Chapter 6: The Social Occasion

SITTING silently at the dining table was Jean, playing with her fork. Hopper was on her left, with Eleven to her right, the two across from each other.

At the beginning, the dinner was lighthearted, but as the redhead posed a statement, it became awkward and full of tension.

"A party?" Jim repeated, his questioning eyes radiated a small level of intimidation as he looked at Jean.

With a nod, the green eyed teen answered. "Yeah."

Earlier this noon, a very nervous Steve had called, stating that he got the cabin's number from one of the kids -presumably Dustin. The brown haired nineteen year old exclaimed that there was a party a fellow senior of his was having the next day, and he was wondering if she'd be interested as to come along. Jean told him she'd think about it.

So when she declared the news to Hop, she swore she could see a vein popping on his forehead.

"And who will be going to this 'party'?"

"People my age?" Jean rebutted.

Eleven, who'd been sitting quietly, staring at the two, spoke hopefully. "Can I come?"

"No." Mid-bite, Jim turned to his adopted daughter, and pointed his fork her way with a matter of fact expression. "Eat your carrots, okay?"

Eleven huffed, pouting slightly as she complied.

A sigh of frustration fell from Jean's lips as she stared at the dinner table.

"Will that guy with the mullet be there?" Jim hissed through clenched teeth, his words dripping with dislike towards that smirking son of a bitch.

Jean didn't blame him.

"You mean Billy?"

"Oh, so he does have a name." Hopper raised his dirty blonde brows, mockery entangled in his tongue.

Jean rolled her eyes at the older man. "I don't know if he's coming or not, I barely even know him."

'Then why were you having lunch with him?'

Uncontrolled by her, Hopper's thoughts resonated in the mind of the currently very frustrated teen. Dropping her utensils on the plate, Jean Grey crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Look, as much as I enjoy being cooped up here, I won't be able to form any sense of self or remotely remember anything if I stay here all the time." She logically spoke, while Jim just stared at her.

After a good minute, Jean broke the silence. "So..can I go?" She asked, her green eyes hopeful.

"Are you asking for my permission?" Jim's facial expression and tone failed to hide his mild surprise. As before when he'd caught her with Billy, Jim didn't really know how much authority he had on the redhead. He cared for her sure, that was why he was asking all of these questions. But if she said she was going, he wouldn't have been able to stop her.

She looked debative to herself, glancing between El and Hopper. "Well...yeah."

Seemingly, he was pleased with her answer, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Fine, you can go. But be home early." Hopper exclaimed. The serious and raspy tone of his voice returned to flutter in his tongue. "How are you gonna get there?"

"Someone's picking me up."

"Who?" He asked, tone rising a bit.

"A guy."

Oh here we go.

"His names's Steve Harrington." She declared, watching his face flash with recognition.

"Huh..." He nodded, feeling relieved. "Yeah, he's a good kid, I guess."

And easy to intimidate, Hopper thought.

"Is Mike coming over tonight?" Jean asked Eleven who was sprawled over the bed.

El hummed in answer.

The telepath stood in front of her mirror. Well, it was Eleven's technically- everything she owned, the clothes she wore, even, belonged to someone else.

She tried to force a smile as she got ready, but it just seemed strained. Why was she even going to this?

At the beginning, Jean had no plans to head to the party Steve had invited her to. She had seamlessly missed any opportunity to leave the house -save for the numbered library visits- every day and night with Eleven, sometimes listening to music on the younger girl's walkman. Now, she had actually put on party appropriate clothing, and was about to head to an event with a multitude of people her age that she had to socialize with.

Jean didn't have a chance to second guess her decision, though. Because Steve was already on his way, following the directions given to him.

A car honked and she rushed out of the room, only pausing to kiss El on the forehead. Jean headed to open the door only to find that Hopper had already done so and invited the reluctant boy in.

"Hey, Hopper." Steve Harrington stood by the threshold to the house, straightening his dark jacket. Once the brown eyed boy was greeted by a glare from the man with the mustache, Steve gulped nervously. "I-I mean Mr. Hopper."

Jean chortled to see Jim's blue eyes narrowing at the boy, which only elicited a more anxious response from him. "Chief, yes Chief Hopper, that's what I meant."

Steve's brown irises then fell on Jean's smiling form. "Hey, Jean."

