Chapter Text
Nancy walked down the hallway, the soles of her brown ankle boots brushing over the blue carpet. Her eyes scanned the words on her worn out textbook pages. She was starting college in the fall, and as per usual Nancy Wheeler style, started to study early. Days underneath the summer’s light were cast into shadows by piles of knowledge. As she read, Nancy passed Mike's room, not noticing it was closed, set on getting some coffee from the kitchen.
Then out of the blue, bursts of laughter reached her ears.
“Shh! She’ll hear you!”
“Sorry, sorry!”
“You really suck at this..”
“Oh, really? Maybe it’s your fault…”
“Hey! What the hell, dude?”
“What? You distract me.”
“I can see that.”
Nancy’s ears tingled, recognizing the sound of her brother and his boyfriend. Without a second thought, she turned on her heel, and sped down the hall. Upon seeing the closed door, fury attacked her once calm demeanor, and she slammed it open. Mike, and the gremlin Nancy did not wish to address, flinched at the intrusion.
Brandon looked like a startled cat, all the hairs on his arms stood up, and his green eyes bursted open. Nancy observed the two of them closer. The boy was sitting way too close to her brother, hand placed on Mike’s knee. Brandon drew back, and his lips trembled as he waved at her in polite greeting.
“Nancy, hey…”
Nancy felt venom course through her veins. It seemed as though Brandon just pulled away from kissing her brother. He better be as athletic as Mike tells her he is, because she was about to give him the chase of his life if her deduction was correct. Mike’s hands, which were resting on the boy’s shoulders, fell to his sides. Her brother sent her a scalding glare at being interrupted. Brandon at least had the decency to look flustered.
“What did I say about closed doors?” Nancy seethed out, slamming the door against the wall, producing a loud thump, emphasizing her point.
Mike gave her an unimpressed look, arms crossed in annoyance. Brandon swallowed hard, eyes darting all over the room.
“I’m sorry. I-” Brandon apologized, but did not scoot away from where he sat across from Mike.
“Get your hands off my brother if you’re really sorry.” Nancy snarled out and Brandon did so within a millisecond. He waved the white flag.
“I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Hmm.” Nancy walked into the room, closing the door behind her. The click resounded within the room. The air became thick with tension, ready to drop on any one of them and crush them underneath its weight.
Brandon’s face paled and Mike groaned as Nancy pulled out the chair from his desk and faced it towards the bed. The wheels rolled against the wooden boards and Nancy sat down on the cushion, throwing her right leg over her left one.
“What were you two doing?” Nancy asked, dangerously. Fingers tapping against her arm.
“Um..” Brandon started, throat dry. He turned around on the bed to face her. “We were just..”
“Reading comics.” Mike finished for him, smirking at his sister. Mike shifted where he sat crisscrossed on the bed, and the mattress squeaked as Brandon uncrossed his legs to plant his feet firmly against the ground.
Nancy nodded her head slowly, eyes narrowed, tone lacking any amusement. “Reading comics…?”
Mike chortled, “Yep.” He nudged Brandon with his elbow. Brandon couldn’t stop himself from sending the boy a warm smile in return.
Nancy sighed, she was gripping at her sweater’s sleeves, digging into the cotton. “Brandon,” She shut her eyes, trying to calm the raging dragon. “You’re a good kid. I don’t think you’d lie to me.”
Brandon shook his head vigorously, panic overriding his love stricken expression. “No-no! Of course not. You’re Mike’s sister. I respect you.”
“Right,” Nancy's eyes flew open and she smiled at Brandon like a predator. Medusa’s curse filled her gaze. “So, what were you two really doing?”
Brandon looked as though he was about to faint.
Nancy almost felt bad for him.
Then she noticed his hair was messy and all her sympathy disappeared in an instant.
“Um…”
Mike scoffed, leaning back on his elbows. “Nancy, seriously?”
“Shut it.” Nancy held up her finger in front of Mike’s face, shushing him. Mike gawked, appalled at the action, but chose to stay silent for his boyfriend’s sake.
“We were kissing..” Brandon said hesitantly and Nancy breathed hard through her nose. The boy gazed down, laying his hands against his knees. “I-I’m sorry. I thought that it was fine. I mean-I don’t mind doing other stuff. I like your brother and I wouldn’t just date him to make out and I really respect you and your wishes-”
Nancy nodded stiffly and showed the boy the palm of her hand, stopping his rambling. She blew a hair strand out of her face. Nancy pointed towards the hallway, “Brandon, you have to leave.”
