Monday
9:45 AM
Steve had stuffed a cigarette between his lips and he patted his pockets actively, frowning.
- My lighter, do you have it, Tommy?
- Nope, replied the young man exhaling his smoke. Have you lost your zippo Harrington? Well done man.
- Shit.
Steve began to search actively in all his pockets, including that of his bag, but he couldn't find it.
- Shit. It's my old man's and he'll kill me if I lost it.
He sighed again as he went to borrow his friend's to light his cigarette, turning to him to exhale his smoke.
- Where is your princess?
By reflex, he winced when he heard this nickname. Bad habit.
- She studied with Byers so she will come at the same time as him, I guess.
Tommy laughed in a very mockingly way as he took out his cigarette out of his lips to spit out the smoke with such an arrogant air.
- Are you serious ? he asked him.
- Well yeah, what's the problem? Said Steve looking completely calm.
- Nah, but Steve... added Tommy, crushing his cigarette against the low wall, you're really fucking naive. She's been hanging out with him lately, everyone noticed it.
- And? They are friends.
- Damn Harrington. You are really dumb. When you were with Wheeler to study you really had classes in mind you're going to tell me?
He scowled at that kind of comments and eyed him with a glaze of annoyance.
- You're a shithead, Tommy. Not all chicks are like yours. Me unlike you, I trust mine.
- Damn...
He had such a big smile on his face when he looked Steve straight in the eyes.
- You're such an idiot not to notice that, I can't believe it! Don't come crying when Wheeler dumps you for the pervert!
Before he could add anything, tires screeched as usual, and "Rock you like a hurricane" was heard clearly throughout the parking lot.
He always has to be noticed when he arrives, Steve thought as he watched Billy get out of his Camaro, looking so relaxed but so serious at the same time. He had his necklace's pendant between his teeth, letting it fell on his chest when he closed the door of his car, heading towards the building.
On the other side, his sister rolled her eyes, visibly hating this kind of dramatic entrance and headed towards her building.
Steve looked away and sighed as he snapped the cigarette butt with his fingers to throw it the trash, heading towards the school.
Only seconds later he had entered his building to looked around for Nancy before being stopped by a shaken orange poster right under his nose.
- You'll come eh Stevie? Asked the young girl, biting her lip and playing with the knot in her shirt.
He let out a long hesitant noise and scratched the back of his neck. He had to see from Nancy and couldn't afford to confirm now. Of course he wanted to go, but he didn't know if his girlfriend felt the same way.
- I'll confirm that.
He answered her with his prettiest smile, which instantly made her melt.
After that he folded the poster in four before putting it in his pocket, going to the lockers.
- He'll come.
The young girl had followed Steve with her eyes and jumped when a voice interrupted her thoughts.
Billy was placed in front of her and had taken a sheet from her hands then turn his eyes towards hers.
- ... How can you know tell ? He didn't seem to really want it... muttered the young woman dubiously.
But he did not answer and had already put the poster in his bag, advancing in turn in the hallway, leaving the schoolgirl in doubt.
9:55 a.m.
Arriving by surprise, he put his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder to pull her back and place a kiss on her lips, which made her jump.
-Steve! She said, unable to help but smile at this, having been cut off in her conversation with Jonathan.
- When did you arrive? Asked Steve, putting his bag aside and greeting Byers when he sat next to them in the still empty classroom.
- We took advantage of the science teacher's absence to revise during the gap hour, Nancy added, looking at him.
- But what a studious student... He muttered, pinching his lip and setting his feet on the table.
- Steve... If the teacher sees you...
- Relax Nancy. She's not here yet!
The man had raised his arms in the air with an amused look when he saw his girlfriend so stressed.
- Look.
He took an orange sheet from his jacket and held it out between two fingers.
- What is that ? Nancy said, taking it between her fingers.
- Isn't it clear ? An opportunity to relax, you know.
Directly she pursed her lips as she put the sheet back on the table, glancing at her friend who seemed totally out of this conversation.
- Steve... I don't think that's a good idea. We have so many exams right now and...
- Nancy.
He had put his hands on her shoulders and was looking at her, smiling, with the calmest look on his face.
- Stop worrying so much. You're going to rock everything, I'm just telling you. You are entitled to a short break.
She looked so nervous at the time but Steve wasn't letting go.
- I'll give you time to think. OK? You'll tell me before Friday evening if you are down or not. But think carefully...
