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Look Alive, Sunshine

six

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A week has almost gone by without Johnny showing up to one class. At first she thought it may have just been a coincidence, after all he was still known to skip classes and she couldn't expect him to change so drastically, but it soon became clear that he may have been deliberately avoiding her. As much as it was irritating he would rather leave things the way they were but avoiding to see her, it was also kind of relieving because Natasha still was not sure how she felt about the entire situation and there wasn't really anyone she can confide in and ask for advice…

"When's homecoming anyway?" an agitated voice pulled her back to reality. "Why do we need to start preparations now?"

Natasha eyed darted to the front of the room where the homecoming committee and student volunteers were discussing the plans, the committee was decided beginning of the year when Natasha was still head-cheerleader so naturally she was voted in so she was required to attend the meetings and help organise the dance. Mandy had given her a curt look when she walked in but otherwise the other girls greeted her friendly enough. The student volunteers were made up of mostly non-faction students, preps and Earnest who insisted that he needed to have a say in all school events as student president.

"Homecoming game is in three weeks and the dance that Friday," Mandy shot Chad a glare that seemed to frighten him into complete silence. "We need to begin preparations now because you're all incompetent. So, here's the checklist and the group responsible for flyers are-."

Mandy proceeded to read out her list and Natasha found it difficult to keep herself tuned in with her thoughts straying to a certain someone.

"And lastly Natasha, you're in charge of shopping and decorations," Mandy stopped in front of her and put down an envelope on her desk. "Here's the money for the materials and the list is inside. We're going to need them for tomorrow."

"But it's already six-thirty and-."

"Then I suggest you hurry into town before the shops close," she turned away just like that and adjourned the meeting.

As everyone left, Natasha opened up the envelope and frowned at the wad of cash before taking out the list to look over. It actually wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, there were just large quantities of stationary and colour paper; things that should be easy enough to find if only she could get to the stores in time. Tucking the envelope safely into her bag she ran for the school gates.

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Turned out there was a little store hidden away just in the heart of town that was an ultimate lifesaver and Natasha was able to get just about everything. The last item on the list she only knew one place that sold it and she was running out of time so she had to go into Yum Yum Market for… spray paint. It was awkward going in there and faced with the same clerk from last Sunday, in fact she had been worried he would refuse to sell them to her after what happened but he seemed relieved that it was only her and not a large group of mean looking leather jacket wearing boys.

With her the box of spray paint in a tow she exited the store and sighed when she saw her bike parked against the fence with the bags of shopping hanging off the handles, it was a wonder no one took it but then again one look at it was enough to make you feel sorry for the owner. She groaned as she attempted to place the box on the rear rack of the bike but it won't sit steady and she was beginning to wonder if she would have to call her brother to help when she spotted two familiar guys having a smoke across the street. She debated it in her head because despite everything the two leather clad boys still intimidated her and it took every bit of her willpower to go up to them with a smile that she hoped looked friendly enough.

"Oh hey Natasha," Ricky spotted her first and greeted her coolly with a wave. "You doing alright?"

"Hey," Peanut nodded in her direction before noticing her bike behind her. "Whoa, doing some shopping?"

"Hi guys," she stopped herself before she nearly bowed at them. "Stuff for homecoming… I'm in charge of shopping."

"Just you?"

"Yup," she nodded sheepishly. "I actually have a problem. You guys are good with bikes, aren't you?"

"Well sure."

"Would you mind having a look at mine? I need to get the box to sit on the rack but it won't stay. What's your verdict?"

"Oh sure, I've got just the thing," Ricky put out his cigarette and reached into his pocket as they headed across the street. He pulled out what looked like two hooks with a thin rope attached between the ends and got right to work. Natasha had no idea why he would be carrying something like that around with him but for whatever reason she was thankful.

"Geez, Rick, what's that," Peanut asked distastefully. "Why you carrying round' weird things like that for."

"It's handy for bike tuning, you never know when your bike'll bust," Ricky seemed to take offense at his friend's tone. "It's helpful now, ain't it?!"

"Definitely," Natasha answered for Peanut. "Thanks a bunch Ricky. I would have been stuck if it weren't for you."

"See, the lady gets it."

Natasha smiled with a nod, finding herself oddly enjoying the company of the two greasers although she didn't know what to say to them exactly. The only thing they had in common after all was Johnny. "… Would you mind if I asked you two something?"

"Not at all."

"Shoot."

"… I was actually wondering what Johnny's been up to this week."

"Oh, uh," Ricky exchanged a look with Peanut, and the latter shrugged before he nodded, giving his approval. Ricky seemed to think for a moment before turning back to the bike. "Well Johnny's been home, don't think he's left since Sunday night."

