Chapter 3

It had been a long two weeks and Chrissy was about ready to curl up and cry. Her mother had bought a silvery blue dress and matching heels. And Laura was harping on her daughter every chance she got.

'I made you plain chicken breast for dinner, lord knows you need to watch your figure.'

'At this rate you're not going to even fit in the dress. Such a shame, it looked so pretty on the mannequin.'

"Have you been completely slacking off? You look like you've gained weight. Again."

Chrissy didn't dare tell her mother that her 'apparent' lack of exercise was because she actually had quit cheerleading. The other girls had made it an easy decision, Chrissy just didn't feel welcome anymore. Their coach didn't fight to keep her, he wasn't going to tear the squad apart over a failed high school romance. Losing the team captain was better than losing half his whole team.

So, to keep up the schedule she had with practice Chrissy spent most afternoons in the Family Video breakroom studying. Steve didn't mind her company and Keith... Keith didn't know what to do around her, so he avoided her altogether. Which Steve liked because by default Keith left him alone also.

On other days she hung out with Nancy Wheeler. The fellow Omega had quickly welcomed Chrissy to her rag-tag pack. Her and Johnathan Byers were a bonded pair. Her little brother Mike had not presented as an Alpha and was dating a fellow Beta named Jane. Johnathan's little brother Will had also not presented. Though Chrissy knew most people in town speculated he was really an Omega.

Lucas Sinclair and his sister Erica were both Betas, as was Robin. The oddballs of the pack were Dustin Henderson and Max, both reluctant Alphas. Steve was the pack's Alpha and as it turned out, a huge mother-hen. He always checked in on his packmates, scenting them and asking if they had eaten. He was patient with the pups and gave them his full attention when they spoke to him. It was kind of adorable.

The person she didn't see much of was Eddie. He was technically part of the pack but, had sperate friends and his band to keep him busy. He tended to watch over the pups while they were in school and handed them off to Steve afterwards.

The first basketball game of the season should have been Chrissy's time to shine. Instead, she stood with Nancy by the gym doors while Johnathan took photos for the paper. The pups were attending Hellfire Club and Robin was playing with the band. Initially she didn't want to stick around for the game but, Nancy was going to drive her and the pups to see Steve afterwards. He had a surprise and wanted the whole pack together but unfortunately, he had to work.

After the game ended, a Hawkins victory, the pack piled into Nancy's Wagon and Johnathan's Galaxie and headed into town.

Steve was waiting for them outside the store and quickly ushered everyone inside. Once the pack was settled Steve put his hands on his hips and cleared his throat, "Okay everyone listen up! Tomorrow night the Grand Theater in Indy is doing a live Rocky Horror Show. Now I know it's not exactly everybody's scene but, I wanted to give you all the chance to go."

Nancy added, "I'm going. Robin said she would go. No one has to dress up but, I think it'll be a fun night."

Dustin pumped his fist and smiled at the group, "Hell yeah! Road trip!"

Looking a bit put out Jane spoke up, "Tomorrow is the dance, I thought Mike and I were going so I bought a dress." Mike quickly reassured her, "Yeah, we're going to the dance, totally."

Crossing her arms and popping her hip Erica chimed in, "No way am I going to be caught dead at that freakshow. Count me out."

Johnathan quietly told Nancy, "I think I'll stay in town." Laughing a little as he nodded at Mike and Jane, "In case anything happens and they need a getaway driver." She smiled back, "That's probably a good idea."

Lucas nudged Max with a raised eyebrow, smiling when she nudged back. Nodding her head she agreed to go with.

Will asked if anyone was going to dress up and Robin excitedly launched into her costume plans, inviting him over to see if they could find something for him also.

Steve smiled and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, "Okay, doors open at 10:30 and the show starts at 11pm. Everyone that wants to go, be at the Wheeler's house and ready to leave at 9."

Looking around the group Nancy saw Chrissy biting her lip and looking down. She reached over and gently grabbed the other girl's shoulder, "Hey Chris, what are you thinking so hard about?"

Quietly Chrissy asked, "What am I going to tell my mom? I really want to go with but, I know she won't let me leave if I'm not going to Homecoming."

Nancy, "I'll pick you up early. Pack an overnight bag and say you're going to stay with me for the weekend. My mom will cover for you."

