I hope you enjoy this (edited) chapter! As always, I only own my OC.

I finish sketching a small doodle of the new monster haunting my dreams, the image resting right under my detailed description. Even though I managed to sleep a few more hours, my mind refused to let it go. It's all there, joining the collection of observed nightmares and sketches of vines. It's nothing like Will can do, but it's joined with enough dark poetry to help me feel at least a little more creative.

I close my notebook and tuck it into the drawer of my desk, arrow ring glinting next to it. My hand hovers over it for a few moments, and I wrestle with my emotions. Soon enough I'm slamming the drawer shut, marching out of my room with the heels of my burgundy boots clicking as I walk down the hall.

My mom's busy taking pictures of Dustin in his homemade Ghostbusters costume. Seriously. I even helped her with the patch. He's going as Stantz, which is pretty on the nose considering their personalities.

"You look great, D!" I call, opening my backpack. "Mom, can I have a picture? For my locker."

Dustin groans, but I grin at his blush. "God, you're so embarrassing."

"I'm so sorry I love you, Chewie. Forgive me for my slight!" I dramatically beg. Mom rolls her eyes, but smiles as she passes me one of the many photos she's taken. I take the still developing picture and tuck it safely in a notebook before tugging my bag up one shoulder. "You sure you're okay biking?"

"Mhmm! Go out and be merry!"

"You aren't driving him?" She asks, and before I can stop Big Mouth, he just has to talk.

"No. Her boyfriend's taking her to school."

"Boyfriend?!" My mom screeches happily. "Oh, sweetheart! Who is he? What is he like?"

I blink. "Um, I don't know what he's talking about?"

"No, seriously, she has a boyfriend. I saw them kissing after school, it was pretty gross."

"Dustin." I growl, about to lunge for him.

My mom only waves me off. "Oh, hush. What's his name?"

"Billy Hargrove." I deflate, singing like a canary. "He's new. He just moved here from California. We met at Big Buy, we went on a few dates, he asked me out."

She looks a little hurt, and I glare over at a guilty Dustin. "Oh."

"Mom, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I promise I was going to." I throw my arms around her. "I swear I wasn't going to just keep it to myself."

"Oh, I know dumpling. It's okay. Trust me, I was worse when I was your age. I could count the guys on -"

"Mom!" Dustin shrieks, and I laugh. He doesn't see the wink my mom gives me, meaning she's just messing around.

"I'll invite him over for dinner this weekend, okay?" I ask, nervously shifting.

"That sounds great, sweetheart." We all jump when the doorbell rings, and mom flashes me an innocent smile. "Oh, is that him?"

I groan and hurry over to open the door, trying to block out my brother's teasing and our mother's giggling. Billy's standing on the other side, amused, shirt unbuttoned as usual. But when he sees my mom coming he straightens, quickly zipping up his jacket to hide his chest from sight. "Oh, you must be Billy!" I briefly close my eyes, and Billy laughs a bit under his breath. It only takes a second for him to turn up the charm.

"Yes. Hi, Mrs. Henderson. It's nice to meet you." He offers his hand and she shakes it, and though she's definitely a little drawn to his flame, she's not like most suburban moms who get easily swayed by charm.

"Claudia, dear. You can call me Claudia. Well, I'll let you two get to school. Have a good day, dearest dumpling." She kisses my now-warm cheek, embarrassed by the nickname. Before she can say or do anything else to make me want to run and hide in my room, Dustin yells for her. She rolls her eyes at his cry for immediate attention before walking back to the living room. With her gone, I rush to close the door.

Billy laughs as I rush the two of us down my driveway, tugging at the sleeve of his arm. "Jesus, baby girl. Or do you prefer 'dearest dumpling'." He wiggles his eyebrows all teasingly

I point my finger at him. "I can and will kill you, Hargrove."

He snorts but walks around the Camaro to let me in. Max looks up from her skateboard, staring at me like she's reading into my soul before she rolls her eyes and leans back. "Good morning, Max."

She lifts her head, surprised. "Morning, uh, Veronica." She greets, then returns to her previous position.

Billy gets back in and turns on his engine, slowly driving from my house. I raise an eyebrow at his lack of speeding, and he huffs. "Your mom and brother were watching us from the window." He explains, a slight flush in his tan-and-freckled cheeks.

"That's why I ran, California." I tell him. "Also, she wants you to come over for dinner this weekend."

"Free food? I've got no problem with that. How did she find out about us, anyway? I thought we were going to tell her later?" He asks, speeding up the further we get from my house.

I cross my arms haughtily and glare ahead. "You can blame my loudmouth brother for that shit."

"Did you let him get away with it?" He asks me, and I shrug.

"Yeah. I did."

"What? Why?" He asks, confused. He pulls out a couple of cigarettes and passes me one, and I make sure to blow the smoke out the window.

"He's my brother, Billy. Younger siblings are supposed to be little shits. Besides, I'm just gonna retaliate by hiding his Halloween candy around the house. It's a time-honored tradition."

Billy rolls his eyes but briefly leans over to kiss the side of my head. "Your mom seems nice."

"Yeah." I lean over and unzip his jacket so his mostly-unbuttoned shirt is back on display. "Nice save. Very smooth."

He huffs at me and lightly pushes me away, and I laugh at him. "I didn't want to give her the wrong idea." Max makes a noise in the back, and I turn to see the disbelieving look on her face. "Got something to say, Maxine?" Billy sings out, the car filling with tension.

Hell no. I had a rough night. I'm not dealing with this shit.

"How're you liking Hawkins so far, Max?" I ask her, flicking my finished cig out the window before turning to look back at her.

She gives me a surprised look again, then shrugs. "It's alright. It isn't California."

"Yeah, I guess not. Hey, there's a pretty decent skate park a few blocks from the start of Loch Nora. Have you been there yet?"

"No, I haven't. How do you know about it?" She asks me, eyes flicking over my dress. I grin, and shrug.

