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certifiedlovergirlsstuff · 2 years

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Don’t Drink the Punch

pairing: Steve Harrington x Female Byers!reader

genre: follows show plot lines, but will diverge from canon

WC: 7K

warnings: cursing, alcohol, mention of weed and a quick with cigs, part of the stancy fight, mentions of throwing up. should be it.

summary: maybe next time, don’t drink punch that’s ‘pure fuel’. halloween sure was a crazy night, too bad you can’t remember much.

A/N: ALL PART UNDER THE TAG -The Byers Harrington Story-

series masterlist

we are going to ignore time when reading my stories because i also ignore it when writing! i put two and three together, but honestly ep3 (the physical ep) is barely in here, just the fight between stancy and a quick scene of joyce calling the radio shack for bob, once we leave the party that’s where ep3 begins.

thank you to @alecmores for proof reading!

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Halloween has finally arrived in Hawkins, Indiana. House decorated in fake cobwebs, a corn maze was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, and candy was sold out in pretty much every grocery and convenience store. Pumpkin patches sadly were supposedly destroyed, so you weren’t able to pick one out to carve with Will like you usually do. But it was still going to be a great Halloween, you asked Robin over the phone yesterday if she was interested in going to Tina’s party and her response was, “do you really want to go to the party? Sure you don’t want to just come here?” “We don’t have to stay long, an hour at most, if we aren’t enjoying it after that, then we can go to your place. Deal?” “Mmm, sure. It’s a deal.”

You felt so giddy at the idea of finally going to a high school party, you tried to bring it down a notch knowing it’s not gonna be like the movies, but still, a Halloween party! You hope it was good enough to stay longer than an hour. You’re gonna let yourself be a dumb teenager tonight and get fucking drunk.

With your hair styled in tight ringlets and tied together with a blue ribbon, a light blue shadow dusted over your lids and your lips puckered pink. You smooth your hands down the fabric of the blue dress and slipped into some blue ballerina flats. You took a look into your mirror to see if you need any touch-ups or if you looked stupid, but when you looked into the mirror, you smiled. You felt quite pretty today.

Walking from your room to the kitchen you took a peek inside Will’s room, he was wearing his beige Ghostbusters jumper and Joyce was helping with the black ghost pack. You leaned against the doorway for a moment before speaking, “Nice costume.”

Will and Joyce both turned in the direction of your voice. Will had a shining smile on his face and Joyce placed her hands over her heart.

“Pretty dress,” Will noted.

“Honey, you look so beautiful!” you thought Joyce was gonna spill a few tears.

Thanking both of them, you stepped into the room and sat down on Will’s bed, holding your hands out for him to take. Your hands rest on your thighs while you just look at Will, then you move a hand to smooth his bangs and you let your eyes search him, trying to find something. With a hand on his cheek you leaned in closer to him, “are you okay?” you whispered.

He took a moment, but in the end, he just nodded a yes to your question. You didn’t want to push him, not after yesterday, but you knew he wasn’t telling the full truth. You gave a forced smile to Will, trying to show him that you were gonna try and step back just a bit.

Standing from the bed, you smoothed his hair one more time before heading to the kitchen where you could smell Jonathan making breakfast. The smell of eggs, sausage, and some toast wafted through the house, a comforting smell. With a plate already set on the table, you decided to dig in.

“You know-” you said with some eggs in your mouth, “you will make a great housewife one day.”

Jonathan scoffed at your joke, “Oh, and you’re gonna find an amazing trophy husband in the future.”

“Hell yeah. Just because I’m able to birth babies doesn’t mean I want to constantly take care of them, I’m already like a second mother to Will sometimes,” you bit into your toast.

Jonathan fully turned around now and he stopped at the sight of you all dressed up. Only on special occasions do you get fully ready, taking a while to pamper yourself pretty. He set the other two plates on the table then grabbed a tight ringlet, and pulled it down.

“Hey, I worked hard on these,” swatting his hand away.

“You know Halloween is tonight. You don’t have to be dressed up right now.”

“Okay, so Will wants to dress up for school, but I can’t. That’s misogynistic of you, Jonathan.” His mouth gaped open, “what-” You threw a hand into his chest, giggles spilling past your lips, “I’m kidding dude. I just felt like wearing it for school today, plus it’s just a dress, nothing like Will’s.”

He then backed off, knowing it’s Halloween, if you wanted to be dressed up for school you can do so for your pleasure.

