Chapter Text
I had been asking all week for Jonathan to go to Tina’s party with me. It’s never been his scene, even when we first started dating, especially when we first started dating, he made sure to keep an arm's length between himself and my social circles. Which I can definitely understand, but we’ve been together for almost two years now and sometimes I feel like he just doesn’t ever want to get to know me outside of what we have. I can’t seem to get too upset by it though, considering what we went through last year. Most normal couples aren’t fighting interdimensional monsters and bringing back brothers from the dead, so I'll cut him some slack for not wanting to hang out with my preppy cheer friends and their jock boyfriends.
Even still with everything that has happened I just want a sense of normalcy back. I haven’t really felt like myself since last year before I found out about all of this crazy stuff. I need just one night of normalcy. One night of being a dumb teenager, in a dumb costume, partying at some dumb girl on my cheer teams house but everytime I bring up going I see Jonathan clench his jaw, preparing to let me down again, insisting that he needed to stay with Will on Halloween, so after about six tries I just gave up.
If he wasn’t going to go then I wasn’t going to push it and I’ll just go by myself. There’s no reason for me to miss out on my friend’s party because my boyfriend doesn’t want to mingle with my friends. Plus as much as I love Jonathan’s family, I know that I would spend the entire night worried about Will if I went with them to trick or treat.
The day went by the same as any other. Boring classes, boring practice, Billy fucking Hargrove trying to get in my pants for the nineteenth time. I swear it doesn’t matter how many times I say that I’m in a relationship or that I’m just not interested, he doesn’t seem to get the hint. Hopefully I can avoid him at the party tonight. I’d rather not have to deal with the questions of why I came alone, followed by shameless flirting.
As the final bell was ringing I felt someone grab me. Spinning around, I laughed when I came face to face with Jonathan. He was smiling, God do I love his smile, as he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear he smiled, “Hey I’ve been thinking, and let's go tonight.” he said.
I look at him, shock written all over my face. Did he really just say that? “What?” I said back.
He laughed, “I said let’s go tonight, to Tina’s. I mean if you still want to?”
My face split into a grin, “Really?! Are you sure you don’t mind going?”
He smiled back at me, “Yeah, I was talking with Nance earlier and she said she and Steve would be going, and, you know, she thinks it’d be good for all of us to get out, kind of have a change of pace.” He moved his hand from my hair and cupped my jaw, “And I know how stressed you’ve been. I’m sorry for not being there for you like you’ve been here for me.”
My smile faded a bit at the mention of Nancy. Of course if she suggested it he would want to go, but being jealous right now wouldn’t do any good so I quickly leaned forward and kissed Jonathan’s cheek, smiling again, “I think that Nancy is right, and honestly Jonathan it’s okay. It’s been a rough year for everyone, especially for you, and I don’t mind having you lean on me a bit more.”
Jonathan let go of me and grabbed my hand, leading me to his car, “I know it’s last minute but why don’t we go see if we can whip up some costumes for tonight. I still need to take Will trick or treating but I’m sure he’d rather be with his friends than me, so we can head over when I drop him off yeah?”
He opened my door and let me in before heading over to his side and starting the car. It was gorgeous out today so I leaned over and rolled down our windows, Jonathan laughing at my hair blowing wildly in the wind. I miss this. I miss him. This is the first time in months that I’ve seen him so at peace.
He turns to me with a smile still stretching across his face and points to the glove box. I salute back at him and begin rummaging through the absolutely insane number of cassettes and finally land on the mixtape we made together when we first started dating. I pop in the tape while he is focused on the road and watch as his eyes light up when the first notes of Rio by Duran Duran play through the speakers. The rest of the ride back to his house flies by, the both of us laughing and singing at the top of our lungs.
When we arrived at his house it was empty. Will and Joyce at the hospital for one of Will’s check-ins. The poor kid has been having episodes more and more frequently. The last time I spoke with Joyce, she said that the doctor said it was normal for people who have been through a trauma to relive those experiences and emotions near the anniversary of the event happening. Which in all honesty makes sense. I know that my own nightmares have been getting more and more terrifying recently.
I’ve not been sleeping at night, maybe averaging three, four hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. Of course Jonathan doesn’t know though. I don’t want him worrying over something that I have in control. As long as I make sure to take a nap during my free period instead of volunteering in the library like I used to, I seem to make it through the day without feeling too tired.
Jonathan led me to his room, grabbing some chips from the kitchen to snack on while we tried to figure out what to wear. It was too late to drive into town and try to find matching costumes, so we have to make do with the stuff we have. Thankfully I know how to sew, because as much as I love Jonathan, I have no faith that he owns clothes for a costume.
Rummaging through his closet I found an old button up and some dark trousers. Holding them up I turned to Jonathan and said, “Hey babe what if we go as Han Solo and Leia?” Showing him the clothes I had in my hands I continued, “I think if we find some props we could make it work.”
He turns to face me, chip crumbs on his face and smiles, “If you can make it work, I’ll leave it up to you. Do your magic.”
Laughing, I continue to rummage through his closet, finding a black jean jacket. “Do you mind if I cut this up John? It’d work really well for the costume, but it’s okay if you don’t want to.”
Looking at the jacket with squinted eyes he hums, “I didn’t even know I still owned that.” He chuckled, “Go for it”
An hour and a half later I finally had his costume ready, and with perfect timing as well. We heard the door open as I grabbed my things to head home and get my own costume in order. Smiling, I walked out of John’s room and greeted Joyce.
Immediately she grabbed me in a hug, “It’s been so long dear, how have you been? You don’t come over as often anymore.”
I smiled sheepishly at her and turned to give Will a hug before answering, “I know, I’m so sorry, everything has been so busy recently. Our captain this year has been drilling us extra hard with practice and I feel like I made a mistake taking all of those honors classes. These teachers are crazy about homework, my lord.”
Will chuckled at that which made me smile. I looked down and kept my arms wrapped around him, giving him a little squeeze, “Hey I got you something as thanks for that picture you made me. I left it in your room for you, so make sure your brother doesn’t snatch it up okay?”
He looked up at me and smiled, showing off his teeth. I laughed and ruffled his hair pushing him towards his room. Turning to Joyce I smiled, “It was really nice to see you again but I’ve got to get home soon.”
She reached out to give me another hug, “Of course sweetheart don’t let me keep you. Make sure you stop by again soon, I’ll make you dinner next time.”
Jonathan came out from Will’s room with Will in tow holding a new sketchbook and fancy colored pencils. “If you keep this up I think he’s going to end up liking you more than me!” Jonathan laughed.
Will rushed forward giving me another hug, “She’s always been cooler than you John, you’re just realizing it now .”
With a laugh Jonathan pulls me out of Will’s hug and spins me around so I’m facing him. “Yeah she’s always been pretty amazing huh.” he says softly before giving me a quick peck on the lips.
“Alright well I’ve got to get her home and you Will need to get ready for trick or treating tonight.” He says while pulling me out the door.