"Skateboards were never really my thing, but I taught my brother how to ride his bike there."

"Oh. Thank you. For telling me." She says, tone awkward but light. "There isn't much to do here, is there?"

I laugh, and Billy throws me a soft smile. "No. There really isn't. But you'll learn to get pretty creative. It isn't all bad. At least we've got an arcade."

"Yeah, even if a dick works there."

"Ah, so you've met Keith."

"Keith?" Billy asks, getting both of our attention. "Cheetos Puffs Keith?"

I nod. "Mhm. He isn't too bad. He's just an… acquired taste."

"Yeah, that no one's acquired." Max mumbles, and I laugh before looking at my boyfriend, reaching up to run my hand through his dark blonde curls. He smiles and sends a wink my way.

"How do you even know him?" I ask.

Billy tosses his cig out the window. "He sat next to me in biology. I could smell the fake cheese thirty minutes after class ended. Tommy filled me in on who he is." My nose wrinkles.

"Keith's an asshole, but occasionally he can be a real son of a bitch." I wink into the rear view mirror, and Max grins. She becomes a little more relaxed, eventually leaning forward enough that we can have a conversation face-to-face.

We're talking about how cool Mr. Clarke is by the time Billy parks by the high school. He's the first one out of the car, rushing over to help me out before moving the seat. Max climbs out and gives me a real smile. "You're pretty cool." She comments, before dropping her board and skating down to the middle school.

"Such a weirdo." Billy comments, voice a little harsh.

I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck. "Look, I know you two don't get along, but I'm glad she seems to like me."

"Her opinion doesn't matter." He growls, though the anger isn't directed at me.

"Doesn't it? The more she likes me, the less likely she'll cause problems for us with Neil. Right?"

He sighs and closes his eyes, nodding. "Yeah."

"Oh, I almost forgot." I lean up on the balls of my feet and press my mouth to his, smiling when his hands grip my hips and tug me closer. His back crashes into the passenger door but we don't break apart. Not for a few more moments, anyway, when we need air.

He moves some blonde curls from my face and grins. "Now that's a great way to start my morning."

"Charmer."

"Ditto, baby girl." I laugh then shiver a bit as the wind picks up, and Billy gives me a smirk. "You know, usually you have your flight jacket to keep you warm." He nods down at my black dress, running a hand over one long-sleeved arm.

I bite my lip. Busted. "Forgot it at home. Silly me."

He chuckles and leans forward, pressing our foreheads together. "You're not slick."

"But I am cold. Warm up your girlfriend, Hargrove."

He nods and presses our lips together again, wrapping one hand around the back of my head while the other stays on my hip. He laughs as I still shiver a bit, and removes both of his hands from me so he can shrug off his leather jacket and place it around my shoulders, not once breaking the kiss. Memories of him covering our bodies with it the first night make me blush a bit and I pull away, smiling. "Better?" He asks, and I laugh. He gently moves me back so he can turn and grab my backpack and his notebook. Both items in one hand and the other entwined with mine, we walk towards the school. As we pass by some trees, a shiver runs down my spine. I hold onto Billy a little tighter.

I walk out of the school and towards the parking lot, backpack in hand. Students move around me, letting me through. Not that I'm completely aware right now. My mind's been flashing back to last night all day. The more time I spent rifling through text books and seeing pictures of roots and dark shadows, the easier it was for my mind to play tricks on me. I slipped down the rabbit hole of "was it all a dream, or was it real?" Which is such a mind-fuck.

"There you are, baby girl." I startle a bit when I look up and see Billy standing at his car with a few new followers - including Tommy and Carol. I nearly drop my house keys in the process. "You okay?" He asks, worry clear in his eyes. I definitely look more exhausted than earlier, and that includes during lunch when Billy was practically feeding me, playing it off as being romantic to his followers even though I could read the concern in his eyes.

"Yeah, just tired. Physics was so damn boring."

"Probably doesn't help you've got a band nerd for a partner, huh?" Tommy asks.

I narrow my eyes. "Actually, Robin's great. Mr. Lewis is the problem."

"I had him last year. He's awful." Carol reluctantly agrees, and I gesture to her while staring at her freckled boyfriend. He pouts, probably because I didn't take the bait. He stares over my shoulder and the expression fades away.

"Heads up, Ice Queen. Princess is on her way. Doesn't look like Harrington's too happy, though. You two have another falling out? You slap him again?" He asks me, smirking and smacking his gum. I briefly glance up to see my boyfriend clenching his jaw as he glares at Tommy for irking me. I gently kiss the muscle, smiling as it relaxes a bit, before turning to face Nancy.

She's confidently striding towards us, eyes narrowed at Carol, Tommy, and Nicole, but she's all smiles when it comes to me and Tina. "Sorry to interrupt. But I need you, Vera."

I clutch at my chest. "Aw, those are the words I like to hear, Nance."

She rolls her eyes affectionately. "I don't know if you have plans, but I need someone to go shopping with me."

"Nance, I don't do 'shopping'." I use air quotes. "No, don't you dare." I warn her, and she makes her blue eyes grow as wide as mine, lip quivering just a touch. "It's not going to work." Her pout becomes as deadly as Dustin's, and I sigh in defeat.

Against my wishes - and probably thinking by being protective of me he'll win more points with Billy - Tommy throws an arm over my shoulders, Carol walking around to stand on my other side, arms crossed and hip cocked. "Oh, princess. I think you're confusing our Ice Queen for one of your bitches. The ones you have are male. They're still guys, right? You're not holding onto Harrington's balls for him? Or Byers's?"

I shove Tommy off. "Hey, dipshit, did you suddenly forget that Jonathan's my best friend?" He pales a bit, stepping away. "Don't talk to Nancy like that. And besides, Carol's had your balls for years." I defend Steve without having to say his name, and Billy laughs.

With a sigh I turn back to Nancy. "Jesus, alright. Harrington isn't driving us, is he?"

