Jonathan was playing a game with his brother, Will on Will's atari, but Jonathan couldn't concentrate. He kept thinking about the look that Nancy has giving him at school today. What did it mean? That she still cared about him? That she felt sorry for him? He didn't really want her to pity him, he didn't want anyone to pity him, and yet, he felt strangely thankful.

When he went to bed that night, all he could think about was Nancy, beautiful Nancy. Her hair in the wind, her bright eyes and warm smile. That moment last year when she had asked him to lay beside her on her bed. He had been so confused about her feelings, but not about his own. He was in love with her, he had fallen hard for her, he knew that. He wish he knew if she had ever felt the same. He had been about to confess his true feelings for her that night, when they were going to fight the monster, but Steve had shown up and ruined the moment, and even though Jonathan was grateful that Steve had shown up that night, after all he had saved their lives, he was still mad at himself for not telling Nancy about how he felt for her earlier. Now it was too late; she loved Steve, he was her boyfriend. How could he ever had thought she would be in love with him?

Nancy lay in bed that night, crying. Why had she been so stupid? She had ruined everything. She knew what she wanted, yes, but it was an impossible dream; she wanted to be with Jonathan, more than anything else. But after what she'd done, he would never feel the same for her again, she was sure of that. What was she supposed to do? Apologize to Steve? No way. She wasn't going to do that. She took a deep breath and pictured what school would be like tomorrow. Steve would, without a doubt, have told his friends about the what had happened between him and Nancy. She couldn't believe it. Why were things never easy when it came to love?

Jonathan didn't want to get up and get ready for school the next day. He was tired, he hadn't slept very well. He also didn't want to confront Tommy and Carol and the other popular kids. He just couldn't take it anymore. Sometimes, it would be better if he could just disappear. But no, he couldn't do that, not to Joyce or Will. He had to be there for them, he kept reminding himself of that. It was his duty and a son and big brother. They need me, he thought. Eventually, Jonathan got up. He made breakfast for his mom and little brother. Him and Will were talking about Dungeouns and Dragons, and once again, Joyce asked him if he was okay. She had a way of always knowing when something wasn't right with her son, but after all, she was his mother.

"I'm okay, mom, really. Don't worry about me, ok?" Jonathan said and gave her hand a squeeze.

Joyce nod and Jonathan felt a little better.

At school, Nancy felt like everyone was staring at her. Had Steve already told the whole school that they had broken up? Had he told Jonathan? A lump formed in Nancy's throat. She had to get through this day, she told herself. She just had to. Could it be so bad? She just had to avoid Steve.

At lunch, Nancy didn't know where to sit. She usually sat with Steve and his friends, but somehow she figured that that was no longer an option. She looked over at the table where she knew Jonathan usually sat. Like always, he was eating all by himself. She didn't know exactly why, but she went over to him.

"Hi. Can I sit here?" she asked. He's gonna say no, she thought. And she understood why, the way she had treated him. It hadn't been all fair, had it?

Jonathan looked up. "Sure" he said and gave her a smile. That smile could melt her whole body.

"So, how's Will?" she asked. Will had been over at Nancy's house plenty had times to hang out with her little brother Mike, to play that game they loved, but she wanted to start a conversation with Jonathan, and she didn't really know exactly how to do that.

"He's doing fine. I mean, in the beginning he wasn't really himself, but who could blame him? After all that happened, after everything he went through. But he's tough, he's tougher than me" A gloomy look passed over Jonathan's face. For a moment, Nancy almost thought that he was going to cry, but luckily, he didn't. She wouldn't have known what she were supposed to do.

"So the slut had joined her lover." A voice said. Tommy.

Nancy didn't know what do to. She looked at Jonathan.

"Shut up! You leave her alone!" Jonathan said. He looked just as surprised by his sudden outburst as she did. Still, she was grateful.

"Sorry, what did you say? Do you think you have a say in this, you creep"

"Yeah, actually. I think I do. I want you to leave, right now."

Nancy couldn't believe what she heard. Since when had Jonathan gotten so brave? Pride swelled in her stomach, pride for him.

"Or you're gonna do what, Jonathan? Hit me again? Go ahead, there's loads of witnesses here, and don't think you're gonna get out again" Steve..

Jonathan stood up.

"No, Jonathan. Stop." Nancy pleaded.

"Come on, Nancy. Let's go." Jonathan said, and left. Nancy followed him.