"Home?"

"Yeah, his parents' old place in town."

"In town?" Natasha repeated. "I thought he lived in New Coventry."

"Most of us do, yeah," Peanut informed her. "But Johnny and Hal live in town."

"I see… I didn't know that," she dropped her gaze.

"… Did you two get into an argument?"

"Oh, uh," she looked back up, her face red, embarrassed because she wasn't even sure who had asked her. "Kind of, yeah… I think I may have overreacted."

"Not sure what happened but arguments are a common thing for Johnny," Peanut told her. "And he can get very defensive but he doesn't think things through before saying them."

"That I know," she half-smiled. "… I just don't seem to know much else about him… his past… his family… his friends even."

"Well we're pretty much an open book," Peanut chuckled. "… Johnny though… don't let his temper fool you, he isn't as transparent as he seems."

"Right…" she thought back to the only two relationships she has been in and wondered how she managed to stomach being with such thick-headed guys. "I guess I've just gotten used to being with transparent guys."

That made Peanut and Ricky laugh, and she found herself smiling with them.

"You know Natasha, people don't give you half as enough credit," Peanut grinned at her, Natasha laughed in response and asked what he meant by it. "Well you know how you cheerleaders are, most guys only see… or saw you as that. You always seemed like a nice girl though."

"Oh," she was taken back by his last words, she was a little embarrassed to be honest but happy nonetheless now that she felt a little closer to Peanut. That was when Ricky stood up and patted his hands on his jeans, informing her that it was all fixed up for her. "Thanks… you guys are a lot nicer than you look."

"So the only reason why cute cheerleaders won't speak to us is because we look unfriendly?"

"… A little scary maybe," she said, knowing that was always the reason why she never spoke to the greasers but she couldn't be certain about the other girls. "And Ricky, really thanks for this. I owe you one."

"Oh?" his tone worried her and she may have just made a grave mistake. "I'll keep that in mind then."

"Nothing weird alright?" she laughed as she climbed onto her bike. "I better get this stuff back. I'll see you guys around."

"Hey, wait Natasha," Peanut called to her before she could leave, he took a moment to jot down something on a piece of paper before passing it to her. "Johnny's address… please go see him. He's a stubborn one."

"… I'll think about it…" she pocketed the address after taking a brief look at it. "Thanks."

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"Our Mr. Vincent not in again today, hm?"

"Looks like it," Natasha tried to smile when Doctor Slawter stopped her on her way out at the end of class. "Was there something you needed him for?"

"Well nothing at all since it makes no real difference to me if he's here or not. It was just an observation," he said as he packed his teaching materials away and walked her out of class. "Though a lot of the staff have shared the same sentiments last week when he showed up to almost every one of his classes. They say a good influence has entered his life but apparently it didn't last. I'll see you next week then Miss Evans."

"Right… thank you sir."

Natasha knew what her teacher was getting at but she didn't have the time to think it over since she was in too much of a hurry to get to the school gym where preparations were still undergoing and Mandy has become homecoming dictator literally just overnight. It seemed that Mandy didn't believe that Natasha could actually purchase everything in time and had shown up yesterday expecting her to have only some of the items but thankfully Natasha was able to show her up one but that meant they had to get right to work and they spent rest of the evening working. It had been difficult to concentrate in classes today since she's hardly had any sleep and she was not looking forward to another evening under Mandy's wrath.

The first thing Natasha noticed when she walked into the gym was how lax the atmosphere was, it was nothing like the previous evening when they all had to keep their heads down and work in silence. Today people were actually laughing and enjoying themselves. The second thing she noticed was that Mandy was absent.

"Hey Christy," she approached the lone girl who had been on her own working on a banner. Thankfully the cheery redhead gave her a smile that showed she held no animosity towards Natasha. "Where's Mandy?"

"She said she wasn't feeling well today. Pinky's in charge today," Christy replied as she pointed towards the front of the gym where Pinky looked to be struggling with a clipboard. "But between me and you, I think her and Ted got into a fight."

"Oh," Natasha didn't know how to feel about that. "… Hope she feels better soon. Do you want some help?"

"Oh sure, thanks Nat," Christy smiled brightly as Natasha sat down beside her. Natasha picked up a spare red marker and helped block out the large letters on the banner. Even though it's been quite a while she had a moment to properly speak to Christy, it felt like nothing has changed between them and honestly Natasha felt relieved for that. She wasn't sure what she would do if things got awkward between her and Christy of all people. "… Say Nat, you know we've missed you right? Even though Mandy's acting like that, she doesn't really hate you…"

"I find that hard to believe but thanks for still talking to me."