Nancy raises an unimpressed eyebrow. "Yes. Just, I need some girl time. I'll even pay for your strawberry milkshake." She pleads, and there's a pain in her blue eyes that I was too distracted to notice before.

"Okay, fine. I need to find something for tonight anyway."

"You still don't have a costume?" Tina asks me, breaking off her conversation with Vicki.

"You literally just told me about the party yesterday." I remind her, laughing when she glares and tries to throw a crumpled up piece of paper at me.

"Are you two doing a couple costume?" She asks Billy and I. We look at each other and shrug.

"Your call, Queen V." My boyfriend smiles down at me, though I catch him glaring over my shoulder. Probably at Steve.

"Why don't we just go as our own thing… play out a fun little fantasy." I suggest, running my fingers down his chest. He leers at me and pulls me into a kiss.

"Oh, you are so getting it later."

"Can't wait. You're picking me up, right?"

"Mhmm. We're still on for going to yours?" Billy asks Tommy, who relishes in the brief attention.

"Hell yeah. I've already got the booze."

"Okay. I'll get you at 5?" Billy asks, then starts shrugging off his brown leather jacket and hands it to me.

"What's this for?"

"Well, this is so you don't miss me too much while you're out shopping." The girls all coo, and I roll my eyes but blush nonetheless, hiding it in Billy's neck as he hugs me. "Besides, I've got my jean jacket in the car."

"Thanks, California. I'll see you at 5."

"You got it, baby girl. Go have fun. Later, Wheeler." He nods to Nancy, who gives him a small wave and holds out her hand to me. I snort and take it, letting her whisk me towards the irritated Steve.

"He seems… interesting." She states as we walk. "I don't like that he's friends with Tommy and Carol, though."

"Pretty sure 'friends' is a loose term." Nancy hums. "I don't like it either."

"Steve was ready to storm over when he saw them waiting by Billy's car. He thought you were being ambushed." Nancy gently informs me.

I growl. "I don't need his protection. Besides, what does he care? It's not like we're even talking right now."

"God, it was one stupid disagreement! You're both so dramatic." She bemoans, a little hypocritical as we approach Steve. He merely gets in the Beemer and starts the engine, as tense as a pulled rubber band.

Well, this should be a fun ride.

3rd Person (Billy's POV)...

Billy watched as his flock finally dispersed, each having to get ready for the party tonight. It's not like he actually wanted to hang out with these assholes, but it meant getting away from Neil, getting drunk off his ass, and dancing with his girl.

His girlfriend. It's the most surprising thing about Hawkins. That his third day here, he met a girl songs were written about. The minute he saw her silky blonde curls and big emerald eyes, he knew he was hooked. Sure, she's the size of a damn pixie, but she seems bigger than she really is. It's no wonder she's royalty at school. Who wouldn't bow down to a girl like her? Someone who doesn't flaunt their power, who doesn't have to be a dick to the entire student body to command respect. Not that she's above violence. He knows a fighter when he sees one.

Dammit, she'd probably make a guy like Neil Hargrove her bitch. He'd love to see that. His prick of a dad having to submit to a girl half his height. She'd probably teach him all about "respect and responsibility."

Billy sighs and leans back against his car, waiting for Maxine to show. It's getting late, he's got shit to do, and a girl to impress. Maybe he should go as Sodapop Curtis. Everyone loves The Outsiders, right? And Rob Lowe's sexy, he's man enough to admit it.

He'd give Rob Lowe a run for his money. And if it gets his girl revved up -

He straightens when the familiar sound of Max's skateboard comes rolling towards him, and without turning around he announces to his bitch of a stepsister, "You're late again."

"Yeah, I had to get catch-up homework." She tells him while opening the passenger door, like it matters. Like he won't catch shit from Neil if they're both late getting home.

"Jesus, I don't care." He responds, talking back to her over his shoulder. "You're late again, and you're skating home." He warns, before walking over to the driver's side.

"Where's Veronica?" Max asks, sounding a little put-off. And he'd never say this out loud, but he wishes his girlfriend was here to act as a buffer, because she made Max more tolerable than his stepsister has been in years.

"Shopping with a friend." Is all he says, getting in and starting the engine, Ted Nugent's Wango Tango pouring out of the radio as he zooms away from the school, driving over the speed limit as they pass by a field. One of many. "God, this place is such a shithole." He groans, drumming lightly on the wheel.

"It's not that bad." Max says, softly, and he looks at her in disbelief.

"No?" He reaches over and lowers her window, sucking in a deep breath and covering his nose at the smell. "You smell that, Max? That's actually shit. Cow shit."

"I don't see any cows." She argues, but it lacks fire.

"Clearly you haven't met the high-school girls." Billy tells her as she brings her window back up.

"Does that include Veronica?" Max asks him, and he looks down at her. His need to fight with her dies down when she mentions his girlfriend's name. "Is she a cow?"

"Jesus, Max, have you seen her? She look like a cow to you?" He questions, seriously wondering if she needs glasses.

"No. No, she's beautiful. And nice. And funny. So why is she with you?"

"Very funny, Max." He growls. It's a good question, though. One that haunts him, every time he thinks about throwing a fist or breaking something. Why him? She isn't shallow enough to be doing it just 'cause the sex is good and he's fun.

And if he's with her, will he damage her even more than she already believes she is? Is he making her better, like she's doing for him? Or is he making things worse?

He doesn't have the answers, though. So Billy decides it's time to change the subject. He scoffs. "So what, you like it here now?"

"No."

"Then why are you defending it?"

"I'm not." She argues.

"Sure sounds like it." He keeps his eyes on the road, the memory of Veronica wrapped up in his leather jacket calming his rage just enough that he doesn't throttle his stepsister to death.

It's her fault they're here, anyway. She just had to open her big mouth about his tryst in the backseat.

