Chapter Text
Admittedly, Jonathan isn’t really paying too close attention in Biology. Nancy lightly tapped his foot about ten minutes ago and he’s been distractedly playing footsies since. If that wasn’t bad enough, she decided to do the flirty glance thing where they pretend they’re not looking at each other. Which usually means they’re going to spend lunch in the dark room.
So yea, the last thing on his mind is his lesson. He fidgets a little as Nancy runs her foot up his calf. If the seconds go by any slower he thinks he might actually die. He clears his throat trying to regain some control. It's spring fever, that's all. That and his beautiful, amazing, wonderful girlfriend knows exactly how to drive him crazy.
Somehow, Nancy's not only still paying attention but she's actually writing meticulously neat notes on whatever Mr.Mahoney is droning about. He swallows hard and accidentally glances at the neckline of her yellow sundress before darting his eyes back to the clock. One more minute of torture stands between him and a blissful lunch hour.
Slowly, he starts piling his things so they can be easily shoved into his bag when the bell rings. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices a sly smile creep across Nancy’s lips. Her victory is almost enough to irritate him. Not that he’s keeping score, but this is the fourth time she’s done her routine this week and he’s lost each time. He convinces himself that it’s fine, he’ll get her back later.
At last, the bell rings and he quickly picks up his bag from the floor to pack up.
“Don’t forget Midterms next class” Mr. Mahoney calls over the frantic hustle and bustle.
Nancy takes longer to pack away her books. He realizes of course that it’s part of her little dance. She wants to see how far she can push him before he completely snaps. The answer is not that far. After an eternity, she gets up and pulls her green cardigan off the chair, silently handing it over to him to carry. Which he doesn’t mind one bit, he’s more than ready to get out of here until he notices Jason leaving.
Briefly, Jonathan feels a flare of jealousy over Jason's indifference. At least until he realizes that Jason's responsibility didn't even cross his mind. Which is somehow worse. He wonders what it would be like to just blatantly ignore obligations. Then he wonders if Mr. Mahoney will even bother with the task. Probably not. Jonathan stops in his tracks, taking Nancy by surprise. She turns around and knits her brows together, trying to figure him out.
“Jason didn’t feed them” he informs, motioning to the frog tanks.
“Jonathan” she sighs, impatiently.
“Someone has to” he insists softly with a shrug.
It’s clear that Nancy doesn’t like that answer one bit. As far as he’s concerned she can take it up with Jason. Though knowing Nancy she probably would rip him a new one just for the hell of it. So it’s undoubtedly in everyone’s best interest if he calms her down before she gets the chance.
“Look, I won’t be long. I’ll meet you at my locker” he swears with a smile.
“Fine” she huffs with an accompanying pout that he really shouldn’t find so cute.
Jonathan catches her hand before she leaves and pulls her back in for a gentle kiss on her forehead. When he leans back, Nancy beams up at him.
“Don’t get distracted” she instructs, taking her cardigan back before leaving.
Jonathan bites his tongue so he doesn’t tell her how ironic that is coming from her. He turns his attention to the frogs and pulls the crickets out from the nearby cabinet.
“Mr. Byers you didn't need to stay” Mr. Mahoney notes.
“Someone has to take care of them” Jonathan asserts.
“I suppose that's true.” he nods, “Well, lock the door when you leave”
“Yea” Jonathan mumbles.
He lifts the lid on the first tank and immediately gets to serving lunch.
“Hey Jeremiah, how's that leg buddy?” he greets one on a rock and gets a happy croak in response. He smiles, relieved that Jeremiah isn’t experiencing too much pain over his short leg.
Jonathan knows it’s stupid but he can't help himself. Lonnie used to say he was too soft, mom tried to soothe him by saying he’s just a gentle soul but even he knows that his sympathy is well weird. True to his word, he tries not to get distracted as he completes his work. Until he gets to the last tank, lifts the lid and his favorite frog practically jumps onto his hand. He carefully picks her up and holds her.