"Of course!" Christy said perhaps a little too loudly, capturing everyone's attention and she looked embarrassed by everyone's gaze on them. "Angie and I both miss you lots. Don't be a stranger."

Natasha offered the girl a smile as she nodded.

"By the way…"

Oh there it was: that nosy side of Christy's.

"I heard you and Johnny Vincent are a thing now," she giggled. "How's it going?"

"… We're not really officially together or anything," Natasha tried not to give too much away when she didn't even know where they stood with each other at the moment. "… We're still trying to work things out."

"Oh right," she looked sympathetic. "He's a catch but he's a difficult one isn't he, everyone knows him but no one really knows him."

"… Yeah, you're totally right."

"Uh… sorry for interrupting," a voice came from behind them. They both turned around and found Pinky standing there abashed. "Natasha… would you mind helping me with this checklist. I can't understand any of it…"

"Uh…" Natasha and Christy looked between each other before Natasha turned back to Pinky who looked completely helpless. "You know what, sure."

Pinky instantly glowed with happiness when Natasha stood up and took the clipboard from her. Its contents were straightforward enough for Natasha, she couldn't even guess what it was that Pinky did not understand but she went straight to work going around to tick off the list as she inspected everyone's work. It took about fifteen minutes to go around and make sure that everyone was on task and that they were on schedule, and another five minutes to fill out the excruciatingly detailed clipboard that reflected their progress.

"Gee, thanks Natasha…" Pinky smiled briefly when she got the clipboard back and looked it over. "You're a lifesaver."

"Don't worry about it."

Natasha excused herself and headed outside for a short break. The cool evening breeze was welcomed and she leaned against the wall, resting her head back as she properly relaxed after an entire day of what seemed like nonstop movement; it was a great feeling to just have everything… still and quiet.

But she was never that lucky.

"Oh, Natasha."

It was an all too familiar gruff voice, and Natasha immediately opened her eyes and stepped away from the wall. It was Mr. Burton.

"Good evening, sir."

"It's been a long time since I last saw you cheering for my team," he looked anything but sincere and she began to feel really uncomfortable in the man's presence. "We certainly miss your enthusiasm… any plans to cheer again?"

"Not at the moment…" she avoided meeting his coarse gaze. "I should probably get back-…"

"You know Natasha, between you and your brothers I've always appreciated what you siblings have done for my team," Mr. Burton leaned forward and Natasha's whole body froze over. "Cheering does a great deal for morale and it would be a shame to never see you in that little skirt again-."

"Coach Burton!"

Thankfully another voice appeared causing the man immediately pull back into a respectable distance, he did not even look the slightest bit guilty as he turned around to face the newcomer and again she could not catch a break. Standing behind Mr. Burton were Ted and Luis; as disappointed as she was her brother wasn't here to catch the coach's disgusting behaviour it may have been a good thing because surely Ben would have landed himself a suspension if he were to ever witnessed his coach creeping on his sister.

"Coach, I actually have to speak to you about the diet you have me on," Luis spoke without faltering or hint that he was up to something, but Natasha knew that it was very likely he was getting Mr. Burton's attention on purpose at Ted's behest… or perhaps just for her sake knowing that he was actually a decent guy and one of the twins' closer friends.

"Of course… let's speak in my office, shall we?"

Natasha watched with relief as they disappeared into the gym but it soon left her alone with just Ted. She was about to leave when he softly called her name. Natasha froze over again, it was the first time he's spoken to her since they broke up and she had to admit she was curious about what he wanted but she knew that indulging Ted was always a bad idea.

"Could we talk somewhere?" his voice was still quiet, similar to how he would use to speak with her when they were alone. "Please."

"… Where do you have in mind?"

"The bleachers?"

"… I don't know."

"I promise you it's nothing bad, please."

"Okay, fine but only for five minutes," she said as she began walking and he followed. "I've got to get back to work."

"For the dance?"

"Yeah, looks like we're your girlfriend's little elves this year."

"… We've actually broken up."

"What?" they haven't even reached the bleachers yet but she stopped in her tracks, this was the last thing she expected to hear today and she looked at Ted as if he had just broken up with her all over again – except this time instead of sadness and disbelief, her face was laced with scepticism. Ted looked surprised by her reaction but he said nothing and only waited for her. "How come?"

"I didn't like the way she was talking about you."

"You… didn't like the way she was talking about me… right…" Natasha was far from convinced but she instantly made the connection with Mandy's absence today. "So what did you want to say to me?"

"Uh, well… that was kind of it…" his tone was off, as if he was confused. "Aren't you happy?"