"Hi, Steve." She gleefully greeted back.

Instantly, Steve took in her appearance and was mesmerized. He let out a deep breath once he got a good look of her. Her luscious long red hair was framing her cheeks and descended in waves down to her waist. She wore a simple camisole and a black jacket on top, a skirt that was short enough to showcase her long legs that went for miles.

"You..You look-"

If he was being honest, when Steve first laid eyes on her, he was actually numbed by such beauty. Firey red hair, red lips, a fair skin. Steve was awestruck, maybe that was why he was so embarrassed when she read his thoughts and found out he didn't get into college.

"Wow."

It was difficult to tear his gaze away from her, but once he did, he found a seething Hopper.

"Have her home by eleven." He commanded, eyes boring into Steve's nervous ones.

"Yes, sir."

Pointing a finger at Steve, the man maintained his intimidating posture. "Not eleven-thirty not eleven-ish. ELEVEN!"

A whoosh sound came from the bedroom door, El's head peaking from it. "Yes?" She softly asked, thinking that they'd called her name.

"Not you, El. I meant eleven o'clock." Rubbing his chin in frustration, Jim said.

"Oh."

"Hi, El." Steve greeted the girl with a bright grin.

"Hi." She said back, returning the smile.

"Okay," Jean began, walking over to Steve. "Well, I think it's time to go."

She and Steve said bye to El and Hop, who then urged her to be careful and not be late.

Hearing music from afar, Jean knew exactly which house the party was taking place at.

Skillfully, Steve parked his car on the side of the road before climbing out of it.

Jean exited the passenger seat, watching Steve locking his BMW as the chilly night air nipped at her exposed legs.

Shoving the keys into the back pocket his tight pants had, Steve jogged over to Jean, and the two went into the house where the door was wide open. Jean could see a ton of teenagers dancing around; most of them already drunk out of their minds.

As soon as they got inside, the warmth hit her like a brick due to the incredibly large amount of people cooped up in the house. It felt like a sauna and the red haired female was glad she wouldn't be cold throughout the night.

Steve noticed how distraught she was becoming as they maneuvered through the sweaty dancing bodies until they finally reached the kitchen where a free space was available.

Jean headed to the punch bowl right away but was stopped by Steve when she was about to pour the red liquid onto a plastic cup. "Woah, woah! Not the punch." He warned, speaking from experience. "Never drink the punch, it's a thing."

Jean chuckled, wondering why he so strongly objected to the drink. "Okay?" She said, the playful tone matching her crinkled eyes.

"Here, lemme go get you a drink!" With a smile, Steve headed further into the crowd to get something that won't get her drunk out of her mind, and yet still have a small amount of alcohol to allow her to enjoy the party like the rest of the high schoolers.

Left alone, Jean was slightly fidgeting as the music blared around her, looking around her and taking in her surroundings. In some way, she wondered if this was ever her scene before she'd lost her memories.

She huffed upon seeing an all too familiar face, one that belonged to non other than Billy Hargrove. Jean rolled her eyes, she'd hoped she won't encounter him again, but she was obviously not getting her way. And unfortunately for her, as soon as he walked into the room, their eyes met.

When Billy had went through the crowds of drunken teenagers, they immediately gravitated their focus onto him. As he made his way towards her, for a moment, she felt as though all eyes were on her, since they have never seen her before in their lives.

Wolf whistles came from a group of guys on the sidelines, who Jean assumed were encouraging Billy as he approached her. It prompted her to roll her eyes once again.

"If it isn't the girl with fire for hair." Billy mused with a smirk once he reached Jean. "What are you doing here, babe?"

Jean exhaled sharply, there was a familiar heat that pooled in her stomach whenever Billy Hargrove was closeby. "I was invited."

"By who?" He asked. The blonde wanted to thank whoever brought the short skirt-clad unattainable hottie back into his grasp. He was nothing but upset when that old fart in a police uniform -who he presumed to be her uncle- dragged her out. They never got to finish what they started.

"None of your business, that's who." Jean hissed before attempting to walk away.

Billy let out a throaty chuckle. "Why so feisty all of a sudden?" Catching up to her swiftly and placing his hands firmly on her hips. He whispered into her ear, his hot breath and golden locks tickled on the skin on the nape of her neck. He didn't mind her attitude, in all truth he enjoyed it when girls played hard to get. But he wouldn't get it through his head that she wasn't playing any game with him.