“Sorry I can't stick around NJ, Nancy and I have plans” he informs, gently petting her.
Maybe his imagination is working overtime but he swears she pouts and he has to hold in a laugh.
“Tell you what I'll swing by after school. She's covering the soccer game for the paper so I've got time. You and Kermit can have a jumping contest” he promises and she responds with what he assumes is a pleased ribbit.
Then he gently places her back into the tank and leaves the classroom. He pops in the bathroom to wash his hands and finally makes it to his locker. Where Nancy looks less than pleased.
“Thanks for waiting” he greets with another smile.
“I had to watch Jason call Chrissy Pooh-Bear. It was awful” she grimaces, before kissing his cheek.
“Ugh, I’ll make it up to you” he promises, opening his locker to grab his lunch.
“So you’ll come over to study for the midterm tonight?” Nancy requests.
“Yea sure, what is it anyway?” he asks, shutting his locker.
“Seriously?” she challenges.
Jonathan looks at her blankly. How the hell is he supposed to know the Bio midterm when she’s been playing her little games all week.
“We're doing dissections” she answers as they make their way to the dark room
“Dissections?”
“Mhmm”
“On what?” he wonders.
“The frogs” Nancy answers casually.
“The-the frogs?” he asks sheepishly, because surely she can’t mean Jeremiah, Kermit and NJ.
Nancy nods and suddenly, the dark room doesn't sound half as enticing anymore. It’s like the whole world has stopped turning. He’s supposed to cut into a frog? And what? Analyze its guts. How the hell will that contribute to his education?? He’s going to be sick. Nancy immediately notices that something is wrong and is busy worming her lip and trying to read his mind.
“Should we have lunch outside today?” she suggests, touching his arm tenderly.
“Yea, uh yea, sure” he agrees, thinking maybe the fresh air will do him some good.
Roughly ten minutes later, they’re sitting on the roof of his car. She’s basking in the sun as he tries to eat his PB&J. But it’s really no use, he can’t stop thinking about Jason or Andy or Billy or himself slicing into one of his froggy friends. It’s his own fault really. He shouldn’t have gotten attached. Lonnie is right he’s too fucking soft.
“Jonathan, earth to Jonathan” Nancy calls.
“Sorry, sorry I'm just-”
“Lost in thought” she teases with a wide smile
“Yea” he sniffles, looking away.
Nancy takes his hand and weaves their fingers together, drawing his attention.
“What's the matter Honey?” she asks.
“It's stupid” he excuses, because his heart really can’t handle it if she doesn’t understand.
“No” she protests with a stern look on her face.
“No, it is.”
“Jonathan.. Just tell me. Please?” she coaxes.
“It's just…” Jonathan hesitates thinking of how to phrase his feelings so that Nancy gets it.
Nancy, for her part, is patiently waiting for him to finish expressing his thoughts.
“It's inhumane don't you think?” he professes, taking a sip of his coke.
“What is?”
“Dissecting the frogs” he explains in a cry.
“Baby…” Nancy sighs, biting her lip and giving him a soft look.
He knows that look. Granted, the last time she looked at him like that his little brother was missing but he finds that he appreciates her pity even less now.
“And it's-it's antiquated” he asserts.
“I agree but-”
“We should just ditch or-or protest or something” He cuts her off and her eyebrows shoot up to her hairline.
“Jonathan! It's the midterm assignment!” she cries.
He loves her, really he does, but compared to the death of a hundred innocent frogs, a failing grade isn’t that big of a deal.
“They pith the frogs, Nancy! You're honestly telling me you're ok with that?” He questions, loudly. At least, loudly for him.
“Well…”
“We've been watching them grow all semester and for what to kill them?” he argues, his voice cracking.
Nancy sighs again and looks away, suddenly very interested in whatever Eddie Munson is selling to Carol out of the back of his van. Jonathan pokes at their remaining shared lunch and hopes she won’t notice he’s completely lost his appetite. She must decide that Eddie isn’t all that interesting because she turns her attention back to him.
