Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Stranger Things. Kayla is my OC but pretty much it.

Chapter four

Whatever it was had made her stand out and catch his attention. Only time would tell if it would be a good thing or not.

Time is a weird thing. It had only been a week since the party. Billy and Kayla had formed this strange bond since that night. They would call random or odd comments at each other as they passed in the corridor or across rooms. Kayla still continue to call him Denim and he continued to call her Sandy. No one really knew how the two had become closer, they wouldn't call them friends, Kayla didn't really do friend and she was sure Billy didn't either, but he was definitely nicer to her than he was to a lot of people. Maybe it was because she treated him like a person not some sex god. She didn't slobber all over him like the other bitches of Hawkins High. She didn't know when it started but in her free periods, she ended up doing her study's where the boys played sports. Kayla felt sorry for Steve, must be hard especially with Billy practically owning the court. Kayla's worry of ruining Billy's popular reputation had gone unfounded. In fact, it had the opposite affect for her, much to her horror. It seemed that because of her 'friendship' with Billy, the girls hated her more and for some bazar reason the guys seemed to find her to be some sort of challenge. After all, if Billy Hargrove found an interest in Kayla Adams then there must be something there. It was almost like she had become a trend or something, the number of guys who had approached her this week alone was mind blowing. Normally people would put at least five foot between them and her, yet yesterday she almost broke a guys' arm for trying to slide a hand under her shirt. She just wanted to be left alone.

She winced when Steve's back hit the floor, interrupting her thoughts, Billy breezed past effortlessly scoring. It looked like he went to help Steve up after but when he grabbed Steve's hand, he whispered something before dumping him right back on the floor. Billy looked smug but Steve looked pissed. Hargrove needed to be careful of pushing Steve, they seemed to have this stupid rivalry between themselves.

Kayla rubbed at her eyes tiredly before packing up her stuff. She walked over to wait by the boy's locker room. Only yesterday had she found out that Steve and Nancy had broken up, she wanted to make sure that he was okay. Despite his tough reputation, Steve had a soft heart, one that was easily hurt. As she waited for him, she overheard Billy and Tommy talking to Steve in the shower. Tommy rubbed salt into Steve wounds by suggesting Nancy had run off with Jonathan. Prick. He was probably only jealous of Steve anyway. Kayla ground her teeth when she heard Billy tell Steve that there were 'Plenty more bitches in the sea.' and he'd 'be sure to leave him some.'

Was that really how he thought of females? Bitches? Nothing more than a good time? She tried not to think about it as she continued to wait. However, when Billy walked through the door ten minutes later, she found herself taking a deep breath to try and calm her simmering anger.

"Well hey there Sandy, whatcha doing here?" He raised a brow at her playfully before leaning against the wall.

"I don't really see how that's your concern now is it Billy?" She didn't rise to the bait.

He looked surprised she had used his actual name but picked up on her sour mood. "What's up doll?"

It was almost funny, he actually sounded concerned. "Nothing." She muttered. He wasn't convinced but before he could say anything, Steve shoved his way out of the door. "Steve wait!" She called as she jogged to catch up, making it obvious who she had been waiting for.

"So that's it then?" Billy yelled clearly annoyed at being ignored and ditched for Harrington.

She saw Steve tense at the sound of Billy's voice. Unable to help herself Kayla bit back. "Don't worry Billy." She shrugged. "Plenty more bitches in the sea."

Steve chocked in surprise, step faltering. He looked at her wide eyed as a small smile crept onto his face. It was only small, but she was glad she could cheer him up even a little, she didn't like seeing people sad. A small tingle of regret gnawed at her though, as she heard Billy slam his fist angrily into a locker door. Maybe she shouldn't have cheered Steve up at Billy's expense, it was a bit bitchy of her. She'd apologise later she thought as Steve and her made their way to their next lesson, for now she'd let him simmer.

...

She had done a good job of avoiding Billy for the rest of the day. However, when the bell rang for the end of school, is soon became apparent that they were parked right next to each other. She sighed. Kayla was used to pissing people off, but she wasn't used to apologising. Normally she didn't think twice about it and carried on her way. She'd never felt bad about pissing people off before, but with Billy it didn't seem to sit right with her. How was she even going to apologise? What could she say? She approached their cars just as Max got in.

Billy's window was rolled down, cigarette glued to his fingers. Kayla went to tap on the door to get his attention when what she heard made her pause.

"Why was he talking to you?" He asked Max, looking off at something in the distance.

"Some stupid class assignment."

He raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you so upset?"

"I'm not." Max defended.

"He causing you trouble?"

Who was Billy talking about? Kayla looked up to see Lucas still staring after Max. Why would he think Lucas would cause trouble?

"Why do you care?" She snapped.

"Because max." His tone was bored. "You're a piece of shit but we're family now whether we like it or not meaning I'm stuck looking out for you."

That was a harsh thing to say to his sister wasn't it? Kayla didn't have any siblings, but she was sure you weren't supposed to call them a piece of shit. She felt she should walk away, this wasn't meant for her ears.

Max rolled her eyes. "What would I ever do without-"

"Hey!" He grabbed her wrist tightly. "This is serious shit, okay? I'm older than you. And something you learn is that there are a certain type of people in this world that you stay away from, and that kid max..." His grip tightened as he pulled her towards himself. "That kid is one of them." Kayla was stunned. Had he really just said that? Max tried to pull free but he just yanked her back. "You stay away from him, you hear me? Stay away." This had gone on long enough. Kayla cleared her throat as she knocked on his car door. Billy shoved max away roughly, turning to look at her. "What?"