"I don't know, maybe because you dragged me to a date without my consent?" Jean squirmed under his touch, untangling herself from him. It may seem silly, but with Jean's own mind playing tricks on her, she didn't want to play games or befriend a manipulative person -not that he was interested in being just 'friends'.

"I assumed you'd be down for it," Billy noted in a smug tone, his lips curling into a cocky grin. "I was just saving time." He said, focusing his pale blue eye on Jean who returned the gaze with an aloof nature.

"How considerate of you."

Billy gave a rough laugh, lighting a cigarette. He blew smoke into her face and her nosed scrunched at the smell. "Listen... There's something I've been meaning to ask." His exclamation's serious and raspy tone caused Jean to raise her eyebrows expectantly.

"Are you a natural redhead..." He asked, a flirtatious grin that would make any other girl in the party swoon, but not Jean. "And can I find out?"

Jean scoffed, rolling her eyes but her heart was shaking at his sexual innuendo.

"You're despicable." She hissed, while her cheeks aflamed against her will.

Billy smirked smugly at her. Abruptly turning, Jean sped away from him, prompting for his smirk to fall.

"Where you going?!"

"Away from you!" She yelled back, without bothering to turn to him.

Finding Steve was proving to be a difficult task, so Jean slowed her pace and took her time to find the taller boy.

"Hi," A girl with brown curly hair and large blue eyes approached her.

"Hey," Jean said in a friendly way, yet unsure why the random girl was speaking to her.

It was Nancy Wheeler.

"You must be Hopper's relative. I've seen you with Mike and his friends at school. I'm Nancy." She'd recognized her upon leaving the library once, that and the fact being that Nancy could spot her own clothes from a mile away. She'd worn that outfit before, not necessarily in the same ensemble, but she'd never looked as good as Hopper's 'relative' did at the very moment. Perhaps it was because of Jean's nice figure and lengthy legs that the whole thing looked completely different. Nancy knew she was pretty, she wasn't arrogant about it, but she knew. Compared to Jean, she felt, maybe for the first time, normal. Completely average. And she imagined most girls in her school would feel like that, or worse, by Jean's side.

"Jean." The redhead said. Once she'd realized she ought to thank the brunette for her kind gesture. "Thank you for the-" She was intercepted by Nancy who shook her head and shrugged.

"Oh, it's no problem. They look better on you than they ever did on me."

"So, how are you liking Hawkins so far?" That was a question Jean had been asked multiple times, one born from the lack of topics to discuss.

"It's not bad, I guess." She answered, smiling politely.

"Jean, thank god, I thought I lost you." Steve suddenly appeared from behind Nancy, and once he was clear to the brunette, Jean saw that they both looked stunned to see each other.

"Steve." Nancy muttered, still recovering from the initial shock of seeing him. The two barely talked ever since their breakup months ago, sometimes seeing each other in the hallways and exchanging awkward waves. But this was the first time in a long while they've met outside of school.

"Hey, Nance." A tight-lipped smile on his lips, said boy greeted back. He had let her go and accepted their breakup long ago, but he still found it extremely hard talking to her as friends. Since they were never really friends to begin with; starting their romantic relationship from the get go. But still, for the sake of everything they went through -shared trauma and all- they still had to to give it a chance.

"Hi."

Looking between the two, Jean noted that there was an obvious tension between the two of them. "You two know each other?"

Both just nodded robotically, hoping to not get into their story. "Uh huh." Nancy mumbled.

"Where's Jonathan?" Asked Steve, looking around. From the moment they've gotten together, he'd never seen them separated. So he naturally wondered why Nancy would come to a party all by herself.

"He's off getting something to drink."

Hushed whispers consumed the room, but Steve knew they were actually talking about his and Nancy's failed relationship.

With one last awkward nod, Nancy retreated backwards. "I should go check up on him, bye. It was nice meeting you, Jean."

The redhead sent Nancy a wave before turning her head to a now hyperventilating Steve. "Are you okay?" She asked, concerned for the boy.

"What? Yeah, totally." He shook his head, running his hand through his perfect brown hair. "Actually I need some fresh air."

Jean smiled, "I think there's a patio outback, do you wanna go?"

