Its been three days after meeting the Byers and staying with them. Valerie and Ethan got out of the car facing a high school as a boy locked the doors. "Why am i reliving this hell?" Said Ethan. "Its only for a week. We can just hang with Jonathan, Nancy, and Steve in their classes." Said Valerie. "You two will be fine. Steve!" Said Jonathan seeing a teen parking his car three spaces down. "Jonathan. Hey." Said Steve locking his car before walking towards the trio. "This is Valerie and Ethan." Said Jonathan. "Yeah. You mentioned them last night. Nice to meet guys. Im Steve Harrington and Nancy will be running late. Dropping off Mike." Said Steve. "So how is this gonna work out." Saod Ethan. "I can take Valerie until Nancy comes. Sounds fair." Said Jonathan. "Yeah come on." Said Steve walking with Valerie inside. "So how long have you and Ethan been together?" Said Steve leading her to his locker. "We've been best friends for nine years." Said Valerie. "Nines years. Damn. What about your family?" Said Steve grabbing his books. "Dead. Which we dont want to talk about." Said Valerie leaning against the lockers. "Its not good to hold stuff in. Trust me." Said Steve. "Its better that way for some people." Said Valerie hearing the bell. "Time for Social Studies." Said Steve. Valerie followed in the classroom as the teacher stopped her. "Who are you?" Said the female teacher. "Im new here. Valerie Gales." Said Valerie adjusting her backpack. "Odd we never had a mention of a new student." Said the teacher. "Thats because all of my records and brother Ethans were destroyed." Said Valerie. "Alright have a seat." Said the teacher. Valerie took an empty seat in front Steve and a random girl.
She took out a notebook and noticed a smell of cigarette mixed with cologne next to her. Without looking up was a teen with dirty blonde wavy curls, jean jacket over a white shirt, and gave off a bad boy vibe. Steve lean back towards his to look at Valerie who was jotting down notes. "If you need help on anything or have talk im here." Steve said quietly. "Got it and if you're touring Ethan . . ." said Valerie as the teacher cleared her throat. "Ms. Gales. Do you have something to say?" Said the teacher getting everyone to look at her. "No. I was asking Steve about how i can get my books?" Said Valerie. "Well you get yours after class. I have extras." Said the teacher. "Nerd." Said the girl. "Slut." Said Valerie before letting out a tiny sneezing turning to the side. "Bless you." Said Steve as Valerie held up a finger. She let out another sneeze then rubbed her nose and got back to the lesson. After class Valerie got her books and followed Steve to his locker to put her books in with his. "What were you gonna tell me?" Said Steve. "Its about Ethan. He may have seizures from time to time. Physical or mental. Just to let you know if he has it." Said Valerie. "What if that happens?" Said Steve. "You stay calm, get everyone to back up, talk to him, and dont put anything in hos mouth unless his jaw his clenched tight enough to break his teeth. Only if im not around. But Ethan usually takes weed to help prevent them." Said Valerie. "Sounds stupid." Said Steve. "But it works and he doesnt have meds for them so theres that." Said Valerie then saw the same boy checking her out. "Oh Billy Hargrove. Be careful with him." Said Steve following her gaze. "I can handle myself." Said Valerie. "Listen how i buy you some lunch? Since you did say your records are gone." Said Steve.
"Thanks but i think exploring the school will help me get around." Said Valerie as Ethan shoved her to a girl with short hair. "Really?" She says facing Ethan. "Go to Home EC with Nancy." Said Ethan. "I'll do that and i told Steve about your issue." Said Valerie. "Why?" Said Ethan. "Because if you go into a seizure and no one is around. Youre fucked. Remember when you almost cracked your skull two years ago." Said Valerie. "Theres a reason i take weed." Said Ethan. "Hey we need help when you go into an episode. Or im not replacing that busted radio." Said Valerie. "Bitch." Said Ethan. "I love you too Shitface." Said Valerie as she walked with Nancy. "Are you two always like this?" Said Nancy looking at her. "Yep. We act like a toxic married couple but that how we show each other love." Said Valerie. "Okay. We'll start at Home Ec and science. Later is lunch and PE with Steve and Ethan. Speaking of Ethan. Did he always have seizures?" Said Nancy. "They started as amnesia for five to ten minutes when we were eight then started to get physical after the fire." Said Valerie. "Fire? His family died in a fire." Said Nancy taking a seat with Valerie. "And mine. Total of nine people." Said Valerie. "Im sorry that happened to you two. Was there anyone?" Said Nancy as Valerie shook her head. "Thats how we ended up living the streets and in Ethans grandfathers car." Said Valerie. "Listen if you guys wanna talk about anything." Said Nancy. "I'll talk when i need to." Said Valerie as they saw the class come in. The girls focused on their work while a police car pulled in the front. A man got out approaching the office to the desk getting the vice principal their attention. "Officer Hopper. What can i do for you?" Said The man. "Im here for Ethan and Valerie Gales." Said Officer Hopper. "Ethan and Valerie Gales to the office please." Said the vice principal through the mic. After a few minutes Valerie and Ethan walk through the doors with the help of Nancy. They looked at Hopper. "Jim." Said Valerie. "Joyce said you and Ethan need my help." Said Jim. "Yeah. I know my sister El is here." Said Valerie. "Come on. We can talk somewhere private." Said Jim leading out of the school. "Thats him." Valerie whispered. "The man from the radio." Ethan whispered back once they got in. Valerie nodded a bit as Jim drove them to the woods.