A/N: This story takes place before the Hargrove-Mayfield family moves to Hawkins. Billy is a little different in this story, compared to how he is in Stranger Things 2. He's more aloof and not so constantly angry. This isn't an attempt to change his character. The purpose of this story is to explore how and why he becomes like that. It was my impression, while watching his character, that he became worse due to whatever reason they moved to Hawkins. I'm sure the real reason will be explored in the future of the show and won't even be close to the events of this story, but for now I'm gonna have some fun with the blank spots in his character's history.
This is essentially a love story between him and an OFC, but it's not an instant attraction. It's more of a hate turns into love story. Furthermore, Billy's behaviour once in the relationship isn't typical and is quite dark. He will be possessive and controlling and there will be fairly graphic sexual content later on.
The OFC's mother is Korean and her father is of English descent. Of course, Billy's behaviour in ST2 suggests he's a racist, so pairing him with a half-Korean girl may seem odd. However, this will play a role towards the end of the story. The OFC's name is Nari Mills and her face-claim is Lee Ji-Eun (IU), when she has her golden-brown hair.
Lastly, I'm Australian and have never been to America. If I make any mistakes, please let me know and I'll fix it up. I decided to set the story in LA - it's never specified where in California Max and Billy are from. Specifically the Santa Monica/Venice Beach area. Feel free to point out to me if you can't imagine Max and Billy being from that particular part of LA though.
Are you a lucky little lady in the City of Light?
Or just another lost angel - City of Night.
- L.A. Woman by the Doors (1971)
Nari Mills felt trapped in a corner. Her best friend looking at her with wide, pleading eyes. Rachel Taylor was a naturally pretty girl with a slim figure that had curves in the right places, long brown hair, sun-kissed skin and almond shaped green eyes.
"Come on, Nari, please," Rachel begged. "I don't want to go alone!"
Nari bit her bottom lip, feeling torn. For over a month, Rachel had been crushing on Eli Nelson. As far as Nari was concerned, the guy – and all his friends – were bad news and she'd prefer to keep her distance from them. So far, she'd managed to do just that, but somehow Rachel had been invited by Eli to his party that night and was leaping at the opportunity. The catch was that she wanted Nari to come with her. Part of her felt guilty and didn't want to let her friend down. Another part of her was adamant about not going and continuing to avoid Eli and his friends like the plague.
"Can't you just go on your own?" Nari huffed. "Once you see Eli, you'll forget I'm there anyway."
"I promise I won't!" Rachel tried to convince her. "Besides, his friends are just as attractive as he is… if I finally get somewhere with Eli, you'll have your pick of hot guys to choose from for yourself."
"You're crazy," Nari rolled her eyes. "Sorry, but those guys are all assholes. I don't care how good looking you think they are."
"What about Billy Hargrove?"
"Ugh, no," Nari screwed her nose up in distaste. "He's the worst of the lot!"
"Aww, come on. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he is damn gorgeous and no one can deny it."
"You've lost it…" Nari muttered under her breath.
It wasn't as though she didn't like parties, but this kind of party didn't appeal to her at all. Yet, the puppy dog eyes Rachel was giving her eventually crumbled her resolve.
"Fine…" she sighed.
Rachel grinned, quickly giving Nari a tight hug in gratitude before moving over to her record player. Before Nari knew it, Hurts So Good by John Cougar was playing at top volume. It was tradition now for them to get ready while listening to that song. Rachel flung clothes haphazardly all over her bedroom, looking for the best outfit that would impress Eli. Nari didn't bother altering her own appearance, despite Rachel's protests, but she did help Rachel with her make up. By the time her best friend was ready she looked stunning. Nari knew Eli would have to be an idiot not to appreciate Rachel's beautiful appearance, as much as she didn't like the guy.
Nari looked ridiculously underdressed by comparison in her slightly baggy Rolling Stones shirt, denim shorts and old white Vans. Yet, this wasn't an ordinary party to her and she couldn't have cared less about how she looked. To her, there was no one to impress. She got into Rachel's car and the two began driving through the streets, headed for the party.
Once they arrived, things were in full swing. The music was blaring and the house was full of teens drinking from plastic red cups. Nari lingered a little behind Rachel, already craving some Springsteen or Fleetwood Mac instead of the hard rock music surrounding her. Her friend was quick to spot Eli, moving over to him.
Eli Nelson was a guy of average height and a lean but toned build. His hair was a dark brown that fell to just above his shoulders and his eyes were a striking blue that seemed to cut through your very soul if their attention happened to focus on you. Nari could understand the appeal for Rachel. He was incredibly good looking and something about his blasé attitude seemed to draw women in like a moth to a flame. However, his cocky, over-confident attitude rubbed her the wrong way.
"Hey princess," Eli drawled once he spotted Rachel, his gaze raking over her figure.
Nari rolled her eyes as Rachel giggled coyly, instantly beginning to flirt with Eli. Turning her attention away from the two of them, Nari then made eye contact with the guy standing next to Eli. It was Johnny Slater, who was in the year above the rest of them. He was looking right at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. His beady brown eyes seemed to be undressing her with his gaze and it made her skin crawl.
Another guy came up to Slater and stole his attention for the moment, giving Nari an opportunity to leave and find a drink. Rachel was well and truly absorbed in Eli by then, so Nari knew she wouldn't be missed and figured she should make the most of being there since she'd been dragged along anyway.
