The Stancy Files

Chapter 24: The Graduates

The last week of school had finally arrived. For Nancy, it was the last week of her high school career. She would be graduating with countless students, including Robin, Melissa, and Camilla.

Camilla was a little anxious to walk up to the girl but had no other choice. Her guilt was driving her nuts. Nancy felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around. She gave a small smile to the girl standing before her. "Camilla, hey. What's up?" The girl gave a shy, toothy smile in return. "I wanted to apologize for the other week. Ya know... the party! Anyways, I know things haven't gone the best since then, and I wanted to make it up to you! How about we have a brand new graduation party? A joint one! Jonathan and Melissa won't be there, I promise! I banished them from my house!" Nancy slightly tilted her head, pondering the idea. "Oh, well, I'll have to talk about it with my parents. It sounds fun, though. They don't really know about the last party, so we will definitely have to keep in on the down low." Camilla shrugged with a small smile. "Sounds good! Sunday, after graduation. See you there!"

Robin walked up to Nancy just as Camilla was walking away. "Whoa, she seems pretty excited. What's up with that? The last time she was around everything became... well a total disaster." Nancy chuckled. "Yeah, I know. She wants to make it up to me though, which is-- nice, I guess." Robin rolled her eyes. "As long as she doesn't go inviting Steve it'll all work out. He's been going nuts not being able to see you. You should really talk to him, Nance." Nancy's eyes flickered to the ceiling. "I know... and I want to. But I can't. You know I can't. It'll only make things harder. Besides, we have to focus on Vecna. That's why we took a break in the first place." Robin huffed out a dramatic sigh. "Yeah, yeah. You gotta save the world, Nancy. And you can't have a boyfriend- a distraction- while doing it. Steve told me all about it." She gave Robin an annoyed look. "Okay, that's not fair. He knows I love him. But I don't want to lose him in an even worse way. I don't want him to get hurt because of me. Vecna's coming for my family... for the people I care about the most. I don't want one of those people to be Steve."

At the mention of Steve's name, Melissa walked over to the two girls. "Steve? My Stevie? Why are you talking about my boyfriend, slut?! You already stole Jonathan from me!" She groaned. "MY Jon-Jon! Why did you have to take him from me?!" The right side of Nancy's lip twitched out of anger. Robin had enough of the bitch talking to her friend that way. "It's Melissa, right? Come with me, pretty girl. I have just the guy you're wanting to talk to." The girl's eyes lit up. "Stevie? Stevie's here?!" Robin nodded, scowling as she slung an arm around the girl's shoulder, walking her out of the school. She turned her head around as they walked away from Nancy and winked at her. A devious smirk played on Nancy's lips. She knew that whatever Robin was up to couldn't be anything good.

Robin and Nancy had the next class with each other, but Robin came in late. Melissa was nowhere in sight. Nancy and Robin made eye contact as Robin went to take a seat. Near the end of the period, a woman knocked on the classroom door. Once the teacher let her in the door, she glanced around the room. Her eyes eventually landed on Robin. "Robin Buckley, you need to come with me. Bring your things with you." Nancy started to bring her hand to her mouth but stopped before she gave herself away. Robin flashed her a sneaky smile before stepping out of the door.

It turns out that Robin had brought an extra can of tar just in case to school. She dumped it down Melissa's back before she'd had time to run away. The school wasn't happy with the fight but decided not to punish the two girls since graduation was only a few days away.

. . . . . . . .

The day finally arrived. Nancy and Robin's high school graduation. All of the Wheelers, the Buckleys, the Byers, and Steve attended. Joyce sat with Mrs. Wheeler, Mr. Wheeler, and Holly while Jonathan, Mike, and Will sat together. Steve sat up front as a Hawkins High alumni. The Buckleys didn't know any of Robin's parents or friends, so they sat separate, with some of Robin's other friends' parents'. As soon as Robin moved her tassel over to the left side of her graduation cap, Steve was on his feet clapping boisterously. When it was Nancy's turn, a proud tear fell down his cheek. His girlfriend-but-not-really-girlfriend-at-the-moment was officially free. Once they defeated Vecna, he and Nancy would be free to leave Hawkins for the summer. Then come back and he would watch her live out her dreams while he lived his out as well. Together.