mel

(Other chapters linked at the end)

I walked into the house to see Joyce and Will hugging as he cried on her shoulder.

"Oh my god, Will are you okay?" They both turned to me and Will nodded looking away. Joyce looked at me as if asking for my help, but then she said, "I made some leftovers I'm going to talk to Will for a bit I'll be out in a second." I watched her hang on to Will as they walked to his room. I went into the kitchen to see leftover mac and cheese reheated in a pan. I decided to start on some homework while waiting for Joyce to come back. However, it was an hour later and darker in the house when I realized she might not come out. I walked quietly into the hallway to see if she was still in his room and their they were, asleep in his bed. I decided not to disturb them because Will looked especially distraught when I walked into the house. So I just finished my homework at the table.

When I was finished eating and writing I sat on the couch to watch some late night TV since I was technically on my own at this point. I couldn't help but think of what Steve told me, Joyce was in the other room and although I didn't want to disturb her I wanted to know the truth. It was then that I realized Jonathan must know everything. So maybe I can ask him. I got up to look out into the yard to see if any cars were to pull in at any moment. It was almost 8 pm and I was sort of shocked he hasn't come home yet. It was then I drifted off into a deep sleep.

_____

I woke up a few hours later, the house was darker and quieter. This time though I heard a shuffle. I opened my eyes to see Jonathan walking into the living room.

"Jonathan?" I said a little more frantically than intended. I sat up with a blanket still wrapped around my legs.

"Effie? I thought you were sleeping, sorry if I woke you-"

"You need to be straight with me here, Jonathan, I need to know the truth." I looked at him with pleading yet tired eyes.

"Did Steve?"

"He told me everything he knew." I moved so there was room on the couch.

"I need you to tell me everything you know." I patted the seat next to me.

"I don't know if you'll believe me."

"You wanna bet?" I raised an eyebrow and he chuckled looking out the window. He came over and sat by me and began to tell me everything. About Will, the lab, about the kids, about Nancy, the monsters. He told me everything.

"This isn't a prank right?" I was slightly hindered with the information he spewed at me. I looked down at my hands then back up at Jonathan who looked slightly wounded.

"I swear this is all true," He looked pleadingly at me.

"So what's happening right now? Is it still dangerous to be here? Why would Joyce open up her home to me with all this shit going on?" I said nervously.

"Actually, we're not quite sure."

"What does that mean?"

"Me and Nancy, well, we're going to go on sort of... an investigation."

"The lab?"

"Yeah it's still open and we just want to know what they're hiding, promise me you won't tell anyone you know. Not even my mom, she wants you to live a normal life here and all this crazy shit that's happening sure as hell isn't normal."

"I-I promise," I stared at him as I said this but I definitely didn't mean it. I have to talk to Steve about it. He'll understand.

________

The next morning I woke up to a beautiful sunny day but what I felt on the inside was just scaring me. I had terrible nightmares and they only continued. I got up and walked into the living room while Joyce was on the phone asking for a guy named Hopper. She saw me walk in and gave me a small smile as a greeting while I began to make cereal. As she hung up Will walked in and she greeted him as well.

"Hey. How you feeling, sleepyhead?" She rubbed his forehead as he glanced at me giving me a small wave. "Any better?" They both sat at the table as I watched, sitting at the other end of the table eating my breakfast.

"Mhmm-mm," Will replied.

"Same as last night? Still weird?"

"Yeah." Joyce put her hand on his head again and sighed.

"Alright" She then moved her hand to his cheek and got up to get a thermometer.

"Rough night bud?" I asked him eating a mouth full of cereal. I tried to be fragile knowing the details they assume that I 'don't know'.

He nodded giving me a small smile. Joyce walks over and gives him the thermometer to put in his mouth.

"He hasn't been feeling well since yesterday, sorry we didn't join you for dinner."

"No it's okay thanks for leaving something, though." I smiled and she smiled back.

She looks back at Will to take the thermometer.

"Is it a fever?" Will asks.

"No. Uh, actually, it's cold. Do you feel cold?"

"No, just a little, out of it. Like I haven't really woken up yet."

"Been there," I try to reply jokingly. Will stares blankly while Joyce gives me a small smile.

Joyce turns back to Will and begins to look concerned again.

"You promised me no doctor." Will looked somewhat nervous as he said this.

Joyce pulls back and says, "And I meant it. No doctor."

"I'm gonna get ready for school, hope you feel better Will."

"Thanks Effie," Will replies with a weary smile.

I get up and rinse out my dish quick before walking into my room to get ready.

It's then I realize I have no ride. Then I remember I have Steve. I go to the living room and pass Joyce putting together some stuff in the bathroom. I look at the small piece of paper that has Steve's number scribbled on it and I call him.

"Hello?"

"Hi, I'm Effie, is Steve there?"

"Yes one minute, dear," I hear the woman, who I assume is Steve's mother, call down Steve.

"Hello?" This time I hear Steve's voice.

"Hey, Jonathan isn't home so I need someone to take me to school?" I say it like a question in case he for some reason changed his mind on our friendship.