Mike stared at her exasperated. “Are you serious?!” he moved to get off the bed. Brandon adjusted his seating position to give his boyfriend the space to do so. “You don’t get to decide that!”
“Yeah, I do. I’m older than you.” Nancy snapped back, looking up at Mike from where she sat.
“It’s okay. I’ll go.” Brandon stood up quickly, picking up his backpack from the ground, throwing its strap over his shoulder.
Mike grabbed onto his boyfriend’s wrist and Brandon glanced back at him. “You don’t have to. Nancy is just being dumb.” He said softly and Brandon shook his head, pulling Mike closer.
“Sorry babe. But if your sister wants me to leave I must respect her wishes,” Brandon leaned down and kissed Mike’s cheek, the boy’s face lit up in a cherry pink hue. Nancy clasped her hands together, scratching at her skin out of fury. “I’ll see you at school."
Mike sighed sadly, “Yeah, see you.”
Brandon swept past Nancy, bidding her goodbye.The politeness irked Nancy more than anything. Mike and Nancy listened as their mom wished Brandon a safe drive home and their dad commented about how late it was getting, scolding the boy slightly.
Nancy couldn’t help but beam up at that.
The door downstairs slammed shut and they both watched through the window as the car drove out of their driveway.
The two siblings stared at one another in silence, neither of them willing to shoot from their military tanks first. Unfortunately, Nancy was a natural born leader and she didn't want her brother to beat her, so she succumbed to the invisible pressure.
Nancy stood up, pushing his chair back into the desk, allowing it to hit the edge.“Thank god he’s gone.”
Mike whipped his head towards her, blazing fire blooming across his face. “You’re such an asshole!” He ran out the door.
“Mike! Wait!” Nancy followed her brother into the hallway, nearly tripping over her long skirt as she did so. Their footsteps hit against the ground loudly, alerting the rest of their family downstairs.
Mike peered over his shoulder, tossing his head back in annoyance to see his sister’s relentless pace. “I can’t believe you! Why do you always do this?!”
Nancy gaped at him, hand over her chest at the accusation. “Do what?!”
“Scare him away!” Mike started to sprint down the stairs and Nancy latched onto the railing, skipping down the steps right behind her brother.
“What?! I don’t do that!” She took a deep breath, laughing at the absurdity. “I’m just keeping you safe!”
They reached the bottom of the stairs and Mike turned to glare at his sister. Nancy’s strong stance wavered and she held onto the wooden railing tightly. Holly observed them from where she was sitting on the living room’s floor, working on her homework. She wanted to watch some tv while doing so, but it seemed as though she’d have to change her plans.
“Safe?! ” Mike started to wave his hands in frustration. “Brandon is a nice guy! What would he do?!”
Nancy rolled her eyes, “He could break your heart within seconds, Mike. He knows better than to close that door!”
Mike groaned, voice increasing by the second. “We weren’t even doing anything!”
Nancy laughed mockingly, “But you were! Mike, do you think I’m stupid?!” Mike narrowed his eyes and she continued. “I was your age once!” She shook her head, curls bouncing in the air, and crossed her arms. “Trust me. I know why you closed that door!”
“At least mom knows Brandon was over,” Mike muttered, puffing up his chest. “Unlike you with Steve.”
Nancy stepped off the stairs fully. “And Steve was not right for me. Just like Brandon is not right for you!”
“Y-you don’t know anything!”
“Yes, I d-”
“No, you don’t!”
They started to shout at one another and Ted buried his face into the newspaper. Karen continued to cook soup in the kitchen, listening to the radio. Holly got up from the floor, picking up her papers and pencil pouch. She strode over to where her siblings were arguing and pushed past them.
“Nancy, let Mike date people. This is exhausting to listen to every day.” Her tiny voice put a stop to their eruptive volcano, and the two of them watched as their little sister surfed up the stairs and over the remaining specks of lava.
Mike grinned smugly.
Nancy messed with her hair, curls tangling in between her fingers. “This doesn't mean anything. Holly is young. She doesn't know what she’s talking about.”
“What’s your issue?! When people date they kiss! It's totally normal!”
