"You don't have to drive me every morning. I can just take my bike," Dustin reminded as Chelsea pulled into the school parking lot. Already she was on edge, her sweaty palms slipping off of the steering wheel at almost every turn.

"I know. This was more for me if I'm being honest," she grabbed her bag from the backseat and sighed. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's just a bunch of high school kids."

"You'll do great. You're a total badass" he reassured, his hand patting her shoulder lightly. She smiled, appreciating just how sweet the young boy was.

"Thanks Dustin."

The two stumbled out of her car, fixing their shirts and carrying their backpacks. Chelsea patted down her black corduroy skirt and straightened out the tight band t-shirt she wore. She could feel the stares from her classmates, her car drawing as much attention as Billy's had before. She shook away the stares on her back, turning towards Dustin for one last reassurance.

"How do I look?"

"Totally tubular," he declared with a giant grin. She laughed, rolling her eyes at his exaggerated surfer accent.

"Now I know Max and I have told you that no one says that."

High school in Hawkins wasn't that bad. No one really bothered her as she sat through her classes and she was glad to be left alone. She was already halfway done with her day and nothing remotely horrible had happened. Lunch time had approached quickly however and within a few seconds of reaching her locker she found that she had company.

"Ready to eat?" Steve asked brightly as he looked down at her.

"I'm not really hungry."

"Ah, doesn't matter. Come on."

The school cafeteria was just like any other. Groups of kids hung out together, distinctions among them obvious in their choice of attire. Steve made a beeline for the lunchline, grabbing a few pieces of fruit and a packaged sandwich.

"Come on," he motioned as he walked out towards the front of the school. She followed, unsure of where he was headed.

"You don't eat inside?"

"Nah, too loud," he stopped at his car and jumped on the hood before motioning for her to do the same. "Apple?"

"Thanks." She took the shiny red fruit from his hands. "Where are your friends?"

"Somewhere doing something dumb I bet," he speculated with a shrug. "I used to spend my lunches with my girlfriend but she's not my girlfriend anymore so..."

"Shit, that sucks. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. She found someone she likes more. Can't really blame her."

"Steve Harrington, I refuse to let you do that to yourself," Chelsea said in exasperation. "You're a great guy. I may only know you for what? A week? But I can tell."

Steve smiled, unsure of how to take the compliment and feeling elated at the same time.

"Thanks Chels, you're pretty great too."

"I know."

Steve laughed loudly, earning the attention of the group of boys and girls who surrounded a car nearby. Chelsea instantly recognized one of them.

"Hey Steve. Mullet boy over there, he's Max's brother?"

"Step-brother," he confirmed with a nod. "He's a total douche. Used to be worse though before..."

"Before what?"

"Nothing," he shook the thought away. "He can't stop staring at you though. Just be careful."

"Why? Afraid I'll fall in love with the Hawkins bad boy?"

"You're too smart for that," he waved the idea away. "But he's...persistent when he finds something he likes."

Chelsea stared at Steve as he ate, wondering what exactly had happened between the two to cause such disdain to seep into his voice.

"Thanks for what you do for Dustin," she changed the subject preferring to land on happier topics. "I know he needed the guidance so thanks for being there for him."

"Are you kidding? Dustin is great. Like the little brother I never had," he said. "He's lucky he's got you too. You should have heard the kid when he found out you were coming. Wouldn't shut up about how cool you were."

Chelsea laughed at the thought of Dustin oversharing about her. She knew how he was when he was excited and was surprised his friends weren't tired of her already after hearing him ramble on end about his "cousin from California."

"Yeah, just wish it was under better circumstances."

A silence passed between them. Steve reached out and placed a comforting hand on her thigh, hoping he wasn't overstepping.

"I'm sorry about your mom," he said softly. Chelsea nodded, her face unreadable as her own hand squeezed his.

"It's life, you know? It happens."

Steve nodded. He didn't want to pry and it was obvious she had tried to make peace with it. It was best left alone for now.

"Yeah."

"You're Jonathan Byers," she stated as she slid into one of the empty seats available. The boy looked up at her, surprised at both someone joining him and knowing his name. "I've met your brother."

"Will?" he asked, his attentions now on the girl besides him. He'd caught sight of her in the hallways and had wondered who she was. It wasn't every day that Hawkins got a new face.

"Yeah. He's friends with my cousin Dustin. He's a pretty cool kid," she smiled. He nodded, returning her smile with a small grin of his own. "I'm Chelsea."

"Nice to meet you," he replied softly. He looked around as he felt the stares of his classmates. "Are you sure you want to sit here?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I?" Her head tilted in confusion at his question. He was incredibly soft spoken, with a voice that seemed eternally calm.

"Most people consider it social suicide to hang out with the school freak," he answered honestly. He'd always been looked at differently and after everything he'd been through even he had to agree with how weird he was. She merely shook her head, her soft hair becoming slightly tangled with the movement.

"You're lucky I'm not most people then."

He nodded, happy to find someone who seemed to be decent enough to befriend.

"So you chose photography as your elective?"

"Yup. I love taking pictures. It's an underrated art in my opinion. I used to carry my camera around everywhere in California."

"California. Must have some nice pictures."

"Oh, Yeah. Of the ocean, mountains, beach piers, local parks. There's so much to photograph out there."

"There's not much here in Hawkins," Jonathan sighed. Chelsea smiled brightly as she pulled a Polaroid camera from her backpack, snapping a quick photograph of an unsuspecting Jonathan.

"I think there's more than enough."

Billy Hargrove couldn't believe his luck when he walked into class that afternoon. It was science, a subject that came naturally to him and also his last class before the dreaded school day ended. He had sauntered in expecting to simply sit down and wait for the hour to pass but it seemed as if life had thrown a little gift at him.

"Well, well," he was smug as he took his seat next to her, "if it isn't the new girl."

"Hmm, if it isn't the local douchebag," she replied almost instantly. She didn't miss a beat as she chuckled, noting the way his eyebrows shot up in surprise at her response. "I was wondering when I'd meet you, Billy Hargrove."

"We're on a first and last name basis? Now sweetie, you're gonna have to share yours if you know mine," he replied with a coy smile.

"It's Chelsea Steely," she shared with a smirk. "I think you'd better remember it for the next time you nearly crash into my car. Your insurance will probably want it."

"You nearly crashed into me."

"You were the one speeding out of a parking lot."

"So we're both devils on the road. Something we have in common," he winked, his devilish smile growing larger. "That's one wicked tan you have. Not one you get from hanging around here."

"I'm from California. But I'm sure Max already told you that."

She wasn't wrong to assume the younger girl had shared information about her but only because Billy had pried for it. It wasn't every day that Hawkins had new meat.

"You're feisty," he commented, his voice low as he leaned in closer. She could smell his cologne, it's warm spicy tones hitting her nose as he closed the distance between them. "I like that."

"I think you're dreaming, Hargrove." The smirk on her face was enough to throw him off his usual charm. She turned her attention to the front of the class just as their teacher walked in. "I'm not the girl for you."