Max sighs. "It's just, we're stuck here -"

"Mhmm. And who's fault is that?" He asks, rolling his head to the side to stare at her. "You're right. We're stuck here. And whose fault is that?"

"Yours." She mutters, glaring out the window.

Billy starts to see red, and he clenches his hands on the steering wheel. "What'd you say?"

"Nothing."

"Did you say it's my fault?"

"No."

He growls. "You know who's fault it is. Say it. Max… Say it. SAY IT!" He screams at her, pleased when she jumps away. He switches gears and drives even faster, hands slamming down against the steering wheel, over and over until they throb.

"Billy, slow down!" She yells at him. He licks at his teeth gleefully when he notices the three kids biking ahead. Their outfits look a little familiar, but he can't place it. Max's fear is too distracting.

"Oh, these your new hick friends?"

"No! But one of them -"

"Aw, you've got a boyfriend? Little Maxine is acting like a big girl now, huh?" He laughs, speeding up.

"No, no, Billy! Billy, don't!" She pleads, but he's a little too far gone.

"What? You gonna cry if I hit 'em? I get bonus points, I get 'em all in one go?" Billy screams over the music, rage taking over. Not even Veronica's smile can bring him back right now. There's so much in his head. Neil, his mom leaving, frail little Susan who ignores what his old man does. Max being Neil's favorite, despite not even being his.

"No, Billy, stop! It's not funny! Seriously, you don't want to do this!" He turns his head slowly, uncaring as he keeps drumming along to Ted Nugent. The three kids start to bike a little harder. "Billy, come on, stop it. It's not funny. Stop!" He grins wickedly as the kids start biking out of control, crashing into each other as they try to get off the road. "Billy, stop it!" The tires screech as Max dives over and yanks the wheel to the side, steering them off course.

"Yeah, that was a close one, huh?" He screams, blood pumping and head on fire as he laughs.

"You idiot!" She screams at him, and he glares at her. She only flinches a little. "The one with the curly hair -"

"What about him, Mad Max?" He yells back, gleeful. "He your boyfriend?"

"No! He's Veronica's little brother!" She shouts, and the news shocks him enough that it's his turn to steer out of control.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit.

"You tell her, and you're dead. You hear me? Don't you dare ruin what we have!" Billy warns, panting heavily. "Do you understand?"

"I'm not the one you have to be worried about. Her brother's got a big mouth, remember?" Max asks, haughtily.

I fucked up I fucked I fucked up plays in his mind on a loop. "I said, do you understand?!" He screams at her, trying not to tear up when he thinks about making his girl sad.

"I understand! I understand." Max tells him, voice shaking with fear.

Fuck.

3rd Person (Dustin's POV)...

Dustin brushes the dirt off of his hands and costume, staring after the blue car in shock. Mad Max was there, with her stepbrother. His sister's boyfriend.

It was just a stupid prank, he thinks to himself, quickly checking on a terrified Mike and confused Lucas. I can't tell Leia. I can't. She's finally happy. I can't ruin it for her.

So instead he gets back on his bike, and hopes his best friends haven't pieced together that the guy who almost ran them over is dating their favorite babysitter.

Veronica's POV…

I stand in front of my bathroom mirror, adjusting my old grey bomber jacket - unused until now - and fixing the v-neck of my pink tie-dye shirt. It's tucked into tight, high-waisted jeans, the hems of my pants rolled up a bit and tucked into white tube socks. My new white converse are in pristine condition, though probably not for long. As I tease my hair like Linda Hamilton's, my mind drifts down memory lane.

Steve drops us off by Melvald's with only a kiss for Nancy. He doesn't look at me, and I try not to feel like I'd lost someone important. Nancy just sighs at our behavior and gets out. I follow after her, warm thanks to Billy's jacket. Thankfully, she decides against commenting further on our fight. Instead she whisks me into Mira's Boutique, the bell ringing above the door as we enter. "So, who are you going as?"

"Lana, from Risky Business. I have a skirt, I just need a similar top and a little black bow-tie. Steve already dresses like Tom Cruise's character. What's his name again?"

"Joel Goodsen." I told her, and Nancy shrugged.

"Honestly, I wasn't that into it."

"Dude, it was so good!" I complain, and she stares at me, blue eyes sad. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just… just thinking."

"You think too hard sometimes, Nance." I tell her, rifling through some sweaters until I pull out an off-white one with a slight turtleneck - nothing too constricting. "Think this will work? It's definitely your size."

She smiles, feeling the fabric. "Yeah, it's perfect. Personally I think it'd look better on you. Cream colors always make me look like a ghost."

"Shut up, you're beautiful. You think they have a pink tie-dye top here? And tube socks. And white shoes. I guess I could go to Melvald's for that, though."

"No need, I see some stuff in the back!" Nancy points past the retail clerk, and carefully folds her sweater over her arm as we walk over.

I can't take the silence, though. "Seriously, Nance, what's going on? You're never this quiet."

"Just…" She sighs and looks around. "I was thinking about what you said, last night. At Barb's. I've been running every possible scenario through my head, and I want to do it. I want to expose them." She whispers. "But I talked to Steve -"

"You told him?" I hiss. She shakes her head.

"Not a lot. Mainly that I'm tired of pretending. I'm always pretending now, about everything." Nancy pauses, looking down at her feet. "I'm sorry for that."

"Nance -"

"No, it was wrong of me to act like everything was alright. I promised you I'd be there, and it feels like I haven't. I promise to do better."

"Nancy. Stop. You've been a great friend." I pat her shoulder.

She shakes her head, clearly doubting me. "Anyway, Steve just said we couldn't do anything. That our hands are tied, which is such bullshit. So now we're going to a party and pretending like we're just normally teens." She finishes, then reaches onto a rack of tie-dyes until she pulls out a possible purchase. It's close enough to the one Sarah Connor wore. I tug it off the hangar and slip off Billy's jacket to try it on. It's baggy, but the looser the better - especially if I'm going to be dancing all night.