Joyce and Will finally joined the both of you in the kitchen. All four of you are chatting, about school, about tonight and the rules, reminding Joyce that you’re going to Robin’s for the night. When everyone was done eating you helped Jonathan wash and dry the dishes while Will got the rest of his belongings together, the both of you were gonna take pictures before leaving.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to Tina’s party tonight?”

Jonathan turned his head at your question, “What? Why? You decide to go?” He chuckled at the idea.

When you didn’t counter back right away he looked back at you, a small frown on his face, “(Y/n), come on. Do you really want to go to a party filled with drunk teenagers? Teenagers, who are mostly people that don’t like us?” “I know, but it would be nice to experience it just once. Plus Robin’s going with me, and we’ll only stay an hour at most. Come on, if you drive us, we can get drunk, and you can be the dd because you’re a wet blanket,” you threw a gentle elbow to his ribs.

He didn’t respond, just went back to washing the dishes and handing them to you for drying off, “At least- at least just think about it. Please?”

With a tiny turning of his head, he gave a nod.

And that was the end of the conversation.

…

“No way.”

You turned away from the inside of your locker and met the wide-eyed face of Robin. You look down at yourself then back up to her face, “what?” “Uh, two things. One, you look very pretty, and two, why are you wearing it at school?”

“My little brother wore his to school, I just felt like doing it as well. What’s wrong anyway, it's just a dress!”

“Yeah, but you’re a junior in high school, it’s a little different than a- what grade is Will in?” “Eighth grade,” “Eighth grade compared to Junior year, kinda different.”

You just rolled your eyes and closed your locker. The two of you walk down the crowded halls, elbows and warm bodies bumping into each other. Couples being gross, being way too intimate, or making out against lockers, it was eight-thirty in the morning.

“Can’t they keep it in their pants at least till lunch, actually no, because I’ll probably throw up my food,” Robin commented.

A breathy laugh left your lips. You surveyed the halls, your eyes roaming from one person to another, the feeling of their eyes watching your passing figure kept you on alert. You knew that today you looked completely different compared to your usual school or everyday attire, but the feeling of them watching you. The eyes trailing down your figure, the giggles of girls, and murmurs. Maybe dressing up for school was a bad idea.

“Robin,” “(Y/n).” “Be honest, are people staring at me?”

Robin did a quick check around the crowded halls and took in the boys with their mouths agape, the girls chewing their gum obnoxiously, their very pointed stares on you.

“Ah, no I don’t think so.”

“Robin,”

“No yeah, people are staring at you.”

You just groaned. Now, you’re regretting this decision.

“I think it’s because these dudes are shocked they are just now seeing how beautiful you are, and the girls are jealous. Hell, I would one hundred percent ask you on a date if I didn’t already know about your little crush,” Robin tried to make you feel better.

“And I one hundred percent would date you if you asked.”

…

“Well, it looks like someone is excited for tonight.”

The abrupt male voice broke through the quiet conversation between you and Robin on the bleachers. The two of you watched as the metalhead trudged up the metal steps, the sound of his feet hitting each step reverberating in the air. In a joking manner, Eddie gave a bow, he was acting like a court jester and you were the sitting princess.

“My Lady.” “Oh, shut up,” lightly pushed his shoulder.

He sat on the bench below you and Robin, his lunchbox, which you knew was filled with weed, he placed it beside him the metal vibrating. Robin ate a sandwich and shared her chips with you as you worked through your homework. Bob let you take the day off, so now until the trick-or-treating, you are making sure your assignments are finished.

“Going to Tina’s Halloween bash?” Robin asked Eddie.

He sighed, “yes and no, it’s kinda a work event. If you look at it that way. Drunk kids, love to get high.”

“Gonna get high, Byers?”

You shot your head up from the work and flushed at the words falling from Eddie’s mouth, the playful wiggle to his brows.

“Oh, you smoke (Y/n)?” Robin turned to you.

“Ah, it was for a little- nightmares and such. Not anymore though.”

You shot Eddie with a pointed look trying to convey your thoughts, but even if he saw the glare, he chose to ignore it and met Robin with a playful smile dancing devilishly across his face.

“Oh, Byers and I would hang out in my van for hours and smoke. Really good times, and then one day, when we were both high, she ended up-”

“Hitting! I accidentally hit Eddie while high, really embarrassing thing,” you fibbed.

