Escape ~ S.Harrington

109} One Last Hoorah (2)

"I'm just saying, I think you guys would really dig New York," Jon took a sip of his beer as the gang sat on top of the radio station building.
"No, Boston is so much better," Alice rolled her eyes.
"Okay, how much is rent?" Steve asked.
"Thinking about moving?" Robin teased.
"You wanna come live with me?" Jon chuckled, "Don't think Jenna would be too happy about that, though."
"You're serious?" Steve scoffed, "Come on. I mean, look at this place," He gestured to the beautiful setting sun, "The sunset, the view. Whoo! You guys are seriously telling me you don't miss any of this?"
"No," All of them shook their heads.
"The forest, the quarry, Family Video, the Hawk?"
"No."
"Jenna, back me up here."
"Steve, I actually have something to tell you-" She was cut off by Jon.

"No, I couldn't come back here if you paid me a million bucks," He snickered.
"Mm," Steve set his empty beer bottle down, "You'd need a lot less than a million, I'll tell you that. Prices are still way down," He pulled a new one out from the cooler, "There's actually this rad place over in Forest Hills that Jen and I are saving up for. And that's on a deputy and coach's salary."
"Don't forget sex ed teacher," Jenna nudged him.
"That's true," He nodded.
"They have you teaching sex ed?" Nancy asked, causing Alice to almost spit out her drink.
"It's part of the gig," He proudly smiled.
"If I had a question about and STD, you'd be the first person I'd come to," Alice poked his cheek.
"Thank you?" Steve laughed, "No, I love it. I love teaching these kids, you know? I get to teach them about the miracle of life," Jenna gagged, "And how to not start it accidentally. And this time, I'm in control of the grades."

"And why do I feel like you go pretty easy there?" Nancy commented.
"I have a strict A policy. B, if you're a real knucklehead. That's about as low as I go."
"Hell, can you come teach at NYU?" Jon joked.
"Or at North Eastern?" Alice joined in.
"What, am I gonna grade your movie about capitalism, cannibalism, or whatever? Alice, you're doing cool shit that I have zero credentials to grade."
"No, it's anti-capitalism," Jon bit back another laugh, "The Consumer. It's a metaphor. The more she eats, the hungrier she gets."
"Right, Cous," Alice finished off her drink.
"Well, I mean, it's a working... that's the working title."
"It's good," Nancy giggled.
"What about you, Nance?" Robin asked her, "I mean, you're the only person whose life is even remotely mysterious."
"Yeah, how are the babes at Emerson?" Alice winked, "I don't even know how they are at North Eastern because I can't keep my eyes off of this one," She kissed Robin on the cheek.

"Oh, um..." Nancy poked her tongue inside of her cheek, "I wouldn't know. I dropped out."
"No way!" Jenna dropped her bottle of water, "What!? Why didn't you tell me this?"
"I took a job at the Herald," She stared at her cup, "Which... it sounds fancier like that. It's a trainee position. But I don't know. I was just sick of school and thought I'd maybe get out there and... try the real world."
"Seems like my best gal pal is still full of surprises."
"Well, look at you!" Nancy pointed at her, "You're a deputy now! None of us expected that."
"Um, about that..." Jenna turned towards Steve, "Hop helped me get into a detective training academy."
"That's amazing!" Steve pulled her in for a kiss.
"I've actually been training for about a year and didn't tell you. Those book club meetings? Those were me going to training sessions."

"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I have a job offer now."
"This is huge, Jen!"
"I didn't tell you because it's in Beacon Hills, California. Not here in Hawkins."
"Oh..."
"Yeah, oh."
"Let's do it."
"What?" She blinked a few times, not expecting that response.
"Move. Let's move there. As much as I love the place, it's more so me lying because I thought you loved it here."
Jenna burst out laughing, "The place that holds all of my trauma!? Hell no! I want out!"
"Thank god," He pulled her over to him so she was sitting in between his legs, "Well, I guess we're moving out to California now."
Everyone started laughing.
"You know," Robin blurted out, "There might actually be something I do miss about this place. I miss this. Just... us. Hanging out. I miss you guys. I mean, I really like my new friends and love having Alice with me, but it's..."
"It's not the same," Nancy breathed out, fighting back tears.