“It’s because I don’t trust him. And more importantly, I don’t trust you and your judgement."
“I-”
Karen had enough, lowering the radio to speak to them. “Kids, what’s with all the commotion? What’s going on?”
“Nothing!” Nancy and Mike shouted.
“It’s about the boyfriend again.” Ted muttered under his breath, closing his newspaper and reaching for the tv remote.
Ted’s opinion about the boy varied like his luck on lottery scratchers. At first, Ted didn’t really appreciate the lack of direction Brandon had for his future, unsure of whether he wanted to go to college or the type of job he wanted. However, the boy was good with vehicles and he seemed to come from a well off family. All in all, the man didn’t really see what the issue was, but his daughter seemed to take pride in being right, and he did not want to unleash the monster when someone told her the opposite.
Mike stomped towards the kitchen and Nancy scurried right behind him. Karen blinked in surprise to find her children standing right in front of her. They both started to complain, pointing their fingers at one another, voices overlapping. The clock ticked backwards, and suddenly, a sixteen year old Nancy was engaging in her daily argument with a twelve year old Mike.
Mrs. Wheeler pinched the bridge of her nose and braved the tsunami.
“Nancy is ruining my life! She is scaring Brandon away!”
“Wow, way to be dramatic, Mike.”
“I am not! He might end up getting tired of me because of you!”
“If he does that just means he was never good for you anyways!”
Karen cut the last slice of the carrot harshly, the blunt of her knife hitting the board. “Stop it!” Mike and Nancy clamped their mouths shut. Mrs. Wheeler sighed, then pointed to Mike. “Mike, go first.”
Mike laughed dryly, turning to gaze at his sister with venom. “She scared Brandon off!” Nancy chuckled in disbelief, bushy hair dressing her shoulders. Mrs. Wheeler took out some celery and potatoes. “She always does this! He’s my boyfriend! I should be able to have him over without him fearing for his damn life!"
Nancy gaped at her brother, “What?! I don’t make him feel threatened.”
Mike tilted his head, sarcasm taking control. “Yes, you do! ‘Oh, Brandon. Does your family have guns stored in the closet?’ ”
“I don’t-”
“Brandon, tell me how fast can you run?”
“Enough,” Mrs. Wheeler held out her hand, putting a stop to Mike’s rant and pointed at her oldest child. “Go.”
Nancy smirked, knowing her victory awaits with just four simple words. “Mike’s door was closed.”
Mrs. Wheeler dropped the potato into the pot; water splashed over the rim. She sent her son a scolding look. “Mike! What did we talk about?!”
Mike’s shoulders slumped, “To keep our door open. But-!”
“No buts, Michael. That rule applies to all of you kids.”
“This is so unfair.” Mike muttered, glaring at his shoes. Nancy sat down at the kitchen counter, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“You are under my roof,” Mrs. Wheel wiggled her finger in disappointment. “Brandon is a nice guy but rules are there for a reason.”
A dejected expression fell upon Mike's face and Karen smiled at him in sympathy. “Aw, Mike,” She put down her knife and came over to her son, squeezing his cheeks like a chipmunk. “You are my little baby. I have to make sure no one hurts you.”
Nancy stifled her chuckles with the back of her hand and Mike’s face became as red as tomato, “Mom! Stop!” He whined.
“Oh, look at you,” She messed with the boy’s curls and kissed his cheek. Mike pouted even further, trying to get out of her grasp. “No wonder that boy wants to date you. You are kind and such a good son. And that’s why,” She broke away and poked Mike’s nose who had surrendered to the coddling, “I have to make sure he doesn't hurt you. Nancy is just being protective.”
Mike sighed in defeat, “Fine then! I’ll just go over to his place!”
Mrs.Wheeler stepped back in shock and Nancy choked on her coffee. Her fist landed on the kitchen counter, rattling the knifes stored inside the wooden box. “You will not do that!”
“No, I’m not allowing it.” Karen said, going back to her cutting board.
Mike groaned, mouth opening and closing like a fish.“This is so unfair! I might as well break up with him.”
“You should.” Nancy said, over the moon at her brother’s suggestion, and her mom stopped cutting, sending her daughter a warning look.
“I won’t!”
Nancy grew furious, the coffee burned her throat. She couldn’t stop the next words that left her mouth. “Why can’t you just date Will?!”
