In The Woods; Jonathan Byers

{3}

Grace

I hadn't talked to anyone in a couple days. I went into town the day after I spoke to Jonathan only to see him and his mother having it out with each other. I got in the car quickly after watching the entire scene, knowing Jonathan saw me as I did.

--

"Of course we're going to the funeral dad" I groaned as I got up from the dinner table, grabbing my plate. "What about Zach?" I put my plate down in the sink, turning on the water for a second before going back to sit across from him. I was silent for a moment after I sat down and I looked at him "I thought you didn't wanna talk about it" he sighed and ran a hand through his hair "Well we need to plan a funeral too, maybe a small service, just you, me, and your mother" I look away from him "You know she cares, just deal with her for this, for your brother" a tear fell down my cheek and I nodded. I stood up as he did and he brought me into a hug "It's okay, it'll be okay Grace" "Why are you lying to me dad?" He pulled away and grabbed my shoulders "Im not, eventually it will be okay...whenever eventually is" I gave him a smile and wiped my tears "I'm gonna go to bed, goodnight" he kissed the top of my head "Goodnight, Gracie" I walked up the stairs and proceeded to lay on my bed. Eventually everything will be okay. I'm sure of it.

I got out of bed the next day after my dad woke me up, "Come on, get dressed" he said softly. I was sitting in front of my vanity putting my hair into a bun and fixing my watering eyes, I didn't wear making, it wasn't necessary today. The only important thing today was Will, I had told myself that maybe ten times today, I was starting to believe it. We got to the cemetery and there were already quite a few people there. I didn't speak to Jonathan, I didn't even look at him, I just couldn't. I felt his eyes on me towards the end of the service, burning into my skull, making me shiver. After the funeral was over, I started walking back to my car as the wind began to pick up "Grace" Jonathan breathed out as he caught up with me, I didn't speak, just scoffed and kept walking. He grabbed my hand and spun me around, locking his arms around my waist "What's wrong, I haven't seen you in days" he said quickly, his eyes filled with worry. He had bags under his eyes, I looked away from him "When did you last sleep?" I whispered "At least three days, please stop avoiding me" I looked back into his concerned eyes "Why were you with Nancy Wheeler?" I asked and he took a step back from me, keeping his hands on the waist "Why is that important?" "Answer the damn question, Byers" I demanded, annoyed "You wouldn't believe me" I crossed my arms after taking his hands off of me "I don't wanna lose you, so try me" tears welled in my eyes and he took a deep breath, taking my hand and walking me over to Nancy. They both began to explain thoroughly, thinking I wouldn't believe them. It was crazy, after all.

A monster had taken Will somewhere, Nancy went there, Jonathan saved her, they were going to fight it together. I know it was selfish of me to think that Jonathan chose Nancy over me, he wasn't mine, but he wasn't hers either. "Are you crazy?" I asked them and they nodded "Possibly" Nancy said, Jonathan took my hand "Please, help us" I looked up at him and nodded "Alright, alright". We went over the plan and left after everyone else, going to Jonathan's house and setting up everything. "So, Grace" Nancy started as I held down the bear trap "do you like Jonathan?" She asked me "It's not like that I- I care about him a lot". She looked at me, raising her eyebrows "Why do you care, Wheeler?" "Because, I just care, we don't talk to each other anymore Grace, I wanna know what's going on with you" she groaned as she finished the trap. I crossed my arms and looked down the hall to see if he had walked out into the hallway "Maybe a little bit, but he said that he needs time, I can't do anything until we save Will, I know it's selfish to say that Jonathan factors into us saving Will" I leaned against the wall and sighed.