The next morning Chrissy packed some clothes for the weekend and her toiletry bag. She packed her makeup and hair spray and the heels her mom had bought. She hung the garment bag holding her dress in the foyer by the front door. She told her parents that Nancy Wheeler had invited her and a few girls over to get ready at her house. She had also been invited to stay over after the dance.

As planned Nancy picked her up a little after 10am and they drove back to her house. "Don't worry, I talked with my mom last night. It's all taken care of. She's going to take some pictures of us doing our hair and makeup but "misplace" the pictures of us in our dresses."

Later on, while the girls were helping Karen prepare lunch the phone rang. Nancy's mom answered it, "Wheeler residence. Oh, hi Laura how are you?" The girls stopped what they were doing and turned to listen.

"Good, and Phil? That's nice to hear. Yes, Ted is doing well, he's out golfing right now but, I'll tell him you asked after him"

Smiling at the girls, "Yes, your daughter is so polite! We're happy to have her stay over. No, not at all! It's been a while since Nancy had a girls weekend so it's no bother. At. All." As Chrissy's mom spoke Karen's eyes widened, her face growing tense. Chrissy was surprised that her voice remained light, "Oh, goodness no! I don't feed my family anything like that! I firmly believe in healthy homecooked meals, we don't keep junk foods."

Karen rolled her eyes at whatever Chrissy's mom said next, "Uhuh, yes, as an Omega I completely understand the importance of keeping fit. Don't worry Laura I'll keep a close eye on the girls." Another pause, "Okay now, you take care, bye-bye."

Finally hanging up the phone, she turned and looked at the two girls quietly waiting for her. "Chrissy dear, that woman is something else. You are absolutely welcome to stay over anytime."

Tearing up Chrissy smiled, "Thank you so much Mrs. Wheeler!"

Karen walked over and gave the girl a hug. Tucking the girl's head under her jaw Karen scented her like one of her own pups, "Don't cry, sweet girl. Just have fun tonight. Okay?"

Chrissy sniffled and smiled at Mrs. Wheeler, "Okay."

Throughout the day people trickled into the Wheeler's house, excitement building with each arrival. Around 5pm Johnathan dropped off Will and Robin and picked up Mike for the dance. Mike's mom got a few pictures before making Johnathan promise to get a few pictures of Mike and Jane together.

Mrs. Wheeler also took a few pictures of Will and Robin, the only two in costume for the show. Will in his black Phantom costume with white gloves and oversized sunglasses. Robin dressed in her best rendition of Columbia, secondhand tap shoes and a top hat she had glued sequins onto.

When Steve finally arrived, the group all piled into the station wagon. As they drove out of town and towards the interstate Max leaned over the front seat and asked, "So how long is this little road trip gonna take?"

Steve swatted her away from his head, "It's little over an hour, straight shot to Indy and then the Grand."

Once they arrived at the theater Steve opened the back and pulled out a milkcrate full of paper baggies. He handed everyone a paper bag, "Okay guys, you each have a bag so you can participate tonight. There's some rice, a glow stick and some newspaper. Everyone gets a kazoo or clacker."

Dustin smiled at him, "Awe, you made us goodie bags for our fieldtrip! You're such a good mom!"

"Henderson, I swear to god." Steve let out a long-suffering sigh, "I should have left you with Munson tonight, always giving me shit."

Inside, the pack found their seats, Steve and Nancy passed out drinks and popcorn. Chrissy hadn't seen the movie before but, she found the play funny. She sat between Max and Nancy and followed the other girl's lead when to use her props.

As they drove home Chrissy sat in the backseat with the pups. Will was curled up with his head on her shoulder, every now and then she pulled his cape higher up over him. Max was leaning on her other side, her breathing even and body relaxed. Nancy smiled at her from the front seat, holding onto Dustin while he snored lightly.

That night Jason Carver was pacing outside the school, his tie loose and his hair in disarray. Chrissy hadn't shown up to the dance.

Mrs. Cunningham told him that she bought Chrissy a dress and she was getting ready with Nancy Wheeler. When the girls didn't show up in the first hour, he had gone over to the Wheeler house, thinking maybe she was waiting for him to pick her up. But the bitch wasn't there. Mrs. Wheeler had answered the door and said the girls changed their mind and were staying in watching movies. He knew she was lying to him because Nancy's hideous station wagon was missing. But Harrington's car was parked in its place. He went back to the school and started questioning his guys about who Chrissy had been hanging out with the past two weeks.