Mrs. Wheeler looked positively delighted at the idea. “Oh, yes! Will is quite handsome isn’t he, Mike? Not only that you two have been friends for such a long time.”
“Will is a good kid!” Ted yelled in approval from where he had sunk into his armchair. “And we know he at least has plans after high school…”
“Ted!” Karen scolded, shaking her head in frustration. “Be nice!”
“I-I,” Mike flushed, fidgeting where he stood. “I can’t date Will!” The protest was weak, falling quiet on everyone’s ears.
“Oh, but why not?” Nancy asked, eyes twinkling. “I would prefer him way better."
Mike chewed on his lip, head hanging low. “Be-cause! And it doesn't matter who you prefer! Brandon is my boyfriend and he’s a nice guy!”
“Will would be way better.” Nancy grumbled and Mike let out a huff before stomping up the stairs and slamming his door shut, slanting the portraits on the walls. Ted yelled after Mike, reprimanding him for the childish action.
Mrs. Wheeler sighed, the pot was now boiling, steam rising into the air. She went over to the sink and started to wash the cutting board. “Nancy, you do realize Mike is growing up right?”
“Really?” Nancy raised an eyebrow and shifted in her seat. "Wouldn't have noticed. With his height one might think he’ll hit the ceiling soon enough."
“Nance,” Ms. Wheeler said softly. She turned to face her daughter, a teasing smile on her face. “I think you’re being a bit overprotective."
Nancy’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “Mom!”
“What? It’s true." She sang out and walked over to grab the knife to wash it.
Nancy slipped off her chair, “I am not being overprotective! I am being the right amount of protectiveness.”
“What are you even worried about?” Karen turned off the sink, droplets hitting the metal interior. “Brandon is such a nice guy for your brother. He is never late, he carries things for him, and drives him around.”
“He is also way too close to him. Kisses him all the time and flirts with him as though we are not there! Do you not remember that one time at dinner?!”
Mrs.Wheeler grimaced, the memory leaving a sour taste in her mouth “Ugh, yeah. That wasn't his best. But he tries!”
“I want to marry your son, Mr. Wheeler. We are going to be moving in together after we graduate,” Nancy recited mockingly and Karen rubbed at her temple. “Remember how excited Mike was? And how Brandon tried to propose-”
“Uh, yeah,” Karen choked out, “Thank god we stopped that.” She dried her hands with the kitchen towel.“But Nance, that’s how relationships work! They are in their honeymoon phase. Soon enough, Mike will lose interest and move on. But until then let him have this.”
“Okay? But what if that’s all he wants? The puppy love in the relationship? And once he leaves, Mike would be heartbroken while that jerk face will not give a damn.”
“That jerk face is a really nice guy who I believe would not do such a thing,” Karen came over to her daughter and brushed aside the girl’s loose curls. “I really think you are just overthinking this.”
Nancy shook her head, “No! I’m not. I’m never wrong.”
“Nance,” Karen said, sternly. “Trust your brother. And be nice to Brandon, please.”
Nancy crossed her arms and Mrs. Wheeler kissed her gently on the cheek before going back to finishing dinner.
⤌⤍
The next day, Nancy walked down the street to Melvald's General Store so she could meet with Joyce, desperate for advice. The girl pushed open the door, causing the bell above to jangle. She searched for Joyce, eyes landing by the register, and involuntarily stepped back in surprise to see Hopper waiting by the counter. Nancy came over cautiously, swinging her arms back and forth as she moved to stand next to the man.
Hopper immediately put out the cigarette he was not supposed to be smoking inside and spared her a surprise glance. “Oh, hey.”
Nancy waved rigidly, a wooden limb creaking in the wind. “Hey.”
They waited in silence.
And more silence.
Hopper cleared his throat, fingers tracing his beard. There were no items in his hand, he must have came over during his lunch break as a visit. “You here for Joyce?”
Nancy nodded, deciding to get a pack of gum while she was here. She reached for the strawberry kind and waited for the woman to come back to the register. “Yeah, I need some advice.”
Hopper nodded, burying his hands into his jacket’s pockets. “Anyway I can help? She might be gone for a while.” Another set of customers walked in, chattering in excitement, and Nancy recognized them as students from Hawkins High. They passed by them and went straight to the snack aisle.
