It was Teddi's first day off from the pool. She still had her shift later on at the arcade and video store, but unfortunately not much else to do to pass the time. Her dad was off at work, so she could technically spend her day at home, but Teddi didn't really feel like awkwardly sitting around the house while she and her mother tried to avoid each other.

Instead she decided to drive into town. There was this coffee shop in the town square that kids from school liked to hang out at when there wasn't much else to do. She figured since her usual spot at the lake would be a little too cold to sit at and read, she'd settle for sitting in the corner of the shop with some hot chocolate and her book. There were a few kids she recognized. She said her hellos and settled in with her very well loved copy of The Fellowship of the Ring and walkman. There was this mixtape that she had made for herself (she was well aware that that was pathetic) of a few of her favorite songs; the first being Don't You Want Me by the Human League.

It may not have looked like it to anyone else, but Teddi loved having time off. It was rare, she made sure of that, but she relished the time she had to shut out the rest of the world and disappear to one where the only problems were magical rings, dragons and orcs. Maybe it was childish of her. She didn't really care. She was more than happy to trade in her life for the few moments of fantasy.

But of course, all good things must come to an end. Teddi's headphones were yanked from her head. "What the hell?" she snapped. She looked up at the culprit, groaning loudly and throwing her head back once her eyes landed on Billy, who was holding her headphones up with a wide grin. "Leave me alone, Hargrove." she moaned, pressing the palms of her hands to her eyes.

"Now that's not very nice. Whatcha listening to?" he held up her headphones to her ears, his nose scrunching up in disapproval. "Figures you have shitty taste in music. Listening to this and thinking about me, Teddi?" he asked with a smug look.

"If I ever think about you it's about how badly I wish I could punch you in the head." she said, snatching her headphones back.

"Someone's got her panties in a twist," He snickered. Teddi let out an exasperated sigh as he grabbed the seat across from her, turned it around and straddled it. "You working later tonight?"

"What the hell do you care?"

He rolled his eyes. "You know, if you weren't such a bitch you wouldn't have to hang out by yourself all the time."

"That's rich coming from you. The only person that'll hang out around you is Tommy H, and everyone knows he's only friends with you because you're a new, shiny, popular kid," she snapped. Billy's jaw clenched. Instead of poking him further and dealing with his attitude, she sighed. "Yes, I'm working later."

This seemed to appease him, thankfully. "I need a favor."

Teddi laughed. "You want a favor from me? No way."

Billy rolled his eyes and leaned in closer. "You don't even know what it is yet," he argued. Teddi only crossed her arms. "My dad and Susan are making me watch Max tonight. But I have a date, and I'd much rather be in the backseat of my car with Cheryl Burns than watching the twerp."

Teddi scoffed. "Cheryl Burns?"

"What's wrong with Cheryl Burns?"

"Didn't she have an affair with the gym teacher?"

"Allegedly."

Teddi rolled her eyes. "So I guess you want me to keep an eye on Max while you bang Cheryl Burns?" Billy nodded. Teddi thought for a moment. That wouldn't be a big deal for her. Watching Max and her friends practically came with her job anyways. But this was an opportunity to finally mess with Billy, and she wasn't going to pass it up. "...What's in it for me?"

Billy didn't bother to hide how annoyed he was. "What do you mean what's in it for you? What do you want?"

Teddi smiled sweetly, leaning in close to Billy. "I was thinking you and I could go to that Christmas party together? Maybe you could take me for a ride in that Camaro of yours?" she asked, batting her eyelashes. For once, Billy was actually speechless. His surprised expression morphed into a devilish grin, and Teddi let out a loud laugh. "I'm totally kidding. God, can you imagine?" she said waving a hand at him.

Billy only glared at her. This girl drove him crazy. One second she's complimenting him, the next she's telling him he's satan incarnate. Now she was pretending to flirt with him? Chicks, man, he thought bitterly. He reached forward and snatched the book Teddi was holding away, ignoring her protests. He turned it over in his hands, studying the cover. "Jesus Christ, how old is this thing? It's falling apart. And Lord of the Rings? You really are a geek, aren't you, weird girl?"

"It's a classic," she said before snatching the book back. "And it's my favorite. Have you ever even read a book before?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

Billy thought for a moment. "...I read that one Stephen King book about the clown when I was a kid. You know, the one where the kids have a gang bang down in the clown sewer?" He was surprised when Teddi actually laughed. A genuine laugh.

"That's sure one way to describe it. Look, I'll watch Max, okay? Happy?"

"Oh, I'll be a lot happier after a night with Cheryl," he grinned. Teddi rolled her eyes. "I'll drop her off at eight. Later, Larsson." and with that he left, lighting a cigarette as he went. Teddi sighed. She really hoped that this wouldn't lead to her becoming his wingman or something. She couldn't think of anything she'd want less than helping Billy Hargrove get laid.

