Chapter Thirty-Eight
A Locket to Hold
Veronica jumped slightly, flinching back from the intense noise of the crowd cheering mixed with the high emotions that seemed to be hitting her at once. She sat within the bleachers and watched with a bright smile as Steve played along with the rest of the team. But as the game became more intense and the points grew closer and closer together, the more on the edge the crowd became.
"Are you ok?" Nancy spoke from beside Veronica, her blue eyes looking down at her with genuine concern.
That was another thing that had Veronica on edge, Nancy decided to come and sit with her at the beginning of the game. Deep down Veronica knew that Nancy still held some apprehension toward her. After everything and the months that had passed, there was still tension between the two of them. But there wasn't really any of that at the moment as the two of them sat together. Jonathan is on the sidelines taking photos of the game, the crowd, and everything in between for the school newspaper.
"Y-Yeah," Veronica chuckled dryly, clearing her throat slightly, "Just...a lot of emotions going on...making me feel a little frenzied."
Nancy nodded her head slightly, a small smile turning her lips up slightly. Hawkins scored again causing everyone to cheer, which caused Veronica to flinch again slightly. Veronica tried to keep her focus on Steve watching as he played with his team and ran up and down the court. For a moment, as he sensed it, Steve looked over into the crowd as the other team called a time-out. It didn't take long for his bright brown eyes to meet with hers. Veronica couldn't help but perk up slightly and wave to him, causing Steve to do the same, his face breaking out into a smile. In that moment Veronica's focus was mostly on Steve, meaning she didn't see the side-eye glance that Nancy had sent her way.
"So how does this game work, I'm not really...understanding," Veronica asked as the ref blew his whistle again causing the game to quickly go back into effect.
"Well, the whole point is that before the time runs out your team has the most points. The lines of the court indicate the zones of how many points you get" Nancy explained, trying to make it as uncomplicated as possible to not confuse her, "And then there are a lot of rules in terms of fouls and such, but that really digs deep into the game. The basics are, you wanna be the team with the most at the end."
Veronica slowly nodded her head, looking up toward the large, electric board that hung on the wall at the other side of the gym.
Visitors: 25
Home: 20
"So we're losing?" Veronica asks, looking back toward Nancy.
Nancy slowly nodded her head, "Yeah, which, unfortunately, isn't uncommon for our team. Get used to it really, they've come close, but haven't really won in the last few years."
"Oh," Veronica spoke with a tinge of sadness in her voice.
Veronica's eyes darted toward the board again and saw that there were only a few minutes left in the game. The tension growing within the small school gym was enough to have her even more on edge. Her hands rubbed and fidgeted with the high-wire emotions moving through her body. The sound of giggles cause Veronica's heart to jump into her throat already knowing who the noise was coming from. Looking down and to her left, her eyes stopped on the small group of girls sitting on the second row of the bleachers. Carol's red hair curled back from her face as usual with Tiffany's blonde hair pulled up into a ponytail. Veronica didn't know the two other girls but they looked familiar. They all looked at her at once, before turning to one another and laughing and giggling as they whispered.
Veronica couldn't stop the defeated feeling that came over her as she adverted her eyes away from them once. Turning her focus back on the game in front of her. Her eyes moved to where the band sat and listened as Robin played with the rest of them.
"Don't let them get to you," Nancy spoke, leaning over more to speak to Veronica, "Carol is too insecure to see that if she stopped being the problem in everyone else's life she might feel a little happiness for once."
Veronica shook her head, "Don't really care what they think of me."
Even as Veronica spoke the words she didn't fully believe herself, and knew that Nancy wasn't either.
"Still...they are jealous," Nancy spoke with another genuine smile on her lips, her blue eyes shining. "Steve seems happier than I have seen him in a long while with you."
Veronica blushed slightly and felt the heat quickly take over her face, "Thank you. That...That means a lot, Nancy."
"Of course," Nancy nodded. "I know I've been...harsh...before but I know how much you mean to Jonathan...and I don't want there to be any tension between us anymore. I was hoping we could work to be friends?"
Veronica stared at Nancy for a moment, slowly understanding her words. Getting the read from her that her words were sincere. She relaxed slightly and let a heavy breath out from deep within her chest, before looking back to Nancy.
"I would like that,"
Nancy seemed to perk up slightly before the two of them focused back on the game. It seemed just as Veronica was getting to understand the game in front of her, the buzzer sounded off, indicating it was over. And as Nancy had predicted – Hawkins lost. Veronica pouted slightly and scanned over the crowd in front of her, her dark eyes searching for Steve. But instead, they found Robin. She was pushing her way through the crowd that moved from the bleachers onto the court, holding tightly to her trumpet and her band hat in her hands.
"So glad that is over," She huffed out with a breath, causing her bangs to flip up slightly from her forehead. "That game seemed to go on forever,"
"Wasn't too bad," Veronica shrugging her shoulders slightly, her head still swiveling slightly in search for the tall brunette, but coming up short.
"Come on, let's get out of here, smells like body odor and stale popcorn in here."
That comment made Veronica giggle slightly as she followed Robin out of the gym. When the two of them stepped out it wasn't long till they came upon Nancy and Jonathan at the side of his car.
"Get good photos?" Veronica asked with genuine curiosity.
"Will be able to tell more when they are developed, but sure we got something we can use." Jonathan shrugged "You still going to that party?"
Veronica nodded her head slightly, causing her curls to bounce slightly, "Robin said she was coming with, you two coming too?"
