Chapter Text
It was another gloomy day in Hawkins, Indiana. To expect the weather to be warm and beautiful is asking a lot of mother nature; primarily because of the time of year, the chill is suspected.
Unlike her few friends, Jane enjoyed the chilly weather. It gave her an excuse to wear her favorite jean jacket; the jacket is a very light shade of blue, mixed with a bit of white causing it to look washed out — decorated with buttons she pinned on the left side pocket.
Jane was currently in the library, sat by the foggy window. The precipitation and the cold breeze outside compared with the warm air indoors, caused water droplets to form against the glass on the inside. Despite the rainy day, she always sat by the window. It was her spot, for it helped her feel more connected to nature.
"Jane, can you help me with this assignment? It's due next class."
The raven-haired boy who sat next to her interrupted.
"Michael, I'm reading. Let me finish my page.
"This is your second run-through of the same book. Just this one question," Mike pleaded.
Jane looked up from the tinted brown pages, using her finger to hold her spot, "it is a very good book. Ask Lucas."
She argued, then turning her attention back to the story she was re-reading; Bridge to Terabithia, only to be interrupted once again.
"Lucas isn't a math guy."
"And I am not a math girl."
A few seconds after, Jane finished the chapter she was reading. She just got to the part where Jess returns from his trip to Washington with Miss. Edmunds — which this young reader considered was the worst part to stop, considering what happens afterward; but, she wasn't going to leave Mike hanging. He was her friend. She doesn't let her friends struggle.
Jane stuck the colorful bookmark Will made her in the book and shut it, pushing it aside.
"Okay, what's the question?"
She asked as Mike fiddled with his pencil, staring at the textbook pages.
He slid the textbook over to her and he pointed at the question. Number seven.
"Mike, you just have to solve for X. Split the number in half, I think," she spoke quietly, pushing the textbook back to him.
"Oh. I knew that" Mike said while leaning over the table to jot his answers down on his sheet of paper.
Jane picked her book back up and set it in her book bag hanging on the back of her orange chair.
"You should do your homework at home like you're supposed to."
Jane stated, zipping up her bag and turning to face Mike.
"Yeah, right. Who does that anymore?"
"I do. I can't do anything else until it's finished."
"What else do you do?"
"I get to read."
Mike nods in response. He didn't know the full extent of what it was like at Jane's, for some of her home life is quite a mystery. All he understood was she lived with both her parents and always had to be home right after school unless there was the odd time she needed to use the library, in which those times both him and Will were there to accompany her.
Jane was a very passionate student. She enjoyed learning new things and was always very engaged in her classes — even if she wasn't very fond of the subject.
"Did you talk to your parents about AV club?"
Mike questioned.
Jane shook her head. She didn't even bother asking; she knew the answer would be no. Her father was always the one that could compromise, willing to let her give things a shot; however, her mother, not so much.
The truth is, Jane wanted to be in AV club. She didn't know much about technology, but she knew her friends were always there.
"You should ask. We want you there."
Mike said, smiling.
"Maybe," she shrugged, fixing her jacket.
"I'm going to start heading to class," Jane continues while standing up, causing her orange chair to move backward.
"It doesn't start for another ten minutes..."
Mike responded, watching her put her bag on her shoulders.
Jane pushed her chair in against the table, after a million times of forgetting to do so. The librarian, Ms. Shauck, never failed to remind her. It's to a point where it now just came naturally, and every time she saw a chair that wasn't pushed in, she'd purposely stop and push it in; only so Ms. Shauck didn't have to.
"I like to take my time. I'll see you later, Mike."
She smiled and turned around, walking down the aisle towards the door; looking to her right to make sure the chairs were all neatly aligned with the tables.
Jane made her way to the door and leaned on it, pushing it open and letting it close behind her for no one else was leaving at the time.
She adjusted her bag, so it sat better on her shoulder as she walked alone through the crowded hallways. She was walking in the direction of her locker until she heard a loud bang of metal from behind her. The sound caused her to turn around instantly, where she laid her eyes on one of her best friends.
Will Byers was pushed up against the light blue lockers, her heart sped up as she started to quickly walk towards the scene.
"Hey... Hey!"
She shouted at Troy as she got closer to the boys.
"Let him go, Troy," she stated sternly as she reached her destination; her brown eyes piercing holes into his own.
"What are you going to do about it, dweeb?"
He shot back, putting more of his weight onto Will; beads of sweat forming on his forehead from the pressure and overall nervousness.
"Get bent dirtbag, or I'm going to have to send a complaint," she snapped, crossing her arms, still staring the boy down.
She overheard the blonde next to Troy whisper something in his ear, "dude, her dad is the chief."
At that, Troy hesitantly let Will down with an extra shove, quickly getting up in his face, he shoved his pointer finger into his chest, "I'm not done with you, Byers."
He backed away, looking directly at Jane. "Next time, mind your own business, Hopper."
