Abbott Elementary’s Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie are on track to become one of television's classic couples, assuming they eventually, finally, get together. Like Jim and Pam on The Office or Leslie and Ben on Parks and Recreation, these two teachers can’t help but be drawn to each other. Over the course of Abbott’s last three seasons, there’s been a messy will they/won’t they situation going on between the characters played by Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams that has been leaning more toward won't for a while. However, it’s clear to me that they are endgame, and they will be together, someday.
So, with that in mind, here is a helpful timeline that breaks down the pivotal moments in Janine and Gregory’s relationship.
Gregory And Janine Meet
The first time Gregory and Janine met they were in a bathroom. The then substitute teacher had an unfortunate incident with the “reverse-y toilet” and a child's pants. So, when Quinta Brunson’s character walked in, she was scared to see a “random man” in the kids’ bathroom at first. However, she soon realized he was just a sub who didn’t understand the quirks of the school's bathroom.
While what started their meet cute was extremely awkward, immediately the two got along, and Gregory later told the camera:
Yeah, that was disgusting, but she seems nice.
And that’s how the adorable relationship between Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie began.
Janine And Tariq Break Up
On the field trip to the zoo, Janine finally broke up with Tariq. The two, who had been together “since bag lunches,” as Tariq says, split up, leaving Janine single for the first time in decades. The second-grade teacher explained that their lives were going in two different directions, especially with Tariq wanting to move to New York to pursue his rapping career, and after the field trip, they parted ways.
While Brunson’s character says they’re taking a break, they really broke up, leaving the door open for Ms. Teagues to explore new relationships, like one with Gregory.
Gregory Becomes A Full-Time Teacher At Abbott Elementary
While we all knew Gregory would eventually become a full-time teacher at Abbott, considering he had become a vital piece of the story, and Mr. Eddie became a fan-favorite character, it was nice to hear him officially share the news. So, after a year of long-term subbing, Williams’ character decided to take a permanent position, telling Janine:
Abbott is a special place, and you helped me realize that, so thank you.
I’ve always been a believer that Janine and Gregory are a lot like Leslie and Ben from Parks and Rec, and this is just another example of that. When Ben decided to stay in Pawnee he said it was because he loves the people and his job, while that’s true he also stayed specifically for Leslie. Gregory is doing the same thing, he does genuinely love the kids and the school, but I think the thing that really sold him on staying at Abbott was getting work with Janine every day.
Janine And Gregory Dance At The Club
Janine and Gregory accidentally ran into each other at a club in Season 2, marking their first real intimate interaction. The two ended up on the dance floor together, grinding, and Ava (who also somehow ended up at the same club) saw them and said:
Not my work husband, grinding on my work nemesis.
After they dance, the two went outside, and they stood in the snow. The sexual tension was real, and they clearly wanted to make out. Gregory called Janine “beautiful,” and the two stared at each other longingly for a hot second. However, Amber texted Gregory, and Janine ended up talking with Maurice, extinguishing the moment.
While at the club, people saw the two teachers all over each other, and word spread to the kids. So, when a couple of kids decided to interrogate Janine about “grinding all up on Producer Mr. Eddie” on their podcast, while Gregory was sitting there, things got awkward.
Jacob Finds Out That Gregory Likes Janine
In arguably one of my favorite moments on Abbott Elementary, Jacob finally put the pieces together and realized Gregory has feelings for Janine. The history teacher had mentioned the candy situation and his co-worker being jealous of Janine dating Maurice. Then, the realization hit him, and Jacob said:
Oh, my god is a woman. Gregory! Gregory! Gregory! Stop or I’ll scream. Do you like Janine?
Gregory didn't answer, he deflected, claiming Jacob was “projecting,” however, the history teacher didn't buy it, and said:
No, if I was projecting I would have said love Janine, because I love Janine, I said like.
Deflecting again, Gregory told Jacob he sounded ridiculous. And as Mr. Johnson said, with this moment: “The plot thickens.”
Valentine’s Day And The Present Fiasco
So, Janine was dating Maurice, and Gregory was dating Amber at this point. However, Jacob accidentally revealed to Janine that Gregory likes her, and throughout the Valentine’s Day episode, the two teachers get stuck in a weird swirl of miscommunication. Gregory thought Janine was talking about a Lego bouquet of flowers (which would have been a perfect gift for Janine), while Janine was actually talking about them liking each other.
Overall, it was a hot mess…thanks, Jacob!
Along with Janine officially finding out about Gregory’s feelings, it’s revealed that Melissa, Barbra, Ava and Mr. Johnson all know the two like each other, too. However, these two teachers couldn’t seem to face their feelings just yet.
