The entire weekend, Steve spent his time with Frankie.

Nancy is becoming suspicious, seeing as he never specified where he's been going. He never even told her of Frankie.

Monday morning, Nancy is discussing her suspicions with Jonathan.

"I just don't know, he acts so strange all the time.." she trails, clutching her books closer to her chest. Before, Jonathan would have agreed with her suspicions, but now, he knew exactly where Steve had been going.

"I guess he hasn't told you yet?" Jonathan chuckles, causing Nancy to form a confused expression.

"Told me what?"

Before he can answer the question, Steve approaches the two. They both shut up immediately.

"Hey, Jonathan," Steve greets. Jonathan smiles awkwardly and waves a little. Nancy looks between the two, wondering why there's so much tension today. There usually is, but today is different.

"I think your littler brother is dating my little sister," Steve says, narrowing his eyes, "and I'm not saying I'll kill him if he hurts her, but they won't find his body this time."

Jonathan's eyes widen in response. Nancy gasps and slaps Steve's arm. She didn't even know he had a sister!

"That's a little harsh," Jonathan nervously retaliates, "Will would never."

Steve points an accusing finger at him. "Just saying."

Jonathan nods and awkwardly says a small 'goodbye' to Nancy. Once he disappears down the hall, Nancy turns to Steve.

"What's going on, Steve? First, you stopping picking me up. Then, you suddenly have a sister?" Nancy questions, eyeing the boy curiously. Steve immediately begins to shift around. He thinks of the correct words to say.

"Her names Frankie. She's not really my sister, and I give her rides to school– otherwise she'd be walking. Her parents aren't ever home. I've known her for awhile now, and I haven't seen either of them once!" Steve rambles, fiddling with the sleeves of his shirt, "I care about her a lot, Nance. By the way, I think your brothers been giving her some trouble—"

"Woah woah woah," Nancy cuts in, trying to process all this new information, "Mike knows her?"

Steve nods.

"Okay, well, he's been acting pretty douche-y lately," she admits. They share a knowing look. "Probably because of...ya know."

"Still," he comments, "Frankie doesn't say it– but I know she's bothered."

Nancy smiles at her boyfriend, "you really care about her, don't you?" Steve chuckles and begins to walk her away from her locker and towards her class.

"Yeah, I do."

|

("Just saying.")