Eddie spotted him from where he stood in the parking lot, selling to people heading out to after parties. He yelled across the lot, "Hey Carver! What's got your panties in a twist?" Jason flipped him off and kept pacing. Eddie continued, "Awe, poor Carver, your date stand you up?" At that Jason turned and stormed over to him, fire in his eyes, fists at his side.

"You shut the fuck up, Freak!" Jason threw a punch at Eddie's head. Eddie moved just enough not to get hit but, close enough to land his own hit to Carver's stomach. Shoving Carver away from him Eddie put space between them.

"Hey man, I'm not the one making a huge scene after getting dumped. Did you really think she would come to the dance with you? Or are you just now realizing she was serious?" Circling the other Alpha he continued, "Let her go. You're not the guy she wants to be with."

"Fuck you!" Jason stormed off back to his friends still standing by the gym doors.

The rest of the semester flew by much the same. The pack had game nights, outside of the scheduled Hellfire game nights, and they often had lunch together on Saturdays. Chrissy met Joyce Byers who adored having another girl to take care of. Max did not appreciate the older Omega's attempts to groom her or coddle her as much as Nancy and Chrissy did.

By the time December arrived and school was getting ready for winter break Chrissy was feeling settled, happy with her place in the pack. What she didn't realize was how much it would hurt realizing that she would miss the Cheer squad's Christmas party. She wouldn't be organizing it, and she wouldn't be attending it for the first time since she started cheerleading in middle school.

Slowly she made her way to the Family Video where she knew Robin and Steve would both be working. She quietly entered the store and didn't respond when greeted.

Robin slowly approached her first, "Chris, what's wrong? You seem out of it."

Taking a deep breath Chrissy said, "Today I realized that I'm not a cheerleader anymore."

Steve let out a shaky laugh and joked, "It took you this long Cunningham?" He glanced at Robin who stared back with wide eyes.

Quietly Chrissy started talking, her voice getting louder and more hysterical as she went, "Everything I worked towards is gone, I threw it away. I worked so hard, for so long and I don't think I ever really enjoyed it. I never chose to do gymnastics, my mom made me because she thought I was chubby. I've just been a puppet my whole life and I don't know what to do!"

Seeing Chrissy freak out made Robin freak out and she started yelling at Steve, "Do the Alpha thing!" Steve looked at her confused, "What?"

Robin shoved him hard, "Squeeze her! Like you do for me!"

Steve quickly wrapped Chrissy in a tight hug, tucking her body against his and began slowly rubbing her back. As she relaxed her breathing evened out but, as she pushes her nose into him, she tenses up again. This is not her Alpha, he's familiar, a packmate but, he's not HERS. Steve notices her tense up again and eases the pressure he's holding her in case she wants to leave. Chrissy is grateful for the option but, she felt really safe and wanted to stay. When she snuggles back into him Steve knows it's okay to hold on. His arms tighten again, and he rested his head on top of hers. Lightly rubbing his jaw on her and scenting her.

Outside Eddie was dropping of Dustin and saw them embrace through the window. He let out a growl and gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles cracked. Dustin, hearing the growl quickly got out of the van, shouting a thanks and goodbye before the other Alpha turned on him. As soon as Dustin was clear of the van Eddie threw it in reverse and speed out of the lot.

A little later Nancy came and took Chrissy home. After the girls left, Steve looked over at the younger boy, "Well he was certainly holding himself back. I could feel his hatred all the way in here."

Dustin laughed, "Yeah dude, if looks could kill, you'd have been eviscerated today."

Steve grimaced and shook his head, "Ed needs to get over himself and tell her how he feels. This pussyfooting around is just making him volatile." He sighed and dragged a hand through his hair, "Plus, with her heat coming I don't want either of them to do something stupid."

Sticking his tongue out and making a gaging noise Dustin said, "Eew, you can tell she's close to her heat?"

Steve nodded, "Yeah, when I was scenting her. She's gained a few pounds this past week and she's very emotional. That usually means and Omega is stocking up on calories and her hormones are shifting."

He smiled and ruffled Dustin's hair, "Don't worry pup, you'll learn the signs as you get older."

I had this image of Steve dressed as Dr. Frank N. Furter (chest hair) and I thought, nah I can't do that to him. This is the 1980s, in the conservative Midwest, just attending the RHS was seen as an offense. But please enjoy soft daddy Steve.