"Yeah of course I'll come get you, you caught me at the right time too. I'm heading out the door now. I'll see you soon."

"Alright see you!" I say a little too excitedly.

By the time Steve shows up Will has emerged from his room and is standing by the bathroom door. He still looks in a daze and I yell out that I'm leaving.

"Bye, hun!" Joyce yells back. I shut the door behind me and wave to Steve as he pulls up.

"Hey!" I say as I get in the passenger seat.

"Hey," Steve replies with a smile. "So, have you-"

"Yes, and I don't want to talk about it right now. It was... a lot to take in."

"I understand maybe after school?"

"Absolutely." I give him a small smile and buckled my seat belt.

______

I'm sitting in the gym watching Steve practice as I do some homework when I hear Billy being a dick.

"King Steve. King Steve everyone! I like it. Playing tough today, is it all show for your new girl?"

"Jesus! Do you ever stop talking? Come on!"

Billy laughs and appears to talk more shit to Steve before knocking him down. Steve looks over at me and I give him sympathetic eyes. While Billy looks at me and smirks, I roll my eyes. I then see Billy say something to Steve then leaves him there on the ground. I sigh and make eye contact with Steve again.

"Alright boys hit the showers!" His coach yelled. Steve nods to me to come over and I pack up my stuff. Once I get to him I can see more sweat on his face glistening in the sunlight escaping into the gym.

"Wait for me out by my car, I just gotta shower and we can hang out." He says with a weak smile.

I nod but add, "I know jerks like Billy, he's only acting that way because you're my friend and I hate him." I laugh.

"Yeah maybe you're right, or maybe he's just an asshole." Steve interjected showing a bit of a better smile.

"Right," I laugh again. "I'll see you outside." I walk away and turn back quickly and he's still watching me but this time his face is one of confusion. He tries to give me a sweet smile but I can see he's struggling on the inside. I turn back around and wait until I see him again to ask any questions.

wc: 3k

____________

I walked into the house expecting punishment but only found Bob and Joyce asleep on the sofa. I took a sigh of relief and snuck into my bedroom to wipe off my makeup and get into bed. All that came to mind was the soft lips and warm hands of Steve. What was going on? Tomorrow was not going to be something to prepare for, whether it be awkward or the start of something extraordinary. I will never know until I face it.

____________

I woke up the next morning to a pretty quiet house. My head was pounding slightly when I walked into the living room. That's where I spotted Jonathan eating a bowl of cereal and examining his brothers drawings on the kitchen table.

"Hey, when did you get back last night and where is everyone?" I asked somewhat startling him in the process.

"Oh Jesus, hey, Bob took Will to school today and I got back closer to midnight. When did you get back?" He replied looking back at the drawings. I went to grab some cereal from the cupboard as I answered his question.

"Around 1 to be honest, I left the party though not long before you did."

"How did you know when I-"

"I saw Nancy and Steve's altercation and I was leaving with Steve when I saw you go upstairs."

"You left with Steve?" Jonathan looked at me this time. Shocked really.

"Not in that way you dummy." Even though it was for sure that way. "I saw you with Nancy and so I figured I wanted to get Steve's side of the story. Plus he ended up being much more sober than I was and Billy was literally breathing down my neck. I needed to get away." I explained this while making my bowl of cereal and sitting next to him at the table.

"Did Billy try to do stuff?" He asked looking concerned.

"Yes, but I got away before he can really start, you seemed too busy comforting Nancy to notice so I figured I'd run to Steve." Although I did decide to go to Steve before even seeing Jonathan go with Nancy, I thought about how shitty it was that he left the party without me not even thinking twice of my whereabouts.

"Well I did go looking for you after helping Nancy down the stairs but you were no where to be found, so I figured you might have found someone you knew." He looked hurt that I had made the assumption that he was careless and I began to feel like an asshole.

"I'm sorry Jonathan, I didn't mean that menacingly I just meant- ugh I wish we can have our own personal phones so we can contact each other in some way without miscommunication or losing the other." I looked at him pleadingly. "We're friends right?"

Jonathan stared at me seriously for a second then his smile cut through, "Yeah of course, we're sorta family now."

"Very true," I returned his smile for another one and got up to clean my bowl. "Speaking on the fact that we're sorta family now... Steve told me something last night."

"W-what did he say?" Jonathan looked frozen in place when I turned around.

"Something about Hawkins and it's secret history. Also that living in the 'Byers House' is a reason for me to find out what happened." I watched his facial expressions change from confused to anger to understanding.

"As much as I dislike Steve for even mentioning that, he has a point and I'll talk to my mom about it. I think we need to tell you together." I could only nod to this response, I didn't think Steve was being serious but the way Jonathan acted towards my questions really struck up what could possibly be more than just a family secret.

___________

When we pulled into school I threw on my leather jacket over my bright yellow shirt. While getting out of the car I realized I was more nervous than ever to see Steve face to face after last night, but then again I also don't want to see Billy either I practically ran from him. Yeah he's hot and stuff, but I know the type of guy he is and I'm just not that type of girl. Teasing him is sort of my new forte though, but it's also giving him the wrong idea and I plan on stopping.