"She's dragging me along as torture," Robin commented
Jonathan looked down toward Nancy, who simply shrugged her shoulders before Jonathan turned his attention back to Veronica. Her large doe eyes looked up at him with an innocence that he felt protected over. She was older, but deep down, she was his little sister. And something was telling Jonathan to go with her. Jonathan remembered from years past how some of these parties could get, especially with the crowd-centered at these parties. He wasn't sure it was something Veronica could ever be prepared for. But he also knew there was no changing her mind.
"Yeah, we'll come." Jonathan blew out a breath, pushing himself away from the side of his car.
"Just gotta head back to my place first, so I can change out of this god awful uniform if that's ok?" Robin asked
Jonathan agreed and soon the four of them climbed into his car. Jonathan pulled out of the parking lot as everyone seemed to be spilling into the parking lot. It was a couple of hours later till Jonathan was slowly driving the block where Steve's home was, the street already lined with cars and filled with people moving up toward the larger home.
"More than half the school has to be here," Robin said as Jonathan found a parking spot halfway down the street.
Suddenly Veronica was feeling extremely nervous.
One by one they exit the car and moved with the rest of those that were making their way down the street. The closer you got to the large white home the louder the music became. It was amazing how in the short amount of time the party was in full swing with most of those attending already drunk or well on their way to being drunk.
The Harrington home was at the back edge of Hawkins where the town blended with the forest that surrounded it. It was obviously on the wealthier side of town where each home seemed to grow bigger and bigger. The large front lawn was slowly being littered with teenagers, red solo cups, and other types of debris. The heavy smell of cigarette smoke and something else filled the air. Veronica would learn later that the smell was weed. Jonathan walked into the home first and the four of them were welcome by the blast of music that seemed to make the entire home vibrate.
The home was filled with very little space for moving and walking, the living room had furniture pressed against the walls to make room for the dance floor. Veronica looked around and felt overstimulated with everything that was happening at once. The music, the talking, the smell of alcohol, and everything else. It was hard to see who was here with everyone nearly smooched together, but her eyes still scanned for Steve.
"We're gonna go and get a drink, want anything?" Jonathan asked, shouting slightly over the music, looking down between Robin and Veronica.
Veronica simply shook her head, while Robin replied with a quick no.
"Stay together, ok?" Jonathan asked, the two of them nodding, before he departed with Nancy.
"Come on, let's head toward the back, maybe fewer people?" Robin asked
Veronica lead the way toward the backyard, always getting a feeling of deja vu anytime she saw the bright lights of the lit pool. There were a few people in the large pool while others lounged in some of the chairs and outdoor couches.
"There you are," a voice spoke coming up from behind Robin and Veronica, "Been looking for you, didn't know when you were gonna show."
Steve stepped up in front of them, changed out of his basketball uniform, and instead wearing a pair of jeans with a plain white tshirt. His hair seemed slightly messier than usual, some of the dark strands falling in front of his face. He looks handsome and Veronica couldn't help it as her eyes slowly moved along his body. A deep blush welcomed her cheeks when his eyes met back with his and saw the knowing smirk on his lips.
"Robin had to change out of her band stuff," Veronica spoke, clearing her throat, "Sorry,"
Steve chuckled and shook his head, "Don't apologize." His eyes moved to Robin. "Buckley, mind if I steal her for a moment?"
"Not at all, I'm gonna go and get a drink," Robin spoke, giving a knowing look to Veronica, before disappearing into the crowd.
Steve reached down and laced his fingers through hers and pulled her back through the back door of the house. He seemed to move through the crowd with ease and pulled her up the backstair case. Veronica had been in the Harrington home many times to know Steve was taking her to his bedroom. It was quieter on the second floor, though not by much. The moment the two of them stepped into his bedroom, Steve quickly closed the door, before turning toward her with a smile.
"What are we doing up here?" She spoke with a nervous smile.
"Think I forgot your birthday?" Steve spoke as he walked toward his desk, pulling open the top drawer and pulling out a wrapped, small, box. "I wanted to give this to you earlier, but didn't have a chance."
Steve walked forward and placed the package in her hands, loving the bright smile that seemed to spread across her face.
"You didn't have to get me anything."
"Of course, I did, now go on, open it," Steve spoke.
Veronica only hesitated for a moment before opening up the package quickly, it was a small velvet box. She looked up toward him confused for a moment before popping the top of it. Inside laid a small silver necklace with an oval-shaped charm at the bottom. Small detailed etchings are engraved across the top of it.
"It's a locket," Steve spoke, looking anxiously down at her, "Remember last time we watched a movie you said you wished you had one like the girl...so I found that and thought it would be perfect."
Veronica's smile widened so much her cheeks her, "Steve...I-I...this is beautiful. Thank you."
Veronica set the box down at the end of his bed before moving and wrapping her arms around him tightly. Steve seemed to relax the moment her arms wrapped around him, only holding her tighter against his chest. Steve pulled back slightly and stared down at her, feeling his heart race against his rib cage and his stomach fills with butterflies.
As he stared down into her eyes he felt an urge come over him, and Steve didn't hesitate. Instead bending his head to press his lips against her, feeling the softness of lip lips and tasting the strawberry lip gloss she'd put on earlier. Steve had a dream of what it would feel like to kiss Veronica, feeling her full lips against his. But nothing prepared him for the actual moment. Not as she seemed to melt against him and pull him tighter against her smaller frame. His hand reached up and caressed the back of her head, tilting her head back more, as he deepened the kiss.