He spat, shoving past her; using his shoulder to bump her out of his way.
"Mouthbreathers," she mumbled under her breath as she watched them leave. Once they were out of sight, she turned directly to Will who was still catching his breath.
She stood next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, as her attempt at comforting the boy: "Are you okay?"
Will nodded silently, "yeah, I'm okay. Thank you."
"They're jerks."
Will nodded once again, at that time the bell rang indicating the next class was about to start.
"Walk with me to class?"
He asked her, picking his bag up off the floor.
"Of course, always." she smiled at the boy, picking her bag up and swinging it over her shoulder.
Crowds were something both Jane and Will weren't very fond of. The two of them always purposely walked to class early to avoid the rush they face after lunch hour, but being Troy interrupted their timeline; they're walking against the herd of students, practically hugging the walls.
Once they reached their History class, Jane let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
She looked over at Will, who seemed more relaxed; like he was suddenly filled with a sense of safety. The atmosphere of the half-empty classroom comforting the both of them.
The two friends took their seats. Will sat at the front of the classroom, in the second row – Jane sat right behind him.
Will turned around, putting his shoulder on her desk; leaning his head on his hand.
"Where were you at lunch?"
Will asked, genuinely curious. It was only the odd time the two weren't together during the lunch hour. Jane knew that he was busy with Dustin, working on their science project in the lab
"I was in the library with Mike."
Will nodded, "homework?"
Jane shook her head, "Mike was doing math. I was reading."
She replied as she pulled her history textbook out of her bag and placed it on her desk. People continued to pile into the classroom, though neither of them paid any attention.
"Reading what?"
"Bridge to Terabithia.
The bell rang for the second time, interrupting their conversation.
"Really? Again?" He asked, his voice laced with disbelief, his shocked expression caused Jane to giggle.
"Yes. You know it's one of my favorites," she stated happily.
Will smiled and nodded, agreeing with her statement.
Just then, their teacher walked into the classroom. Will turned around and faced the front; the two of them ready to learn.
"Alright class, settle down," their teacher, Mr. Hart stated.
The class slowly quieted down, conversations coming to a stop.
He continued: "Now, what important historical event happened in 1920? We discussed this last-"
"Sorry, I'm late,"
Lucas interrupted as he scurried into the classroom, causing everyone to turn around and look into the direction of the door – being it is at the back of the room.
"Mr. Sinclair. Nice of you to join us. Why are we late this time?" The teacher asked as Lucas took his seat in the row next to Jane.
Will covered his mouth, holding back a snicker.
Lucas shrugged, "I had something to take care of."
Jane looked back at Lucas, shaking her head at him, silently giving him hell.
Mr. Hart sighed, "I'm sure you did. Next time, it's detention."
Lucas nodded in understanding, hanging his backpack on the back of his chair.
"Okay," Mr. Hart picked up where he left off. "1920s. We discussed this last Friday, does anyone remember?"
The entire class was silent, except for the odd shuffle coming from the back of the classroom, it sounded like footsteps. Though no one cared to look back to see who entered the room, being they were all trying to rack their brains – in fact, no one moved a muscle until Jane shot her hand up. The teacher called on her,
"The 19th amendment was passed. Women were granted the right to vote," she stated proudly.
"Correct,"
"Are you going to tell us why?"
A voice from the back chimed in, causing Jane to turn around.
"What do you mean, why?"
She asked, raising her eyebrows, though she wasn't too phased. She knew what was coming.
"Why women were allowed to vote. They're meant to spend their time in the kitchen anyway. They won't even have to face authority if they're where they belong," he answered.
Jane's jaw nearly dropped; the audacity of this 15-year-old was repulsive.
"You wouldn't have to face authority either if you were where you belong; in the trash," she stated angrily, turning around to face the front and crossing her arms.
"That was uncalled for, Kevin. And Jane, language," Mr. Hart stated.
Kevin rolled his eyes, he opened up his mouth to speak until Lucas interrupted him, "I suggest you don't say what's going through that tiny brain of yours."
Kevin shut his mouth, taking Lucas' suggestion; he then crossed his arms and stared at the back of Jane's head. His cheeks burning red with both anger and embarrassment, due to the defeat he just faced.
She was tapping her foot on the ground, it took every muscle in her body to not turn around and say anything else. Jane wasn't usually one to act on her anger, but when it came to anything involving the rights of another; she just wouldn't take it.
Mr. Hart began talking once again, but Jane tuned him out.
A folded white piece of paper was thrown onto her desk – breaking her out of her thoughts.
She opened it up, it read:
"You got fire. I like it. Don't let him get to you, he's a ditz."
Jane took note of the neat handwriting, she liked it. She read the note twice then flipped it over, looking for a name – though a name couldn't be found.
Jane folded the paper back up and stuck it in her jean jacket pocket to avoid Mr. Hart calling her out about passing notes again.
Jane was no longer focused on her annoyance towards Kevin, but more on who sent the note.