The Nerve
Pairing(s): former!Steve Harrington x Female Reader; eventual!Eddie Munson x Female Reader
Summary: The nerves of some people.Â
Warnings: ClichĂ© af. Toxic behavior. When they go low, I go lower. Revenge. Not a girlsâ girl here bc once you fuck around w/ another girlâs man itâs âyes, and?â from there. Implied smut. Language. Weâre probably not gonna like Steve (or even the reader for a bit) here.Â
Disclaimer: Typical !former and !eventual pairing. Some time hopping. None of the spooky events of the Stranger Things (2016) series take place in this piece. Everything is just where itâs at because this is made up.Â
Pre A/N: This is embarrassing. I was in my villain era. I was certainly in the business of misery. I was angry (still am sometimes), so I wrote this. We all cope differently.
The nerve.Â
She had the nerve to steal your boyfriend.Â
It had been a few weeks since Steve broke up with you, only to start dating a girl you had harbored no ill will toward until that night. He even had the guts to reveal who she was and how long he had been losing interest in you. You werenât going to lie, it hurt â a lot. Discovering his real need for âspaceâ during the last two months of your relationship was painful to realize because in that time, while you were being understanding, he was finding a way to end things with you.
Looking back, you couldnât help but dissect the memory. It was an ordinary day. School was let out for the weekend, and you were spending it with Steve, a cozy night in without interruptions since he was often left alone at home. The two of you lay on the couch, cuddled up, bodies parallel, his arms around you, the room dimly lit by the TV screen.Â
âI have something I wanna talk to you aboutâŠand itâs been on my mind for a while,â Steve says, loosening his grip and pausing the movie that was mindlessly playing midway.Â
âOkay,â you reply, pushing yourself up from the couch to make space for him to sit up. He shifted, swinging his legs over to plant his feet on the carpeted floor, settling into a seated position and scooting aside to allow you room to sit back down next to him. Â
The atmosphere shifted noticeably, and it made you nervous. The way he ran his hands through his hair and avoided meeting your gaze â it all felt ominous, and you couldnât prepare yourself for what he was about to say.Â
âI met someone,â he revealed.Â
It wasnât the news you expected, and you could feel your heart sink into your stomach as you absorbed his words.
âOh,â is all you manage to say, now turning your gaze to the ground too, unable to look at him.Â
A whirlwind of emotions swept through you â hurt, anger, brokenness, betrayal. The signs had been there. Why hadnât you seen them? He had been growing distant â more withdrawn, fewer âgood morningsâ and âgood nightsâ, less calls, more canceled dates. You had been looking forward to tonight, thinking he was just preoccupied with work or his upcoming graduation, believing whatever he needed space for was resolved. Turns out, he needed space from you.Â
You had so many questions, even though you werenât sure why you needed the answers. In that moment, you wanted to know what you had done to make him lose interest in you. You had thought the relationship was salvageable.Â
What? He was breaking up with you.Â
When? Heâd been feeling like this for almost two months.Â
Where? At work. Â
Who? The other girl he worked with, also attends Hawkins High, but she's a year above you, therefore had more classes and events with him.Â
How? It just happened.Â
Yeah, that last one was a classic, but not as much as him telling you that you did nothing wrong and that you both could stay friends. Bullshit. With Steve, would come her, and you couldnât believe the nerve of her to pursue another girlâs boyfriend. Youâd seen her while visiting Steve at his job, but you hadnât felt threatened by her. The hurting phase was brutal, but now all you could feel for her was anger â after all, who didnât know that you were dating Steve Harrington?Â
She had the nerve to act all innocent.
The school hallways were not pleasant for you. A few days after the break up, rumors circulated that Steve left you for someone else, though apparently their relationship hadnât been made public yet, sparking widespread gossip.Â
How would you have known that though? His business wasnât yours anymore. In fact, youâd made a deliberate effort to distance yourself from them because the breakup was still fresh. Fuck trying to be friends. This time you were the one that needed the space. The last thing you wanted was to think about them together.Â
Steve had the audacity to point the finger at you because you were supposedly the only one aware of the relationship. Even when you tried to explain, he left you hanging. The disbelief on his face hurt to witness. He didnât believe you.Â
âHow do they know about us?â Steve demanded as he approached you at your locker, hands on his hips in typical, upset Steve fashion. No hey, hi or hello. He just went right in.Â
âI donât know,â you scoffed, continuing to unload your textbooks from your backpack.
âWell, youâre the only one who knows,â he persisted, leaning in closer, determined to get an answer. âAnd your name is going around.âÂ
âLook, Steve,â you finally turned to face him, your tone sharp, catching him off guard. âYour new relationship isnât my concern.â This is a side of you Steve isnât used to. âWhy would I go around telling everyone that you left me for her? In all the time youâve known me, have I ever given you a reason to think Iâd do something like this?âÂ
You could see him reconsidering his accusation. The questions seemed to stump him, as if he knew the rumors were absurd and gossip wasnât something you partook in.Â
âWhy donât you go talk to your girlfriend and figure it out?â you suggested, turning back to your locker, not in the mood to continue the conversation.Â
All Steve did was stare at you before shaking his head then going into a tangent of how some of the rumors were negatively affecting her when they werenât true and how she shouldnât have to endure them or receive any of its backlashâŠas if you did. But when he started saying something along the lines of how she wouldnât do that because she told him she didnât, you knew this was all a wasted effort on your end because he had already made up his mind. He believed her.Â
Did he truly think you cared that much about them? Did he really think you'd stoop so low as to announce his new relationship? Did he ever really know you?Â
She had the nerve to lie.Â
Steve apologized to you when he discovered it was actually his new girlfriend that spread the news. He recognized his rash behavior and conceded that he shouldâve believed you. Why would you waste energy on them? They werenât worth your time anymore.Â
âHey,â a voice calls from behind, and you turn to see Steve standing there, looking contrite. Unlike before, you receive a greeting.
âHey,â you reply, briefly acknowledging him before returning to organizing your locker, now cluttered by your chaotic friendâs belongings - stashing the shit that no one would suspect the good girl to possess. It didnât bother you much, except for the occasional stench it left behind.Â
âYou were right,â Steve admits, hands in his front pockets and moving to the side to look at you. Pausing your task, you wait for him to continue. âShe was the one going around telling everyone that I left youâŠfor her.â Boy, that was awkward and lowkey stung. It hadnât even been that long and he didnât fail to remind you how you all got here.Â
âIâm sorry I doubted you,â he continues, visibly ashamed, âI shouldâve known better than to believe that.â His apology didnât really move you. The damage had already been done. You were branded as the âpsycho exâ and all Steve had to do was trust you from the start.Â
She had the nerve to act like a girlsâ girl.Â
She never directly apologized, but she had the nerve to claim that she harbored âno hard feelingsâ toward you. Hard feelings? Why? Because youâre the ex? Was she fucking stupid? How did she expect the girl whose boyfriend she stole to feel? Everything that came out of her mouth infuriated you. Â
It was no ordinary day â it was your birthday, and your friend had organized a night out to celebrate. You never liked to make a spectacle of your birthday, but it was also a good reason to go out, distract yourself, and avoid dwelling on unwanted thoughts.Â
âYouâre lying,â your friend responds, baffled by what you just told him, âshe really said that?âÂ
âShe fucking did!â you exclaim, still grappling with her impeccable timing. She wouldnât know it was your birthday or would she care.Â
âJesus. Of all the daysâŠâ he says with a low whistle before attempting to lift your spirits, âBut, hey, weâre not gonna let her ruin your birthday!â
âI know, and I wonât!â Your voice wavers as you try to convince yourself this wouldnât affect you. You were determined to not cry today, but the truth was, it still hurts. Her little stunt reopened a wound that was almost healed. Â
âHeâs such a fool,â he remarks, followed by a brief silence. You were preoccupied with regaining your composure, fighting back tears, unable to respond. âHe didnât know what he already had in front of him. Lucky son of a bitch,â he added, and youâre not sure if he was speaking to himself or he meant to say that outloud, but you heard him nonetheless.Â
âStop,â you reply, turning your away from him. Youâre not gonna cry. âI know what youâre trying to do, Eddie.â Â
âWhat am I trying to do?â He asks adjusting to move to your line of vision, but you keep your focus averted.