Billy had assured Susan about twenty times that he was going to stay at the arcade with Max that night. Ever since the night Max had run off with that Sinclair kid, Susan had become a complete pain in Billy's ass. Now it was somehow his job to take care of her and make sure she didn't get into trouble. Max was his responsibility and not his dad or Susan's. To say it was causing him to resent Max was an understatement.

He didn't really mind Max if he was honest. She was pretty funny, and she wasn't annoying like other girls her age. There was a part of Billy that thought if things were different he would probably be okay with having Max as a step sister. Maybe if his dad wasn't in the picture. Maybe one day when Billy got out of that shitty house his dad had moved them into things could be different. Maybe he wouldn't be so angry all the damn time.

But tonight he'd be free. At least for a few hours. Teddi had agreed to cover for him with Max, and he'd finally get to bag Cheryl Burns, who had been giving him the run around since he moved to Hawkins. Max didn't really care, she was just happy to be out of the house. He definitely couldn't blame her. "I'm picking you up at ten, Max. Your ass better be outside waiting for me. I'm don't wanna have to listen to Susan bitch at me that we missed curfew because of you."

Max rolled her eyes. "Sure thing your majesty," she muttered. Billy shot her a glare, but didn't say anything. "I can't believe you got Teddi to cover for you. She can't stand you."

"She doesn't even know me." he spat defensively. He knew he got on Teddi's nerves sure, but Jesus, he didn't think she actually hated him.

"Do you even hear how you sound when you speak to people? I can't believe she hasn't punched you yet." Max said with a small laugh. Billy didn't respond. He only gripped the steering wheel tightly. Couldn't anyone tell that he was trying? What was it going to take? Sacrificing himself to save a box full of puppies from an oncoming train or something? He scoffed.

Billy and Max pulled into the parking lot of the Palace Arcade and went inside. It seemed busier than usual. Or more chaotic at least. Billy did a quick sweep of the place, but couldn't find Teddi. "Well where the fuck is she?" he asked, looking over towards the video store. Still no sign of her white blonde hair.

Max was looking around as well, a frown appearing on her face when she couldn't spot Teddi either. "I don't know...maybe she's on her break or something? Just get out of here, Billy. I'll find Teddi." she said, waving him away.

Billy spotted Keith behind the prize counter. He brushed past Max and headed over. "Hey, where's Teddi? She told me she'd be in tonight."

Keith actually rolled his eyes at him. "Sorry, lover boy, she's not here. She called a couple hours ago and said something came up. Notice the wild animals frothing at the mouth. She's the only one that can keep them under control." he said, motioning to all the kids running around the small arcade.

Billy's jaw clenched. Was Teddi fucking with him? Telling him she'd help and then ditching him at the last minute as some sort of joke? He stomped back over to Max, jabbing a finger at her. "Remember what I said. Ten. Don't do anything stupid." he didn't give her time to answer. He shoved the door open, storming out to his car and speeding away.

He tried to put it out of his mind once he picked up Cheryl. He had been looking forward to this for months. He wasn't going to let Teddi trying to get back at him for throwing her into the pool (or whatever she was obviously pissed at him for) or his dad finding out he had ditched Max at the arcade ruin his night.

But the thing was...Cheryl was boring. Maybe if he had been back home in California he wouldn't have minded. Everything had seemed more exciting there. But now, here in Hawkins, with Cheryl not even attempting to pretend they were on a real date (even though he had taken her out to his spot at the lake since they both knew why they were going out) and immediately crawling into the backseat of his car, wagging one of her long, painted nails at him suggestively, Billy found himself just very bored. Was this it? If Cheryl Burns was the end all be all of the girls at his school, what did he really have to look forward to?

It just made him hate Hawkins even more.

He ended up taking Cheryl home early. He told her he'd call (he wouldn't) and he drove back to the arcade to sit in the parking lot until ten rolled around. He felt like the biggest loser in town.

Billy wondered briefly what must have come up with Teddi. What could have possibly happened to make Teddi Larsson, the most reliable person he'd probably ever met, skip out on work. Whatever it was, it gave him a bad feeling. The air felt thick around him and he had that anxious feeling in his chest that he got whenever his dad got pissed at him.

He let out a huff and lit a cigarette. Whatever it was, she'd be getting an ear full from him the next time he saw her. No one stood up Billy Hargrove. If she wanted him to be the bad guy, he was more than happy to play the role.

Flicking his half finished cigarette out the window with an annoyed sigh, Billy pressed his hand down on the horn, deciding he had had enough of waiting around for Max. He saw her face appear in the window, rolling her eyes once she spotted Billy and trudging out to the car.

"You said ten." she argued as she slid into the passenger's seat.

"I changed my mind." he snapped. Max only crossed her arms. That little part of him felt bad for dragging her away and making her go back home. But that little part was quickly snuffed out by the bigger, angier part of him. That side always won. Whether he wanted it to or not. He almost wondered when it would take control completely. He'd be lying if he said it didn't scare him a little.

A/N: There's some drama coming up before the party! And some drama after the party...just so much drama.