Robin slowed in her chewing, just watching the way you and Eddie were interacting with each other at the moment. The two of you have a staring contest, you with your bold eyes watching Eddie who looked to be holding back a laugh, he thought this whole exchange was hilarious and it was pissing you off a bit. Switching tactics of trying, and I mean trying to use intimidation, you decide to use sympathy instead. Using the puppy eyes, ones that your family says can work on anyone.

With a pout on your lips, a sight furrow of brows, and your eyes changing looks, “Yeah- yeah a good smack to my cheek. Her punches are really strong,” Eddie lied.

“Okay,” Robin said one word slowly.

“So, you're dressing up tonight, Munson?”

…

With the bell signaling the final class for the day, everyone rushed from their classes and flooded the halls. Walking beside Eddie as he walked you towards your locker, the both of you engaged in conversation, neither of you noticed the two people just three lockers away. With a bump to your hip and a gentle push to his shoulder the both of you split, Eddie giving another bow before departing through the double doors down the corridor.

“You two sure are close.” Turning to the voice, Nancy was putting things in her locker while Steve leaned against one, his arms crossed over his chest and feet crossed at the ankle. You looked from them to the doors Eddie walked through, a quick tilt of your head, “Ah, yeah. Got closer over the summer.”

You walked to your locker and threw in everything that you didn’t need for the day, stuffing your books and homework you finished into the cramped space, “You two going to Tina’s tonight?”

“Oh, yeah. Doing Risky Business. What do you think (Y/n), am I better looking than Cruise?”

Turning your attention away from your books and onto Steve, his winning smile on display just waiting for your answer to his question, ‘dangerous territory’ you thought.

“Oh, now you see, there is a pretty obvious answer to your question.”

“So you think I’m better looking?” a cocky smile.

You slammed your locker shut, a teasing smile, “oh, now, I thought you were smarter than that Steve. It’s so obviously Cruise, sorry Harrington.”

You left the two of them heading for Jonathan, “see you two at Tina’s!” you yelled just before exiting the school for the day.

…

“So you hit “T” to zoom in, and “W” zooms back out. See? Easy-peasy.”

Bob was teaching Jonathan how to work the new camcorders, Joyce wanted to have Will’s night out on tape since she wasn’t joining this year. She and Bob were staying at the house to give out candy and watch some movies, it was cute.

“Just make sure to turn off the power to save energy there. You can always ask (Y/n) for help, she knows her way around one of these, don’t ya?”

“All thanks to you, boss,” the two of you shared a smile.

Jonathan walked over to Will and Joyce, “Are you ready, bud?”

“Yeah.”

“Just try and keep an eye on him.” “We will mom, it’s gonna be fine,” you reasoned to her.

Will had a beaming smile on his face, ready to go out with his friends for the night and collect candy that will give him tummy aches for days after. Smiling at your fond memories of you and Jonathan trick-or-treating. One year when Will was still small the three of you did Scooby Doo, you as Daphne, Jonathan as Shaggy, and little Will as baby Scooby. And then one Halloween about four years ago, you tried doing a look from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, not as iconic as Audrey Hepburn, but still good.

The three of you ushered out the door and towards Jonathan’s car.

“Be safe,” Joyce yelled out.

“I hope it doesn’t suck!” Bob called out imitating Dracula, poorly you might add.

The boys giggled a bit at the joke, you flicked at both their ears for laughing at Bob.

The car was silent for a few minutes then Jonathan decided to speak up, “I just don’t get what she sees in him.”

“What?” Will asked in the passenger seat.

“Bob.”

“Hey, Bob is a great man. You just find him too dorky,” you quoted the one word.

He scoffed, “no I don’t.”

“At least he doesn’t treat me different,” Will murmured.

You and Jonathan got quiet for a moment. If you were to list the people who are very doting on Will after the Upside Down it would be Joyce, You, and Jonathan, then the party. Bob didn’t know about what happened to Will, all of you decided to not mention anything to him, also you all signed NDAs.

“I mean, I can’t even go trick-or-treating by myself. It’s lame.” “Hey, going with a group of people is always more fun than by yourself,” you threw out.

“You think I’m lame? You think (Y/n)’s lame?” “I’m not lame, just fyi.”

Will sighed, “no, but it’s not like Nancy’s coming to watch over Mike, you know?”