"See you later Johnny boy," I said quickly to Jonathan receiving a 'Don't call me that' expression. I winked and laughed heading over to my locker where I unexpectedly found Steve standing.

"Hello weirdo watcha doing here?" I said with a friendly nudge so he can get out of my way. This was my chance to act nonchalant.

"I was curious if you remember anything from last night?" I was opening my locker as my cheeks blossomed a dark pink. 

"Yes," I whispered grabbing books from inside and sticking them in my backpack. "Should we be talking about this here?" I looked at him embarrassed and he just chuckled.

"Do you think anyone would even understand what we're talking about if I'm not specific?" He cocked an eyebrow and pushed lightly at my shoulder making me roll my eyes playfully. Okay, so far this is not so bad.

"So what brings you here then?" I shut my locker and faced him giving my full attention. Then he handed me a slip of paper.

"Last night was strange and out of no where, but I really want to talk more about it and us tonight. If you're free." He asked me as I opened the slip of paper to reveal a phone number.

"Is this a date? Weren't you just like... with Nancy?" It was my turn to cock an eyebrow. I definitely don't want to go on a date with someone who literally ended their relationship last night.

"No, it's not a date. You're just really cool and I can feel a potential platonic friendship blooming here." He shrugged and gave me sort of a pleading look.

"I'm surprised you know what the word platonic means, but yeah sure, I'm free tonight. I'm guessing you want me to call you after school and we'll talk about where to meet, correct? I need to get to class." I stared at the number while I spoke and then looked up at Steve for a response.

"Yeah for sure, talk to you later." He gave a quick smile before walking past me. 

____________

STEVE'S POV

I walked past her feeling like I checked something off the list. I felt like I had taken advantage of Effie and it was not my intention at all. She seems like a great honest person. I'm gonna need one of them after I face Nancy.

___________

This new kid Billy is a real asshole.

We were currently facing each other, shirts vs skins during basketball practice and he decided to have side conversations with me every time he was able to face me.

"Saw you leave with that hot Ophelia girl last night, was she as good as I imagined?" He chuckled smirking as he stole the ball. I rolled my eyes feeling my heart drop to my ass. Jesus, she's beautiful, but it was at such a weird time and I feel angry at Nancy, yet still guilty. Later in the match we faced off again my back to him as I tried to keep the ball to myself.

"Harrington right? I heard you used to run this school. King Steve they used to called you? Then you turned bitch." Billy was being an arrogant little shit.

"Maybe you should just shut up and play the game," That's when he knocked me down and shot a basket. I sat on the ground sweaty and not in the mood. It was perfect timing to hear my name called from the last person I wanted to see right now.

"Steve!" Nancy was by the double doors, "We need to talk."

____________

We were standing outside in the crook of the buildings. I wrapped a towel around my neck as I listened to what she had to say.

"Where were you this morning? I missed first period." Is she serious?

"Figured Jonathan would take you,"I looked down at my feet then back at her.

"What are you talking about?" She looked at me in disbelief.

"Jesus, you really can't handle your alcohol." I looked up and slid my hands through my hair. "Okay, so do you remember going to Tina's party last night?"

"Yes" She stated urgently.

"Okay and then what do you remember?"

"Uh, I remember dancing and spilling some punch. You got mad at me because I was drunk and then you took me home." She looked confused. She really doesn't remember?

"Yeah you see that's where your mind gets a little bit fuzzy, that boyfriend that took you home, that was Jonathan." I was starting to get impatient, feeling my stomach turn.

"I don't understand," I saw right through her. She knew it was him, she just wants to forget it happened, but I can't forget it.

"It's pretty simple Nancy you're just telling it like it is,"

"What-"

"Well, apparently we killed Barb and I don't care because I'm bullshit. And our whole relationship is bullshit. Oh and also you don't love me." I felt like I might just throw up right there. Everything we've been through just one big lie.

"I was drunk Steve I don't remember any of that!" She glanced away in the middle of her sentence. I can tell all she wanted was to make things better but that's just not enough for me right now.

"Alright so you're saying that everything you said was bullshit, too?" I said. 

"What? no-"

"Then tell me!"

"Tell you what?"

"That you love me."

"Really?-" Nancy was interrupted by my teammate running out.

"Harrington come on! The new kid is killing us in there!"

"Alright hold on!" I stared at Nancy waiting for a response only to see a hesitant look.

After a short pause I shook my head and began walking away leaving her with, "I think that you're bullshit."

_____

OPHELIA'S POV

Around lunch time I was looking around to see if Jonathan was sitting anywhere in the cafeteria. I looked over only to see Steve staring out the window, alone.

"Hey," I said as I stood in front of the table. "Mind if I sit?" He was taken out of a trance and nodded.

"Yeah sure go for it." I sat down, but stared at him as he continued to gaze out the window. I followed his stare to Jonathan and Nancy sitting on Jonathan's car.

"Ahh," I looked to him again, "Listen Steve, you can talk to me. Since you know, we're friends and I don't know." I looked down at my sandwich taking it out of its packaging. "I sort of feel bad for you." Thats when he looked at me and his eyes were more anger than sadness.