âHype me up, make me feel betterâŠI don't know,â you answer, finally meeting his gaze, the tears now freely falling.Â
He understood how hard you were on yourself, replaying what couldâve been avoided. Your relationship with Steve wasnât something you anticipated. Steve pursued you, and initially, you were fine with a casual fling, but he insisted on something more serious. You had doubts about whether he was the right person, but what if he was? Itâs a reminder that life isnât planned; itâs lived.
Eddieâs support during your breakup was invaluable. He watched you cry a lot â at home, at his trailer, at school, at work. He watched you criticize yourself for the breakup. He watched the light go out and he was determined to reignite it. He simply wanted his friend back.Â
âSweetheart, I promise you,â he assures, hand over his heart, âeverything Iâve said is sincere,â accompanied by that charming, stupid trademark Eddie grin. He was so endearing.Â
âWell,â you begin, but heâs got you. He had a knack for flipping the script, leaving you wondering why you were arguing in the first place.Â
Despite your curiosity about what attracted Steve to someone else and away from you, you had to accept that you probably wouldnât ever know.Â
If there was one thing you knew about Steve, it was that when he falls, he falls fast. With that realization, it sparked a wicked plan in your mind. If you could bag him once, you could probably do it again.Â
The nerve.Â
You had the nerve to lie.Â
The only person you had confided in about your breakup with Steve was Eddie, and you had the right to do so. You needed a friend. You also knew he had no interest in high school gossip, so it couldnât have been him that told the whole school. You trusted him.Â
People liked to talk and they didnât hold back. Although the lies bothered you, you had a strong support system in Eddie and his friends. If any group could shrug off that nonsense, it was the Hellfire Club.
âAre you sure you didnât tell anyone?â Steve asked, continuing to badger you, even suggesting Eddie as the culprit. You knew Steve well enough that he couldnât take gossip about him for this long. After all, he had a reputation to uphold, and not all of the rumors were in his favor.Â
âEddie?â You asked, confused but also guilty because you had done just that.Â
âYeah, I know how much time youâve been spending with him lately.âÂ
âWhy is that any of your business?â You countered, a bit snappy. Â
âBecause,â Steve began, grasping for an excuse, âpeople talk.â
âAnd you really think Eddie would? He doesnât care about shit like this or you-â
âPlease,â he interrupts with an eye roll, in the annoying way Steve always did.Â
âYou donât know him,â you defended your friend, âso get off your high horse and go talk to your girlfriend about your problem,â leaving him questioning everything again. Â
You had the nerve to act all innocent.Â
The birthday incident, as you tried your best to keep thoughts of Steve at bay, she unexpectedly approached you, alone, feigning sweetness and innocence. You listened as she spun her lies â lies about overhearing people gossip about her, Steve, and you; lies about rumors allegedly started by you; lies about having âno hard feelingsâ toward you. It was all fabrication. Â
Politely, you attempted to have her understand your side of the story, clarifying that you had not spread any rumors and had discussed the situation with Steve, as civil as that couldâve been, and ultimately, how she should address the matter directly with him. What were you now? A couples counselor? You didnât have time for this or them.
You werenât going to start lying to yourself now, but it angered you. All you saw was red. So, you gave it right back, feigning innocence yourself, doubling down on it, subtly planting a seed of doubt in her mind.Â
âWatch out for him,â you said sincerely, your warning devoid of malice.Â
âWhatâs that supposed to mean?â She asked genuinely curious. God she was fucking stupid. Did she think she would walk out of this situation without a scratch? She had just proven she was not a girlâs girl for actively pursuing your boyfriend while he was with you. The world is a jungle, and it was every woman for herself now.Â
âNothing,â you shrugged, maintaining composure, â...just a girl looking out for another girl,â you added, offering her an innocent, warm smile.Â
âOkay,â she replied, sounding confused and a bit shaky. You could sense her discomfort, and she deserved to feel uneasy.Â
Ultimately, you werenât lying. Yes, she should watch out for Steve â what made her think he wouldnât treat her the same way he did to you? However, if you were in her shoes, youâd watch out for yourself.Â
You had the nerve to not act like a girlâs girl too.Â
The sudden breakup with Steve left some unresolved feelings, but he was now with her, not you, yet that didnât stop the urge to act on them. Steve was weak and you realized that soon enough.Â
With your head turned to the side, you observed him, listening to his ragged breathing, how his lips parted, emitting small puffs of air, his chest rising and falling, the sweat that dripped from the top of his forehead, and eyes closed in post-bliss. Your gaze traces the freckles that speckled his skin as you studied his profile, wrestling with the questions swirling your mind.
âDo you want to talk about it?â you asked cautiously, breaking the silence. Why fight for him?
He didnât respond immediately, but didnât linger too long before replying, âNot really.âÂ
âWeâre gonna have to,â you said and it sounded almost pathetic. Why were you trying to hold onto him?Â
âIâŠI think we shouldnât talk for a while,â and when he said that, you knew that actually meant this was done. He was done with you. Why did you want to change his mind?
The realization hit you like a ton of bricks. You knew it had to end eventually. There was no intention or hope of remaining friends.Â
That night, you went home feeling hurt, broken, angry, and disgusted. You knew what you did was wrong, a sad attempt on your part. He probably wanted that reaction from you. You were more than willing to feed his male ego. What guy didnât enjoy the idea of two girls vying for him? If it was easy for her and it was easy for you, it would be easy for another. What made him so special?
You had the nerve to try to steal her boyfriend.
