It was a warm spring morning as Joyce woke up in her childhood bedroom. She got dressed for school and went downstairs. She lived with her father, who, after the death of her mother, became more involved in his life with whiskey than his daughter. This didn't worry Joyce anymore, on the day she lost her mother, she lost her father too. He was a shell, he didn't speak, hardly ate, just sat and drank.
This spring morning she skipped downstairs and made coffee. Whilst drinking the coffee her thoughts lingered on her date with Jim Hopper the previous night. Joyce and Jim had met when they were 8 years old. The became fast friends and had stuck together ever since, Jim jad always been very protective of Joyce. With a smile on her face she was awoken from her daydream by Jim knocking on the back door and letting himself in. "Good morning gorgeous, did you sleep well?". Joyce blushed "well, I slept better once you'd left". Jim pretended to look hurt "oh is that so? Well then maybe next time I'll just stay in my own bed". Joyce hugged him..."don't you dare". She kissed his cheek and finished her coffee "come on, let's go". The couple jumped into Jims car and drove to school. As they arrived Jim gave Joyce a long tender kiss "see you in a few" he winked at her. Joyce spun around and walked to her first class. Before she got to class her friend Karen ran towards her wanting all the information on her date with Jim. The two girls talked as they walked and giggled their way into the classroom. The stern voice of the teacher soon shut them up, they took their seats.
Halfway through the lesson Joyce felt someone poking her back with a pencil, she turned around and found Lonnie Byers smiling at her. "Hey Joy Joy...when you gonna come out with me?" Joyce looked sincere and said "how about you and i" , Joyce smiled sweetly, "go out when hell freezes over". She spun around on her chair and continued the class. Lonnie was angered by this, he pushed back from his desk and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The teacher looked over at Joyce "Miss Horowitz? Any idea what's wrong with Mr Byers?". Joyce didn't even look up from her book and replied "everything is wrong with that ass hole".
Walking to their next lesson, Lonnie Byers came over to Joyce. "Why have you got to be such a bitch all the time?" Joyce looked shocked and replied "get out of my way Byers". Lonnie pushed her towards to lockers "come on...you know you fancy me...you know you want me". Karen laughed and Joyce recoiled back in disgust. "Lonnie, try to stop being an ass, you might just get a girl but its not going to me, now move". Lonnie moved aside and let her pass "that Hopper fag don't love you Joycie, not like I do" he shouted. Without turning back Joyce gave him the finger and kept walking.
Fifth period was upon them, "see you in a bit" Karen said, nodding knowingly. Joyce made her way to the field where she found Hopper waiting. "You took your time Horowitz" he winked and passed her the cigarette. "Still having problems with Byers again i see". Her heart sank, "you saw that?". Hopper put his arm tightly around her "let me punch him...stop being so...so kind to him. He needs a punch". "Just leave it Hop, I don't want to think about him" she kissed his cheek and he pulled her tight and landed a firm yet sensitive kiss on her lips. The kiss finished too soon, neither wanted to let go. "What are we doing tonight Hop, you want to come over?" "I sure do, I'll meet you later, I'll walk home with you". Joyce smiled and nodded then pushed herself up on her toes and kissed him lovingly. "See you later".