"I just don't understand how she can say that she doesn't remember anything then goes and sits with her new boyfriend." He was picking at the chicken on his tray.

"I mean, you were together for a while right? Has it been patchy recently like you said with Jonathan getting in the way and stuff. And what about her missing fr-" His hand went over my mouth.

"Shh, we can't talk about this here. Would you wanna skip fourth period with me? I have to show you something." I glanced outside thinking about Jonathan and my ride home only to see him leaving with Nancy. Oh?

"Yeah sure where are we going?"

_____________

I sat in Steve's car as we drove to the mystery destination. I couldn't help but let my thoughts wander to last night and what happened in the very seat he was sitting in.

"I know we were suppose to hang out later, but this will do right?" Steve asked glancing to me.

"Yeah I had no plans for the rest of the day and it's about time I found someone other than Jonathan to hang out with." I giggled and rolled down the window letting my hand feel the brisk air. It was autumn so things were starting to die and the scenery was changing into neutral tones.

"Wow am I now your only real friend?" He asked feigning shock.

"Technically yes, but I haven't had a lot of time to make new ones. There is this girl in my calculus class, she let me borrow her pocket mirror and we had a small conv-,"

"Does not count whatsoever!" He laughed and I playfully nudged him.

"Are you really not gonna tell me where we're going?" I asked.

"Why tell you when I can show you, we're here." He pulled into this dirt road and eventually made it to an opening where it opened up so you can see the whole town.

"Why are we here?" I asked looking at the view in awe.

"It's a spot I like to go to when I need to think and you need to know about the Byers. We couldn't talk about it in public view. It's too top secret." I rolled down my window so the brisk breeze would travel through the turned off car. I sat and crossed my legs to face him waiting for him to begin.

Steve told me that Nancy's friend, Barb had disappeared the night of a party Steve was throwing. Steve was inconsiderate about her friend and things became rough between them and when Steve apologized Nancy didn't take him back.

"I mean it's understandable because Barb was her best friend, but my ego got in the way and my asshole parents made me think less of the situation itself. I was more concerned about getting in trouble." Steve went on to explain that after apologizing he wanted to surprise her and try to reconcile things but when he went to her window she saw Jonathan inside.

"Were they?"

"No they weren't doing anything, I know now that it has to do with this big thing that I will get to at the end of this story. Be patient." He chuckled and turned more towards me so he can continue.

Because Steve was so hurt he had his old friend Tommy spray paint obscene messages around downtown Hawkins. Which brought him to the fact that Jonathan and him got into a huge fist fight in an alleyway where Nancy and Jonathan found them spray painting those obscenities on a door. He said in the end he felt like an asshole and broke ties with Tommy and Carol that day. He told them how they never liked Nancy and that they shouldn't have spray painted those terrible things. He concluded with the fact that he helped clean off the spray paint from the vandalized portions of the town.

"Wow, is that it then? I thought it would be more intense. I can't believe you fought Jonathan, too." I looked at him surprised.

"No, there's more unfortunately and you are probably not going to believe me at first but you have to talk to the Byers about it. It's going to be insane I know, but it's all true." He looked at me with stern eyes, he seemed serious so I nodded for him to proceed. He went on to tell me about his final attempt to reconcile. He stopped by the Byers house when things became a little more complicated. She had a gun-

"Woah wait, where the fuck-"

"You have to listen, this part is about to get fucking weird but it's no joke."

"Okay, okay go on." I was still staring at him and he was looking out at the view as he slowly tried to explain that night at the Byers house. Jonathan and Nancy were trying to kill a monster that stole Will? Jesus christ. And that Steve helped kill the monster. There were Christmas lights and a spiked bat and at that I started to giggle but then Steve's face turned dark and he grabbed my arms.

"Ophelia, this is not a joke I swear to you." His face was so close my hands started to get clammy. He pulled away and combed his fingers through his hair. "Hawkins was and might still be a dangerous place and I don't know if it still is, but you have to talk to the Byers. They would for sure know more. The government swore us to secrecy, but you have a right to know." I was still looking at him when he started the car.

"So," I said after a couple minutes of silence. Not even the radio was on.

"Talk to the Byers, then call me if you need someone to be with. It's a lot to take in and no doubt they'll know more." Steve's jaw clenched and he drove me home. As we got back all I could think about was this story, and how it could possibly be true. 

I walked into the main office pulling at my skirt to make sure my upper thighs weren't showing. I saw a middle aged woman at the front desk with smudged eyeliner and bright red lipstick.

"Hello may I help you?" Her voice was a low pitch yet still nasaly.

"Yeah, I'm new and I'm here to pick up my schedu-,"

"Name?" She interrupted looking bored and shuffling through papers.

"Ophelia Hastings," I replied bluntly.

She began to hum as she rummaged through the paper painfully slow. It was then when I heard the jingle of keys behind me.

"Excuse me toots, I need my schedule." His voice was mocking yet seductive.

"Waiting your turn would be much more appreciated, doll." I sneered and turned around only to face the double denim fool from outside.

"Wow, snippy aren't we?" He replied brushing a curl off of his forehead.