After acquiring a cup of beer, Nari made her way through the house and found a small circle of mostly occupied chairs. Managing to get one that was free, she sat down, recognising the opening riff of AC/DC's Hells Bells playing. A guy seated across from her was talking to the rest of the group in the circle and she tuned in, listening to what he was saying.
"We take turns around the circle. Every time you hear 'Hells Bells' it's the next persons turn to drink. You can't stop drinking until the next 'Hells Bells'."
Most people in the circle nodded or murmured their agreement and before long it was the chorus and the first time in the song that Hells Bells was uttered. The guy who had spoken before took the first turn and shortly after, the person next to him followed once the second 'Hells Bells' had been sung. The next person quickly followed and then the fourth time it was uttered, it was Nari's turn.
Eager to feel the effects of the alcohol and have some fun, Nari raised her cup and drank quickly. Unfortunately for her though, that was the last line of the chorus and a short instrumental break followed. She noticed her cup would be empty soon and wordlessly held out her free hand for another drink. She felt someone place a can in her hand and once her cup was empty, she threw it away and lifted the can to her lips. The others in the circle had begun cheering her as the second verse began.
I'll give you black sensations up and down your spine
If you're into evil you're a friend of mine
See the white light flashing as I split the night
'Cause if good's on the left,
Then I'm stickin' to the right
She almost thought the chorus must be next, but she was wrong. Thankfully she couldn't drink from the can as quickly as she had from the cup.
I won't take no prisoners, won't spare no lives
Nobody's puttin' up a fight
I got my bell, I'm gonna take you to hell
I'm gonna get you, Satan get you
Hells Bells!
Nari took the final sip from the can when she finally heard the words and her turn was over. More cheers erupted, with the girl next to her handing her another drink and she let out a goofy grin, accepting the new can of beer. Nari already felt pretty lightheaded. She was a complete lightweight and the game had allowed the alcohol to kick in and for her to loosen up and enjoy herself a little.
Yet, with flushed cheeks and a warmth spreading through her body, Nari decided she was done with the game and needed some fresh air. She got up from her chair, swaying a little as she moved through the crowd and headed for the door that led outside. She was almost there when someone bumped into her from behind and she tripped over her own feet. She stumbled forward, her eyes widening as she caught sight of a beautiful girl directly in front of her.
Time seemed to slow down as Nari prepared herself for the impact, ready for her drink to spill all over the poor girl and for the awkward, rambling apologies to fall from her lips. What she wasn't ready for was the tight grip on her wrist, or to look up at the man standing next to the girl. Her eyes widened even further when she realized it was none other than Billy Hargrove. She would have recognized the tall, imposing stature, those dirty blonde curls, his full lips and cold, round blue eyes anywhere. His strong grip steadied her and her drink, stopping her from spilling it all over him and his date.
Nari may have badmouthed him over the years, but in that moment she couldn't help but admire his quick reflexes. She wondered briefly about whether she'd misjudged him all those years, thinking he was an arrogant jerk who only cared about himself. Those light blue eyes stared intently into her own dark brown ones and once again, she was ready to blurt out words – this time ones of gratitude rather than apology – but once again the words died on her tongue as Billy carelessly shoved her in the opposite direction, her drink spilling all over her shirt.
She stood there, frozen in complete and utter shock as the cold beer seeped through the material, chilling the skin underneath. Her brain reeled, trying to catch up with what had just transpired. However, once she did catch up she seethed with anger.
Pabo ya, she scolded herself mentally.
She was a downright fool for thinking Billy Hargrove might actually be a decent human being. He hadn't been catching her fall for any reason other than to steer himself clear of her spilled drink. He couldn't have cared less about her and she doubted he could have cared less about his beautiful date.
Swirling around to face him, her hands became clenched into fists by her sides. He looked at her with an expression of boredom, as his date barely tried to stifle her giggles at Nari's predicament. This only made Nari's anger grow, but her focus was solely on Billy, who had looked away by then in disinterest.
"Hey!" She yelled out to him, only angered further when he seemed unperturbed by her outburst. "What the hell is your problem, you jerk!?"
"Watch where you're going next time," he replied nonchalantly, still not even bothering to look at her.
She gaped after him as he began moving through the crowd, his date following him. Nari narrowed her eyes at him and attempted to follow, not willing to let him get away with it.
"Hey!" She yelled out. "Hey!"
It was useless though, as he was long gone and she was much shorter, swallowed by the sea of people. Huffing to herself, Nari looked down at her ruined shirt and pouted, cursing the very existence of Billy Hargrove. She weaved back through the crowd until she got to the kitchen. Turning on the faucet, she wet her shirt, trying to avoid any stains. Her temper was flared up as she mentally called Billy every offensive term under the sun – both in English and Korean.
Until that moment, neither of the two had ever acknowledged the others existence. They'd never spoken, despite years of being classmates. She doubted he even knew who she was - not that it would excuse his behavior. It was her first encounter with Billy Hargrove and needless to say, she wasn't at all impressed.
A/N: There wasn't much Billy in this chapter, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated! 'Pabo ya' basically means 'you fool' or 'you idiot' in Korean. The drinking game Nari plays is one I've played, but with 'Thunderstruck'. Since that didn't come out until 1990, I had to find an alternative...but it definitely works better with Thunderstruck.