"Not the slightest bit," she frowned, having a terrible feeling about where this conversation was heading. "If that was all there is then I'll be leaving now."

"Wait a second!" he grabbed her and tugged her back towards him. "What gives?"

"What do you mean 'what gives'?!" she frowned as she tried to peel at his firm grip on her wrist. "Let me go, Ted."

"I- wait Nat, I'm sorry," he let her go right away when he realised he was hurting her. "Please don't go, let me explain myself."

"Fine," she held her bruised wrist tightly as she took a step back defensively, in fear that he might grab her again. "But make it quick."

"I-I've just been worried about you," he moved towards her again. "I've been hearing things about you and Johnny Vincent, a lot of it from her, and it… it's been making me think."

"Okay, and?"

"I can't trust you with a guy like that-."

"Wait, what? What the hell are you talking about?"

"I want to get back together, Nat."

"… Is this some sick joke?" a wave of discomfort began stirring in her and every moment she looked at his face only made her feel worse.

"Why would you think it's a joke? I'm being very serious."

"Well then you must be off your mind to think I'd want to get back with you on the day you broke up with your girlfriend… who, let me remind you, you left me for to begin with," she was giving herself a headache just trying to make sense of this disgusting love triangle, or a love square that Ted seemed to be pushing for. "Ted, you've always been overzealous and I've put up with it in the past but I refuse to anymore."

"So now you're putting up with trash like Johnny Vincent?"

"Stop trying to make this about Johnny. This is between you and me, and I have absolutely no interest in getting back with you," she stepped back in attempt to put some distance between them but Ted immediately closed the distance again, this time wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back to him. "Ted, stop it please!"

"This is him, isn't it?" he frowned leaning into her face. "He's got to you and now you can't even think clearly."

"Ted! Like I said this isn't about Johnny, we're not even together… not really," she said the last part with some bitterness. "My feelings about us won't change."

"You don't mean that," he now had her backed up against a wall and he held her in place when she tried to step around him. Natasha may have put on a tough face but the situation was getting her really anxious and she didn't know how much more she could take. "Your parents… would they have wanted us like this? Do you think Matt would want to come back and find you with some greaser punk?"

"… That's not fair, Ted," she said through gritted teeth, trying her best to hide the emotions that began brewing in her at the mention of her parents. "You have no right to bring my family into this… you have no idea what my parents would have wanted and Matt doesn't need you to speak on his behalf."

"Nat, please I miss you. I just want things to be the same as before. -."

"Ted… it won't be the same. It can never be after everything's that happened… you weren't there for me when I needed you so coming around now and saying you miss me is really too fucking late," her words were laced with venom and Ted seemed to be finally hearing her properly. "Let me go now. You keep this up and you're going to find yourself in a bad position. My brothers will come after you, Johnny and his boys will come after you, hell, even Bif might."

Ted let her go almost instantly as if her words had cut him and before he had the chance to speak Natasha bolted past him. She did not look back once and thankfully he did not come after her. Still trying to keep her emotions supressed she hurried into the gym, grabbed her things and made an excuse before practically running out before her tears started to pool in her eyes. The tears eventually fell when she reached outside and she kept her eyes on the ground as she walked through the campus, she hated nothing more than to be seen crying and she refused to let anyone catch her in tears.

She made extra care as she walked by a student standing by the dorms and on an impulse she headed to the school gates instead of her dorm, she fished out the slip of paper Peanut had given to her as she approached her bike.

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It was a random urge that led Johnny to go all the way to his favourite diner in New Coventry for some takeaway, he's had nothing but pizza all week and he reckoned it was time to add some variety to his meals. He chose to walk instead of drive, knowing that he probably needed some fresh air and mostly because he was feeling a little too rash to be driving even if it was evening and there wouldn't be much pedestrians. The walk there had been fairly pleasant but on the way back he saw his ex-girl with the rich prat she's been seeing, it instantly soured his mood and he swore he almost charged at Gord with every intent to beat him to a pulp but he knew better, that Lola would only enjoy it and at the end of the day it won't actually help him feel better about the actual reason he has been hiding away this week.

It went without saying that his… disagreement with Natasha has been haunting him. Johnny hated his temper, he might have just driven away the only good thing that has happened to him in his recent memory. She was the perfect girl; smart, kind and totally gorgeous, and he just had to go ruin it. He wasn't sure himself why he had gotten so defensive, she wasn't wrong in pointing out he had done something illegal, but some odd reason it irked him. Perhaps he had been looking at it the wrong way and they were too different to really work, but he still thought that it would be a shame to give up over a few cans of spray paint.