“It’s about Mike’s boyfriend.”
Hopper lost all the oxygen in his lungs and held onto the nearest shelf as he nearly fell to the ground. “Mike’s what?!” He hissed out, eyes wild.
Nancy raised an eyebrow, tossing the pack of gum in her hand up and down. “Boyfriend? I thought you’d know. Figured El or Will would spill the beans.”
Hopper shook his head, shutting his eyes. Sweat started to run down his forehead. How his children managed to keep this secret from him was beyond him. He knew everything about the kids. Will and El would talk late into the night about what occurred earlier that day, making jokes and comments only for their ears to know. Jim Hopper, however, was an eavesdropper, and an overprotective one at that. So, the fact he did not know about what was happening within the party’s love life took him on a dizzy carousel ride.
He really needed a smoke right now
Hmmm, and perhaps a glass of scotch.
“No-no,” Hopper let go of the shelf and stood up straight. “I did not know. Um, since when did he get a boyfriend?”
Nancy chuckled in faint surprise. The man in front of her was positively frantic, jaw dropped to the floor, the gears in his head breaking. “Since three months ago.”
“Okay, okay…” Hopper turned around and leaned against the register. The bell jangled again and he observed as new customers came into the store. “I’m guessing you came to ask for advice regarding that?”
The girl’s humor turned to ash. She caught the gum in her hand and crushed the packaging. “Yeah, I hate him.”
Hopper kept his gaze away from her, still trying to process the new information he learned. “Why?”
Nancy sighed, boots squeaking against the porcelain floors as she started to pace. “He comes over and lays himself all over my brother! Me and my mom told Mike to keep the door open but as soon as Brandon comes it's as though we never said anything! That boy just comes into our house and does whatever the hell he wants!”
Hopper looked up at Nancy, eyes wide with recognition. “Keep the door open three inches…”
Nancy stopped her movement, boots leaving scratch marks on the floor. “What? ”
“Nothing, nothing,” Hopper pushed himself off the counter, sweaty hands rubbing down his jacket. “So, they closed the door-”
“Yeah!” Nancy cut him off, desperate to let out her hidden frustrations. “I know why they do it! I have been his age once,” She turned on her heel, the tip of the boot pointing out, and hissed out. “They are kissing! On a school night nevertheless!”
Nancy continued her rant and all Hopper could think of was El, and how Mike would come over every single day of the week. It was torture, forced to listen as his daughter and her boyfriend would canoodle behind the barley closed door.
“I-I don’t want my brother to kiss such a jerk face! Not only that! He drinks!”
Hopper’s interest peaked, “Oh?”
“Yeah!” Nancy laughed dryly and the customers started to send her weird looks. “Apparently, Brandon had a whole party one time and dared to invite him to it. Luckily, my mom overheard them and told Brandon that would not be possible.”
Nancy breathed heavily through her nostrils, “He is using Mike, Hopper! I just know as soon as they break up that Brandon would be seen with a different guy the next day. Flaunting about how fast he moved on. Mike will be heart broken and who will have to pick up the pieces?” She tapped at her chest, hard. “ME!”
“Break them up.”
Nancy’s eyes widened and Hopper watched through the window as Joyce came out of a car, arms full of cardboard boxes labeled ‘juice’.
“That will be kind of hard,” Nancy’s anger faltered. “Brandon is a nice guy...”
Hopper couldn’t help the amusement that bloomed up in his chest. “But you just said a lot of stuff that makes him-by definition-not a nice guy.”
“Yeah, but…he treats my brother very well. I think he’s good at pretending.”
“Okay, that's no problem.” Hopper gazed out the window once more and Joyce was stopped from going back into the store by her boss, who started to tell her something.
Good, he still had time.
He glanced back at Nancy, who had her arms folded, eyebrows quirked in interest. “All we have to do is make up a reason for them to break up.”
“Oh, okay…” Nancy said slowly, surprised by the chief's nonchalant attitude about the whole situation. She closed her eyes and with hesitance laid out her idea gently. “I-I did say Mike should date Will.”
Hopper nodded at that, brows furrowed, tucking his lips in. His eyes glinted with curiosity but lacked the surprise. “Will? My Will?”
Nancy shrugged, a sheepish smile marking her face. “Yeah…”
“Hmm, fine,” Hopper managed to hide his own smile. “We can convince Mike that Will is a better match. I’ll help you.”