It was a toxic situation. You found yourself doing exactly what she had done to you. What did that accomplish? Bragging rights and a fleeting sense of revenge, perhaps, but it didnât bring you and Steve back together. It only highlighted how destructive you both could be. You sought revenge at the expense of homewrecking a relationship. You were no better, yet in a twisted way, you didnât care. You wanted them to feel the same pain you did, even though deep down, you knew Steve was capable of sabotaging his own relationships.Â
You told Eddie of the misdeed, feeling ashamed. He wasnât upset with you. He understood that you would follow your own path no matter what. He didnât have the right to control you. Both of you recognized that this would only lead to your own suffering. Unfortunately, you had to learn this lesson the hard way.Â
âI know youâre upset and thatâs okay,â he tries to console you, â...your feelings are valid. But I donât think you need to find the answers to everything. Theyâll just lead to more and itâll never end.â
He was right. The more you held onto what happened between you and Steve, the more questions arose. He was living rent free in your head.Â
âI just-â you struggled, trying hard to make sense of the situation, âI just wanna know. What did I do wrong? How did he get bored of me? When was I not enough?âÂ
âHave you ever heard of the 80/20 rule?â he asked, and you shook your head. âItâs basically a theory that when someone cheats, they are drawn to the 20% in another person that is missing in their current partner.â
Youâre not sure how much that helped you because it begged the questionâŠâAnd I know what youâre thinking, so stop that!â Eddieâs quick to read you, âyouâre lacking nothing, alright?âÂ
âEveryone knows Iâm not a big fan of Steve Harrington,â he said, scrunching up his face at the mention of his name, â...but heâll regret this. His type always comes backâŠfucking roaches.â That last remark elicited a small cackle out of you.Â
He then took your hand in his. Itâs a stark contrast to your own hand â larger, a bit rough, warm and slightly clammy â but it provided a sense of comfort. You donât realize how long youâve been staring at your hands clasped together until he gives it a light squeeze and says, âHeâll realize he was much better off with the 80% he already had.âÂ
Damn Eddie Munson. He was too good to you. It gave you a new perspective. Why were you being so hard on yourself? Why were you trying to convince yourself that the relationshipâs downfall was your fault? It was Steve who started pulling away from you. It was Steve who did pull away from you. It was Steve who was actively pulling away from you. Everything that happened wasnât solely on you.Â
These kinds of things happen to everyone every day. Feeling hurt, broken, angry, betrayed and ashamed were normal and acceptable emotions. You just have to learn to swallow your pride and accept this as part of life. You live and learn â not necessarily forgive or forget, but move on in your own way.Â
You were once happy without Steve, and you could be happy again. You gave up or changed a lot for Steve, losing sight of what made you happy. Now, you were committed to reclaiming your happiness. Fuck, when did you start crying?Â
âYou alright, sweetheart?â Eddieâs voice laced in concern, bringing his other hand up to wipe the stray tears running down your face.Â
âHow do you do it?â you asked, looking down to compose yourself.Â
âDo what?â he responded, amused. You didnât answer verbally, but twist your hand in his to thread your fingers between his. The small smile on your face conveyed your question, softening his features. Itâs a rare emotion from Eddie, mixed with vulnerability accompanied with a newfound awareness.Â
He brings your now interlocked hands to his lips but not before saying, â...because Iâm a big fan of you,â and kisses the back of your hand gently.
The nerve.
Steve had the nerve to lie.Â
Several months have passed with minimal communication from Steve. Occasionally seeing them together around school and town didnât bother you anymore â well, not entirely. You canât deny it still stirred up certain feelings, but you didnât give it a second thought and eventually they werenât a blimp on your radar. The past no longer consumed you, but unexpectedly, it started consuming Steve.Â
Evidently, he still knew your schedule and had been desperately trying to find a chance to talk to you â just the two of you, without Eddie, other friends, teachers, classmates, or family around. When he approached you, you were confused; unsure if he was still with her or anyone else. You intentionally tuned out gossip and never paid attention to their situation. Besides, you had a better reason to not care about Steve anymore. So, when he starts pouring out his feelings, you take it with a grain of salt, this time with a clearer mind.Â
âHey,â Steve calls out as you step out of your front door, ready to head out with your ride nearby.Â
âUh, hey, Steve,â you reply with uncertainty.Â
âCan we talk?â he asks hesitantly.Â
âNow might not be the best time,â you respond with unease.Â
âPlease, just give me five minutes,â he begs, his eyes full of hope and pleading. What could there possibly be left to talk about? Despite your instincts telling you to stand firm, you reluctantly agree to hear him out, which you soon regret.Â
Steve begins with an apology and offers to explain his actions. What more was there for him to explain? You no longer desired an explanation. It was simple â he grew tired of you, became interested in another girl, and left you; perhaps grew tired of her too and now heâs back. You had moved on from your failed relationship with Steve months ago. However, he felt he âowedâ you an explanation. Was this all a joke to him?
The more he spoke, the more you got lost in your thoughts trying to comprehend the reality that he was standing before you, admitting to his mistakes, and seeking a second chance. His voice started to fade into the background as you felt the weight of deciding how to respond, all while knowing your ride would arrive at any moment. When the pressure got too much, you finally managed to step up.Â
âSteve,â you interrupt, âI donât know what you want me to say to you.âÂ
âYou donât have to say anything right now. I justââ heâs cut off by the sound of loud, muffled music, causing both of you to turn your attention to the bulky van that just pulled up in front of your house.Â
You glanced at Steve sending him a tight lip smile before taking the short few steps to the curb, not looking back, knowing you were never going to get that "owed" explanation.
Steve had the nerve to try to act all innocent.
The atmosphere in Eddieâs van is tense the moment you climb into the passenger seat. Neither of you expected to see Steve today, let alone right before a date. And it happened. The lingering feelings had unearthed between you and Eddie and you welcomed it, a testament to your decision to move on from Steve. Right when things are looking up, life throws you a curveball in the form of your ex.Â
âAre you okay?â Eddie asks cautiously, stealing a quick glance at you before focusing back on the road.Â
âYeah,â you reply unconvincingly, then quickly retract, âno,â followed by a sigh, âI mean, I wasâŠI am. Iâm just annoyed at Steve right now. I swear I had no idea he was stopping by.âÂ
âYouâre fine,â Eddie assured, dismissively waving his hand to convey that it wasnât a big deal to him, though his mind was racing with a million questions. When he saw Steve with you, he couldnât help but wonder: Why was Steve there? What were you two talking about? What did Steve want? Had you been in contact with him and not mentioned it? Not that Eddie could control who you talked to, girlfriend or not.Â
âI canât believe he had the nerve to say he ârespectsâ my feelings!â Your emotions spill out as you unload on Eddie, âAfter everything he did to me, does that look like someone who ârespectsâ my feelings?âÂ
âIt is a pretty shitty thing for him to do,â Eddie agrees, not just coming from the boyfriend perspective, but from any perspective.Â
Steve thought that by acknowledging your feelings upfront, it would ease his case. However, upon reflection, you realized it was more about saving face for the hurtful way he left you, attempting to depict himself in a more favorable light.
âRight?!â The audacity Steve had to arrive at your door, unannounced, just before your date with Eddie. God, Eddie. It was a brief but uncomfortable moment. Steve knew you were friends with Eddie, he never bothered to understand the depth of your relationship because he didnât care enough to meet your other friends. âIâm sorry, Eddie,â you say, feeling remorseful. Â
âFor what?â he chuckles softly because canât believe what you're apologizing for.
âI didnât expect to see Steve today,â you explain.Â
âThatâs not on you,â he assures, âremember, I told you they always come back.âÂ
âTrue,â you agree, âbut thatâs not what I want.âÂ
âWhat do you want, then?â he asks.