You chewed on your bottom lip, looking from Will who was watching the trees whiz past the speeding car, then to Jonathan’s eyes in the rearview mirror. All three of you just released quiet sighs and that was the end of the conversation for the rest of the ride to the Wheeler’s.

…

The three boys were walking up the grass lawn just as Jonathan pulled up to the curb. Jonathan honked the horn in greeting. Placing the car into park, Jonathan turned to Will as he grabbed the ghost pack getting ready to leave.

“Hey, listen,”

“Yeah?”

“If I let you go on your own, you promise to stay in the neighborhood?”

The spark was back in Will’s eyes, “Yeah! Yeah, yeah, totally.”

“And be back at Mike’s by nine,” you added from the back.

“Nine-thirty?”

You and Jonathan looked at each other for a moment, “nine,” Jonathan stated firmly.

“Yeah.” “Deal?” “Yeah, deal.”

“All right, go have fun, bud,” Jonathan added.

You grabbed the camcorder and pushed it up front, “hey, Will. Don’t let any of the idiots use this, all right? I don’t want to worry about Bob pulling it from my paycheck.”

“Okay,” he said with a chuckle.

“I hope it doesn't suck,” Jonathan imitates Bob.

You gave a swift smack to his shoulder, “What the hell?”

“Idiot,” you mumbled.

The two of you waved off Will as he rushed over to the three boys, the four of them shouting and smiling with joy. They were messing around with their pillowcases for a moment, then they headed off into the neighborhood, on a mission for some cavity-inducing candy. Weariness brewed in the pit of your stomach, worried something might happen to Will while you and Jonathan weren’t present, but you both know he needed this.

“Awesome,” Jonathan whispered while looking at his crumpled orange paper.

Smiling tugging at your face, the weariness fading to the back of your mind for the moment, “so, Tina’s?”

He turned his head at your voice, a grimace on his face, “Robin first?” “Step on it, chauffeur! We have a party to attend!”

He sighed, then put the car into gear.

…

“Wow” “I regret this” “What the hell is Bruce Stevens wearing?”

Girls On Film by Durn Durn was blasting through the many speakers at Tina’s house, it almost looked like the building was bouncing and bumping with the beat of the song. Teens dressed in different costumes ranging from a current pop culture interest to just a simple shirt with a dumb character face mask. Everyone had red solo cups in hand, some cigarettes, and a few couples making out against cars or on the lawn. There were screams and chants from the backyard, people chanting numbers then bursting into calls of someone's name. And then, finally, Bruce Stevens came rushing out the front door and threw up onto the lawn, classy.

It was a lot to take in within the first five minutes of arrival.

You and Robin linked arms, you were still dressed as Wendy, and it looked like Robin threw together a last-minute costume, “I’m one of the outsiders!” she declared. Jonathan trailed behind the both of you, he was like a weak bodyguard.

Walking through the front door, you were instantly hit with the smell of smoke and spilled beer. The air in the crowded house was warm, it was close to feeling like summer all over again just from the living room. The bass of the music makes the floor thump in time with the beat. People grinding against the other, both intentional and unintentional, everyone too drunk to care about a little personal space.

You and Robin pushed your way through the people crowding the door, Jonathan just behind you both. Looking behind to make sure Jonathan was staying close when something else caught you by surprise.

“Holy shit!” “What!” Robin screeched.

You turned her around to look at the scene before you, Jonathan was talking with a cute girl in a KISS costume. He must have said something funny ‘cause the girl was chuckling at whatever the remark was, then they both shook hands in a greeting.

Pleasantly surprised by these events, you pulled Robin with you towards the kitchen. You were in search of a hard drink to get you drunk fast. Having found your destination, you grabbed solo cups for the two of you and looked into the clear punch bowl that had a fog brewing atop the red liquid. Dipping the cups in, you passed Robin a cup and you clicked in cheers.

“What the fuck is this stuff!” you downed the liquid like water.

“This is going to be a dangerous night,” Robin commented.

You giggled at the comment and went back in for seconds, then thirds, and fourths. Whatever amount you were on, you finally went to the dance floor when a song caught your full drunken-dazed attention, “Robin!” and you pulled her behind you to the crowded floor.

Not being even an ounce sober you were just moving your body around in a way that just felt freeing and comforting, you even pulled Robin into whatever dance you were doing, your bodies intertwined.

“Byers!” a voice shouted over the noise.