"Ancient aren't we? Toots? What are we in the 1950's?" I rolled my eyes turning back around praying to all the gods above that 'lipstick in teeth' lady had my schedule.

"Well I know plenty who say it back in California." He replied sliding next to me on the counter as my hands fiddled with the end of my skirt.

"From California huh? Wow we really are polar opposites then." I mumbled. I sighed tapping my nails against the counter. The desk lady who I now know is named 'Sylvia' based off her ID badge, began to look in a file behind her desk. Jesus christ they knew I was coming why is this taking so damn long?

"Where are you straggling from? Beautiful accent like that, I'd guess not from around here." He teased.

"Brooklyn, New York." I stated flatly as I saw Sylvia travel back with a paper in hand.

"Here's your schedule, hun." I whipped it from her hands and tried to make my escape until I felt a hand wrap around my wrist. He stood ahead of me blocking the door.

"Going so soon? I'd like a name first in exchange for mine." He smirked the kind of smirk you would swoon over but I see right through him.

"Why would I care to know your name?" I glared pulling my wrist out of his grasp.

"It's Billy, nice to meet you Ophelia." He replied as he glanced up from looking at my schedule. Fuck.

"It's Effie." I growled and walked out aggressively shoving him with my shoulder on the way out.

___________

"Billy? I think he is in my chemistry class he's so weird and mysterious." Nancy said pulling out her sandwich.

"Yeah I don't get his act." My eyebrows furrowed as I continued to wonder about this California doofus boy.

"Should have seen the way Eff stared him down this morning." Jonathan chuckled.

"Shut up, its one of my intimidation techniques," I giggled eating a spoonful of mashed potatoes.

"Well Effie, you're braver than most apparently. Instead of being intimidating, people are just scared of him." Steve said taking a bite of his pizza and looking behind me.

I turned seeing the myth himself. He was with a couple of the popular guys quiet and mysteriously strutting as usual. That is until he glanced at me, we locked eyes and I tried my best to keep a strong face. Then from his stoic look he grew a smirk and threw in a quick wink. That was until I rolled my eyes and faced Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan with the reddest tint on my face imaginable.

"He's kinda hot," I said, "but also hot headed which is the main problem." I rested my chin in my hand as I continued to fork at my corn on my tray.

"Maybe he'll be at the party tomorrow night are you guys coming?" Nancy looked at Jonathan for that question. I watched him cough through the drink he was swallowing. "Yeah, I might make an appearance. Although, I have to take Will trick or treating,"

"I'll definitely go, I need to experience a country house party. I'm used to parties in tiny apartments." I said.

"Okay great, we'll see you there then?" Nancy smiled as she gathered her stuff. "I have to get to class I'll see you later, nice to meet you Effie!" Steve followed in suit leaving me alone with good ole Jonathan.

"She's nice, but good move choking on your soda." I laughed.

"Shut up," Jonathan nudged me and chuckled. "I got to get to class too though, so I'll see you at the car."

As I sat alone to finish my apple juice I caught the eye of the California boy. This time though he didn't smirk, his fingers were on his mouth and he was staring intensely. Maybe even... seductively, my stomach was flipping. Then I thought of something even better than he could ever do.

I looked down at what was left of my cupcake and scooped up some the icing with my middle finger and slowly and as seductively as I could I sucked off the icing while staring straight back at him. I released my finger holding up my middle finger for him to see. I smirked this time and got up to go to my last class letting my skirt bounce as I walked away. I felt everyones eyes on me.

________

I planned on dressing like 'boy toy' Madonna because although I already had the white dress I found the belt during the summer at this costume shop. My natural curls helped a lot for this outfit and I honestly just wanted to meet new people, so thankfully this outfit will be a topic of conversation. I walked out of the room to see Joyce talking to Jonathan about the trick or treating task. While in the corner Bob was fiddling with the camera.

"Wow you look great!" Joyce smiled turning away from Jonathan. "Did you want Jonathan to give you a ride to your friends house?" Joyce did not know about the party.

"If he doesn't mind?" I asked looking at him.

"Yeah sure," He smiled sweetly.

"Alright let's take a quick picture before you guys head off!" Joyce said excitingly holding the camera. With a flash we were sitting in the car with Will in the backseat.

We arrived at Mike Wheelers house where the boys all seemed to be hanging around outside. I had the intention he was dropping me off on his way to go trick or treating but as Jonathan got out I watched him hand Will the camera. From the look on Will's face Jonathan must have let him go on his own.

"That was sweet," I smiled as he sat back into the drivers seat, "I don't know what happened to you guys last year, but I'm sure he'll be fine." I reassured.

"Thanks, now let's go to that party?" He asked looking hesitant.

"Be a little more excited, I mean you're going with one of the most fun people you will ever meet." I flipped my hair back in the 'coolest girl' way making him chuckle.

__________

Once we got into the party all I could smell was cigarettes and beer. Jonathan was ahead of me until he spotted Nancy and Steve which made him go into the opposite direction.

"Hey, I'm gonna get a drink!" I yelled through the blaring music to Jonathan.

