Diane finished eating her sandwich in contentment at the students of the town strolls through the parking lot. She tucked a stray strand of loose blonde curls behind her ear, opening up her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were was grey at the stormy clouds rolling through Hawkins. She smiled fondly as she saw Dustin with his friends in the distance. Funny kid, she liked babysitting for him. The money wasn't all too bad either.
Everything was quiet until the peace was shattered by the angry roaring of a Camero's engine. The car came to a screeching halt in the front of the parking lot and out stepped Billy Hargrove, slamming the door shut with his foot. He tucked his hands into his back pockets of his tight jeans, surveying the area like he was searching for something before sneering in disdain and walking off. He fished out a cigarette from the pack of Marlboros tucked in the front of his denim jacket while walking.
People loved to talk, and right now Billy Hargrove was at the centre of it all. The girls fawned over him like he was one of the rockers on their posters. She saw the way his eyes grazed over them like he was too good for all of them. And they loved it. Rolling her eyes she stood up, and gathered the heavy chemistry books into her arms, tucking them close to her chest as she went to class. Billy Hargrove from California should've stayed there.
Diane passed Billy in the hallway as he look on in disinterest at the one-conversation he seemed to be having with some of the most popular girls in school all vying for his attention. The girls fawned over him like he was one of the rockers on their posters. The ever cool Andie Reynolds had been turned into a hair-twirling puddle, and her friends Cindy and Penny weren't faring any better. His eyes trailed to Andie's curvy figure.
He didn't care about anything. And they loved it. He swaggered around the school like he was some type of discount Billy Zabka. Finally having enough he took off towards the room Diane has just walked into. "Meet me by the Camero after school." He told Cindy over his shoulder, before disappearing into the chemistry classroom. Cindy was met with a squealed "Oh my God!" from Penny and eyes narrowed in jealousy and anger from the queen bee Andie. It should've been Andie who got to be with Cali before anyone else did. That was her right. At least, according to her.
Inside the room Diane shut out the gossip around her. All she wanted to do was get out of this small town she had grown up in. Everyone was immature and thought Hawkins was where everything began and ended. Diane wanted more. She wanted to get out. She wanted to be with grownups and people who didn't just talk behind others back and where gossip wasn't the most interesting topic of conversation.
She had heard the rumours floating around. Everyone had. The whole reason Billy was here in Hawkins in the first place was because he had killed someone in cold blood back in California. The events leading up to her were different, but it all ended the same: murder. They had to move states just to keep him from being thrown in jail, that's what they said.
The class was halfway through and nearly everyone had fallen asleep. Diane stole a glance at him again. He was opening and closing his lighter, opening and extinguishing the fire. This was a small town and people just liked to talk. It couldn't be true - could it?
"Mr. Hargrove," Mrs. Coppersmith drawled. "We don't support arsonists here in Hawkins. Either you put that lighter away or you can have a talk with Principle Geller about your fiery passions."
Someone snickered at the comment but one look from Billy quickly shut them up. He harshly shoved the lighter into his jacket pocket. He threw her a look that meant, You happy now, you old crone?
Mrs. Coppersmith was indeed satisfied. She turned another page and went back to her monologue about something or the other in chemistry. Billy let his eyes glaze over. The whole class the only one who was awake was that younger blonde girl, a year below them. Apparently she was smart enough to be in the big kids club for the majority of her classes. She had all the answers to all of Coppersmith's answers. Billy's eyes were rolling into the back of his head by the end of it.
As the bell rang students stood up grumbling, thankful the class was over as they shoved their books into their backs and headed out for a smoke or to get together in groups and giggle over who know's what passed for entertainment in this town. He headed outside for a needed break. No one seem to pay attention to Goldilocks as she took her books and left.
But Billy saw her, walking out alone and coming in alone every class. Her head was always stuck in the books and her messy hair always shielded her from everything happening around her. Jesus, what a sad life. She'd be too easy. He took a final drag from the Marlboro before crushing it beneath his foot. Pushing off the hood of his car he stalked forwards as she disappeared from the corner. He knew exactly where she was going.
