“It’s a hunk of junk!” Alex protested.

“Hey, don’t see your wheels,” Max shot back.

“You’re looking at this from the wrong angle,” Michael said. “Why this car could be automatic.”

“Right on!” Kyle yelled.

“Could be systematic. Could be hydromatic. Why, it could be Greased Lightening!”

“Greased Lightening!” Max yelled.

********************

Maria and a handsome jock sat at the booth at the Crashdown. The T-Birds sat at a different booth, Michael shooting longing looks at Maria. Liz walked past, took one look at where Michael's gaze was headed, and smiled.

“Someone cheating on ya, Guerin?” she asked.

“Bite the weenie, Liz,” he snapped.

“With relish.”

Maria headed to the jukebox. Michael doubled around and stood next to her. “Hi Maria,” he said.

“Hi,” she coldly replied.

“How’ve you been?”

“Fine thanks.”

“Listen, about what happened at the pep rally … you see it wasn’t me. I mean, it was me, but it wasn’t me, you know,” he said in a rush.

“No. That’s why I’m glad Rodney's such a simple person,” she said, waving at the jock.

Michael snorted. “Simple is right. Too bad his brains are in his biceps.”

She looked straight at him. “Jealous, are we?”

“NO! I mean, I could run rings around that guy,” he said.

It was Maria's turn to snort. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

*********************

Michael entered the school gym. Coach Valenti sized him up.

“First you’ll need to change,” he said.

“That’s why I’m here, you know, to change.”

“I meant your clothes.”

“Oh.”

********************

Maria sat in the bleachers with Rodney, watching Michael jumping hurdles. What was he doing? He caught her staring at him … and proceded to fall over. She ran down to the field.

“Michael!”

He stood up, brushed himself off and stood in stony silence. This she could handle.

“Aren’t you gonna even talk to me?” she said. Still silent. “The least you could do is talk to me after the way you’ve treated me!”

“What? Maria, I said I was sorry –“

“Ha! Gotcha talkin’.”

He sighed. “Do you wanna go to the dance off with me?”

“It all depends.”

“On what?”