"Okay I'm just gonna walk around a little!" He replied back in my ear. I nodded and tried to find the booze. Thats where I saw the huge vat of red jungle juice. Who knows to be honest. Let's hope it's not lean, but I'm taking the risk. I scooped enough to fill close to the top of my red solo cup. I gulped down enough so it was half full and decided to refill once more and search around for people I might know. That's when I spotted Nancy and Steve again. It looked like Nancy was plastered and Steve was trying to take her drink from her. I gulped some more as I watched him let go and the drink spill all over her blouse. I almost laughed, but it seemed serious the way he ran after her.

"Fancy seeing you here, toots." I internally sighed and turned to see the smirking douchewad. "Oh I'm sorry, Ophelia."

"Evening Bill."

"It's Billy," He sneered

"Well then get my name right, it's Effie." I stalked away trying to find Jonathan.

"Why tease me if you are just going to avoid me?" Billy said closer to me than I was expecting. I was at a halt looking around for any sign of someone I knew when I felt his hand creep up my bare shoulder. The music was loud and the liquor was already effecting my mind as it buzzed. His breath felt too hot on my neck and all of a sudden he was kissing my neck tenderly from behind. I don't know if it's the alcohol but I'm so turned on right now. That was when I spotted Steve stammering to himself as he ran down the stairs. I must be strong, I thought to myself. I pulled away from Billy quickly following after Steve. I don't know where my feet were taking me but I was definitely already tipsy.

"Steve!" I yelled a little closer behind him. I saw him turn and I looked behind me to see Billy no where in site.

"Hey Eff, didn't know you were here." He stopped to greet me as I stammered.

"Got here not long ago and I know absolutely no one. I was wondering if I could tag along with you?" I asked with my drink already almost gone again.

"I'm actually in a-" he stopped and looked past me. "Yeah actually, come with me." He grabbed my hand gently and began walking toward the door. I followed beside him and glanced back quickly to see Jonathan assisting Nancy down the stairs.

__________

"Did you wanna talk about it?" I asked as I sat in his car. We haven't left yet because he needed to sober up but he parked far enough that we were away from the party. I was still sipping from what was left in my cup.

"You wouldn't understand." He said glumly starting the car so he can turn the radio on. It was in the middle of the song Time After Time and I heard Steve let out a low sigh. He turned it to a low volume so it was a comfortable hum in the background.

"I'm one of the only people who would probably understand. I was quite the heartbreaker back in Brooklyn," lie, "so just tell me, maybe I can at least lift your spirits." I said crossing my legs in the seat. I was not a heartbreaker at all if anything I was the heart that was constantly breaking.

"Well you also live with Jonathan." Steve replied in a matter of fact way.

"Yes, but we're not very close. Come on..." I tapped him on the cheek. "I need to see a smile, at least."

"You're a strange one." He smirked and looked out the window. "Okay listen it's complicated, Nancy and I just have this weird history and now somehow Jonathan has slipped through it and it's just making our relationship crash and burn. There's also this thing about her missing friend."

"Missing friend?" I replied feeling my stomach flip slightly.

"Yeah her name was Barb she... went missing and her family thinks they're on to something, but Nancy thinks its a lost cause and stuff like that."

"Oh well that's kind of shitty why would she want to tell them that, and how would she know?" I said slightly slurring my words.

"It's complicated thats the part you wouldn't understand," he looked at me this time. The music shifted to Talking In Your Sleep by the Romantics. "There's a lot you don't know about this town Effie and being with the Byers you should be the last person who's out of the loop." I looked at him strangely and thats when he grabbed my hand from my knee. "I'm not messing with you, Hawkins has a secret history."

"Stop, this is crazy." I laughed and pulled away my hand. "I'm not sure if you're okay to drive still."

"Believe me, I'm fine." he replied sighing again and looking out the window. We both became silent and the only thing we can hear was the song fading out in the background and Heroes by David Bowie beginning to hum throughout the warm car.

"If you're sober and I'm only slightly tipsy would it be wrong if I kissed you, you know maybe as a distraction for the night?" I was a little more than tipsy to have the courage to say that. He looked at me in shock "I just, Nancy and I just broke uh-, what?"

"Fuck, oh my god. I shouldn't have said that. It's just I'm still a little more than tipsy and... I'm sorry, wrong thing to say in this moment." I looked ahead my face heating with embarrassment. I felt his eyes on me. He probably thinks I'm a horny idiot.

It was then I felt his fingertips touch the back of my neck. I looked at him and he was a little closer to me. "I don't know how drunk you are, I don't want to take advantage. However, I really need a distraction if you really wanted to..." He said this looking straight into my eyes. My face was definitely flushed and I felt the heat radiating off us.

"I'm drunk enough to give in to this but I'm not drunk enough that it would be considered taking advantage." I replied strongly glancing down at his lips. Wow, I never do this.

"Okay." He was looking at my lips and we were suddenly closer to each others faces.