âYou,â you admit, âjust you, Eddie,â reaching for his free hand to hold for assurance.Â
Yeah, Steve wasnât going to fool you. Â
Steve had the nerve to try to steal you from your boyfriend.Â
During the initial months, Steve made attempts to regain your favor. You questioned repeatedly whether you could genuinely consider being just friends with him. That had been his original intention after breaking your heart, but he failed to uphold his end of the deal. Was it worth attempting to rebuild a friendship with him? Would it reflect poorly on your judgment if you did? Could you bear being around Steve in any capacity? If Eddie hadnât arrived on time for your date that evening, you didnât know how much more of Steve's admission you could take before you hit another breaking point.Â
âIâve been thinking a lot about you,â Steve begins, pausing, his mouth opening and closing as he carefully chooses his next words, âI miss you.â He observes your lack of response before continuing, âI miss us. We workedâŠand I really want to try and get to that againâŠto what we had.âÂ
You can see it was difficult for him to admit this. Seeing your unphased reaction, he begins to ramble and talk out of his ass, âI mean, only if you want to. I can understand if you donât. I do respect your feelings.âÂ
You knew you didnât have the mental or even emotional capacity to deal with Steve at that moment, and fortunately, the interaction didnât progress any further. More importantly, it didnât ruin your date with Eddie.Â
Steveâs graduation, once an event you looked forward to celebrating, was now a canceled event on your calendar. While you wished you couldâve joined in celebrating, Eddie had unfortunately not passed his exams again. Hopefully, on his third attempt, he will be able to graduate and walk the stage with you next year.Â
You had started working at a music store, which you enjoyed because it allowed you to be surrounded by something you loved â music. Eddie particularly appreciated the employee discount, a place to hang around during your shifts, though he seemed less excited about the storeâs proximity to a certain video store.
It was inevitable that Steve would eventually walk in. Initially, your classmate and presumably Steveâs co-worker, now friend, Robin accompanied him. Over time, Steve started coming in alone, conveniently when Eddie wasnât hanging around.Â
It wasnât that you were afraid to be alone with him, and Eddie trusted you; he simply didnât trust Steve. Despite Steve not being the same person from high school, multiple events humbling him, his efforts to revive your past relationship persisted. Although his approach was more subdued than before and masked as friendship, there was still an underlying motive. It was no secret either that you were in a relationship with Eddie.Â
Given the small-town geography of Hawkins, you accepted Steve wasnât going to just disappear. You managed to adapt to his presence. While you couldnât deny that this attention boosted your ego, you were resolute about not revisiting the past with him.Â
âSo, Iâve got a copy of Pretty In Pink hot off the press,â Steve announced, showcasing proof of the video tape during another lunch break he spent at your workplace with you on a slow day. âInterested in watching it with me tonight?â he asked, trying to sound smooth and hopeful, adding and emphasizing âas friends,â though not convincingly considering you havenât agreed to any plans with Steve let alone as that.Â
You glanced at him, then at the tape in his hands, and then back at him. âThanks, but Iâm not really into rom-coms,â you replied with a small smile.Â
âWhat? Since when?â he asked, visibly surprised.Â
âSince foreverâŠâ you answered with a light laugh that almost sounded like a scoff. It internally annoys you because as a former partner, he shouldâve known that.
âOh,â he said, setting the tape down on the counter between you.Â
âYeah,â you drawled, trying to fill the ensuing awkward silence. Fortunately, the door chimed, signaling a new customer â saved by the bell, literally. Â
âBabe, youâre gonna love me! I convinced Robin to save me a copy of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, and she fucking delivered,â Eddie exclaimed excitedly about tonightâs movie, barely noticing Steveâs presence until he reached the register. âOh, hey, man.âÂ
Itâs amusing yet endearing to see Eddie straighten up and square his shoulders around Steve, as if they were in competition. You couldnât blame Eddie for feeling that way, though he really had no reason to worry heâd lose.Â
âHey,â Steve replied, shoving the copy of the romantic comedy aside, embarrassed that he had forgotten your preference for horror movies.Â
As you and Eddie enthusiastically discussed the sequel, Steve felt out of place, as if you and Eddie were in your own little world, completely forgetting he was still standing there. He couldnât contribute to the conversation because he hadnât seen the first movie and didnât know anything about it to share in the excitement. Eventually, he quietly slipped away with the tape in hand, on the short trek back to Family Video concluding his lunch break.Â
The notion of âforgive and âforgetâ was bullshit. While you could be civil, deep down, you still harbored hurt and anger over what happened. Much of the past year was spent in an emotional decline that affected various aspects of your life â home, social interactions, physical and mental well-being. Now, however, you were focused on reclaiming your happiness. Places and things around town that once reminded you of Steve and your past relationship no longer brought sadness; you were forging new memories with someone else. Â
Whether it be in a friend or significant other, Eddie was like your rock. He was there from the start, witnessing your first date with Steve and even expressing his reservations about him. Yet, he knew he had to let you navigate life, love and mistakes on your own. Despite any reckless choices you made, even those that disappointed him, Eddie remained a source of comfort and support because he genuinely cared for you.Â
Growing closer to Eddie was a breath of fresh air compared to Steve. You didnât feel the need to impress Eddie; he was always impressed by you. Reflecting on it, you realized how much you had changed to fit in Steveâs world, which now seemed almost pathetic. With Eddie, you donât have to change anything â your clothes, your diet, your friends, or your interests. He respected you for who you were.Â
Itâs ironic that just as youâre back on track and happy, Steve wants to interfere. Whatâs even sadder is that he promised an explanation but hasnât delivered, yet heâs actively pursuing you. So what? You tell your ex you still have feelings for them and miss what you both had. What did he expect? That he was Steve Harrington and youâd jump back into his arms? No. He had moved on, supposedly, and so did you, finally.Â
Part of you cherished early memories with Steve, and you werenât going to fail to admit that during the initial attempts, you entertained the thought of what if you got back with him. However, heâs the reason why you struggled to move on and became recluse. Who knows? Maybe he learned from his mistakes or not. What he did to you, he did to her and would likely repeat to others. He only proved that second chances sometimes didnât matter because rarely do people change. You concluded you couldnât be more than what you currently were to Steve.Â
He was the one who chose to end the relationship. He was the one who decided you werenât enough for him. He was the one who chose to engage with another woman. He was the one who strung you along. He's the one who decided to cut you off. And now, heâs the one seeking a way back in. It was comical because all the tactics he used the first time he convinced you to go out on a date with him didnât work this time. It had him trying harder and he was failing miserably. You were now the one living rent-free in his head.Â
The events of this whole situation have allowed you to build emotional strength and learn to love yourself and someone else again. You were happy, and happy with Eddie. You werenât going to let something silly as an 80/20 rule or a past relationship with Steve interfere with that happiness.
Yet, it goes to show the nerves of some people.Â
Post A/N: I wish I had this happier ending in real life. Please like, comment and/or reblog. Itâll motivate me to write more and you know also help my self-esteem.
56 notes
·
View notes
The Nerve
Pairing(s): former!Steve Harrington x Female Reader; eventual!Eddie Munson x Female Reader
Summary: The nerves of some people.Â
Warnings: ClichĂ© af. Toxic behavior. When they go low, I go lower. Revenge. Not a girlsâ girl here bc once you fuck around w/ another girlâs man itâs âyes, and?â from there. Implied smut. Language. Weâre probably not gonna like Steve (or even the reader for a bit) here.Â
Disclaimer: Typical !former and !eventual pairing. Some time hopping. None of the spooky events of the Stranger Things (2016) series take place in this piece. Everything is just where itâs at because this is made up.Â
Pre A/N: This is embarrassing. I was in my villain era. I was certainly in the business of misery. I was angry (still am sometimes), so I wrote this. We all cope differently.
