(After the fight at the Hawk, they meet at school)

………———————-………..

"Nance," said Steve, stopping by her locker. "Not to be tactless, but can we talk?"

Nancy swiftly turned, spinning her straight gray skirt. It had blue flowers stitched that matched her blue cardigan creating a sophisticated look. Nancy was anything but calm, as she clenched her books to her chest in tight fists. Color rose in her cheeks.

"Tactless? Gauche? Steve, I'm not interested in you right now. I'm wounded. I can't understand what could drive you to call me a *slut* in public. You should be grateful I even talk to you."

Her blue eyes pinned him like a deer on a train track, and the train was going to roll over him. Despite her being seven inches shorter than him and incredibly thin, his stomach fluttered. If thoughts could kill…he would be a corpse.

Steve said. He turned away slightly—shifting and looking away. He blushed and looked at his hands.

"Uh, I'm sorry. I *am* grateful. How can I explain? I jumped to conclusions, screwed up, and lost you. Probably forever. Tommy and Carol, I busted up our friendship, they confused me. And I can't believe I ever liked them."

"Well, you got that part right."

Ugly bruises on his face, partly covered with foundation makeup, matched his blue acid-washed blue jeans and pastel blue Abercrombie & Fitch button-up shirt.

Tommy walked by with Carol. "Hey, it's King Steve! Nice shirt, dickhead!" He said. Steve just watched them walk away. *And this is a new shirt.*

"Still seeing Jonathon?" He asked, showing her his light brown eyes.

"I'm spending time with Jonathon because he's helping me with an issue you wouldn't help me with. As a friend. Don't ask me to explain. And I don't need your permission." She brushed her hair back, pinching her lips together to prevent more words from escaping. *She couldn't tell him about the monster*

"I know. It's about Barbara, isn't it? I'm not prying," he said. "I just need to ask you…if you could…forgive me?" Steve said.

Nancy took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I said our relationship was bullshit," she said. "But, do you know me so little that you think I'd *put out*?"

"No! No! Uh…I just…um," Steve mumbled. "I was emotional and confused. I miss you. I'm sorry."

Nancy looked at her pink-colored nails, then up into his eyes. She set her books in her locker. "You are still easy on the eyes, Steve, but that's *not enough*. I need someone who…supports me. Jonathon and I make a good team."

Steve put his hands in his pockets. He shrugged. "I get it," he said.

"Deep down you are sweet, and that's the you I like. But—I keep moving forward. That's just me. Ease down for a while, okay?"

"Okay," Steve smiled. "Maybe you can find me trustworthy again one day."

"Maybe one day, but I need some time. A lot of it." Nancy said and picked up her books, closing her locker. "I've got to go to class now."

Steve watched her walk away. He ran his fingers through his hair. *I'm a jerk, and I may never get her back.*

Steve followed her on his way to his next class. He shook his head, I'm an idiot! She's so much smarter than me…and as usual, she's right. What do I do? "Lean into your vulnerability"—that's what that weird girl from the band had said. What does she know? It doesn't work.

He walked into his Introductory Algebra class, and in the wrecking of his relationship, he forgot his homework.

Girls were glowering at him in a bad way. Some crossed their arms, and some looked away. Some even whispered to each other as they watched him sit down. Word got around fast. His name was Mud.

He shook his head.

Thinking back to the pool party, he faintly smiled. She had been so beautiful…

The teacher dropped a textbook on his desk. *WHAM*

"You're welcome," he said.

…..