"So what do we-"

"Shh." Steve put a finger on my lips and began to lean in. As our lips locked Steve reached his arm to turn down the radio. The windows began to fog from our heavy breathing as the song got to its climax. His soft lips reached to my neck then to my chest and then back up to my lips. He pulled me up so that I could straddle him and he pushed the seat back and reclined it back so we would be a little more comfortable. His hands were warm as he slid them up my shirt, I felt him find the dip of my spine. It was then that Take My Breath Away came on the radio that I felt him grab the hem of my shirt and the guilt began to slip in with it.

"Wait, wait, should we..." I pull away.

"Right, uhh we don't have to if you're not comfortable," I looked at him from above. 

"Yeah, It was fine, I just feel like if we went further it would get messy with certain people." I stated seriously as I got back to the passenger seat. We shared a knowing look.

"You're right, I'm sorry." He said. 

"It was good until then," I joked. 

"Yeah, you're a good kisser if you don't mind me saying that," He said sheepishly. "Let me take you home now, I think that sobered us both up." 

I hummed a response and turned the music back up so I wouldn't hear my heart pounding.

The whole car ride was quiet besides the radio and the only real thing on my mind was walking into the Byers house at 1 am. What would Jonathan think of me? He will probably know and Joyce might get suspicious, too. He parked right on the road in front of the house.

"Thanks for keeping me company on this shitty night." He said giving me a small smile.

Stranger Tides (Steve Harrington and Billy Hargrove love triangle)

Effie is the new girl. Senior year is a tough year to start when you're all alone. Except Effie is used to being alone, she's always been the invisible one. That is until she starts to draw the attention of two boys in the little town of Hawkins, Indiana.

It's 1984 and the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers has been rescued from the Upside down but there is a much bigger threat beginning to haunt Will...

******

PREFACE

ONE late night Dustin, Mike, Lucas, and Will all enter the local arcade, Palace. They come to find that Dustin's usual high score on "Dig Dug" has been beaten by more than 100,000 points to a mystery player nicknamed "MADMAX". All the boys begin to argue about who MADMAX could possibly be, while Will appears to zone out towards the entrance of the Palace. Will has been having weird visions or according to the doctor,"episodes" where he is back in the Upside Down. These visions and reoccurring nightmares are apparently caused by the traumatic events he experienced in the Upside Down. After seeing a large dark figure above the alternate Palace he is shaken out of the trance back to reality by Mike who looks at Will worryingly.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," Will shakes off what he had just seen, still a little pale, and heads back inside the arcade.

******

Ophelia

They call me Effie. My parents were kind of Shakespearean freaks, both English majors, one into renaissance literature the other a playwright. My older brother, who's ten years older than me, his name is Romeo and lives with his family in Syracuse. A beautiful blonde wife and two kids, boy and girl with a simple life. We were both born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. My parents? Well, they died a month ago. Not sure how else I can put that lightly. It was a freak car accident on their way home from visiting my Aunt Betty and Uncle Terry in Jersey City. My father George was a playwright for a local theatre in my neighborhood, while my mother Suzanne worked at the Metropolitan Opera House as an event planner. We had a simple life, at least I thought we did. I wasn't always an outcast because in the city it's hard when the majority of my classmates wanted to stand out as much as I did. But, It wasn't until the death of my parents that I realized how different I really was. I was an Orphan, Ophelia the Orphan, how rhetoric. I am still seventeen so here I am in Hawkins to live with my god mother, Joyce. She's an old friend of my mothers from high school apparently. They got pregnant at a similar time, which Is how I met her son Jonathan a couple of times, but I have yet to meet her youngest, Will.

The stories my mother used to tell me about Hawkins was simply that it was a small town with not much there for her, which is why she moved to the city. Although, Joyce was the one person who  kept my mother on her toes. They smoked with some guy named Jim under the bleachers at school and went to "ragers" at classmates houses. It was a youth spent well, but she needed to branch out. She had dreams of bigger and better things, so she left little Hawkins for the big apple. Joyce and her stayed in contact since she left but in the last year she's lost a little contact with her. She was convinced Joyce was going crazy, that was until they reconnected this summer over the phone. She explained that it was a whole misunderstanding with the police and it made me really hesitant about coming here. Was Joyce psycho now? Why does mom trust this woman that we haven't seen in so many years? Well, it's my turn to find out if the small town of Hawkins is all it's cracked up to be.

******

The taxi stopped in front of an old looking house complete with cracked wood and what appears to be a repaired hole in the wall. As soon as I stepped out of the taxi I saw a middle aged woman and a young man step out of the house. In the sunset Joyce's hair was a reddish brown while Jonathan's black shirt held an orange tint from the sun.

"Ophelia!" Joyce said smiling and embracing me into a hug. "You remember Jonathan?"She stepped back so I can hug him.

"Of course haven't seen you in years, but how can I forget the boy that stole my Twinkie?" We shared a quick chuckle and lightly bumped his shoulder with my fist before he walked around to the trunk of the taxi.

"How was the flight, dear?" Joyce said in a motherly tone.

"It was good besides the child who kicked my seat for the last half hour." I shrugged, "Where's Will? I have yet to meet the little guy."

"He's at the arcade with his friends, he should be home later tonight. Come on inside you can meet Bob." She grabbed my bag from my hands politely and Jonathan followed behind with my two luggage cases.