You twirled your body, colliding into the hard chest of someone, their hands sitting just below where your bra band sat. You were a giggling mess, something was funny that only you saw or thought of, and your drink was long forgotten somewhere in the house, someone might have even taken it.

Your hands traveled from the stranger's chest and up to their neck then finally rested on their cheeks, you squeezed the mushy muscle. Your vision was blurring, one body could have been three bodies. You giggled again, the images were funny to your mind.

“Hey- hey handsome, or gor-gouse, whoever, wanna- wanna kiss?” your words were slurring together from the alcohol and time it settled in your body.

Leaning your face forward, waiting for lips to make contact with yours. Instead, a warm feeling heated your cheeks, your face being pushed back. Blinking your heavy lids, you were just able to make out the person before you, only because he was always in your dreams.

“St- Stevie?”

A clicking noise sounded off, “Sorry babe,” yeah, your vision was fucked.

Eddie was holding your face, “Where’s Ro- Robin?”

“She went to the bathroom, and found me before she hurried off.”

“Wh- where’s Jonathan?”

“Now that, I don’t have the answer.”

“Why don’t we get you some water, huh?” You pouted but complied when Eddie slipped a hand into yours. Pushing and stumbling through the crowd, you were allowed a moment of free space in the kitchen. You leaned a hip into the counter while Eddie grabbed a cup and filled it to the brim, “chug it, Byers,” Eddie tilted the cup to your lips. Chugging the water you felt like a starved man on an island, your hands limply grasped for the cup.

Eddie grabbed the cup back and filled it again, you wiped the droplets off your face. Just as you grabbed for the cup you heard everyone around you ‘ooooo’, you turned to look for the scene to cause such a reaction. Standing before you, actually standing in front of you, Nancy and Steve stood across from each other, and all the party-goers stood still. Nancy had a giant red stain splashed across the front of her white shirt, and Steve leaned against the counter, he ran a hand through his hair in a stressed manner.

“What the hell?” Nancy slurred.

Nancy hurried off into the crowd and Steve followed a second behind, “Nance.”

Eddie blocked your view of the party, the now refilled solo cup pushing against your lips. Grasping for the cup you chugged the water down again, almost choking on the speed you were drinking, “Jesus, you don’t have to chug it.”

“Another!” you screeched.

Eddie went to refill the cup for the third time, and Robin reappeared from nowhere, “You two see the scene between Wheeler and Harrington?”

“I think I wanna go home now, or yours Robin. I just- I think I should leave. I’m too- I’m too dru-nk,” words still slurring together.

“Okay, you can come to mine, my mom’s working a late shift. So I’ll go look for Jonathan and tell him, stay with Eddie,” and she hurried off.

Rubbing your hands over your face, you tried to will yourself sober, at least the water was helping just a bit. You were gonna have the worst hangover tomorrow morning, and god the throwing up, you regret this.

“I regret getting drunk,” you said aloud to Eddie.

Eddie chuckled and pushed the solo back into your hands, “drink, slowly.”

Just as you finished your third cup of water and handed the cup to Eddie you caught movement. Looking over at the crowd, everyone getting drunk and stoned, everyone forgetting the scene Nancy and Steve had only minutes ago. You saw Steve rushing through the crowd, you couldn’t tell from the distance between you and him, but he looked stressed and as if he wanted away from this party before he collapsed or something terrible happened in front of everyone. Your feet moved before your mind caught up to your actions and just before you reached the crowded living room, an arm gripped your bicep and pulled you back.

“You’re not disappearing on me, Byers.”

“But, Steve…” “I know babe, but you’re drunk and I don’t want Jonathan to bite my head off for losing you.” You giggled at that, forgetting what you were doing just a second ago, “Jonathan won’t hurt you, I’m the one with the brawns, remember? I smacked you!” a string of giggles followed.

Just then Robin came back, an arm went around your waist and she tugged one of your arms over her shoulder, “We’re gonna meet Jonathan at his car, and Nancy is coming as well.”

“Huh?” She just shook her head, “See you later Munson.” “Take care of our friend, Buckley, have a bucket ready!” …

The room was too bright, the air felt too thick, and the bedsheets rubbed against your skin in a way that felt like sandpaper. Everything felt wrong and too much at the moment, just even breathing felt wrong to your body. Curling up deep into yourself, just wanting to shut everything out and not exist for the moment, just a small relief of bliss from your hangover and the ache of your skull and body, but it didn’t last long. A door slammed open and then closed accompanied by a too-loud voice.