Janine And Gregory’s First Kiss At The Teacher’s Conference
It’s the moment we had all been waiting for!! Janine and Gregory finally kissed, and fans were so excited. The two snuck into the living classroom during the teachers conference, and got sentimental about their love for teaching and plants. Even though they were drunk, the two shared a sweet moment, and then ended up crouched on the floor kissing.
Not only do they kiss, Janine pulled Gregory back in by his lanyard so they could make out a bit more.
Although, literally, right after the moment, the two both talk to the camera about why it was a big mistake, or a “Whoops!” as Janine called it. They got “caught up in the moment,” she said, which is “precisely what it was,” Gregory reiterated.
We all know it was more than just getting “caught up in the moment,” this was the first really massive step in the two’s romantic relationship. Now they just need to come to terms with that fact themselves.
Confronting The Kiss At Bone Town
Gregory and Janine decided to do the right thing following the kiss, and they told Maurice about what happened at the teacher’s conference. They both said it meant nothing, Janine even says:
It meant nothing, less than nothing.
However, while they claim it meant “negative nothing,” we all know that kiss meant everything. Right after breaking the news, Janine ended up breaking it off with Maurice, and he kicked the two teachers out of his booth at Bone Town.
Following this moment, the two have their longing looks and supportive moments in various episodes, however, the kiss, and the possibility of dating were not discussed.
Gregory And Janine Admit Their Feelings For Each Other, But There's A Catch
Let's just say after the Season 2 finale of Abbott Elementary fans had thoughts, lots and lots of thoughts, specifically, about Gregory, Janine and the future of their relationship.
The two finally, officially, admitted that they have feelings for each other at the museum. They did it! And it was so cute too. Telling each other they liked each other by a giant heart was not only cute but completely unique.
However, the celebration didn't last long, because Janine was quick to tell Gregory she didn't want a romantic relationship. Their friendship meant too much to her. Then, at the end of the episode, we saw the two going to get food with Jacob, still as good friends, and that's that.
While it's disappointing that they didn't get together in the finale, Janine's choice showed major growth for her character, and Gregory, being the king he is, respected her wishes.
Gregory Firmly Friend Zones Janine
In the first episode of Abbott Elementary’s third season, it was revealed that the cameras were stolen, and the first part of the school year wasn’t documented. While Janine and Gregory said nothing happened, Ava records the school Big Brother-style, and she proved that something did indeed happen.
In a shocking event, Janine admitted she had feelings for Gregory, but following the conversation at the end of Season 2, he decided to try and move on, saying:
Honestly, Janine, in my mind I had kind of put a period on that. Out of respect. It just seemed, you eventually moved on, and it seemed like kind of the right thing to do, so I did.
While Janine tried to say she had never said they couldn’t start a relationship eventually, Gregory hammered home the friend zone point, saying:
Even with you changing your mind right now, it just feels like it would be safer, for both of us, if we’re just friends.
So, overall, this conversation put a “period,” as Gregory put it, on their romantic relationship…for now.
Janine Goes To Work At The District
Overall, Janine’s new job at The District has changed a lot of things, especially when it comes to the amount of time she spends at Abbott. Plus, it seems like there’s possibly potential for her to date her District co-worker, Manny (Josh Segarra), seeing as they have a lot in common. All in all, this new job, while a great opportunity, has for sure changed things between Janine and Gregory, because they don’t see each other every day like they used to.
Janine And Gregory Are Just Friends, But He Keeps Making Eyes At Her
While Janine and Gregory said they’re just friends, based on the looks they give each other, specifically the ones coming from Mr. Eddie, I think they’re feeling much more than that. For example, in Episode 6 of Season 3, Gregory, Janine and Jacob spent it trying to find a new Willard R. Abbott to be the school’s namesake. Things are for sure happening between them, and so Jacob decided to leave them alone, telling the camera:
But, between us, Janine and Gregory, they’re like a handsome moth to a cutie-patootie flame. They’ve given: they will. They’ve given: they won’t. Now they’re giving: two people that kissed but decided to just be friends for some Godforsaken reason.
Jacob is truly preaching to the choir. Sparks are constantly flying between these two, I mean just look at the seemingly infinite number of longing looks Gregory has given Janine, and you’ll see clear as day that their romantic feelings for each other are still very much there.
We'll get to see the continuation of Gregory and Janine's story as Abbott Elementary Season 3 continues on the 2024 TV schedule. To relive this adorable budding relationship you can stream Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of the ABC hit with a Hulu subscription.