I walked up the creaky stares as Joyce opened the screen door for me, the place was quaint and small, but still homey. Very much a different scene from our Brooklyn apartment, but still my new home. At least until I'm eighteen.

"And you must be Ophelia," I'm assuming what Bob said.

"You can call me Effie!" I said as cheerfully as I can muster while shaking his hand, "I'm guessing you're Bob?"

"You guessed correctly!" He smiled a genuine smile as I politely nodded and continued down the hall to the spare room.

"This is you," Jonathan gave me a small and gentle smile.

"Thanks for lugging my luggage," I joked trying to peel away from the look in his eyes. Is that pity? I'm used to that look. I've been seeing it from everyone I know from the past month.

"Anytime..." We stand there for a beat, "if you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask." He nodded his head in a goodbye and shut the door on his way out.

I observed the room closely as I lifted the first case onto the bed to unpack. It's so strange to be living somewhere so quiet and woodsy compared to the busy city streets I once slept soundly in. The quiet was almost too quiet- someone suddenly knocked on the door startling me.

"Come in!" I said shaking out of my trance as I continue to unpack.

"Hey sweetie, dinner is going to be ready in about an hour so whenever you're ready you can come to the living room or I'll see you in an hour!" Joyce said kindly cracking open the door.

"Okay I'll be out soon, I just need to unpack a few things for tomorrow" I replied.

******

I walked into the kitchen at the same moment Jonathan and a little boy walked inside the house.

"Will! I have someone I want you to meet," Joyce said happily and bringing him over to me,"this is Ophelia, also known as Effie and she's going to be living with us for a while." Joyce smiled at me and Will gave a polite smile shaking my hand.

"Nice to meet you," he said innocently.

"Nice to meet you too, I heard you are quite the artist." I politely smiled back.

"Yeah, I love making my imaginations come true,"There was a gentle nod and approval on his face before he walked into the kitchen past me.

"You know I'm an artist, too." I said following him to sit beside him at the table. "Well, not an official artist, but I dabble." I smiled at the rest of them. Bob continued going at his fried chicken and Joyce listened intently to me and Will.

"I'd love to see your stuff!" He said with a grin.

"Same to you," I replied with a giggle.

After dinner I shared some of my pictures and art projects with Will before I took a quick shower and picked out an outfit for my first day of class tomorrow.

******

I woke up to Joyce yelling about something.

"Will?!"

A door opened and things got quiet. Curious, I got out of bed to look out into the hallway.

"Okay, sorry." Joyce was saying with a look of relief. She shut the bathroom door and looked to me. "Sorry hun, did I wake you?"

"No, you're good I had to be up." I said reassuringly.

After I shut the door, I changed into my first day outfit. I put my pack of cigarettes into the pocket of my leather jacket and grabbed my backpack from the desk chair. When I walked into the living room Jonathan was on the couch tying his shoes.

"Would you take Will to school? I'm running late!"Joyce asked frantically as she grabbed her keys from a side table.

"Yeah sure we're leaving now. Will!" Jonathan yelled down the hall.

"Coming!"

******

As soon as we arrived to the school I knew this would be much different from the city, I watched jocks with denim jackets walk hand in hand with cheerleaders. It was something I only see in movies, and nothing was worse than seeing boys wearing denim on denim. A fashion travesty here in hicksville, at least in the city they contribute some leather in the equation. Jonathan and I didn't talk much the whole ride, it's not that we don't like each other, we're just very different. When we parked I looked towards Jonathan who was staring out at another car, it appeared to have a boy and a girl in it. The girl was pretty but looked frail and the boy had large voluminous brown locks. He must use the Farrah Fawcett spray my mother used because that flow is pretty similar to what she worked with. I waited until Will got out of the car to ask the dreaded question.

"Old girlfriend?" I asked still watching Jonathan gaze towards the girl.

"W-What? No!" He replied defensively finally catching my eye sight.

"Dude, I'm not accusing you, ya just looked very intrigued by her."

"Her name's Nancy and we just have been through a lot together." He said looking back one more time before turning off the car. At that moment we heard a loud screech coming from behind us. A blue Camaro speeds through the parking lot stopping a couple cars away from us. Jonathan and I look curiously at each other.

"Who's that?" I asked stepping out of the car and watched as a red headed girl pops out of the car hopping onto a skateboard.

"I don't know actually," Jonathan replied from the other side of the car also outside holding onto the door.

Then we saw him.

He was just what I suspected, denim on denim. God it's gonna be hard to find real men in this town isn't there? I didn't realize I was staring until we made eye contact. We held it for a few seconds until he gave me a smirk. Thats when I rolled my eyes and grabbed a cig from my pocket. I licked my lips and put it to my mouth. Looking back at him he was still watching me, I lit the cigarette and winked before walking away with only my back to his view. Hopefully that was nonchalant enough? Jonathan followed close behind confused and still a little dazed from staring at frail girl.

"He's definitely new I've never seen him before, and I also didn't know you smoked." He said catching up with my stride. I exhaled the smoke and threw the cigarette to the ground.

"I don't always, mostly socially or to distract the dimwitted." I smiled.