The nerve.Â
She had the nerve to steal your boyfriend.Â
It had been a few weeks since Steve broke up with you, only to start dating a girl you had harbored no ill will toward until that night. He even had the guts to reveal who she was and how long he had been losing interest in you. You werenât going to lie, it hurt â a lot. Discovering his real need for âspaceâ during the last two months of your relationship was painful to realize because in that time, while you were being understanding, he was finding a way to end things with you.
Looking back, you couldnât help but dissect the memory. It was an ordinary day. School was let out for the weekend, and you were spending it with Steve, a cozy night in without interruptions since he was often left alone at home. The two of you lay on the couch, cuddled up, bodies parallel, his arms around you, the room dimly lit by the TV screen.Â
âI have something I wanna talk to you aboutâŠand itâs been on my mind for a while,â Steve says, loosening his grip and pausing the movie that was mindlessly playing midway.Â
âOkay,â you reply, pushing yourself up from the couch to make space for him to sit up. He shifted, swinging his legs over to plant his feet on the carpeted floor, settling into a seated position and scooting aside to allow you room to sit back down next to him. Â
The atmosphere shifted noticeably, and it made you nervous. The way he ran his hands through his hair and avoided meeting your gaze â it all felt ominous, and you couldnât prepare yourself for what he was about to say.Â
âI met someone,â he revealed.Â
It wasnât the news you expected, and you could feel your heart sink into your stomach as you absorbed his words.
âOh,â is all you manage to say, now turning your gaze to the ground too, unable to look at him.Â
A whirlwind of emotions swept through you â hurt, anger, brokenness, betrayal. The signs had been there. Why hadnât you seen them? He had been growing distant â more withdrawn, fewer âgood morningsâ and âgood nightsâ, less calls, more canceled dates. You had been looking forward to tonight, thinking he was just preoccupied with work or his upcoming graduation, believing whatever he needed space for was resolved. Turns out, he needed space from you.Â
You had so many questions, even though you werenât sure why you needed the answers. In that moment, you wanted to know what you had done to make him lose interest in you. You had thought the relationship was salvageable.Â
What? He was breaking up with you.Â
When? Heâd been feeling like this for almost two months.Â
Where? At work. Â
Who? The other girl he worked with, also attends Hawkins High, but she's a year above you, therefore had more classes and events with him.Â
How? It just happened.Â
Yeah, that last one was a classic, but not as much as him telling you that you did nothing wrong and that you both could stay friends. Bullshit. With Steve, would come her, and you couldnât believe the nerve of her to pursue another girlâs boyfriend. Youâd seen her while visiting Steve at his job, but you hadnât felt threatened by her. The hurting phase was brutal, but now all you could feel for her was anger â after all, who didnât know that you were dating Steve Harrington?Â
She had the nerve to act all innocent.
The school hallways were not pleasant for you. A few days after the break up, rumors circulated that Steve left you for someone else, though apparently their relationship hadnât been made public yet, sparking widespread gossip.Â
How would you have known that though? His business wasnât yours anymore. In fact, youâd made a deliberate effort to distance yourself from them because the breakup was still fresh. Fuck trying to be friends. This time you were the one that needed the space. The last thing you wanted was to think about them together.Â
Steve had the audacity to point the finger at you because you were supposedly the only one aware of the relationship. Even when you tried to explain, he left you hanging. The disbelief on his face hurt to witness. He didnât believe you.Â
âHow do they know about us?â Steve demanded as he approached you at your locker, hands on his hips in typical, upset Steve fashion. No hey, hi or hello. He just went right in.Â
âI donât know,â you scoffed, continuing to unload your textbooks from your backpack.
âWell, youâre the only one who knows,â he persisted, leaning in closer, determined to get an answer. âAnd your name is going around.âÂ
âLook, Steve,â you finally turned to face him, your tone sharp, catching him off guard. âYour new relationship isnât my concern.â This is a side of you Steve isnât used to. âWhy would I go around telling everyone that you left me for her? In all the time youâve known me, have I ever given you a reason to think Iâd do something like this?âÂ
You could see him reconsidering his accusation. The questions seemed to stump him, as if he knew the rumors were absurd and gossip wasnât something you partook in.Â
âWhy donât you go talk to your girlfriend and figure it out?â you suggested, turning back to your locker, not in the mood to continue the conversation.Â
All Steve did was stare at you before shaking his head then going into a tangent of how some of the rumors were negatively affecting her when they werenât true and how she shouldnât have to endure them or receive any of its backlashâŠas if you did. But when he started saying something along the lines of how she wouldnât do that because she told him she didnât, you knew this was all a wasted effort on your end because he had already made up his mind. He believed her.Â
Did he truly think you cared that much about them? Did he really think you'd stoop so low as to announce his new relationship? Did he ever really know you?Â
She had the nerve to lie.Â
Steve apologized to you when he discovered it was actually his new girlfriend that spread the news. He recognized his rash behavior and conceded that he shouldâve believed you. Why would you waste energy on them? They werenât worth your time anymore.Â
âHey,â a voice calls from behind, and you turn to see Steve standing there, looking contrite. Unlike before, you receive a greeting.
âHey,â you reply, briefly acknowledging him before returning to organizing your locker, now cluttered by your chaotic friendâs belongings - stashing the shit that no one would suspect the good girl to possess. It didnât bother you much, except for the occasional stench it left behind.Â
âYou were right,â Steve admits, hands in his front pockets and moving to the side to look at you. Pausing your task, you wait for him to continue. âShe was the one going around telling everyone that I left youâŠfor her.â Boy, that was awkward and lowkey stung. It hadnât even been that long and he didnât fail to remind you how you all got here.Â
âIâm sorry I doubted you,â he continues, visibly ashamed, âI shouldâve known better than to believe that.â His apology didnât really move you. The damage had already been done. You were branded as the âpsycho exâ and all Steve had to do was trust you from the start.Â
She had the nerve to act like a girlsâ girl.Â
She never directly apologized, but she had the nerve to claim that she harbored âno hard feelingsâ toward you. Hard feelings? Why? Because youâre the ex? Was she fucking stupid? How did she expect the girl whose boyfriend she stole to feel? Everything that came out of her mouth infuriated you. Â
It was no ordinary day â it was your birthday, and your friend had organized a night out to celebrate. You never liked to make a spectacle of your birthday, but it was also a good reason to go out, distract yourself, and avoid dwelling on unwanted thoughts.Â
âYouâre lying,â your friend responds, baffled by what you just told him, âshe really said that?âÂ
âShe fucking did!â you exclaim, still grappling with her impeccable timing. She wouldnât know it was your birthday or would she care.Â
âJesus. Of all the daysâŠâ he says with a low whistle before attempting to lift your spirits, âBut, hey, weâre not gonna let her ruin your birthday!â
âI know, and I wonât!â Your voice wavers as you try to convince yourself this wouldnât affect you. You were determined to not cry today, but the truth was, it still hurts. Her little stunt reopened a wound that was almost healed. Â
âHeâs such a fool,â he remarks, followed by a brief silence. You were preoccupied with regaining your composure, fighting back tears, unable to respond. âHe didnât know what he already had in front of him. Lucky son of a bitch,â he added, and youâre not sure if he was speaking to himself or he meant to say that outloud, but you heard him nonetheless.Â
âStop,â you reply, turning your away from him. Youâre not gonna cry. âI know what youâre trying to do, Eddie.â Â
âWhat am I trying to do?â He asks adjusting to move to your line of vision, but you keep your focus averted.