"I'm sorry he wasn't… supportive." I sigh. "I get it, though. Technically, he's right about our hands being tied. We'd be risking the lives of people we care about. But for Barb and her parents… wouldn't it be worth it?" I ask her, rhetorically. She smiles and nods as I tugg the top off and pull Billy's jacket back on.

"Maybe Jonathan would help us?"

"Probably." I shrug. "Nancy?"

"Yeah?" She asked, leading me to the shoes. "What's wrong?"

"I need to tell you something. It's… it isn't good."

"Holy shit, are you pregnant?" She nearly screeches, but thankfully she manages to contain her voice.

I sputter. "No! No, I'm safe. Always! Jesus Christ, Nance."

"Sorry." She blushes. "Okay, what's wrong?"

"You know how sometimes I have these, um, episodes?"

"I thought you said they'd stopped." She stares down at me, frowning.

I bite my lip. "And they did, for a little while. But they're back, and I think they've gotten worse."

"Have you told the Lab?" Nancy peaks around, but the store's empty.

I nod. "They've known for awhile."

"What makes you think they've gotten worse? What's got you so shaken?" She asks, frowning worriedly as she takes my hands..

I sigh. "The episodes, they've changed. They still mess with my head. But it isn't just the vines and the ash anymore. Now there's thunder, too. And red lightning. And a giant, shadowy… thing. And I always feel like something's trying to find me, but it can't."

I'm immediately pulled into a hug, and Nancy strokes my back. "I'm so sorry. That sounds terrifying."

"That's just the thing! I'm no - I'm never terrified when it happens. A little scared, yeah, but I still feel… safe? It's more like a warning. And whatever's looking for me… it's like the Upside Down's stopped caring about me. The vines don't even try and grab me anymore."

"So what, they're just dreams? Or do you think -" She cuts herself off, biting her lip raw. "Is it… could the episodes be -"

"Real?" I huff. "Maybe. Maybe not. I mean, last night's episode, I woke up in bed, like I'd never gotten out. But the first one had been when I was awake, after Jonathan and I saw The Terminator. I guess I don't know what to think. I'm scared Nancy. What if I get worse?" I shake my head. "Nancy, promise me you won't tell anyone. Keep it to yourself, alright? Until after the anniversary. Give me until then." She starts to argue and I pull away, squeezing her shoulders until my knuckles turn white. "Nancy, I mean it. Who knows what the Lab'll do."

"Alright. Okay, I won't - I'm not going to tell anyone. I promise."

I sigh and let her go. "Thank you. Now come on, we've got to finish up."

I blink back into the present when my doorbell rings. My mom's still at work, but I have no doubt she'll be home within an hour so she can hand out candy and cuddle with Mews.

The doorbell rings again and I slide out of the bathroom, jogging over to my front door. "Jesus, relax!" I shout, but excitedly open it. "Holy shit." I mutter, staring directly at my boyfriend's naked torso. He's wearing a black leather jacket, but it's wide open to reveal his pecs and abs.

Billy chews his gum, smiling like the Devil. "Like what you see?"

"Fuck yes." He barely stumbles as I jump onto him, legs wrapped tight around his waist. I moan as he carries me inside, closing the door and slamming me against it. His hands are on my jean-clad ass and our mouths move together like it's a damn race. "Oh. Oh my God. B-Billy!" I whimper as he trails his lips down to the base of my throat and sucks like he's a goddamn vampire. "Do we have to go to Tommy's?"

His mouth leaves my new hickey and he holds me up with one hand, the other one tugging at my teased locks. "I know you don't like him, but it's free alcohol and I get to show off my ridiculously hot girlfriend."

"I hate him." I correct Billy. "And Carol, and Vicki. Nicole. Drew. Mike. Kyle."

"Yeah, yeah. But knowing them has helped me adjust to school."

I narrow my eyes. "You mean gain popularity?"

"Says the Ice Queen."

I glare. "Yeah, except I didn't become the Ice Queen by being a dick to everyone. Especially people different from me." I passionately tell him. He starts to frown. "They aren't the kind of people who'll help you in the long run, Billy."

"I don't want them to. They're stepping stones." I raise my eyebrows. "Shit, I didn't mean that. I meant that as the new kid, I need more than just a smoking hot babe of a girlfriend to make it through high school."

"Look, I don't want to fight -"

"I don't either. I'm sorry. We can skip Tommy's -"

"No." I shake my head and let him slide me down so my feet touch the ground. "We can go. We should go. Being in a relationship means compromising, right? And caring about the person you're with. I care about you, Billy. And if you want to go drink with those assholes, I'm coming with you."

"Thanks. I care about you, too."

"I should hope so."

"You ready to go?" He asks me, and I nod.

"Yeah, I just have to grab something from the bathroom." He follows me as I walk into my prepping zone, watching as I touch up my mascara and reapply my strawberry Lip Smacker, shoving the red tube in the front pocket of my jeans. Besides those two items, I'm not wearing any other makeup. There's nothing worse than sweating off your hard work and leaving a party looking more wrecked than one of the Jaws victims. I smile at him through the mirror. "What?"

"You're so beautiful." I fail to hold in my blush, groaning when his smile changes into a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I skip over to him and run my nails down his abs. They flex at my touch. "You're so hot." I tell him, and he grins. It starts to fade, though, and I frown. "What's wrong?"

"Where's your mom? And your brother?" He asks me, glancing around nervously.

Well, we did just have an argument after a quick make-out sesh against the door.

"Mom's still at work. Don't worry, she knows I'm going out. She practically begged me to, when I told her last night. And I haven't seen Dustin since this morning. He went straight to one of his friends' houses so they could get a head start on Trick-or-Treating."

He smiles, looking a little relieved. "Oh. Okay. I just wasn't ready for an ambush, especially not looking like this."

