december 1983

she was perfect, everybody knew it was so. perfect grades, perfect teeth which made a perfect smile, perfect laugh, perfect hair. but she was even more perfect beneath the surface, which is what everyone failed to see.

but jonathan byers had always seen it.

they'd met in math class, when they were in the 3rd grade. he couldn't stop staring, though he'd tried. long curly hair with a blue cardigan on. it was 1976 then and summer was around the corner. it would be filled with popsicles, fireworks, bicycle rides down to the park that one day would be overruled by weeds.

now they were sophomores in high school and she was perfect as always, except everyone knew it. especially her boyfriend, steve. and everyone thought he liked (y/n) wheeler, his best friend since anyone could remember. but it had always been nancy wheeler. and he was afraid it always would be. but deep down, he knew (y/n) was the one he should want. so that's who he would always go for.