Billy is usually confident about his body. But one morning as they're getting ready for school, Nancy notices that he looks at himself in the mirror a little too long, and there's no sign of a dorky wink or an ass wiggle.
She stands next to him silently, and he stiffens like he's been caught doing something bad.
"We're one good-looking couple," she remarks.
"Also look amazing." She squeezes his butt, which is a little thicker than usual.
He huffs. "I'm eh. You're wow."
Nancy laughs into his arm. "We can both be attractive. This is one area where we don't have to compete."
"Loser says what?" Billy teases in spite of himself.
"You said the "w" word." She pokes his side, and he flinches. Her hand slides to his stomach. He relaxes a little. "I wish school was out today."
"No way did Nancy Diana Drew just say those words."
She squeezes his ass again. "You're going to make us late."
"Me? You're the one who's being extra handsy today."
"I don't hear you complaining."
"Yeah, yeah. I've never caused us to be tardy," he grumbles, trying to wiggle into his jeans.
"Don't you start. My jeans happen to be just the right amount of tight."
Nancy gives him a knowing look. "Your little dance takes three minutes."
Billy's head shoots up like an indignant rooster. She poorly stifles a laugh."One minute, tops."
"You still don't have them on."
He smirks. "Then why don't you help me out?"
"If I did that, we'd never leave this room."
"Yeah, oh." Despite their reputations, Billy's the bashful one. Pliant in Nancy's hands, he always tells her she can make him into whatever she wants. She never does. He still hasn't figured out why, but his self-worth is rising like the pink in his round cheeks every time they're together. She makes a mental note for them to go clothes shopping, because his jeans really do look like painfully tight.
They balance each other out.
They both believe they're messes, but they're doing the best they can, and maybe… they're each other's puzzle pieces.
Nancy never feels like people listen to her, especially when she gets "too hysterical", but Billy doesn't pretend she's not upset. He doesn't ignore that she's hurt.
She doesn't push him to talk about his feelings, because they'll come out in some way. He can't keep any of it in to save his life.
She shows him how to shoot.
They braid each other's hair.
Give each other massages.
Paint each other's nails.
He sneaks them both into the pool, and she's afraid that he'll disappear, too.
She's still reeling from Barb.
She can't lose anyone else.
They go to the lake instead. It's their lake, now.
There's no judgement between them. Except when Billy randomly spits. But that's just gum.