I laugh at him and tug him out of the bathroom, turning off the light as I go and nearly stepping on Mews. She rubs against my leg, making sure to stain my white sock as a means of countering her nice gesture. She hisses at Billy, though, and I smile. "Thank God. I thought she only hated me."

"Why would she hate you?"

"I stepped on her a couple of times. By accident." I clarify. "Sometimes we get along. I think she's just jealous that I have opposable thumbs, and she doesn't." I sing down at Mews, who prances away.

Billy snorts and lets me lead him out of the house, his hand low on my back. He releases me in favor of helping me into the car, the door closing gently after me. He gets in, and I tilt my head. "Who the hell are you supposed to be, by the way?" I ask. "I mean, you look good, but who are you dressed as?"

"C'mon, babe. Can't you tell?" I blinks, and he huffs. "I'm an Outsider!"

I hum and take in his costume - which is really just his usual wardrobe sans shirt - and grin. "Oh yeah. I see it. Which one?"

"Sodapop Curtis. Tell me, do I look better than Rob Lowe, or what?" I snort, but sort of see the resemblance in the eyes.

"You just wanted an excuse to be shirtless." I tell him, laughing as he blushes while finally pulling out of my driveway and presumably heading to Tommy's.

"No. Not only."

"Cute. But I can see the resemblance. You're definitely bigger though." I look up at him through my eyelashes when he glances down at me, and he moans.

"Stop teasing me, baby girl. Who are you supposed to be?"

"Sarah Connor. From The Terminator." I smile up at him.

He shrugs. "Haven't seen it yet. You look hot, Queen V. But from what I've seen in the trailer, you've definitely got bigger boobs than Linda Hamilton." I laugh and slap his chest. He rubs it. "Jesus, baby girl. You're stronger than you look."

"Shut up and drive. I want some alcohol before more alcohol."

"Baby girl, you complete me."

Tommy's is a bust despite the Hanson boy's promises of "good booze" - just like I thought it'd be. Billy's over it within the first five minutes, and I bite my tongue to keep myself from saying a big old "I told you so." Instead I drink my cheap beer and stroke up and down Billy's exposed torso, laughing with him at how bad Mike, Drew, Kyle, and Matt are at beer pong. Even Carol looks a little peeved, and she shoots me a bored shrug. I laugh, able to deal with these assholes better once I've got a few beers in me, no matter how cheap they are.

Finally it's 7:30, the perfect time to head to Tina's. I hug the host and thank her when she immediately figures out who I am.

"I'm surprised Billy didn't just go as the Terminator."

I laugh. "That would've been awkward, considering what actually goes down in the movie. By the way; if he makes you guess who he is, he's Sodapop Curtis."

"Mmm. He is easy on the eyes. Sorry girl." I roll my eyes and hip check her.

"It's fine. You can window shop. Just no touching the merchandise." She giggles and urges me towards the action.

"Veronica, keg stand time! C'mon, let's see if your boy-toy can beat King Steve!" Carol cheers, tipsy enough to willingly grab my hand and pull me outside.

"Came to wish me luck?" Billy asks as soon as I'm deposited in front of him, Carol giggling into her Cobra Kai-dressed boyfriend.

"You don't need luck, California." I smile widely and kiss him, gentler than before. "Don't forget to keep swallowing." I whisper against his lips.

He snorts. "Usually that's your job."

I laugh and shove him. "Go, do your thing." He winks at me and nods at Matt and Tommy, who lift him up by his legs. Mötley Crüe's Shout at the Devil blares all around us, and I cheer with the rest of the crowd as my boyfriend keeps chugging from the nozzle.

"C'mon, babe!" I shout, clapping as he keeps chugging.

"38!39!40!41!42!" We all count up, and Billy comes up for air, proud grin on his face as he sprays the extra beer out of his mouth, some of it dripping down his sweaty torso. It's a little gross, but mostly hot, especially with the way he swaggers with it.

"Yeah!" He roars over the crowd, and Tommy passes my boyfriend a lit cigarette.

"42! We've got ourselves a new Keg King!" He announces.

"That's how you do it Hawkins! That's how you do it!" Billy shouts before spinning around. "Where's my girl?!"

I laugh at how excited he is, running into his arms and jumping up so my legs are wrapped around his, the sweat and beer covering his body now soaking my shirt. The crowd keeps cheering as we make out, and he carries me into the party with Kyle and Tommy behind him, setting me down when we hit the back entrance.

"I'm gonna go get some punch!" I yell over the music.

"Don't be long!" Billy yells back. I laugh, and with very little effort navigate myself through the thick crowd on the dance floor, dunking my solo cup in the red liquid - "pure fuel!" one kid bellows, drinking heavily. Just as I'm stepping around the counter to make my way to Billy, the front door opens. Steve and Nancy enter, the former with his sunglasses on. I smile fondly at his outfit before reminding myself I'm still pissed at him.

I'm not pissed at Nancy though, so I rush up to meet her at the door. She smiles and waves at me, but it fades a bit when Tommy, Kyle, and Billy make their way over to the happy couple. Steve leans towards the door and rips his sunglasses off his face, waiting for the ambush. Nance rolls her eyes and walks over to me.

"You look great." She compliments me, though she's tense. I nod in understanding.

"You, too. Go on, get a drink. But not too much, alright? Only a couple of cups. It's ridiculously strong."

She rolls her eyes but smiles, hugging me quickly. "Okay!" She shouts over the noise.

"I'll handle the alpha showdown!" I tell her, and she pats my shoulder before walking away.

"We got ourselves a new Keg King, Harrington!" Tommy announces, beating me to Steve by a few seconds.

"Yeah!" Kyle shouts.

"Eat it, Harrington!" Matt finishes. I grin innocently and walk in between the four boys, greeting Steve.

"You made it! I thought you and Nance got lost!" I tease. He frowns as he shrugs, gaze switching between me and my boyfriend.

"You know Nance. She wanted to make sure she looked perfect."

