[Jopper] Hard times

Trust

HAWKINS, INDIANA 1960

Joyce was laying on her bed on a Saturday morning. It was supposed to be the best day of the week, where she could just do whatever she pleased and worry about important tasks the next day. But her reality was the opposite, that day she had too many problems and mixed emotions to deal with. The girl looked up at the ceiling overthinking again, it was something she couldn't avoid. Arguing with his father was the thing she hated the most and yet the most common whenever he showed up. Now she was home alone again, with her favorite album currently playing. She hoped that would help to contain her feelings, she didn’t want to cry and tremble like she did an hour ago. She looked at the bandage compressing the wound of her arm, it didn’t hurt her much but enough to be annoying.

Joyce inhaled and made the effort to get up from bed. She caressed her temples with her fingertips and stopped the music. She perfectly knew she would have to do the shopping and cook, she didn’t believe in miracles. His father having lunch with her was one of them.  She put her tight red jacket on and walked out the house. Joyce hated going to the grocery store. She couldn't use her bike if she had to carry heavy bags and it was far from home. The girl walked by the avenue, trying not to look at the park on her left. With every step she took, Joyce regretted leaving home. The feeling of seeing others happy was something she couldn’t stand. But ironically, this wasn't a selfish thought at all. It was something she couldn't avoid.

 A ball came rolling down and stopped next to her feet. It was from a little kid who was playing. She kicked it and the boy caught it. “Thank you!” He said beaming. Joyce heard him but didn’t say a word instead. She preferred just to focus on her way, but Hawkins wasn’t a ghost town at that time of the day. She spotted a married couple walking with her daughter. She was around four and carried a blue balloon. Even if all she saw wasn't anything special, Joyce’s heart shrank. That girl reminded so much of her. She felt smaller and insignificant with every second, noticing a slight pressure in her rib cage. “I miss her” She mumbled.

Even if she had good friends, she didn't really feel loved for anyone. She thought about her father and bit her lip with anger. She continued looking down all the way to the store, trying to deal with her anxiety and hoping that no one had noticed her weakness and her messy look. 

She stepped in and kept her mind focused on what she had to take: no more no less. She needed some flour and spotted the packet in the highest shelf. She stood on tip toe and tried to reach it. The girl could almost touch it with her fingertips. But she noticed a big shadow behind her and familiar laugh. "So close to reach the glory"

Joyce rolled her eyes before turning back "I will if you stop disturbing me, James" 

Hopper wasn’t there to buy anything, he just found her coming in and follow her to talk. They knew each other for months and somehow, she was distant with him for some reason. He couldn’t really understand her, and whenever he asked their other friends never had an answer for him. He picked the packet just when she was about to take it. He hid it behind his back and smirked. "It's not so hard to say "Thank you". It's only two words you know" 

Joyce placed her hands on her hip and glared at him. "I'm serious, I don't have all day" 

Jim smiled looking how bossy she looked. He perfectly knew she was mad at him but he didn’t mind at all. He liked the way she frowns. "I think it's more important if you show some manners" He replied. 

Done of his fooling time, she tried to reach the packet. The small fight was fun for a while until Hopper grabbed her arm tightly, right in the part where the hidden wound was. Her expression changed for a second and he noticed it. Jim wasn't really harming her, just holding her. 
He tried to move the sleeve of the jacker and Joyce suddenly stopped him from doing it. The packet of flour fell on the floor. Both couldn't care less. Hopper was now worried watching new stains of blood expanding in the fabric of the bandage. She was now scared of being exposed.