“(Y/n)! Wakey wakey!”

You just lifted a hand limply into the air trying to make a signal to Robin for her to quiet down.

“Get up! We have to get to school!” “Who’s going to school after last night?” your throat felt dry like a desert.

“Everyone, ‘cause if no one showed up it would be an early senior ditch day.”

“Ugh, I don’t even think I brought my bag with me, and I don’t have extra clothes.”

“Well first sit up and drink this water,” the thunk of the cup sitting on Robin’s nightstand rang like a gong going off in your ears.

“I already called Jonathan to make sure he grabs your bag, and I have some old clothes you could try. But first, drink this water and take some Advil, and take a quick shower to wash your makeup off. I’ll leave some clothes by the bathroom door for you,” and she left you, moving quietly you might add.

…

“I think my brain is gonna explode inside my skull any minute now.”

“So dramatic.”

You and Eddie hung out by the forest lining the school grounds, both of you choosing to ditch second period. You were seated on the bench hidden deep in the trees, the one where Eddie does all his business during school hours. He was lighting a cigarette between his lips, the smell of the tobacco made you crinkle your nose, but the urge to have a blunt hit you, “Can I have a hit?” A brow raised at your question, “That hungover?” “Oh yeah. Don’t know what the hell they put in that devil punch,” your fingers pinching for the death stick.

Your lungs when inhaling the nicotine burned, but you welcomed it with pleasure and pain. It filled you with some type of relief from your headache. Your shoulders shagged from their tense posture, you held the smoke for a few seconds then with your lips forming a perfect ‘o’ shape, smoke rings were pushed out. Taking one more hit you then passed it back to Eddie.

“So you remember anything from last night,” smoke passed from his lips.

Your eye widened, “not really, did I do something stupid?”

“You thought I was Harrington again,” he gave a breathy laugh.

“What the hell is wrong with me,” you ran your hands over your face in embarrassment.

“Your desire for Harrington must be really strong if you keep mistaking me for him, and you almost went after him when he rushed out the house. If you don’t watch yourself, you’re gonna get heartbroken like glass, the perfect hit and it crumbles.”

“Wow, so poetic of you, Shakespeare.”

Silence passed between your bodies, the rusting of fallen autumn leaves dropping from stems, the trees singing their song that you weren’t able to understand. Everything felt like a frozen moment in time, the two of you just enjoying the other’s company along with the woods shielding the world away from the two of you. Too bad it couldn’t last for longer than a moment.

“I’m just trying to look out for you, Byers. I care about you, I’ve seen you at what I assume is your lowest, the nightmares and everything. I’ve seen you slowly get better, getting a grip back on yourself. I don’t want all of that to just be thrown out the window just because of douchebag Harrington.”

“He’s not a douchebag…” Eddie threw a look your way, “...anymore. He’s growing out of that shell of himself. I swear.”

“Whatever you say, but just know, Robin and I will be here for you if you need mending done.”

The bell rang signaling the end of second period and moving into third. You gathered your belongings and headed back towards the stone building, you turned back to Eddie seeing that he didn’t join you.

“You coming?” “Nah, gonna stay out here a little longer.” “You know, if you keep skipping classes, you’re gonna be held back again!”

He just chuckled at your comment. Leaving him and the woods behind, the small moment of quiet just to walk back into the loud halls of teens you could care less about, “hey, Byers!” You turned to Eddie, “You know I’m here right? And Robin? We’re here for you if you can’t go to your family.”

Stilling for a moment, but then you nodded at him and walked back to the school. As you were taking your time walking to class, you watched the P.E. group running on the track outside and you could faintly hear the squeaking and shouting from within the gym. Just as you were about to pass the gym to enter the school, voices outside stopped you in your tracks.

“Apparently, uh… we killed Barb and I don’t care ‘cause I’m bullshit… and our whole…our whole relationship is bullshit, and… I mean, pretty much everything is just bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Oh, yeah, also, you don’t love me.”

Your eyes widened from the realization of who was talking and what the conversation was about.

Steve and Nancy were talking about whatever happened last night. You knew this was a conversation meant only for the two of them, but you were scared to take even a single step away, worried they might hear you. So you tried to stay like a statue, even holding your breath worried they might have bat hearing all of a sudden. You will yourself think of something else, zone out, anything to avoid this conversation. Watching the kids running the track wasn’t helping as you could still hear them.