He followed right into the library. The girl was already sat down in the corner with her books and papers out, scribbling quickly.
Sauntering over to her he gave her a wink. As he leaned over the table, his necklace swayed back and forth in a lazy manner. His tongue swept across his bottom lip, teeth exposing as his smile widened. "Hey there. Diane, isn't it?"
She looked at him warily. "Yeah."
"We got some classes together."
"Yeah, we do."
"Of course we do, I'd remember someone as attractive as you." He winked.
Bullshit. She thought. The kind of girls you hang out with in the back of your car on top of the hill at Lovers Lane don't wear cable-knit sweaters or corduroy pants.
"Thanks?"
He leaned his head against his palm, eyes flicking across her face like he was trying to memorise it. "Girls should have beauty and brains."
She toyed with the edge of the page, unsure where he was going with all of this. "I guess."
He pushed the papers across the desk. "You're a smart girl. Smart enough to figure out these assignments."
Billy twirled a lock of her soft hair around his finger and suppressed a gleeful smile at the way her cheeks tinged red as he flustered her. He leaned in a little closer, savouring the feeling of victory - albeit a victory so easy it was cheap. All the girls in Hawkins were easy and cheap in one way or another though. "And in return," he breathed, "You might just get to ride with me once, maybe even twice."
"I - I - " She stuttered. He forced himself not to roll his eyes as he pushed himself off the desk.
"Thanks Diane." He didn't look at her as he walked away, pushing the heavy library doors open.
After he left she finally collected herself again, free from his smothering presence. Pursing her lips she looked at his assignment. No, she decided eventually, she wasn't going to do them. He already didn't care about her because she was just a nerd to him, and he sure wasn't going to be grateful that she did his assignments. And there sure wasn't anything for her to be gained from doing them. Besides Billy not hating her, of course. But he would get back to pretending like she didn't even exist within the day, just like Andie and the others did.
— - - - - -
A week passed by quickly. Billy didn't even spare a glance at Diane once, until it was time for assignment due date.
He put his hand on the locker right next to hers and waited impatiently. She was entirely distracted as she took the books out one by one from her open locker. Diane closed her locker and jumped a foot in the air when she was Billy there, waiting expectantly.
"Where's the paper?"
Swallowing she fished into her backpack and gave it to him. With a smirk he leaned in, biting his lower lip. "Thanks Dee." And then he slid around her, making his way someplace to trace over the answers to make the handwriting his very own.
As he sat outside his eyes flickered up to see there was ten minutes left to class. That was enough time to do a few pages. As he looked down his brow furrowed. Quickly he turned the next page, and the next and the next - that bitch! They were all blank. Slamming his fist on the table he got up, dragging the papers off the desk and stalking towards the classroom. She had put him out in the cold. Now he was going to go to class and fail. The bruise he got better not be on his face or that blonde bitch was going to have fun with him - it was what he would deserve after.
Diane Dobler was nothing but a squeaky mouse, and he was going to steer her right into the trap.
Being the last one into the room he kicked the door closed with his foot.
He threw himself into his seat. Sensing his presence, her petite shoulders drew together. A wicked gleam appeared in his eyes.
The rest of the class trudged in. The bell rang and the class began. Billy's jaw tightened as the assignment were passed to the front and given to Coppersmith.
Ms. Coppersmith sighed and looked up from the sheets of papers. "Mr. Hargrove?" Billy crossed his arms in response and threw himself back in his seat. "Your assignment?"
"I ain't got it." He said through gritted teeth.
"You mean to tell me you had a week to do it and you have nothing to show?" She looked up her spectacles.
"Something like that." He sneered, before his eyes flickered over to Diane. They were hard and cold as the black ice on the winter roads.