Now that he was feeling all worked up again he made haste so that he could get home quicker, have his damned food and probably drink himself silly again. That was until he came across a peculiar sight, stepping around the corner to his building he found Natasha standing outside by his car. She didn't notice him immediately since she was facing the building and frankly Johnny thought he would just turn the other way and have his dinner at Hal's or something, he knew that nothing good would come from speaking to her now and if anything, he would probably make it worse the way he was now.

While he was still debating whether to leave he noticed that her shoulders were shaking quite drastically and every so often she brought her hand up to wipe her face. Then he realised she was crying… and without another thought he stomped over to her.

"… Baby doll, why are you crying?" he spoke before she noticed his presence and she jumped slightly before turning to face him, and it honestly pained him to see her sobbing and she only broke down more when she saw him. He felt like a complete asshole. "Aw Natasha, I'm sorry for what happened. I know I've been avoiding you and I shouldn't have but-."

"No, it's not you… well not really you," she blurted out between sobs, hardly making sense of her own words. "I- uh- I know it's weird for me to turn up like this… but I was with Ted earlier… he grabbed me and said all this stuff, trying to guilt me into getting back with him and it was just too much I didn't know who else to go-."

"He grabbed you?" the switch flipped back on and Johnny felt ready to murder the blue-eyed pretty boy.

"Yes, but please don't do anything it's already over," she shook her head when she saw the rage on his face, he didn't seem to hear her so she held his arms. "Johnny please, I just want to talk…"

"… Come on up."

Johnny was quiet as he led her up two flights of stairs and to the end of the hallway to his apartment numbered 2-8, he mumbled a quiet 'sorry bout' the mess' once he unlocked the door and showed her in. It was tidier than she expected, it looked like a proper home, not exactly what she expected with it being common knowledge at the academy that Johnny's parents weren't exactly around. He placed his bag of food on the open kitchen counter before waving for her to follow her into the living room area where they sat on a sofa. Johnny wouldn't speak and she could see that he was still agitated.

"… I am sorry for showing up like this…"

"How did you know where I lived?"

"I ran into Peanut and Ricky the other day and when I asked about you Peanut gave me the address…"

"You asked about me?" he sounded surprised.

"Well yeah… I was worried about you… I wanted to talk but obviously this wasn't how I imagined it… sorry."

"Don't apologise for anything yet. I think we both had our faults then… but let's not worry about that now," he finally looked at her, his gaze steady but warm. "I just want to make sure you're alright after… what Thompson did."

"…Yeah," she sniffled again as she remembered the reason why she showed up at Johnny's door so shamelessly in tears. "Thanks Johnny…"

"… Did he touch you?" Johnny asked as he gently put an arm around her and held her shaking body. Johnny wasn't a rumour or shit-talking kind of guy but being a guy in his position as a leader of his own group in a school basically run over by hard-hitting guys you like to get your bearings, and from what he knew about Ted Thompson the guy wasn't exactly the most considerate towards girls… and he can only imagine what he would try to do to Natasha who he would probably see as a pretty doll he misplaced.

"No, no, not really. He had his arms around me… pushed me to a wall," she shook her head, leaning into Johnny's warmth. "… And he said all this stuff about you, my brother, my parents. All of it together… I think it just got to me."

"… No one expects you to be a strong."

"Excuse me?" she turned to look him in the face, looking almost hurt by his comment and he quickly realised she took it the wrong way. Understandably she was probably extra defensive after her encounter with her knob-head of an ex.

"What I meant to say was you're still grieving over your parents and your brother. You should be sad about it… and for a long time because it's a big deal. No one expects you to have gotten over it…" he tried to get his point across without sounding like a bumbling idiot but he still ended up sounding like one. "… And Thompson… using your grief like that… it's just low, isn't it? And to go and touch you like that…"

The anger was returning to his voice and while he got that Natasha didn't want any retaliation against Ted, Johnny already had his own plans for the quarterback.

"I think I understand…" she nodded, returning her head to resting on his shoulder and now Johnny slowly leaned back so that they were lying on the headrest comfortably. "Thanks Johnny… I didn't know where else to go and… I just really wanted to see you."

"… I'm glad you came here," he meant it despite whatever he may have been thinking when he first saw her. He slowly patted her head before running his hand through her hair and she let out a quiet sigh as she nuzzled into his neck. "… Natasha?"

"Yes, Johnny?"

"Do you think we'll be okay?"

"… Yeah, I think we'll be fine for now."

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Thanks for your guest review kind reader.

I'm happy to hear you've found the new rewritten version of it.

It's definitely darker but I hope it's staying true to the original.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, and thanks again :)

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