“Well, then tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“You love me.” Your heart broke. The words sounded broken, sharp jagged pieces being spit from Steve’s mouth. You could tell how much Steve cared about Nancy when it was just the two of you and even more when the both of them were together, but sometimes Nancy looked like she wanted to be anywhere other than the present. Unintentionally hearing that Nancy thought their relationship was bullshit and her thinking Steve was bullshit, made a bit of anger rise within you, but this was something not meant for your personal feelings.

This was something between Nancy and Steve, something that they’ve been hiding, well, something that Nancy’s been hiding from Steve. She is hiding her true feelings about things, not happy with the way Steve’s handling situations compared to herself. Sadly that tiny bit of anger was pointed directly at Nancy and you hated yourself for it.

The abrupt noise of the gym doors banging open pulled you from your stupor. Bruce Stevens rushed out and looked down the alley at the bickering couple, “Harrington!” “Dude, we need you, man. That douchebag’s killing us. Let’s go!” “All right!” “Come on!”

And just before Bruce ran back inside he met your standing figure and flicked his head at you, “Byers! You were so hot last night!”

That was your cue to rush inside. With a quiet “thanks” to Bruce, you speed your way from the alley and into the empty halls, fourth period was long forgotten.

…

Wanting just to rush to work that day, wanting to ignore your hangover, wanting to forget the conversation between Nancy and Steve, you forgot that Jonathan said he had to leave early. So when you walked to the parking lot and didn’t see his car sitting with the engine running, your shoulders slumped and an empty exhale was released. Your bike wasn’t at school, you barely bike anywhere anymore with Joyce being worried.

You knew there was a pay phone near the front of the school, so turning back in that direction you managed to run into an oncoming body. The force in which you slammed yourself into their chest threw you off your feet and you would have landed on your ass if the person didn’t wrap their arms around your waist. Your hands reach out for their biceps to add extra support for yourself.

“In a rush, Byers?”

You thought for a moment it was Eddie, your mind still clouded with alcohol would continue to mix the two males up for some reason, but when you paid attention to the person it was him.

“Ah, sorry. I- Jonathan’s not here, so I was gonna call my mom. I don’t have a ride to work.”

His arms slipped from your waist, “I could take you if you want.”

“Oh, uh, you don’t have to. Maybe I could ask Robin or Eddie.”

“Seriously it’s no problem, Byers,” and he headed off in the direction of his BMW.

You hesitated, not sure if he was gonna bring up the conversation and your eavesdropping, but if he did you’ll just lie, just say you didn’t hear anything. Yeah, you can lie, it’s not even a bad lie, just a light fib. You didn’t even want to be involved with their relationship in any way, for normal reasons and selfish ones. So, with slow and hesitant steps, you walked to the passenger side and slid into the leather seat.

“Radio Shack, right?”

“Uh, yeah, on Main Street.”

With his answer, he started the car and headed off the school property. After just a few minutes you spoke, which might have been a bad idea, “so where’s Nancy? Don’t you usually drive her home?”

Why did your stupid mind have to bring up Nancy when you heard their conversation, but at least this could throw Steve off from thinking you did hear the dispute. You could feel the air thicken with tension from the question and the way Steve hesitated in his answer added more. His shoulders tense, the grip on the wheel tightening, and his jaw clenched.

“Uh, she- uh, she had to stay after school for a little. Told me she’ll have her mom get her.”

A lie, but you didn’t say anything about it, just nodded your head.

The suffocating silence came back. The two of you can make conversation both easily and also very difficult, today it looked to be difficult.

“So…you like working at Radio Shack?” Steve was trying to make small talk.

“Yeah. Bob’s a great boss, very kind and considerate with teaching me new things. It was a little weird at first, not used to that attitude from an older male figure. Only seen yelling and fighting, but I don’t have to stay on guard when I’m around Bob, it’s nice.”

Turning your head to Steve, you could see a tiny smile appearing, “And how do you feel about your boss dating your mom?”

A giggle slipped out, “it was a little weird at first, I admit. But after seeing how happy he made her, I got used to it quickly. Jonathan and Will, on the other hand, they’re being boys about it. Will seems more forgiving of Bob though which is great.”

“Well…I’m glad that you’re happy about this. I like seeing you happy about stuff, seeing people you care about feeling sad hurts in a way you can’t fix.”