"Yeah, sure." Steve muttered, grateful for the suggestion.

"Well, well, well."

Both Steve and Jean turned, eyes landing on Billy Hargrove taking a drag from his lit cigarette, the end glowing in the darkness of the room.

"I didn't know King Steve would be gracing us with his presence." Billy taunted to the brown haired boy, reminding him about his stolen title.

Said male glared at the blonde, venom dripping as he spoke, "Hey, Billy."

Ignoring Steve's forced and irritated greeting, Billy focused all of his attention on Jean who was glancing between the two. "You didn't tell me you came here with Harrington." The tone he had when spitting Steve's last name, it was like acid.

"Why would I?" She asked, raising a brow at him. She barely knew him, so why was he so possessive? Did he hate Steve that much?

"Wait, you two know each other?" Harrington asked, surprised at the exchange.

Steve and Billy - exchanging glares- clearly didn't like each other. They were both alpha males, struggling for dominance, Jean just hoped that the testosterone wouldn't complicate the situation.

"Well, we met a couple of times." Shrugging, Jean replied to Steve's question.

"Yeah, Harrington, you got a problem with that?" Billy growled, his tone aimed at provoking an already on edge Steve.

Seeing the two, Jean didn't need her mind reading to figure out how close those tense two were to exchanging punches, so she quickly intervened. "No, no, there's no problem here."

"Why don't you go ahead, I'll catch up with you." She directed towards Steve, who hesitantly nodded with eyes still trained on Billy through swirls of smoke before making his way outside.

Once Steve left, Jean was about to leave and follow suit, but was stopped by the blonde's words. "I thought you said he was an asshole."

Jean shook her head, immediately regretting what she'd said at the time. If she was being honest, she adored how sweet the guy could be. "He's not so bad."

Billy scoffed.

"So, do you need a ride home later?" Billy was suddenly by her side, smelling of nicotine and something spicy. Jean didn't turn to face him, partly because she was still annoyed with him for manipulating her into an unconsented date, and partly because he almost started a fight out nowhere just now.

"I'd rather walk." She insisted, crossing her arms over chest stubbornly. "Plus, Steve's already giving me a ride, so.."

"Whatever." He flicked his still burning cigarette to the ground before swaggering away.

Jean couldn't help but watch his progress back to the center of the party. Raising an eyebrow, she realized the unsettling sex appeal he possessed, what with his pants clinging to the shape of his backside.

She cleared her throat, averting her eyes quickly, and almost shamefully.

The shadows of the night were pressing against them heavily as they were seated on the patio.

Evidently, Steve was still not letting go the topic of Billy Hargrove. "I don't think you should associate with him." He exclaimed, his usually gentle eyes turning sharp.

He had every right to hate him, Billy Hargrove was antagonistic to Steve and quite provocative from the day they met. After Billy's arrival to Hawkins High School, he was quick to gain reputation from the other students and ignited a rivalry with Steve after breaking his keg standing record. Even though Steve didn't bother much about his fame, Billy was always quick to taunt him for his failures, such as losing against him in basketball and failing to deal with his broken relationship with Nancy.

Ultimately, Steve realized Billy's violent nature when he came to the Byers residence to forcefully take Max and threatened the young boys. This prompted Steve to intervene and a fistfight ensued that left him bruised for months.

"He's bad news, trust me." He explained, his shoulders sagging and eyes turning kind again, and worried.

"I kinda gathered from the mullet." She reasoned with a soft rumble of laughter vibrating through her chest.

From previously made observations, and the current bothered nature of Steve, Jean declared her deduction. "This really isn't your scene, is it?"

At hearing her statement, Steve let out a bitter laugh, snorting at the end. "It used to be."

He shook his head in frustration. "Gosh, to be honest, I don't even know what I'm doing here."

"What do you mean?" Asked Jean, face scrunched.

"Well I figured I'd come to have one last 'hurrah' before I graduated." He truthfully replied. This was it. The end of King Steve and his high school life as he knew it.

"Don't you still have prom to go to?" Jean asked, she could've sworn of overhearing two girls gushing about the prom dresses they were going to be wearing to the event, and how excited now that it was finally here.

"Nah, I'm not going to that." With a scoff, Steve shook his head. If it had been him from two years ago, he wouldn't even consider the possibility of missing the chance to be crowned 'Prom King', and now he's out flat rejecting the possibility of even going.