Pressing her lips together she quickly looked away and sunk into her seat. Billy Hargrove wasn't as charming as he had been a week ago. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her face reddening with dread.
As soon as class ended she sprang out of her seat and sped out of the room, holding her books tightly to her chest. Luckily Chemistry was the last class of the day. Her eyes kept darting around but Billy was nowhere to be seen. When she walked across the parking lot with her head down, his Camero was already gone.
Maybe he had just been intimidating her. He was already gone. Billy probably realised she wasn't just some nerd who was going to do his assignments because he smiled at her. Pressing her lips together she kept walking home, but she couldn't get the lump out of her throat.
She walked through the football field and onto one of the backroads. The route was quiet and peaceful. Still, she was hoping to get new headphones soon. The babbling brook was only entertaining for so long.
In the distance behind her she heard the engine of a car. The closer it got the louder it got until she inhaled sharply. Diane recognised that roar. Looking over her shoulder the dread came right back and made her heart beat faster against her ribcage. It was His car.
She tried walking faster in desperation. But she stood no chance.
The car came to a screeching halt next to her, rubber burning. She could see him from the drivers seat through the rolled down passengers window. And he looked ready to kill. Billy ripped the ray bans off and threw them onto the backseat.
"Get in Diane!" He snapped, face tinged red in fury. She swallowed. "I just want to have a little talk." He said through gritted teeth.
Diane wasn't so sure those rumours were really rumours anymore. For a split second she saw herself floating in the quarry like that kid last year. "Look Billy -"
"Get in!" He roared.
She flinched and after a moment crawled into the car. She door had barely shut before she was flung back into the seat at the momentum as his foot slammed onto the speeder.
His fingers drummed the steering wheel in agitation. Quickly she put the seatbelt on. The landscape was a blur of browns and greens. The atmosphere weighed heavy on her and she bit her lip as she stared out the window, occasionally looking at him out the corner of her eye.
When he spoke his voice was softer, but the sharp edge was unmistakeable. "Thought we had a little deal, Dobler."
"You-" Her throat closed up and she swallowed, "You made that deal. Not me."
Billy didn't reply. Instead he lit a cigarette, taking a sharp drag. He looked at her, blowing the smoke right into her face.
"Listen here dweeb. Right now you're driving in a fuckin' Camero with me which is a shitton more interesting than anything else happening in this cowtown. I can give you a little taste of what life is actually like outside your grandma-knitted sweaters and out-dated chem books no one reads but you." He took another drag and looked out at the seemingly unending road. "I can also make your life a living hell."
Diane laced her hands together, and stared right out at the road with him. "I like here." She muttered. "I - I don't really care about the car, or that you're Billy Hargrove, or that you came from California, alright?"
He threw the cigarette out the window. Who fucking cared if it was still lit? The town would be better off burned to the ground anyway. The smell of smoke was better than the smell of cow shit.
"Diane-"
"Why me?" She nearly choked on the words.
"Because you're the smartest in the class." He spat.
For a moment there was only the dull roar of the engine as they flew down the road. She looked out the window, trying to slow her heart.
Billy put a hand on her knee and she jumped in surprise. He tightened his grip.
"Ever been touched before, Diane?"
"No." She squeaked in honesty.
His thumb caressed her calf. "Don't tell me you don't think about it." He purred. "I've thought about it Diane."
Like hell he had.
The car was still speeding along the road. And he continued to stare right at her as if he wasn't driving at all. His warm calloused palm moved higher up, resting on her thigh. "And there's no way you haven't thought about me either - and don't lie to me Diane, that would make you a naughty little girl." He breathed, drawing out naughty like the sinful word it was. "And I'm the first person who's ever touched you like this, and I can be the first person who does a whole lot more. Hell, I'll probably be the only person who ever touches you. Someone's gotta make that sacrifice."
"Get off." She whispered.