Your breath got caught in your throat for a moment causing you to let out an abrupt cough. With your hand laying over your heart you could feel the fast thumping of your heart against your lungs. With your bottom lip pulled between your teeth, you took a quick look over at Steve.

He looked relaxed again while driving. His hands loosened on their grip and one hand rested under his jaw, the tiny smile still on his lips, his eyes holding just a bit of warmth compared to the coldness harboring just a few moments ago at the mention of Nancy. But with that warmth, you could tell that an underlying sadness rested behind his eyes, something that nested within his heart. And you wished you could fix it, just like he said earlier, it hurts seeing people you care about sad and you can’t do anything about it. But you knew that all that hurt came from Nancy and Steve's conversation earlier today, and that’s something only the two of them could work out.

“You see Bruce threw up yesterday at Tina’s? That whole party was crazy. And I regret drinking way too much of that punch.”

“Pure fuel,” Steve mumbled. “What?” you weren’t sure if you heard him correctly.

“Uh, Bruce said it was ‘pure fuel’ whatever that means.” “Basically poison.” “Yep, pretty much,” he sighed.

Just as you opened your mouth to say something the store sign came into view and Steve pulled up next to Bob’s car. Deflating into the seat, you just grabbed your belongings and moved for the door, “hey.” Stopping in your actions you turned to Steve, “if you need a ride home again, you can call me. I don’t have any plans for the night anyway.”

“If you tell me that, don’t be surprised when I’m constantly calling your house just for a ride.” He chuckled, “I’ll happily be your chauffeur if it gets me away from the quiet.”

The teasing tone in your voice dropped, “and if you ever want to hang out sometime outside of school, you know where I live and work,” the tone returned for a moment.

The two of you just stared at each other, taking in this blissful moment inside Steve’s car. The outside world was completely forgotten by you, your work was put on the back burner of your mind where you just took in Steve. Trying to memorize him at this moment, something you always do when it’s just the two of you in a small pocket of peace.

“You should,” his voice broke the quiet spell, “probably head inside. Don’t want to be late.”

With one final look at Steve, you left the car and headed into the store.

…

“So, how was the party?” “Uh, pretty great,” you lied.

You couldn’t remember much from last night, everything just blurred together making it hard to differentiate the things you did and witness there. You didn’t want to tell Bob that you got practically shit-faced, you didn’t want him to judge you and he would probably end up telling Joyce, and you can’t have that either. I mean, it seemed great.

“Any trick-or-treaters?” “Nope, a quiet night.” “Yeah, no one really goes to our house since it’s away from the neighborhoods.”

Bob was about to say something when the phone started to ring. You being behind the counter, you brought the receiver to your ear, “Radio Shack, this is (Y/n). How can I help you?” “(Y/n), honey.” “Mom? Why are you calling?”

“Uh, is Bob there?” You looked around the story. He wasn’t in the front and then you turned to look in the back and couldn’t find him, “uh, I can’t find him at the moment. Maybe I could help?”

“Okay, well um… I’m trying to watch the tape from last night on Bob’s video thingy, and the tape, it’s…it’s tiny. It’s like it’s shrunk.”

You rubbed a hand against your temple as you tried to remember what Bob taught you, “I believe it’s ‘cause they’re not the same. It’s a VHS-C, not a VHS. You gotta find the- oh what was it…you gotta find the RF-P1U with coaxial cable so you can connect the video ins and outs.”

“Honey, what does any of that mean and how do you remember all that?”

You huffed, “Uh, basically you gotta put a bunch of wires into the back of the TV, and I honestly don’t know.”

She giggled at the last part, “Okay, just give me a few minutes,” and then the line went quiet.

After about three minutes her voice returned to the phone, “Okay I hooked a punch of cords into the back.”

“You sure, are they-”

“No, yeah, I did the coaxial things in the back, so I…this one just goes into the camera itself?” “If it’s an input that fits the camera, yeah, exactly.”

“It’s blue,” “Mom, I can’t remember the cords-”

“No, the TV is blue, I think it’s working.”

“Okay, well, see-” and she hung up before you could say a proper goodbye.

You pulled the phone back for a moment, “Rude,” you stated before placing it back onto the base.

A sudden feeling came over you as if you had just been splashed by a bucket of ice-cold water.

“I've got a bad feeling,” you mumbled to yourself.

----------------------

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