Chapter 3

Penny was sitting on Nancy's bed, watching her best friend digging through her closet for something to wear. Once Nancy's outfit was decided on, she turned to face Penny.

"OK, now we need to make you a costume!" Penny shook her head as she pulled one out of her bag, "Already got one, Nance." Watching her friend get ready, Penny realized something felt off. Nancy seemed to be constantly lost in thought, but Penny just shrugged it off. Just as they were finishing getting ready, Mrs. Wheeler called from down the stairs, "Girls! Steve's here!" One more quick look in the mirror and they both dashed down the stairs. Nancy stopped to talk to her mom, ushering for Penny to head outside.

"Now Mom, remember if Penny's dad calls," Nancy started. Mrs. Wheeler didn't hesitate to hold up her hand to stop her daughter and smiled.

"Then I tell him she's already sleeping but having such a fun time." Nancy was surprised that her mother was willing to lie to another parent, but unbeknownst to her, Mrs. Wheeler already had a suspicion about Penny's family life.

Four weeks Prior…..

Karen Wheeler had been sitting in the kitchen when her daughter walked through the door.

"Hi Mom, I hope you don't mind, I brought a friend over," Nancy announced, opening the door further to let Penny in.

"Mom, this is Penny Hargrove. She's new and in a bunch of my classes." Karen nodded a greeting at the girl, who looked super nervous.

"C'mon in, Penny!" While the two girls sat at the table doing homework, Karen continued prepping for dinner.

"Mrs. Wheeler, do you need any help?" Penny asked from her spot at the table. Mrs. Wheeler was taken aback, but smiled, "Sure. I just need help cutting up the potatoes." As Penny stood up to wash her hands at the sink, she pushed up her sleeves. That's when Karen noticed the handprint shaped fading bruises on Penny's forearms.

As Nancy talked to her mom, Penny slipped out the door and down the steps to where Steve Harrington was leaning against his car. His jaw slightly dropped as he took in her costume.

"Yes, I dressed as Sandy from Grease. Tease me all you want, Harrington," Penny sighed with a roll of her eyes. Steve tried to awkwardly shrug off his reaction, scoffing as his eyes betrayed him and scanned her body. The black leather pants were tight, showing off just enough of her curves. And the black stilettos were no help, making her legs seem longer than they were. Shaking his head out of the daze, he glanced up as the door opened and Nancy walked out. Penny took the hint to slip into the backseat as Steve walked up to Nancy.

"You look great," he whispered leaning down to kiss her. But Nancy quickly turned her head as Steve's lips collided with her cheek.

"C'mon we're gonna be late," she muttered before walking around the passenger's seat.

Steve couldn't help the thoughts that flew through his head on the drive to the party. Shit, did Nancy see me checking out Penny? Why the fuck was I checking out Penny? Fuck, does she wanna break up?

Once they entered, Penny slipped away from the couple, not wanting to spend the night once again as a third wheel. On her way to the drinks, she spotted none other than her brother doing a keg stand in the backyard. Hoping he didn't see her, she quickly turned before bumping into someone.

"Shit, I'm sorry!" She exclaimed before taking a step back.

"Don't worry about you," the voice replied as she turned to look over her shoulder. "Hey, I know you. Hargrove, right?" Her head immediately whipped around to see Eddie Munson standing in front of her. Granted they had a couple of classes together but never spoke to one another.

"Yeah, that's me," she said with a smile as she tried to move past him to find the closest drink. Stopping at the punch bowl, she filled a cup surprised to see that Eddie had followed her over there.

"So Hargrove, what brings you to a party like this?" he asked, taking a step closer to lean into her so he wouldn't have to yell so loud. Penny smiled up at him, "Didn't think I was a partier, did you Munson?"

"Well, I know you prefer reading. How'd you like Return of the King by the way?" Her eyes widened as she realized Eddie had paid attention to her during school. For most of the lunches, she was tucked away by herself at a table, engrossed in a book while eating.

"One of my favorites. So, Eddie, what brings you to a party like this?" Eddie motioned to his pocket before leaning closer to her ear, "Well someone's gotta bring the goods." He pulled back, a wild smile on his face causing Penny to laugh. Shit, I can't remember the last time I actually laughed, she thought to herself as she sipped on her drink. Eddie motioned with his head to follow up, which she obliged. Finding an empty couch, Eddie sunk into it, pulling Penny to sit down next to him. He casually left his arm draped on the back of the couch behind her shoulders.

"So, favorite part of Return of the King?" he asked casually, his eyes roving over her face. Penny felt her face get warm as she sunk back against his arm.

"Ugh, there's so many to list," she laughed, sipping on her drink. The two continued to talk about books, only stopping for a few minutes to get more to drink.

A little while later, a commotion drew her attention. Clearly, there was an argument between Hawkin's hottest couple and Penny immediately jumped to her feet. Just as she was walking closer, a hand grabbed her arm pulling her back.

"What the hell you doing here, Pen?" Fuck, she thought as she turned to face Billy.

"Billy, hey!" she forced herself to smile as the death glare was evident on his face. She knew the consequences her dad would have for her if she was found to be at the party, but she was willing to face them. Thanks, alcohol.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Pen?" Billy asked again, tightening his grip on her arm. The siblings stared each other down for a minute. Just then, a girl had approached Billy causing him to drop his hand.

"Don't let Dad know," he warned, pointing a finger at her face before walking away with his arm slung around the random girl.

"Fuck," Penny groaned, before fighting her way through the crowd. Reaching the front porch, she watched as Jonathan Byers drove off with a clearly intoxicated Nancy sitting in his passenger seat.

"Fuck," Penny groaned louder, racking her brain for a solution. She was supposed to stay the night at Nancy's house. If she showed up home now, she'd be in for it. Praying that her window was still unlocked at the house, she crossed her arms and began the walk across town.