âHype me up, make me feel betterâŠI don't know,â you answer, finally meeting his gaze, the tears now freely falling.Â
He understood how hard you were on yourself, replaying what couldâve been avoided. Your relationship with Steve wasnât something you anticipated. Steve pursued you, and initially, you were fine with a casual fling, but he insisted on something more serious. You had doubts about whether he was the right person, but what if he was? Itâs a reminder that life isnât planned; itâs lived.
Eddieâs support during your breakup was invaluable. He watched you cry a lot â at home, at his trailer, at school, at work. He watched you criticize yourself for the breakup. He watched the light go out and he was determined to reignite it. He simply wanted his friend back.Â
âSweetheart, I promise you,â he assures, hand over his heart, âeverything Iâve said is sincere,â accompanied by that charming, stupid trademark Eddie grin. He was so endearing.Â
âWell,â you begin, but heâs got you. He had a knack for flipping the script, leaving you wondering why you were arguing in the first place.Â
Despite your curiosity about what attracted Steve to someone else and away from you, you had to accept that you probably wouldnât ever know.Â
If there was one thing you knew about Steve, it was that when he falls, he falls fast. With that realization, it sparked a wicked plan in your mind. If you could bag him once, you could probably do it again.Â
The nerve.Â
You had the nerve to lie.Â
The only person you had confided in about your breakup with Steve was Eddie, and you had the right to do so. You needed a friend. You also knew he had no interest in high school gossip, so it couldnât have been him that told the whole school. You trusted him.Â
People liked to talk and they didnât hold back. Although the lies bothered you, you had a strong support system in Eddie and his friends. If any group could shrug off that nonsense, it was the Hellfire Club.
âAre you sure you didnât tell anyone?â Steve asked, continuing to badger you, even suggesting Eddie as the culprit. You knew Steve well enough that he couldnât take gossip about him for this long. After all, he had a reputation to uphold, and not all of the rumors were in his favor.Â
âEddie?â You asked, confused but also guilty because you had done just that.Â
âYeah, I know how much time youâve been spending with him lately.âÂ
âWhy is that any of your business?â You countered, a bit snappy. Â
âBecause,â Steve began, grasping for an excuse, âpeople talk.â
âAnd you really think Eddie would? He doesnât care about shit like this or you-â
âPlease,â he interrupts with an eye roll, in the annoying way Steve always did.Â
âYou donât know him,â you defended your friend, âso get off your high horse and go talk to your girlfriend about your problem,â leaving him questioning everything again. Â
You had the nerve to act all innocent.Â
The birthday incident, as you tried your best to keep thoughts of Steve at bay, she unexpectedly approached you, alone, feigning sweetness and innocence. You listened as she spun her lies â lies about overhearing people gossip about her, Steve, and you; lies about rumors allegedly started by you; lies about having âno hard feelingsâ toward you. It was all fabrication. Â
Politely, you attempted to have her understand your side of the story, clarifying that you had not spread any rumors and had discussed the situation with Steve, as civil as that couldâve been, and ultimately, how she should address the matter directly with him. What were you now? A couples counselor? You didnât have time for this or them.
You werenât going to start lying to yourself now, but it angered you. All you saw was red. So, you gave it right back, feigning innocence yourself, doubling down on it, subtly planting a seed of doubt in her mind.Â
âWatch out for him,â you said sincerely, your warning devoid of malice.Â
âWhatâs that supposed to mean?â She asked genuinely curious. God she was fucking stupid. Did she think she would walk out of this situation without a scratch? She had just proven she was not a girlâs girl for actively pursuing your boyfriend while he was with you. The world is a jungle, and it was every woman for herself now.Â
âNothing,â you shrugged, maintaining composure, â...just a girl looking out for another girl,â you added, offering her an innocent, warm smile.Â
âOkay,â she replied, sounding confused and a bit shaky. You could sense her discomfort, and she deserved to feel uneasy.Â
Ultimately, you werenât lying. Yes, she should watch out for Steve â what made her think he wouldnât treat her the same way he did to you? However, if you were in her shoes, youâd watch out for yourself.Â
You had the nerve to not act like a girlâs girl too.Â
The sudden breakup with Steve left some unresolved feelings, but he was now with her, not you, yet that didnât stop the urge to act on them. Steve was weak and you realized that soon enough.Â
With your head turned to the side, you observed him, listening to his ragged breathing, how his lips parted, emitting small puffs of air, his chest rising and falling, the sweat that dripped from the top of his forehead, and eyes closed in post-bliss. Your gaze traces the freckles that speckled his skin as you studied his profile, wrestling with the questions swirling your mind.
âDo you want to talk about it?â you asked cautiously, breaking the silence. Why fight for him?
He didnât respond immediately, but didnât linger too long before replying, âNot really.âÂ
âWeâre gonna have to,â you said and it sounded almost pathetic. Why were you trying to hold onto him?Â
âIâŠI think we shouldnât talk for a while,â and when he said that, you knew that actually meant this was done. He was done with you. Why did you want to change his mind?
The realization hit you like a ton of bricks. You knew it had to end eventually. There was no intention or hope of remaining friends.Â
That night, you went home feeling hurt, broken, angry, and disgusted. You knew what you did was wrong, a sad attempt on your part. He probably wanted that reaction from you. You were more than willing to feed his male ego. What guy didnât enjoy the idea of two girls vying for him? If it was easy for her and it was easy for you, it would be easy for another. What made him so special?
You had the nerve to try to steal her boyfriend.
