Time- Vance Hopper

Chapter 4

Vance passes 7th grade (surprisingly)

(This chapter is placed in 1975, they are both 13 rn, I'm just building the relationship before the grabber stuff)

Vance was seen much more around the house, and Robin did not enjoy his company. But their mom definitely did.

Marie's and Robins mom pretty much adopted vance, he was there more than at his own home for multiple reasons. His parents didn't care, they didn't care about him. And him and Marie always went to the pinball machine after school.

It was sad to see Vance, who was always seen as someone who was seen as tough, and someone who only fought, break. His walls broke ever so slowly for her, and only her.

And so, when her mom accepted him, he felt happy. Which was odd, because he usually only felt happy when he was playing pinball (or he was with Marie, but he would never say that)

All he's ever wanted was a mother figure. His parents thought he was too problematic ever since his first fight when he was 9, and he's gotten into more and more. He was too angry, they said. But, in reality he could be really sweet, he just needed help. And Marie was the first person to offer it.

So he was named the schools bully, and that didn't change when he surprised his teachers and peers by passing 7th grade, he had Marie to thank for that.

Everyone was surprised when his C's turned into A's. And his F's and D's turned into C's and B's. He was still the same, just different grades.

On the last day, everybody said there goodbyes, but not vance and Marie. Nah, they went to the gas station and played on the pinball machine.

"Beat you again, loser." He said, smiling in victory.

"Damnit. How are you so good at this?" She sighed and threw her hands up, looking at his high score.

"I'm just focused, unlike you clearly."

She laughed "Well, I give up. You win."

"As always." He patted her head and messed up her hair.

She sighed and fixed her hair, And they both left.

They both walked, they don't know where they were going but they were going somewhere.

"So, are you happy you passed?"

"Yeah, thank you by the way. For the- the tutoring."

She laughed "No problem at all. I see your hairs grown a lot."

"Yeah, hopefully my dad doesn't say it's to 'girl like' and makes me cut it."

"If he does I will respectfully come to your house and murder him."

"I wouldn't mind."

She chuckled, and he smiled at her laugh. He hadn't realized he was blushing until she pointed it out.

She gasped dramatically "Vance Hopper, are you blushing?" She teased.

"What? I don't blush. That's so fucking stupid, shut up." He punched her arm while she continued laughing.

Now he was embarrassed, but Maybe, just maybe he likes her back. She thought.