She opens her mouth but closes it again and frowns. Jonathan watches as she tries to come up with a solution that doesn’t involve getting held back. But he can tell that he’s given her a seemingly impossible problem to solve.
“We have to pass Bio” she resigns, defeated.
“I know but…”
“Tell you what, I'll do the dissection and you can just write the notes ok?” Nancy offers with a big smile.
Jonathan nods, but it’s not really ok. He just doesn’t feel the need to upset her or make her worry more than he already has. But there has to be some more ethical third option. He just needs a minute to think without being distracted by her.
“I’m gonna run to the library” he announces, collecting his things.
“What?”
“Yea, I gotta go turn in a book. I just remembered” he fibs in a rush.
“Do you want me to come with you?” she asks so sweetly that he nearly says yes.
“No uh no it’s fine” he lies.
“Are you mad at me?” Nancy worries.
“Of course not” he reassures, kissing her forehead “I’ll see you later”
Jonathan slides off his car and leaves Nancy sitting there dumbstruck. He feels a little bit bad but he can explain later. For now, it’s best to leave her in the dark. Especially since he’s pretty sure his empathy doesn’t stand a chance against her ambition. Which is a shame considering no one plots quite like Nancy.
He's so caught up in his admiration that he nearly crashes into Chrissy.
“I'm so sorry I'm just-”
“No, no it's ok it's totally my fault. I was paying attention. I'm meeting up with Heather we’re getting ice cream and…why am I telling you this?” Chrissy rants.
“I don’t know” he laughs.
“So are you escaping too?” she asks with a toothy grin.
“Huh”
Chrissy’s eyes go wide in panic.
“I won’t tell anyone. I mean it’s such a nice day. I don’t blame you. Who would want to spend it here?” he rambles.
“Yea, I'll see you Jonathan” she bids, before skipping off.
While it’s not the most interesting interaction he’s ever had with Chrissy it certainly was odd. But it also gives him an idea; They can’t dissect the frogs if the frogs go missing. It’s almost too easy. Sure, the logistics might be a nightmare but it’ll be a cakewalk compared to dissections.
Jonathan continues making his way to the library. If he's going to disappear one hundred frogs he needs to find somewhere more suitable than the shed behind his house. That's the first place someone would look. He politely nods at Priscilla as he passes her desk, trying not to attract too much attention.
“You only have a few minutes left in lunch Jonathan” she notes, looking up from her romance novel.
“I won’t be long” he lies, giving her what he hopes is a convincing smile.
He quickly navigates to the non-fiction section perusing the books for expertise. He wishes he could just borrow something from Dustin, but that would undoubtedly draw too much suspicion. Finally, he finds A field guide to reptiles and amphibians. After a quick look at the index he decides that it’ll have to do. Then it occurs to him that he can’t exactly check out the book without drawing suspicion. He really should have let Nancy tag along. She’s so much better at sneaking. He’s always too paranoid that people are actually watching him.
Jonathan’s kicking himself for leaving his bag in his locker just as the bell rings. In a panic, he shoves the book under his shirt and hightails it out of the library, keeping his head low as he passes Priscilla again. He quickly assimilates into the crowded hallway and hopes that he doesn’t run into Nancy.
He makes it three feet from his locker when he trips over his shoelace and the book goes flying. He regains his balance and scans the hallway to see where the book fell. At last, he spots it near a familiar pair of red scribbled on converse. Robin picks up the book, tilts her head and then looks as though he’s a zebra and she’s on safari. Which he really doesn’t appreciate too much, but that’s what he’s come to expect from his interactions with her. Slowly, she hands the book to him with an uneasy smile and a nod.
“Preparing for tomorrow?” Robin jokes, hauntingly.
He doesn’t know what to say, so he doesn’t say anything. He and Robin have been locker neighbors since freshman year. At this point what she thinks of him is none of his business. He ignores her and opens his locker to retrieve his history and math books. Sneaking the frog book in between them and placing all three into his bag.. He shuts his locker a little louder than normal and turns to make it to class before he’s late
“A group is called an army” she blurts out sagaciously.