"Diane-"
"I said get off!" She yelled, shoving at him. The car swerved and she screamed. Christ they were going to die. He laughed with exhilaration. "I'll do it! Alright I'll do it - just look at the road, Jesus-"
He released his grip and grinned, licking his lips. She was playing right into his hands and he loved every moment. The car straightened as he focused on the road again. Still it sped down the road.
"Stop the car! I said stop the car!" She yelled at him. Diane was about to whack him again. Her breathing was coming out in shallow gasps.
Billy raised a brow and glanced at her like she was the crazy one. With a heavy sigh he began slowing down. Diane grabbed the backpack, and before the car had even come to a stop she had jumped out.
"I'm expecting that paper by tomorrow before class, Diane baby." He leered.
And before she could answer he had shot off, leaving her alone in the middle of the woods by the side of the road. Diane placed her head in her hands and lowered herself to the ground, trying to steady her breathing. He had nearly killed the both of them. And he had fucking loved it. Billy Hargrove was reckless, manipulative, aggressive and likely a murderer. And he wasn't going to let her go unless he found someone else to do his work for him.
Tears sprung into her eyes in frustration. He was right. That was the first time someone had touched her. But she hadn't wanted that smug bastard to be the first one. At least he hadn't taken her first kiss. She promised herself that, at least would be romantic with someone she loved. Whoever that was.
— - - - - -
The next door she handed him the assignment without looking at him.
"That's better." He said mockingly. Even after he had left his cologne lingered. It would've been nice, masculine - but it reminded her of him too much, and soured the smell.
The assignments were turned in without incident and Billy didn't acknowledge her for the rest of the day.
Just as Diane was counting down the last minute of English Lit, a knock came on the door and one of the administrative assistances peaked through. "Can Ms. Dobler please go straight to the Principles after?"
The response was a wave of "Ooooh's" from the class and Diane tightening her hands around the book in response. Why the Principle? She had never been called to the Principles before.
After eternity the bell rang and she dragged herself out of her seat. Heavy feet moved one by one closer to the Principles office.
The secretary looked up and gave a brief smile. "Go on in, dear."
Diane obliged.
Inside wasn't just Principle Geller - but Billy Hargrove too. Geller motioned to the other side. While Diane was sweating in fear, Billy was sprawled in the seat and looking so bored, Diane was sure he would slide off the seat in agony soon. How the hell did he do that? How didn't he care about anything? What was wrong with him?
"Ms. Dobler, Mr. Hargrove, do you know why you're here?"
Diane shook her head feverently.
Principle Geller laced his hands together and leaned forwards with a frown. "There are serious consequences for plagiarism."
"What?" Diane squeaked. Billy raised a brow.
"Your assignment for chemistry. Did you know the both of you have the exact same answers?"
Diane's mouth opened and closed several times. Billy hid a smile. He thought she might just implode. This must be the worst thing that's ever happened in her little life.
"I'm very disappointed. Ms. Coppersmith and I were discussing how to proceed . . . now, since the both of you do seem to like cooperation so much, it would only seem fitting you two - in equal measure - complete a seventy-five page essay on the current topic. It will be no more, no less. It's due within two weeks."
Billy shrugged and got up. "That's all?"
"That's all Billy."
He was out the door before Diane could even process. "I'm sorry, did you just say the both of us, will be working together?"
"Is that a problem?"
She wanted to cry. Shaking her head in defeat she stood up. "No, it's not a problem."
"Good, I thought it sounded like a better solution that possibly having to admit fraudulent behaviour and harming your chances of getting into university. I know how much it means to you."
"Yeah," she whispered, "Thank you Mr. Geller."
Outside the room she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She heard footsteps getting closer. Whatever student it was, God did she wish she had their carefree life right now.
"Get ready for two weeks with me you won't forget." Billy said softly next to her. Her eyes sprang open. He was the student in the hallway. Diane wanted to scream.
A/N: The first few chapters including this one are being re-worked as they could be much better. It won't affect the rest of the story and chapters already out.