At these words, the door opened and a swarm of students arrived in the class, including the teacher, which made him remove his hands from Nancy before installing correctly.
Tuesday
8:09 PM
Cursing at his father for forcing him to buy him cigarettes at 7 Eleven, Steve went out the store, bag in hand, heading for his car.
He opened the door to put it on the front passenger seat and stood up, turning his head towards the parking lot.
Doubtfully he stared ahead and closed his door, the noise echoing in the heavy silence.
- Hargrove?
The named one clenched his jaw and turned to him, having just gotten out of his car.
He was planted in front of him as he took out a cigarette to put it between his lips and when he lit it, Steve could finally see his face. A swollen cheek, a split and reddened lip.
- What the fuck happened to you?
- You're my mother now, Harrington?
Twitching and crossing his arms, the dark-haired boy leaned back against his car and looked him up and down, annoyed.
- Why are you so messed up?
- It's none of your business.
He almost spat out his words along with his smoke, in a visibly foul mood.
But that doesn't mean that Steve backed down or let go of the matter, he had decided that he would stand up to him at that time, even if it meant eating a mandal for one question too many. Indeed this character intrigued him too much, he did not know what to think of him by his actions.
- You're a real cliché, Hargrove, you know that? He muttered as he got out of his car to rummage through the glove box.
- You're kidding, right ? Billy asked before smiling sickly.
Sticking his head out of his car, Steve gave him in a confident look a small pack of compresses and a tiny bottle of disinfectant.
The Californian had lowered his eyes to whatever was handing him and took a very long drag on his cigarette, not moving. Their gazes were still locked in each other. He finally gave in in frustration and took everything he had in his hands.
- What are you doing here that late in the evening Harrington, there's no curfew in the rich neighborhood?
- I'm not a bourgeois. And my old man asked me to buy some cigarettes.
Billy sighed as he went to sit on the hood of the high schooler's BMW before tearing open the pack of compresses, taking one to generously spray it with the yellowish liquid from the small bottle.
When he watched him, Steve finally handed him the can of soda he had just bought.
A few seconds passed and he still had that can between his fingers.
"I'm not thirsty", Billy grumbled as he wearily cleaned his wounds, wincing every time he patted his clearly damaged lip.
- It's not for drinking, asshole. I just bought it and it is fresh. So put it against your cheek.
Lowering his hand holding the lightly bloodstained compress, Billy looked at him with the same bewildered look.
- You're not my babysitter.
- Guess what, apparently I'm a pretty good babysitter for shitty kids.
It was perhaps a little bit too much but it had come out of her lips all by itself.
But he didn't flinch or show an annoyed look. He had just lifted his body from the squeaky hood just to face him in a strict gaze.
- You have some nerve, I admit.
He walked over to him and watched him slowly, Steve looking away and pursing his lips at the usual closeness. He couldn't stand this kind of moment. He felt that every time Billy hovered around him, he was just prey to scare. As if he was marking his territory. Showing him that he was the predator.
But this time he grabbed his face with one hand, pressing his cheeks as he gazed into his. A small shudder of surprise shook Steve's body. He expected anything but this.
- I'm not your girlfriend, Harrington. I don't need your pity. I'm not like those assholes in high school, I know how to take a hit without crying. I don't need " King Steve " to wipe my ass when I have a few bruises.
But he hadn't moved, nor flinched. He had only frowned when he put his hand on Billy's warm wrist, squeezing it to release his face from that grip and speak.
- ... That's what I was saying.
He then managed to snatch a little moment of doubt from the Californian.
- You're such a fucking cliché, Hargrove.
He had mumbled that hoarsely and for once hadn't taken his eyes off him. He was there, wedged between this bully and his own car but he didn't move an inch.
Which made the blond laugh again, who ends up backing off while taking out yet another cigarette.
- You didn't see me tonight, Princess. Let's agree on that .
Without him being able to take it back, he quickly grabbed the can that Steve still had in his other hand and ended up turning around, leaving only the smell of his smoke mixed with that strong cologne behind him when he returned to his car.
The brunette was so stunned by this scene and so tired.
Why had he come so late here? Why leaving so quickly?
He didn't know what to draw from this interaction, much less understand Billy's behavior. He tells himself that he will never really understand it.
--
Alright !!! Here is Chap 2 translated ! As I said, do not hesitate to tell me if you're seeing any mistakes 3
Hope you liked it!
Kisses 3