“What?” he sputters out, his heart is pounding in his ears.
“You know like when there’s a bunch of them like an unkindness of ravens, a murder of crows, an army of frogs” She rattles off.
Jonathan wonders if this is her idea of how to make friends.
“Just thought you might wanna know” she notes with another awkward smile.
“Right” he nods.
He’s never been so happy to hear the warning bell ring. He leaves before things get more uncomfortable than they already are. He makes a mental note to wait before he goes back to his locker after school to avoid her. He doesn’t need her wrecking his plans. Even if Robin doesn’t seem the type to snitch, he can’t be too sure. It’s not like he seems the type to plan a heist or go monster hunting for that matter.
When he gets to history, the projector is out and he can't believe his luck. He slides into his seat and decides to be grateful that Coach Miller is just as ready for Spring Break as everyone else. Once attendance is taken, the lights dim, and Sergeant York starts he pulls out his contraband and starts reading. Jonathan figures out most of the environmental logistics in history.
He spends Math and Spanish scratching out ideas in-between his notes and debating whether or not to ask Nancy for help. She’s been stressed about grades since they started the term, she got a B minus on their first Math quiz and cried. And he knows it’s all part of her plan. Their plans. Good grades lead to good internships which leads to good colleges, specifically Emerson. She’s got it all figured out. He feels guilty putting it all at risk, but not as guilty as he’s going to feel if he has to kill NJ.
He really doesn’t think that this is what John Lyly had in mind when he coined all’s fair in love and war but it sure as hell fits. He tries to convince himself that’s all this is. A simple conflict of interest. She wants to be valedictorian and he doesn’t want to be a mass murderer. Plus, Nancy doesn't even like frogs and he doesn't exactly blame her. If Will had pulled a prank like Mike did he probably wouldn't be too fond of them either. Ultimately, he decides that on the off chance he does get caught it's best not to drag her into it.
He also decides that he needs to practice his plan if he wants to execute it perfectly. So when Nancy marches off to the soccer field he sneaks into the dark room and waits for the hallways to empty out. After Thirty-five minutes exactly, he tiptoes his way back to the science wing. He glances through the small window in the door and sure enough Mr.Mahoney is gone for the day. In vain, he tries the door knob but his luck doesn’t run that deep.
Jonathan sighs and grabs his knife from his bag and crouches in front of the lock. He checks his surroundings and then gets to work picking the lock. He accidentally misses one of the pins and grumbles, this really shouldn’t be any harder than breaking into Lonnie’s car. He misses the pin again, sighs and runs his hand through his hair. His stress really isn’t helping the situation.
“Hey Byers what’s up?” Steve greets nonchalantly as he walks by.
“Hey Steve” he responds in a huff.
SHIT. SHIT.SHIT.
Jonathan removes the knife, hops up and Steve stares at him, wide-eyed like this is the worst thing he's ever caught him doing.
“Are you breaking and entering?” he hisses.
“It’s-”
“Look man, I get it Mahoney’s exams are brutal” Steve jokes and Jonathan frowns. Like he’d risk expulsion for something as easy as a test.
“I’m-”
“Now, you didn’t hear this from me but the janitor puts his keys in the closet near the old drama room where Munson and his freaks meet up” he informs in a whisper.
“So?” Jonathan prods.
“So, he doesn't lock the door and he leaves at six” Steve informs with an over exaggerated wink.
Jonathan rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to try and defend himself or maybe to beg Steve not to say anything.
“Good luck, I gotta run” Steve bids, with a friendly clap on his shoulder.
He barely has time to process what just happened before Steve speaks again.
“Nance” he acknowledges just as Nancy says “There you are”
Jonathan turns around and tries to act normal as Nancy gives him a once-over. Steve saunters off and just as Jonathan is wondering what the hell Steve was even doing here Ally walks out from one of the classrooms. Nancy gapes at her as she passes and Jonathan focuses on his shoes.
“What was that about?” Nancy presses.
