Dove stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the simple sundress she'd chosen for the night. The late August air was warm and thick, making jeans impractical. She'd settled on the dress because it felt light and easy, casual enough for just showing Billy around town—but nice enough in case he thought of this as a date. She still wasn't entirely sure, but she couldn't ignore the hint of excitement that had been buzzing under her skin since he'd asked her to meet him tonight.
True to form, she'd prepared a small list of places she could take him—places she thought were worth seeing, or at least as interesting as Hawkins got. She gave herself one last look, smoothed her hair, and grabbed her bag with the list tucked inside.
"Dove! Your.. friend is here," her mom called from the front room, her tone suggesting just a hint of curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, Dove stepped into the hallway, steadying herself. She could hear the low murmur of Billy's voice as he exchanged a few polite words with her mom. The sound sent her heart racing, and she reminded herself that this was what she'd wanted—something different, something to break the summer's quiet routine.
In the front room, Billy turned as she entered, his gaze flicking over her with a slight, approving smile. He looked just as self-assured as ever, hands tucked into the pockets of his leather jacket.
"You look nice," he said, his voice carrying that smooth, casual tone he seemed to master so easily.
Dove returned his smile, holding up her bag. "Thanks. I've got a few places in mind I thought we could check out."
Billy's grin widened. "Lead the way."
The first stop on Dove's list was the Hawkins town square. She led Billy through the quiet streets, pointing out a few of the town's highlights—the diner that served the best milkshakes, the record store she and Dustin frequented, and the old theater that only seemed to play the same three movies on repeat.
Billy followed her lead with an amused grin, nodding along as she talked. Occasionally, he threw in a playful comment, teasing her about Hawkins' lack of excitement or how she had to be the only person in town who'd make a list for something like this. Dove just laughed, surprisingly charmed by his easygoing attitude. She'd expected him to be bored, but he seemed genuinely interested, or at least interested in her, and that thought made her heart beat a little faster.
They stopped by the edge of the forest next, where the trees stood tall and silent, casting long shadows in the fading light. Dove pointed out the trail that led to a small clearing she sometimes went to when she needed to get away for a while, a spot where you could hear the creek trickling and forget about the rest of the world. Billy looked around, nodding as he took it all in, as if he could see the charm in the simplicity of it.
The final destination was Weathertop, the highest point in Hawkins, though it took a bit of a hike to get there. They parked at the edge of the woods and started up the trail. The path was narrow and steep, winding its way up through the trees. Dove led the way, used to the climb, while Billy kept pace beside her, glancing over occasionally as if trying to read her thoughts.
When they reached the top, Dove stopped to take in the view, her eyes sweeping over the twinkling lights of Hawkins stretching out beneath them. The whole town was visible in the fading light, the tiny streetlights flickering to life like stars against the darkening sky. Beside her, Billy seemed uncharacteristically silent, gazing out over the town with a look of genuine surprise.
"My brother calls this place Weathertop," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Billy chuckled softly, though he looked a little lost. "Weathertop? Is that, like.. a movie thing?"
Dove laughed, shaking her head. "It's from the Lord of the Rings. My brother's obsessed with that sci-fi fantasy stuff. Me? I just like to come up here when I need to feel like I'm somewhere else."
Billy glanced around, taking in the view with an unexpected look of appreciation. "I get that," he said, his tone quieter, more genuine. "Didn't think a place like this would actually have something worth looking at."
Dove looked over at him, caught off guard by the way he said it, his usual cocky tone softened. For a moment, he didn't look like the guy who'd rolled into town in a sleek black Camaro. He looked almost like her—someone who, maybe, felt stuck in a place that didn't quite fit. There was something almost vulnerable in his expression, and it made her heart skip.
They stood there in silence for a few moments, watching the sun sink below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Dove felt a warmth settle over her. She hadn't known what to expect from this night, but somehow, it felt perfect.
"Thanks for showing me around," Billy said finally, his voice low and genuine. "This was.. actually kind of amazing."
Dove smiled, feeling a rush of pride. "I'm glad you think so."
He glanced at her, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. "Maybe next time I can take you somewhere," he said, his tone filled with promise.
The thought sent a thrill through her, and as they stood together at the highest point in Hawkins, Dove felt like, for the first time all summer, she was exactly where she was supposed to be. The quiet between them grew heavy, charged with an unspoken anticipation that made her pulse quicken. Billy turned toward her, his gaze lingering as his expression softened, just a hint of something vulnerable beneath the usual confidence.
He stepped closer, reaching out to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Dove felt her breath hitch, every nerve on edge, her heart pounding in her chest. When he leaned in, she didn't pull back. She let it happen, closing her eyes as his lips brushed hers, gentle at first, then deeper, more intense.