It was a toxic situation. You found yourself doing exactly what she had done to you. What did that accomplish? Bragging rights and a fleeting sense of revenge, perhaps, but it didnât bring you and Steve back together. It only highlighted how destructive you both could be. You sought revenge at the expense of homewrecking a relationship. You were no better, yet in a twisted way, you didnât care. You wanted them to feel the same pain you did, even though deep down, you knew Steve was capable of sabotaging his own relationships.Â
You told Eddie of the misdeed, feeling ashamed. He wasnât upset with you. He understood that you would follow your own path no matter what. He didnât have the right to control you. Both of you recognized that this would only lead to your own suffering. Unfortunately, you had to learn this lesson the hard way.Â
âI know youâre upset and thatâs okay,â he tries to console you, â...your feelings are valid. But I donât think you need to find the answers to everything. Theyâll just lead to more and itâll never end.â
He was right. The more you held onto what happened between you and Steve, the more questions arose. He was living rent free in your head.Â
âI just-â you struggled, trying hard to make sense of the situation, âI just wanna know. What did I do wrong? How did he get bored of me? When was I not enough?âÂ
âHave you ever heard of the 80/20 rule?â he asked, and you shook your head. âItâs basically a theory that when someone cheats, they are drawn to the 20% in another person that is missing in their current partner.â
Youâre not sure how much that helped you because it begged the questionâŠâAnd I know what youâre thinking, so stop that!â Eddieâs quick to read you, âyouâre lacking nothing, alright?âÂ
âEveryone knows Iâm not a big fan of Steve Harrington,â he said, scrunching up his face at the mention of his name, â...but heâll regret this. His type always comes backâŠfucking roaches.â That last remark elicited a small cackle out of you.Â
He then took your hand in his. Itâs a stark contrast to your own hand â larger, a bit rough, warm and slightly clammy â but it provided a sense of comfort. You donât realize how long youâve been staring at your hands clasped together until he gives it a light squeeze and says, âHeâll realize he was much better off with the 80% he already had.âÂ
Damn Eddie Munson. He was too good to you. It gave you a new perspective. Why were you being so hard on yourself? Why were you trying to convince yourself that the relationshipâs downfall was your fault? It was Steve who started pulling away from you. It was Steve who did pull away from you. It was Steve who was actively pulling away from you. Everything that happened wasnât solely on you.Â
These kinds of things happen to everyone every day. Feeling hurt, broken, angry, betrayed and ashamed were normal and acceptable emotions. You just have to learn to swallow your pride and accept this as part of life. You live and learn â not necessarily forgive or forget, but move on in your own way.Â
You were once happy without Steve, and you could be happy again. You gave up or changed a lot for Steve, losing sight of what made you happy. Now, you were committed to reclaiming your happiness. Fuck, when did you start crying?Â
âYou alright, sweetheart?â Eddieâs voice laced in concern, bringing his other hand up to wipe the stray tears running down your face.Â
âHow do you do it?â you asked, looking down to compose yourself.Â
âDo what?â he responded, amused. You didnât answer verbally, but twist your hand in his to thread your fingers between his. The small smile on your face conveyed your question, softening his features. Itâs a rare emotion from Eddie, mixed with vulnerability accompanied with a newfound awareness.Â
He brings your now interlocked hands to his lips but not before saying, â...because Iâm a big fan of you,â and kisses the back of your hand gently.
The nerve.
Steve had the nerve to lie.Â
Several months have passed with minimal communication from Steve. Occasionally seeing them together around school and town didnât bother you anymore â well, not entirely. You canât deny it still stirred up certain feelings, but you didnât give it a second thought and eventually they werenât a blimp on your radar. The past no longer consumed you, but unexpectedly, it started consuming Steve.Â
Evidently, he still knew your schedule and had been desperately trying to find a chance to talk to you â just the two of you, without Eddie, other friends, teachers, classmates, or family around. When he approached you, you were confused; unsure if he was still with her or anyone else. You intentionally tuned out gossip and never paid attention to their situation. Besides, you had a better reason to not care about Steve anymore. So, when he starts pouring out his feelings, you take it with a grain of salt, this time with a clearer mind.Â
âHey,â Steve calls out as you step out of your front door, ready to head out with your ride nearby.Â
âUh, hey, Steve,â you reply with uncertainty.Â
âCan we talk?â he asks hesitantly.Â
âNow might not be the best time,â you respond with unease.Â
âPlease, just give me five minutes,â he begs, his eyes full of hope and pleading. What could there possibly be left to talk about? Despite your instincts telling you to stand firm, you reluctantly agree to hear him out, which you soon regret.Â
Steve begins with an apology and offers to explain his actions. What more was there for him to explain? You no longer desired an explanation. It was simple â he grew tired of you, became interested in another girl, and left you; perhaps grew tired of her too and now heâs back. You had moved on from your failed relationship with Steve months ago. However, he felt he âowedâ you an explanation. Was this all a joke to him?
The more he spoke, the more you got lost in your thoughts trying to comprehend the reality that he was standing before you, admitting to his mistakes, and seeking a second chance. His voice started to fade into the background as you felt the weight of deciding how to respond, all while knowing your ride would arrive at any moment. When the pressure got too much, you finally managed to step up.Â
âSteve,â you interrupt, âI donât know what you want me to say to you.âÂ
âYou donât have to say anything right now. I justââ heâs cut off by the sound of loud, muffled music, causing both of you to turn your attention to the bulky van that just pulled up in front of your house.Â
You glanced at Steve sending him a tight lip smile before taking the short few steps to the curb, not looking back, knowing you were never going to get that "owed" explanation.
Steve had the nerve to try to act all innocent.
The atmosphere in Eddieâs van is tense the moment you climb into the passenger seat. Neither of you expected to see Steve today, let alone right before a date. And it happened. The lingering feelings had unearthed between you and Eddie and you welcomed it, a testament to your decision to move on from Steve. Right when things are looking up, life throws you a curveball in the form of your ex.Â
âAre you okay?â Eddie asks cautiously, stealing a quick glance at you before focusing back on the road.Â
âYeah,â you reply unconvincingly, then quickly retract, âno,â followed by a sigh, âI mean, I wasâŠI am. Iâm just annoyed at Steve right now. I swear I had no idea he was stopping by.âÂ
âYouâre fine,â Eddie assured, dismissively waving his hand to convey that it wasnât a big deal to him, though his mind was racing with a million questions. When he saw Steve with you, he couldnât help but wonder: Why was Steve there? What were you two talking about? What did Steve want? Had you been in contact with him and not mentioned it? Not that Eddie could control who you talked to, girlfriend or not.Â
âI canât believe he had the nerve to say he ârespectsâ my feelings!â Your emotions spill out as you unload on Eddie, âAfter everything he did to me, does that look like someone who ârespectsâ my feelings?âÂ
âIt is a pretty shitty thing for him to do,â Eddie agrees, not just coming from the boyfriend perspective, but from any perspective.Â
Steve thought that by acknowledging your feelings upfront, it would ease his case. However, upon reflection, you realized it was more about saving face for the hurtful way he left you, attempting to depict himself in a more favorable light.
âRight?!â The audacity Steve had to arrive at your door, unannounced, just before your date with Eddie. God, Eddie. It was a brief but uncomfortable moment. Steve knew you were friends with Eddie, he never bothered to understand the depth of your relationship because he didnât care enough to meet your other friends. âIâm sorry, Eddie,â you say, feeling remorseful. Â
âFor what?â he chuckles softly because canât believe what you're apologizing for.
âI didnât expect to see Steve today,â you explain.Â
âThatâs not on you,â he assures, âremember, I told you they always come back.âÂ
âTrue,â you agree, âbut thatâs not what I want.âÂ
âWhat do you want, then?â he asks.