“Uh nothing, nothing” he lies, unsure if she means Steve and Ally or if she saw him and Steve talking.
Nancy looks up at him confused.
“Wait, what are you doing here? I thought you were covering the soccer game?” he asks, before she can question him.
“I was until Beth Wildfire split her leg open” she recalls.
“Gross”
“Yea no kidding” she shudders.
“So are you ready to go?” she asks, lacing their hands together.
“Uh yea, yea of course” he nods.
Nancy’s quiet on the drive and he’s more than grateful. If she was up to her usual chatter, he’d surely crack under pressure. He doesn’t like keeping secrets from her, or withholding the truth, or whatever this is. It feels too close to lying. He hates the thought of lying to her, it makes him sick. He swallows hard and takes a deep breath, trying to shake the feeling. Nancy lifts up his right hand and gives it a kiss, attempting to soothe him but it only makes him feel worse.
Jonathan takes another deep breath. Nancy doesn’t need to know, she doesn’t need to be involved and above all she doesn’t need to worry. His strategy is foolproof, he’s going to wait until dark, sneak into the school, sneak out the frogs and find them a nice new home along Lover’s Lake. All he has to do is drop her off and then he can stakeout the terrain and consult his guide for the best spot. It’s as easy as killing a demogoron or burning down the lab.
Finally, he pulls into the cul de sac and idles his car outside of her house. Nancy unbuckles her seatbelt and waits. After about a minute she turns to him with a blank look on her face.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“Dropping you off?” he laughs nervously.
“I thought…”
He forgot about their study date. He quickly comes up with another lie.
“I remembered I have to do some stuff for Will’s birthday tomorrow” he fibs, rubbing the steering wheel.
“Did you procrastinate on a present?” Nancy teases, eyes bright.
“Uh yea, slipped my mind” he answers and tries not to think about how easy lying to her is.
“Well, I’ll come with you” she decides, leaning back into her seat.
“No. I mean, uh no, you should study.” he excuses and she frowns “I can call you later” he promises with another heavy swallow.
Nancy bites her lip. She spends so long looking into his eyes that he’s grateful for the low music playing on the radio. Normally, he doesn’t mind their staring contests. It’s fun to try and guess what she’s thinking. It’s not like either one of them is typically hiding a plot to commit burglary. She glances down and then backs up quickly and for a moment he panics that she’s onto him.
“I love you, you know that right?” Nancy asks softly and his heart skips the way it always does when she says it.
“Of course I do, I love you too” Jonathan affirms confidently, he doesn’t need her doubting his feelings.
She nods and smiles, but he can tell that she’s still overthinking the strange situation they’ve found themselves in. He’s so close to caving, to breaking down crying about how it’s more than the fact that he can’t do the dissection. The truth is, Jonathan loves her too much to let her do it for him.
He knows she doesn’t want to perform the procedure any more than he does but she feels like she has to for him. Like he’s somehow worth it. But how can he explain that petty theft is the only way for both of them to get out of this?
Jonathan starts to say something, but he hesitates just a second too long and Nancy has that steely look in her eyes that he loves so much.
“I know you’re upset. But I’m going to handle everything. I promise you won’t have to lift a finger.” she vows, taking his hand again.
He’s sure he’s never felt so guilty in his entire life. But he nods anyway, they’ll laugh about this someday. Years from now, this will be nothing more than a funny anecdote they tell their friends at dinner parties. If she doesn’t dump him before then. Nancy has that sympathetic look again, he breathes deep and tries to mask his emotions again.
“Except to take notes” he quips, giving her his best smile.
“Exactly” she nods, leaning in for a kiss.
When Nancy pulls away and smiles at him, Jonathan considers one more time about letting her in on his ploy. Then he remembers how stressed she is over her grades and resigns himself to secrecy. He keeps his cool as she exits his car, absentmindedly taps at the steering wheel as he watches her go up the walk and waves when she turns around to blow him his goodbye kiss. Slowly, he pulls away from the curb and thinks that if his plan works out, she’s not going to have to handle anything.