"Why?"

He didn't want to be constantly reminded of his failures while the rest of his classmates gushed about their bright future.

"Oh." The telepathic teen muttered, looking down to her shoes in realization. Hearing this, Steve figured out why she suddenly pursed her lips.

"I thought you'd said you wouldn't read my mind without my permission." He asked, wearing a sad smile.

"Unintentional, sorry." She apologized. He assured her that it was fine.

"What about you?" Steve asked, interrupting the momentary silence.

"What about me?" Jean asked, curious and confused.

"Have you thought about what you would do... If, you know, you couldn't get your memories back?" Steve questioned, choosing his words carefully. He didn't want to be insensitive as he asked about her future plans.

Surprise blinked into Jean's face. "No, I haven't."

"Oh, shit. Sorry, I didn't-"

"No, you had every right to ask." Jean was smiling like a maniac, wondering how clueless she was to her vague future.

She was literally nobody, no memories even after weeks of trying to remember, no paperwork and no past acquaintances, no family. She was truly and utterly fucked.

Running her fingers through her long hair, Jean let out a chortle, and bit her lips in amusement. "Holy shit! I never even considered it."

Smiling, as well, Steve contemplated if it was alright to place a comforting hand on top of hers, and once he saw how slightly distressed she became, he went for it. "Well, I'm sure you'll figure something out."

Jean gave the slightest flinch when she felt the warmth of his fingers seeping into her, but she didn't move it. Appreciating the gesture, Jean grinned brightly. She was sure she'd be fine as long she had El, Hopper and maybe a friend like him by her side. "Well, right back at ya." She mused, raising her other hand to place on top of his.

On impulse, Steve made a move that he would immediately regret. He leaned in towards the girl, in an attempt to kiss her. And to his absolute disappointment, she pulled back, eyes as wide as saucers.

"Woah! What are you- Oh, my god." She gasped, the initial shock of what he was about to do still haven't left her. Was he going to kiss her?

"Oh, oh! I'm, I'm sorry!"

Shuddering from embarrassment, Steve distanced himself from Jean, running a timorous hand through his head. He's definitely lost his touch, is what he was thinking.

Once he looked up, Steve saw a bemused Jean watching him fidget. She was definitely not expecting him to do that, and the awkwardness of the situation somehow managed to feed her unbridled humor.

He sighed.

"Was that bad timing? 'cause I thought it was good timing because you were sad and I'm trying to comfort you." He humorously asked, babbling and trying to play off his move as a joke. There was a playful note in his voice that reached his eyes.

The redhead just smirked at the mortified Steve who had paled considerably since his action.

Parked in the Cabin's driveway, was Steve's burgundy BMW. The two sitting comfortably inside the car after deciding to leave the party early, they stopped by a diner for some take out. It was the best decision ever.

Jean laughed out loud as Steve - who claimed to be a master of catching food with his mouth- failed to receive a french fry into his oral cavity for the tenth time.

"Wait! Wait wait!" He enthused, grabbing the piece of food and directly placing into his mouth, giving up on tossing it. "OH! I got it."

Jean stifled a laugh and shook her head at Steve's well-meaning idiocy. "That's great, that was all you." She exclaimed, speaking in a sweetly sarcastic way.

Her laughter dying down, Jean maintained a smiling facet, feeling uplifted after the night's events. "This has been a really a fun night." She thanked the boy, who smiled in return. "I'm sorry if I flipped out on you earlier." She apologized, referring to their almost kiss scene.

Vigorously shaking his head, Steve's eyes widened. "No, no, it's fine. My timing was just.. Bizarre." He reassured.

No matter what he said, Jean felt a tug at her heartstrings for rejecting the nice boy. "I'm just going through a lot of shit right now, I'm sorry." She explained.

"Well, I'm the one who's sorry you're going through stuff. I wish I could help."

Eyes glossy, Jean nodded in appreciation. "You're a really great guy, Steve."

"Thanks." He awed, genuinely touched with the notion. "And you're an awesome girl, Jean."

"Do you wanna hang out some other time?" At his suggestion, the red haired girl lifted her eyebrows and Steve was fast to clarify his point. "As friends, I mean."

"Yeah, yeah I'd really like that." She exclamation, her green eyes bright with pure delight.