âYou,â you admit, âjust you, Eddie,â reaching for his free hand to hold for assurance.Â
Yeah, Steve wasnât going to fool you. Â
Steve had the nerve to try to steal you from your boyfriend.Â
During the initial months, Steve made attempts to regain your favor. You questioned repeatedly whether you could genuinely consider being just friends with him. That had been his original intention after breaking your heart, but he failed to uphold his end of the deal. Was it worth attempting to rebuild a friendship with him? Would it reflect poorly on your judgment if you did? Could you bear being around Steve in any capacity? If Eddie hadnât arrived on time for your date that evening, you didnât know how much more of Steve's admission you could take before you hit another breaking point.Â
âIâve been thinking a lot about you,â Steve begins, pausing, his mouth opening and closing as he carefully chooses his next words, âI miss you.â He observes your lack of response before continuing, âI miss us. We workedâŠand I really want to try and get to that againâŠto what we had.âÂ
You can see it was difficult for him to admit this. Seeing your unphased reaction, he begins to ramble and talk out of his ass, âI mean, only if you want to. I can understand if you donât. I do respect your feelings.âÂ
You knew you didnât have the mental or even emotional capacity to deal with Steve at that moment, and fortunately, the interaction didnât progress any further. More importantly, it didnât ruin your date with Eddie.Â
Steveâs graduation, once an event you looked forward to celebrating, was now a canceled event on your calendar. While you wished you couldâve joined in celebrating, Eddie had unfortunately not passed his exams again. Hopefully, on his third attempt, he will be able to graduate and walk the stage with you next year.Â
You had started working at a music store, which you enjoyed because it allowed you to be surrounded by something you loved â music. Eddie particularly appreciated the employee discount, a place to hang around during your shifts, though he seemed less excited about the storeâs proximity to a certain video store.
It was inevitable that Steve would eventually walk in. Initially, your classmate and presumably Steveâs co-worker, now friend, Robin accompanied him. Over time, Steve started coming in alone, conveniently when Eddie wasnât hanging around.Â
It wasnât that you were afraid to be alone with him, and Eddie trusted you; he simply didnât trust Steve. Despite Steve not being the same person from high school, multiple events humbling him, his efforts to revive your past relationship persisted. Although his approach was more subdued than before and masked as friendship, there was still an underlying motive. It was no secret either that you were in a relationship with Eddie.Â
Given the small-town geography of Hawkins, you accepted Steve wasnât going to just disappear. You managed to adapt to his presence. While you couldnât deny that this attention boosted your ego, you were resolute about not revisiting the past with him.Â
âSo, Iâve got a copy of Pretty In Pink hot off the press,â Steve announced, showcasing proof of the video tape during another lunch break he spent at your workplace with you on a slow day. âInterested in watching it with me tonight?â he asked, trying to sound smooth and hopeful, adding and emphasizing âas friends,â though not convincingly considering you havenât agreed to any plans with Steve let alone as that.Â
You glanced at him, then at the tape in his hands, and then back at him. âThanks, but Iâm not really into rom-coms,â you replied with a small smile.Â
âWhat? Since when?â he asked, visibly surprised.Â
âSince foreverâŠâ you answered with a light laugh that almost sounded like a scoff. It internally annoys you because as a former partner, he shouldâve known that.
âOh,â he said, setting the tape down on the counter between you.Â
âYeah,â you drawled, trying to fill the ensuing awkward silence. Fortunately, the door chimed, signaling a new customer â saved by the bell, literally. Â
âBabe, youâre gonna love me! I convinced Robin to save me a copy of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, and she fucking delivered,â Eddie exclaimed excitedly about tonightâs movie, barely noticing Steveâs presence until he reached the register. âOh, hey, man.âÂ
Itâs amusing yet endearing to see Eddie straighten up and square his shoulders around Steve, as if they were in competition. You couldnât blame Eddie for feeling that way, though he really had no reason to worry heâd lose.Â
âHey,â Steve replied, shoving the copy of the romantic comedy aside, embarrassed that he had forgotten your preference for horror movies.Â
As you and Eddie enthusiastically discussed the sequel, Steve felt out of place, as if you and Eddie were in your own little world, completely forgetting he was still standing there. He couldnât contribute to the conversation because he hadnât seen the first movie and didnât know anything about it to share in the excitement. Eventually, he quietly slipped away with the tape in hand, on the short trek back to Family Video concluding his lunch break.Â
The notion of âforgive and âforgetâ was bullshit. While you could be civil, deep down, you still harbored hurt and anger over what happened. Much of the past year was spent in an emotional decline that affected various aspects of your life â home, social interactions, physical and mental well-being. Now, however, you were focused on reclaiming your happiness. Places and things around town that once reminded you of Steve and your past relationship no longer brought sadness; you were forging new memories with someone else. Â
Whether it be in a friend or significant other, Eddie was like your rock. He was there from the start, witnessing your first date with Steve and even expressing his reservations about him. Yet, he knew he had to let you navigate life, love and mistakes on your own. Despite any reckless choices you made, even those that disappointed him, Eddie remained a source of comfort and support because he genuinely cared for you.Â
Growing closer to Eddie was a breath of fresh air compared to Steve. You didnât feel the need to impress Eddie; he was always impressed by you. Reflecting on it, you realized how much you had changed to fit in Steveâs world, which now seemed almost pathetic. With Eddie, you donât have to change anything â your clothes, your diet, your friends, or your interests. He respected you for who you were.Â
Itâs ironic that just as youâre back on track and happy, Steve wants to interfere. Whatâs even sadder is that he promised an explanation but hasnât delivered, yet heâs actively pursuing you. So what? You tell your ex you still have feelings for them and miss what you both had. What did he expect? That he was Steve Harrington and youâd jump back into his arms? No. He had moved on, supposedly, and so did you, finally.Â
Part of you cherished early memories with Steve, and you werenât going to fail to admit that during the initial attempts, you entertained the thought of what if you got back with him. However, heâs the reason why you struggled to move on and became recluse. Who knows? Maybe he learned from his mistakes or not. What he did to you, he did to her and would likely repeat to others. He only proved that second chances sometimes didnât matter because rarely do people change. You concluded you couldnât be more than what you currently were to Steve.Â
He was the one who chose to end the relationship. He was the one who decided you werenât enough for him. He was the one who chose to engage with another woman. He was the one who strung you along. He's the one who decided to cut you off. And now, heâs the one seeking a way back in. It was comical because all the tactics he used the first time he convinced you to go out on a date with him didnât work this time. It had him trying harder and he was failing miserably. You were now the one living rent-free in his head.Â
The events of this whole situation have allowed you to build emotional strength and learn to love yourself and someone else again. You were happy, and happy with Eddie. You werenât going to let something silly as an 80/20 rule or a past relationship with Steve interfere with that happiness.
Yet, it goes to show the nerves of some people.Â
Post A/N: I wish I had this happier ending in real life. Please like, comment and/or reblog. Itâll motivate me to write more and you know also help my self-esteem.
56 notes
·
View notes
Spider Baby (1967)
1K notes
·
View notes
Joseph Quinn / Man About Town Magazine (Spring/Summer 2024)
đ·: Matt Healy
398 notes
·
View notes
WRESTLEMANIA XL | Day 2
1K notes
·
View notes
Seth & Drew breaking character for a wholesome moment (Wrestlemania XL)
2K notes
·
View notes
they pulling out all the bosses đ€Żđ€Żđ€Ż
john cena.
trollin me with the shield.
the undertaker.
just finish this story. plz.
6 notes
·
View notes
the story. plz!! come on! đ«
this is killing me!!
what! now, cena??
1 note
·
View note
This ain't a Country album. This is a "Beyoncé" album.
COWBOY CARTER - act ii
Beyoncé
322 notes
·
View notes