[she flusters visibly at that, and the way she begins to abruptly dig through her purse for the movie tickets is definitely just a big excuse to not look at him while she's embarrassed.]
That's stupid. There could have been someone before you - she can't know.
[Because Steve Harrington had a reputation when it came to the ladies and during his time with Nancy he hadn't been the best boyfriend. Then Byers swooped in and well-]
Still! It's a stupid concept. Mike's not going to have to worry about this kind of thing - dad'll probably just pat him on the back and say 'well done.'
[she's not quite in a bad mood now, but she is sulking about it.]
I think your mom just wishes it could have been anyone else but me, you know? Like Jonathan....
[The thought makes him cringe but maybe Mrs. Wheeler has it in her mind that Nancy's first time was stolen from her, that it wasn't perfect because that's all Steve wanted was to get inside her panties?]
[nancy sighs, resting her cheek against the passenger side window.]
Well, mom doesn't get to make those decisions for me. There are things I'd change that night, for sure. [she never should have left barb alone.] But I wouldn't have traded you for anyone.
[Steve would have changed a lot when it came to their relationship. Maybe they would have survived if he had? But in the end she wasn't happy, she didn't love him and Jonathan had been her choice.
It had stung so much then, hurt and was a huge low blow.
It's comforting to hear that she wouldn't have traded her first time to be with anyone else. He doesn't know if she's just saying that to make him feel better but it's nice regardless.]
[she had cared about steve, deeply, but she realizes now that she'd never been fully fair to him. nancy had tricked herself into thinking that steve harrington was too cool to go and fall in love with her.
she sighs, rubs her face. it wasn't that long ago, but it really feels like a lifetime.]
God, I had no idea what I was doing. I'm surprised you even called me after.
For the record I wouldn't have. I cared about you.
[That much was obvious and maybe that's where Steve had went wrong? Perhaps he didn't show Nancy enough or prove it? Maybe her heart had just been set on Jonathon from the beginning?
His mind could give him a million and one scenarios.
Her question causes him to go a bit tense. He had been asking himself that exact question the very second their relationship started failing.]
Maybe we would have made it? Maybe not? I can't exactly say.
[she'd waited for jonathan after it had all ended, thought that maybe, with peace found again - but ultimately she had gone back to steve, hadn't she? maybe that was unfair to him, too. or maybe she was unfit for any kind of relationship until she managed to find closure over barb.
nancy closes her eyes, stops watching him.]
Sorry. I just wanted to hang out and I made it weird again.
[There are aspects of their relationship that Steve is never going to fully have closure on. He doesn't understand why she pretended she loved him when she didn't. Why she continued to be with him if she didn't honestly care.
[it had never been a lie, but her own hangups had swallowed so many of her other feelings whole. steve had wanted to move on, and that - well. maybe it had made her a little resentful.]
You're being sweet, but I totally did. Come on, we can think of something normal to talk about.
[He realizes now that he had been selfish when it came to Nancy's grief and he didn't grasp the fact that she truly missed Barb. That she constantly struggled with this inner guilt, even now.
That had not been fair but she didn't have to turn to Jonathan in the end.]
You know I uhhh, really like to think that maybe we would have worked you know? Even though I know we wouldn't have.
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That's stupid. There could have been someone before you - she can't know.
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[Because Steve Harrington had a reputation when it came to the ladies and during his time with Nancy he hadn't been the best boyfriend. Then Byers swooped in and well-]
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Not that it should matter. There's nothing - immoral about sex. And I'm always safe about it. They should be relieved.
[she's just venting a little now.]
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[And once again her parents didn't seem to enthusiastic about Steve well before he and Nancy actually slept together.]
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[she's not quite in a bad mood now, but she is sulking about it.]
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[The thought makes him cringe but maybe Mrs. Wheeler has it in her mind that Nancy's first time was stolen from her, that it wasn't perfect because that's all Steve wanted was to get inside her panties?]
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Well, mom doesn't get to make those decisions for me. There are things I'd change that night, for sure. [she never should have left barb alone.] But I wouldn't have traded you for anyone.
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It had stung so much then, hurt and was a huge low blow.
It's comforting to hear that she wouldn't have traded her first time to be with anyone else. He doesn't know if she's just saying that to make him feel better but it's nice regardless.]
Yeah.
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she sighs, rubs her face. it wasn't that long ago, but it really feels like a lifetime.]
God, I had no idea what I was doing. I'm surprised you even called me after.
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Then came along Nancy Wheeler...
He's a bit taken aback at her confession and he takes a moment to glance in her direction?]
Why wouldn't I have called you?
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[the offended sulk has melted away into something amused. gently self-deprecating without any real heat behind it.]
I was bad. Just kind of - fumbling along. I got better, but that first time? Yikes.
[she is maybe remembering more awkwardness on her own part than was actually there.]
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[He'll argue that without any hesitation.]
You were nervous but nearly every girl is there first time.
[And Steve had been gentle with her. Easing her in and making sure she was comfortable, that nothing hurt and he never once pressured.]
Did you think I just got what I wanted and that was going to be it?
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[she twists slightly to watch him drive, still leaned against the window.]
I do kind of wonder how it would've gone if the world hadn't gone to shit the second we started dating, though.
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[That much was obvious and maybe that's where Steve had went wrong? Perhaps he didn't show Nancy enough or prove it? Maybe her heart had just been set on Jonathon from the beginning?
His mind could give him a million and one scenarios.
Her question causes him to go a bit tense. He had been asking himself that exact question the very second their relationship started failing.]
Maybe we would have made it? Maybe not? I can't exactly say.
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nancy closes her eyes, stops watching him.]
Sorry. I just wanted to hang out and I made it weird again.
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Maybe that's what he deserved in the end?]
You didn't.
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You're being sweet, but I totally did. Come on, we can think of something normal to talk about.
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That had not been fair but she didn't have to turn to Jonathan in the end.]
You know I uhhh, really like to think that maybe we would have worked you know? Even though I know we wouldn't have.
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[nancy's voice is fond for the nostalgia of memory.]
But why are you so sure we wouldn't have?
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[Even Robin had called Nancy a priss but when it came to both Tommy and Carol they adored slandering Nancy's name as much as possible. ]
I've realized we're two very different people and who's to say you wouldn't have chosen Jonathan despite everything?
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[which is a little sad to think about, but still.]
Maybe you would've just gotten tired of me. I could be pretty boring back then.
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[Because Steve sure as hell didn't. He figured the two would have gotten close regardless the circumstances.]
You honestly think that too?
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[the next question gives her pause, though.]
And I don't know, maybe? I heard you broke a lot of hearts.
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[And Jonathan had seemed pretty set on Nancy from the get go.]
I did, actually but you? You were different.
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[she's watching him again, expression quietly fond.]
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