She watched as Max tried to hide tears. "You okay kiddo?"

"She's fine." Billy ground out. "What do you want?"

"Well I was going to apologise but I don't think I will now." Billy glared at her as he started his engine, but Kayla didn't back down. "If you have a problem with Lucas, then I'm afraid you have a problem with me." She shrugged as she walked around her car to get in. His tires screeched aggressively as he pulled away.

...

Her shift was almost over, she thought as she stretched before pulling out a cigarette. The Arcade was starting to give her a headache, all that shouting drove her crazy. She rolled her shoulders, looking forward to a relaxing evening ride with Hugo.

Since the incident involving Eleven, the Demogorgon and her parent's death, Kayla had received a sum of money every month. Some sort of compensation that Chief Hopper had managed to arrange. She owed that man so much, the whole town did. It was rather a large sum in her opinion. Enough to pay for her bills, school tuition, essentials and more with some still spare. She didn't have to worry about the house, that had belonged to her parents, when they died it had been left to her. She'd always have a place to live but it was also nice to be able to keep it warm, afford food and fuel and continue with education. The trouble that Kayla was struggling with was the thought that the government would actually stick to that agreement. As far as anyone involved with that incident was concerned, the government couldn't be trusted. That's why Kayla had gotten this part time job at Hawkins Palace Arcade. It wasn't much but she wanted to be sure that no matter what happened, she would be able to live comfortably. Kayla was saving everything she could.

A familiar engine revved as it pulled up in front of the Arcade. As per usual, Rock music was playing loudly. Billy sat behind the wheel, dark shades covering his eyes. Kayla glance over before looking away and continuing to smoke. She heard Max climb out.

"If you're not out in an hour-" He started.

"I'm walking home. Yeah, yeah I know."

"Hey watch the attitude shitbird."

He sent an annoyed look in Kayla's direction before screeching off again. Max stuck her middle finger up at him as he disappeared out of sight. Kayla dropped her cigarette before stepping on it.

"If he does leave you kiddo, I can always give you a lift home." She offered.

Max didn't say anything but gave her a small smile of appreciation in return before heading inside.

….

At this point Kayla had finished her shift, but she had waited around to make sure max had a lift home. However, she hadn't seen max since she'd disappeared inside during her break. She did wonder if Billy had already picked her up when she saw her stood with Lucas by Dig Dug. They seemed to be very serious considering that they were stood in the middle of an arcade, it looked like they were arguing. Max turned sharply when she recognised the sound of her brothers engine. She grabbed her board before running over to the doors where Kayla was stood.

"Shit." She cursed. "I gotta go. Um..." She grabbed hold of Lucas' hand to gain his attention. "Don't follow me out. Okay?" She said seriously.

"Do you believe me?" He tried to ask, but she was already running to the car.

Kayla stopped him from following her when she saw the dirty look Billy sent their way. He then turned to his sister, clearly pissed off. They exchange words before Billy scoffs at something max said. Kayla followed Lucas out as the Cameo drove off, spitting up dirt as it went. She didn't miss the look on Lucas' face as he watched them disappear. It was obvious to her that the boy had strong feelings for the little red head.

"Don't worry about it kid, she's not avoiding you. She's avoiding the wrath of her brother."

Kayla sighed, turning towards her own car. She was more than ready to get out of here. The drive home took her past the Wheelers house as it did every day, only today Dustin and Steve were stood outside. She did consider driving past, the urge had been strong, Hugo was waiting for her. She was tired, the day had been long, and her sleeping hadn't gotten any better since her parents' death.

If she was being honest with herself, all she wanted was to do was go for a ride with Hugo before curling up on the sofa with a book and a bottle of vodka and drink till she passed out. It wasn't because she was an alcoholic or anything, she did it because it was the only way she had found to stop the nightmares. That or she just couldn't remember them when drunk. The blessed gift of a good fake ID. She was sure that the store knew she was underage, after all it was a small town. However, she had come to the conclusion that either they took pity on her because of her parents or didn't care because she was a repeat customer. Either way, Kayla was relieved that they didn't stop her.

Despite her always present fatigue, she did stop. Her plan had been to ask what they were both doing there but when do plans ever go right. Dustin snatched the Roses out of Steve's hand and walked over to Harrington' BMW. He opened the door as Steve stared after him confused.

"You still have that bat?" Dustin asked, tone portraying his bad mood.

Clearly Steve didn't really know what was going on either. "Bat? What bat?"

"The one with the nails."

"You told him about the bat?" The boys seem to notice her for the first time as Kayla asked.

"Yeah it's bad ass." Harrington seemed to think that it should have been obviously. He turned back to Dustin still confused. "Why are you asking about the bat?"

Dustin seemed to be losing his patience. "I'll explain on the way."

"Now?" Steve looked back at the Wheelers house.

"Now!" Dustin yelled. "You too Kayla."

"Why?" She asked curiously, getting out and locking her car.

"Code red."

Kayla felt her stomach plummet as nausea started to eat at her. Those words were never associated with anything good. Why didn't she just keep driving? She asked herself as the three of them piled in Steve's car.