Nancy chuckled in delight. Her hands dropped to her sides and she beamed up like a firework. “Really?”
“Yep. I’ll talk to Will later today and we can meet up tomorrow to discuss the details.”
“Thanks. I figured you would scold me or something…”
“Trust me. I had experience in this before and I don’t trust that guy one bit from what you’re saying,” Hopper placed his hands on his hips, badge shining proudly in the sun’s rays. “We’ll get them broken up by the end of the week. But we might have to paint the guy in a negative light.”
Nancy played with a flyer by the register, folding the top corner of it. “Like cheating.”
Hopper picked up a lighter from the box. “Or stealing and smoking.”
“Or murder.” Nancy finished coldly and Hopper smirked at the familiarity. The door swung open and Joyce came rushing in, face hidden by the tower of boxes. She peaked past the merchandise, bemused to find Nancy and Hopper conversing.
“Nancy, what a pleasant surprise! I never see you here,” Joyce put down the cardboard box on the register counter. Suspicion gripped at her heart when she noticed the proud expression of her husband and the serious one of Nancy’s. “Uh, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Nancy placed the pack of gum on the counter and smiled at Joyce. “Just this, Mrs.Byers.”
Joyce shot Hopper a look and the chief just whistled lowly. She scanned the item and gave it to Nancy. The girl paid, thanked her, and marched out the shop. She reached towards the sun, glowing in the afterglow one got when successfully solving a case.
Joyce sighed and stared at Hopper expectantly, “You're going to tell me what’s going on, right now.”
Hopper grimaced. He stood no chance against Joyce when it came to keeping secrets. “Mike is dating someone! And Nancy does not like it and frankly neither do I.” The students came over with bags of chips and sodas, whispering to one another about the mention of their classmate.
“Oh, jeez,” Joyce started to scan the items. “Who is this poor girl?”
“It’s a guy,” Hopper said bluntly. Joyce smiled at the kids as she handed them the bag and wished them a good day. They waved her goodbye and ran out the store to go to the arcade. “And I bet that guy practices his smooches on rocks beforehand.”
Joyce slammed down her scanner and groaned, “Hop!”
“What?!” Hopper threw his hands up, “This guy sounds like a real problem, Joyce! Guess what they do.”
“Act like a normal couple?” Joyce muttered, picking up the cardboard box, and walking over to the snack aisle.
“Worse,” Hopper spat out and followed her. “They closed the door so they could lock lips.”
Joyce nodded, lips pursed, and pretended to ponder over it. “So,” She said carefully and Hopper nodded as she did so. “Like a couple?” She ended, high pitched.
Hopper rolled his head, beard tickling his chin in irritation. “No! No! That is not normal.” Joyce kneeled down and started to take out the juice to place on the shelves. “I didn't like it with El, and believe it or not, I don’t like it now.”
“God, what will happen once Will gets in a relationship?” Joyce muttered and Hopper’s face fell down a flight of stairs.
“He will not,” Hopper looked away from her, “And if he does it’s with Mike..” he added quickly, coughing as he did so.
Joyce peered over her shoulder, dropping the juice back into the box. “What?”
Hopper sighed, “Nancy and I are going to convince Mike to break up with Brand-or whatever his name is-by showing him how much Will is better.”
Joyce stood up and tossed her head back. “Oh. My. God! Hop! Did you even talk to Will about this?!”
“Not yet..but let's not kid ourselves, Joyce. Something is happening between Will and Mike, might as well help them out!”
Joyce shook her head and kneeled back down. She started to aggressively place the jugs of juice on the shelves and Hopper stiffened.
“And in return break Mike’s and this poor guy’s heart,” The duct tape rang out as she closed the box shut. Joyce rose to her feet, holding the now half empty box in her arms. “Let Mike figure this out by himself. And let Will go about his crush on Mike in his own way. We are not meant to meddle in teenage love drama.”
“This is not meddling,” Hopper frowned, "It's called protecting.”
“Okay, fine.” Joyce huffed out. “Do what you want. I’ll just watch as it all crashes and burns.”
She walked away from him to help out other the customers. Hopper looked down at his watch and cursed out loud.
“DAMN IT, I’m late!” He sprinted out the store and Joyce rolled her eyes at the man.