I laugh. "Yeah. I guess that's true." I lean up and quickly kiss Billy, and his body loosens from its previously tense state.

"Oooh, you two gonna disappear on us in a bit? You gonna please your new King?" Tommy asks, and I glare at him.

"Why are you so concerned with my sex life, Hagan?" I growl, losing any remaining patience I had left for the douchebag. He takes a step back. "Did you piss off Carol and now she's not giving you any?" He throws up his hands and slinks away, presumably to go pay attention to his girlfriend.

"I love your fire, baby girl!" Billy practically moans, pulling me into a scorching kiss. We separate and I look back to see Steve glaring at my boyfriend, clearly pissed off. I just can't tell why. At least, not until I look over at Billy and see him practically challenging Steve.

"Come on, good looking. I wanna dance." Billy hums and wraps an arm around my shoulders, leading me away. I spare one brief glance back at Steve.

His frown follows me to the dance floor.

Three cups of punch in, and I'm only just buzzed. I cut myself off, just like Billy. Neither one of us wants to get in a wreck. Not that we'd really be able to get drunk with the amount of sweat rolling over our bodies. Nancy had joined us in the beginning, moving with me while Billy held my waist, cheering us on when we decided to spin each other. But she left to go dance with Steve and be a "stupid teenager." So I just focused on Billy, occasionally dancing with Tina and even Nicole, though she backed off when I caught her trying to grind on Billy.

I tied my bomber around my waist nearly an hour ago, but Billy's still moving around in his leather jacket. His lips trail down to my neck as we move our hips in sync. My nails rake down his abs, stroking just over the button of his jeans before coming back up. Both his hands are on my ass, groping. The sucking turns into biting, and I'm throwing my head back before going in for a few marks, too, laughing when he moans.

We break apart for a little air, and that's when the hair on the back of my neck rises and the lights start to flicker.

Shit. Oh, hell.

"Bi-Billy. I'm going to go outside. Get some air."

"You okay? You gonna be sick?" He asks me, whispering in my ears.

"I'm fine. Just need to breathe."

"Okay. I'll be here." He promises, and I feel his eyes on me as I rush out into the night, Tina's front lawn thankfully empty in reality, everyone either in the back or somewhere in the house.

The lights behind me keep flickering and I sit down on the hood of Billy's car, legs bent up to my chest. I close my eyes for the briefest of moments, and when I reopen them I'm back in the Upside Down.

"This isn't real. This isn't real." I mutter to myself, and something growls in the distance. Whatever it is rises up, appendages growing and smoke-form filling up like a demented balloon.

It's the shadow monster from last night.

It isn't looking at me, though. No, it's staring in the opposite direction. I cover my mouth to hide my screams, eyes filling with tears at just how big and imposing it is.

This is the evil Will was talking about. This was what's trying to kill everyone else. Am I part of "everyone else"? Am I "no one" to it?

I bite my fist, hard, and the pain jolts me, sending shockwaves to my brain. With a snap, crackle, and pop I'm back where I belong, sitting on the vine-free hood of the Camaro.

Jesus, I didn't think I drank that much. But I must've, right? It's just the Anniversary Effect. It's only PTSD. Dr. Owens knows what he's talking about, right?

Right.

I slide off the hood of the car and half-stumble back towards the house, only to stop in my tracks when a dejected Steve storms out, hands in his jacket pockets and face teary. "Steve? Steve, are you okay?" I ask, setting aside my anger to check on my best friend. He just storms past me, completely ignoring my question. "Steve!" I shout, and he stops. "What happened?"

He scoffs and turns, his face morphing into what it used to look like, before the Demogorgon and Nancy. It's all "King Steve", angry and tense.

"What do you want Veronica? Huh? Jesus, just go back inside." He growls.

"Steve, what -"

I step back as he advances, body shaking with rage while tears rapidly rain down his cheeks. "Go in and keep pretending you're okay!" He shouts at me.

"Wh- Steve? What are you talking -"

"Cut the bullshit! That's what this all is, right? It's bullshit! Nancy was real clear about that" Steve scoffs, staggering as he throws out his arms. "That's right, she spilled the beans! We're all pretenders here! It's our fault Barb died, it's our fault you got taken!"

I shake my head. "Steve, no, that isn't true. It wasn't your fault. She's just drunk!"

"Again, that's bullshit! I know she meant every word, princess." He throws at me, and I glare. He hasn't used that nickname with that tone of voice in almost a year.

"Jesus Christ, why are you getting mad at me?" I laugh in disbelief. "Whatever, talk to me when you aren't being a raging dick!" I shout, doing my best to leave him behind.

"That's right! Go back inside and make out with your asshole boyfriend. Go act like we don't exist!"

I turn around, pointing at him like an irritated teacher. "Hey, I'm not acting like you guys don't exist! You're the one who threw a fit about me dating someone! You're the one who went on the offensive!" I shout back. "What's your problem with Billy, huh? What'd he ever do to you?" He scoffs. "Let me tell you what he does for me - he takes care of me. He knows me. He makes sure I know how important I am to him."

Steve shakes his head. "Yeah, he must know you really well if he thinks you're this fiery girl he can just make off with!"

"What the fuck does that mean?" I roar back.

Steve scoffs, crossing his arms. "Nothing. Just that you've been acting like someone you're not. I mean, you're lying all the time, you're getting into fights." He shakes his head. "I've got news for you, princess. Even before you were the Ice Queen, you were never fiery. Stop pretending to be whoever it is you've got yourself believing you are!"

"Shut up! Shut up!" I rush forward and hit his chest, shoving him back. "You're the pretender! You're the one acting like nothing happened, who can't see I've changed! You think this is a phase? This is who I am! I'm all fire now!" I bite out, tears rolling down my cheek. "Billy gets that. He's the only one who sees me!"

