny remained silent for the longest time before Natasha burst out laughing. Johnny had not expected that reaction at all, the last time something similar happened his then girlfriend threw the largest fit until Johnny agreed to chase the boys down and make them apologise to her… definitely a drastic difference in reaction. A much preferred reaction.

"… You're lovely, you know that?"

"W-What?" Natasha must not have realised it herself but she gave him one of her sweetest and most bashful smiles. "You think I'm lovely?"

"One of a kind."

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This story will very likely get a M rating later on

with the way my plans are going right now.

M for both sexual content and dark themes.

A big thank you to my readers :)

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Again thanks Skywalker for reviewing,

I already have a few chapters and am trying to update weekly.

Hopefully it sticks because I'm terrible at writing on a schedule!

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Don't be shy leave me a review :)

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