Disclaimer: I do not own Stranger Things. Or the characters. Only thing I own is the plot and my OC, Kayla Adams.

WARNING!

THIS IS AN M RATED FANFICTION! If you don't like it please don't read it. It will have mentions of abuse, self-harm and suicide in some chapters, so if your triggered by this I advise that you don't read it. If anyone has been through it, I understand what you have been through. I've been there and I'm here to talk if you want.

Author's notes.

This is the first Stranger Things fanfiction I have done. This is based after the first season when Billy and Max first come to town. It will have spoilers, if you haven't watched season 2 or three yet then you should probably watch them first.

Chapter one

Today was the first day back to school after what felt like an age, the start of the new school year. Everything seemed to have gone back to normal. The loud chattering of friends, people parking cars and bikes, others shouting to gain someone's attention from far away. It was just another day in Hawkins High.

It was going to be difficult, the first year she was alone since her parent had died. How many times had she wished they had taken a different route that night? She shook her head. It didn't matter how many times she wished, the past was never going to change. They had still hit that Demogorgon on the road that night. The car had still flipped over and it had still killed and eaten her parents, she would still be alone.

Kayla recognised Steve's BMW among the sea of metal. He was sat inside talking to Nancy, probably about his collage application, weren't they due in tomorrow? She had been surprised when Nancy had continued to date Steve. Not because she thought he was a bad guy, quite the opposite. She was surprised because she thought that Nancy and Jonathan's ordeal last year had made them grow closer. After all, they had been together in the woods when they found her wondering around, only an hour after witnessing the death of her parents, a complete mess.

Apparently, they had been following the trail of a dying deer that the Demogorgon had taken, Jonathan had almost shot her that night, sometimes she wished he had. For obvious reason she had never voiced that thought out loud. Kayla had only found them because Jonathan had been screaming Nancy's name like bloody murder. She had helped pull Nancy from the inside of the tree, that's how Jonathan, Nancy and Kayla had become the unlikeliest of friends. She had told them what had happened to her parents, she had told them that no matter what, she was going to kill that ugly mother fucker. That night had been the worst night of her life, she still had nightmares about the last few months, waking up screaming in an empty house that no longer felt safe, no longer felt warm, that was empty. A house that sat alone near the edge of the wood, it was probably a good thing, it meant she couldn't wake anyone up if there weren't any neighbours to start with.

The point was, she thought after everything Nancy and Jonathan would have gotten together. Kayla had been there when they had gotten the traps, seen the nasty graffiti, witnessed Jonathan and Steve's fight. When they had been arrested by the police, watched as Nancy iced Jonathans wounds. At the Byers house when they had pooled information, when El had looked for Will and Barb, when they had gone to the school to make the self deprivation tank for El. Sure, Steve had arrived after they had set the trap for the Demogorgon at the Byers house. The four of them, Steve, Jonathan, Nancy and her, had made one hell of a team. However, Kayla had seen first-hand the connection Nancy and Jonathan had, she had never expected Nancy to get back with Steve, despite the fact he was a good guy.

Kayla had friends now, she knew that, but she had always been kind of a loner, not a fan of people. Even though Jonathan, Steve and Nancy had told her she could hang out with any of them at any time, Kayla guessed old habits die hard. She had even gotten a few comments of the kids, or 'party', something about being a badass? She wasn't going to stay that night they brought Will to the hospital, but in the end she did, not that Will knew who she was, but it wasn't like she had anyone to rush home to and she had wanted to support Joyce and Jonathan.

It had been hard going back to an empty home. The government continued to give her compensation every month for her trouble and the death of her parents, some of which she had put towards their funeral. Hopper, Joyce, Nancy, Steve, Jonathan and the Party had come. She knew it had been more to support her than say goodbye to her parents. Of course, their death had also been covered up. Said they had gotten into a car accident after hitting some animal, a buck or a bear, maybe a moose? To be honest she didn't really pay attention, it wasn't the truth, only those who knew about the Demogorgon knew the truth. Joyce had been nice enough to invite her over for thanksgiving and new year's, after a lot of thinking she had gone, but she hadn't contacted any of them since. She didn't want to be any trouble and she felt like a burden, that didn't excuse the calls and messages she had received and ignored. Kayla just didn't know what to say or do, her whole life had been turned upside down (no pun intended), she was more alone now than ever, it was needless to say she was struggling to adjust.

She was thrown out of thoughts when a dark blue 1979 Chevrolet Camaro LT with Californian plates narrowly missed her. She tried to gestor an apology but it just reved its engine angry as it roared past. Kayla sighed. She watched as a young red hair girl stepped out and didn't hesitate to throw down her skateboard before taking off. The driver of the car was a bit slower taking in his new surroundings. Kayla noticed instantly that he was not impressed with what he saw, he'd have to get used to it she mused. Hawkins wasn't much but it had some good people in it.

Some high school girls were stood lent up against a car a few feet away from her. One of them Kayla recognised as Tommy H's ex-girlfriend, Carol. Both of which were ex- friends of Steve.

"Who is that?"

"I have no idea. Would you check out that ass? Look at it go."

It was pretty damn obvious that they were drooling over guy. Kayla rolled her eyes, poor sod had no idea what he was in for. He flicked his cigarette away as he walked off. His vibe practically oozed bad boy. Good luck to him, if he wasn't careful, he might get swallowed up, and with Hawkins that could be literally.

"What are you looking at freak." Carol hissed. Kayla just raised a dark eyebrow before shoving past her. "Hey! Watch it!"

"Sorry." Kayla resorted. "Your sour mood seems to be contagious."

"Freak!" She yelled as Kayla walked away.

"Yeah, because I haven't heard that one before…"

"Don't worry." Nancy chimed as she matcher her pace. "She's just jealous of your style."

"Sure." She snorted. "Because black ripped denim jeans, black leather jacket and band merch would totally suit her. Not to mention the chains, studs, spikes and Dr Martens."

"Your forgetting the huge hair and dark make-up."

"No. That would suit her."

Nancy just laughed as they walked to class.