"Really? You think he's the only one who sees you, who knows you? Even the smallest things?" Steve passionately counters, towering over me. I do my best to stand taller than I actually am. "Does he know your favorite color? Does he know what your favorite favorite flower is? Does he know what you do before a big test? Does he know what kind of movies you like, and which ones you don't? Does he know what kind of dog you want? Does he know what your favorite song is - not your 'anthem', but the song that makes you feel happiest!"

"Not yet. But he will! He knows the important things!"

Steve laughs again, just as harsh. "If you say so. But for the record, I know the answer to every single one of those questions, and more. Your favorite color is violet, but you say it's green so people don't think you're too girly, which is insane because no one would ever accuse you of being girly, ever, no matter what color you wear. You love gardenias, and you think roses are overrated. You love romantic comedies, but you say you don't because they always make you cry. And you hate scary movies, even though you say you love 'em. You hate that the blonde girl always dies first, that she's always ditzy or overly sexual and 'none of those things should dictate who deserves to die!'"

My heart pounds, practically beating out of my chest. It's hard to breathe, and I stammer out a response. "I-I... you only know all that because I told you!" I deflect.

Steve rolls his eyes, cheeks flushed red with anger. "Well, what about the shit you never told me? What about the stuff I found out on my own? That's right, I may not be able to write a damn college essay, but my eyes work just fine when it comes to you. You never told me your favorite song. I figured it out, all on my own. The song that makes you happiest - your favorite, you blast it whenever you're in the kitchen, getting our snacks ready for a movie - is Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. You know every single word, the harmony and the melody, all of it. Before every big test, you play with your fingers and mouth the words to Bad Reputation. It always relaxes you. For the smaller tests you twirl your pencil around three times, because that's your lucky number. You bite your lips raw when you're thinking too hard, and when you're pissed off your right eyebrow quivers - it's the only warning you'll give. When you're upset, you clench your fists so tight you break the skin of your palms. Don't deny it, I've seen the blood! When you're confused your lips get even poutier, your nose crinkles, and you curse under your breath like a maniac."

My eyes water as he talks, my heart ripping as my veins sing. "Stop -" I beg, tears sliding down my cheeks.

Steve pushes on, words ramming into me full-throttle. "I could list a thousand more things I know about you, all of them things I learned on my own. So don't you dare say that asshole is the only one who sees you. I've always seen you!" I wipe away falling tears, but more slide down. "And don't think for one second I didn't notice that you took off the ring!" He yells, pointing at my bare right thumb. "What happened to you 'never taking it off'? Did Hargrove make you? Because the Veronica I know would never let someone control what she wears! She would never date a guy like that!"

"He isn't like that!" I scream. "I chose to take it off! Me! I needed a break from it! I needed a break from y-" A sob erupts from my throat, cutting off my confession. I cover my mouth to hold it in, vision going foggy as Steve stares down at me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's heartbroken.

The door opens behind me, a worried voice calling my name. Steve just scoffs, looking away. "There you are. Jesus, I thought you'd left!" Billy shouts. He turns me away from Steve, glaring heavily when he sees my wet face.

"Was he bothering you?" My boyfriend asks, voice dangerously low. "Baby girl?"

"No. No, he was just leaving."

Steve and I glare at each other before he scoffs again, turning around and walking down towards his car. I collapse into Billy, failing to keep the sobs at bay. He shushes me, his fingers raking through my curls soothingly. "Are you sure you don't want me to handle it?"

I laugh sadly, burrowing my face in his sweaty chest. "Not this time. No beating up my best friend, even if we're fighting."

"Not even a light punch for making you cry?"

I shake my head. "I hurt him, too. We'll talk it over tomorrow, though. He's just going through a lot."

"So are you, but you aren't acting like a raging bitch." He comments.

I pull back to smile up in thanks, my ears ringing with Steve's words. "It'll blow over tomorrow, California. C'mon, your adoring fans are probably waiting to worship their new King." I curtsy and he laughs, kissing my lips and wiping under my eyes to fix my makeup.

"Only if Queen V joins me."

I smile and kiss his sternum. "As Your Highness requests."

He snorts and steps away, pulling me back towards Tina's house. I look back just in time to see Steve climbing into his car and driving away.

Please don't be drunk.

The party's only gotten more alive, the music louder and more alcohol set out. Billy gives my hand a squeeze to go grab us both something to drink, and a cold hand drops on my shoulder. I turn, about to go on the offensive. It's only Nancy, though, her sweater covered in red punch. And behind her stands -

"Jonathan?" I ask. "You came! Jesus, where were you hiding?" He laughs and pulls me into a hug, but frowns a bit when he sees my face.

"Are you okay? Did Billy -"

"No, no." I shake my head. "Steve and I got into an argument. He just left."

Jonathan nods, glancing down at a bopping Nancy warily. She's drunk off her ass, definitely surpassing the two-cups minimum rule I set for her. "Yeah. He saw me, asked me to take her home."

"T-talk. To. To y-you!" Nancy tells me, and Jonathan and I steady her.

"So much for drinking responsibly." I mutter, but it goes unheard by her.

"Told S-steve the truth. We're bullshit. We-were bull. Shit. I'm sorry." She pouts at me, tearing up. "H-hurt you. Lied. Pretended. We were bullshit, but you two aren't!"

"Me and Billy?" I ask, but she shakes her head.

"N-no."

"Me and Jonathan?"

"No!" She yelps, arms waving wildly. "I'm sorry. Kept pretending, kept hurting you." She stumbles again, and Jonathan catches her.

"I should -"

"Yeah. Do you want me to come with?" I offer, but he shakes his head.

"No, it's okay. Go be a normal teenager for once. Have fun with your boyfriend." He nudges his head and I turn to see Billy approaching, carrying a solo cup in each hand. I make to say goodbye, but my friends have practically vanished in thin air.

"You okay?" Billy asks me, holding out my cup. I nod and practically chug the contents.

"Yeah. How about a few more songs, then we go for a little drive?" He grins and tugs me into the middle of the dance floor, helping me lose myself in the rhythm.