For a moment, Dove let herself get lost in the warmth of it, her mind blank with the thrill of finally having something she'd longed for, something new, something real. But as the kiss lingered, there was an odd, faint tug at the edges of her awareness—a feeling that didn't quite fit. Something about it felt distant, like she was watching herself from the outside, just a step removed.
When he finally pulled back, Billy's easy smirk returned, and the moment shifted back into something more familiar. Dove gave him a shy smile, her face warm, her heart still racing. Whatever that feeling had been, she brushed it aside, lost in the excitement of the night.
As they headed back down the trail toward Billy's car, Dove felt the excitement of the night still buzzing under her skin, the world around her softened by the warmth lingering from the kiss. When they reached the Camaro, Billy leaned casually against the driver's side door, casting her a look that was both playful and inviting.
"How about we go for a quick drive?" he suggested, his smirk widening. "The night's still young."
Dove hesitated for only a moment, glancing at her watch, but the thrill of extending the night won out. She nodded, her pulse quickening. "Sure, why not?"
They climbed into the Camaro, and Billy started the engine, the deep rumble filling the quiet night as he pulled onto the road. He kept to the edge of town, driving just fast enough to make Dove feel like they were escaping, yet somehow keeping them anchored in familiar territory. The radio played a soft, crackling tune as they rode in silence, the faint rush of night air through the window adding to the sense of something both thrilling and uncertain.
After a few minutes, Billy turned off the main road, guiding the car into an empty parking lot just past the outskirts of town. The headlights washed over cracked pavement and a few faded parking lines, illuminating the emptiness of the place. He put the car in park and cut the engine, leaving them in a quiet so thick it felt almost surreal.
Dove glanced around, surprised by the choice of spot. "Why here?" she asked, a small laugh escaping her. "Not the most exciting part of town."
Billy leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on her, that smirk returning. "Sometimes the best places are the quiet ones," he said, his voice low and teasing. "Less distractions."
She felt her cheeks warm, his attention somehow more intense now, the silence amplifying every small movement, every unspoken thought. Billy leaned in, his eyes locked on hers, and Dove felt her breath catch as his lips met hers again. This kiss was deeper, more intense, and she let herself sink into it, feeling the thrill of being so close to someone, of having this new, almost dizzying experience. His hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer, and she could feel her heartbeat quicken as the kiss grew more heated.
For a moment, she let herself get swept up in the sensation, but as Billy's hands began to wander, a flicker of discomfort crept in. She pulled back slightly, trying to signal with a gentle press of her hand against his chest. "Billy," she murmured, her voice low, trying to keep the mood light. "Let's slow down."
As Dove tried to push him away, Billy tightened his hold, his breath hot against her skin. "Come on," he muttered, a frustrated edge in his voice. "Like you didn't know where this was going."
Her heart raced, panic rising as she struggled to push him back, her voice catching. "Billy, I said stop."
He ignored her again, his grip firm, until she gathered her strength and shoved him away with everything she had. He finally pulled back, but the look in his eyes had changed, his usual smirk replaced by something darker, sharper. For a moment, the intensity in his gaze almost scared her, and she froze, the weight of his glare pressing down on her.
They sat in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken anger and confusion. Dove could barely catch her breath, trying to process what had just happened. Then, without warning, Billy turned toward her, his expression cold.
"Get out," he said flatly, his tone hard.
Dove blinked, unsure if she'd heard him right. "What?"
He turned on her, his voice rising as he spat out the words. "I said get out!"
The harshness of his tone jolted her into motion, her hands fumbling as she scrambled for the door handle. She barely had time to get both feet on the ground before he slammed his foot on the gas, the car speeding off, leaving her standing alone in the empty parking lot.
Dove watched the taillights disappear into the darkness, her heart pounding and her mind reeling. The thrill of the night had twisted into something ugly, something she didn't fully understand but felt deep in her gut. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering as the reality of being stranded hit her, the quiet parking lot stretching around her like a cold, empty void.
With no other choice, Dove started walking, her feet dragging along the empty road as she tried to shake off the lingering fear and confusion. The night felt colder now, a stark contrast to the warmth and excitement she'd felt just an hour ago. Her shoes scuffed against the pavement as she moved forward, each step a painful reminder of how far she was from home.
The tears had come in waves at first, blurring her vision as she tried to keep moving, but after a while, they simply stopped. Now she was left with that hollow, aching feeling that settled deep in her chest, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to hold herself together.
Dove kept walking, her feet aching with each step as she crossed familiar streets that somehow felt foreign in the dim glow of streetlights. Her neighborhood finally came into view, the houses lined up in quiet rows, their windows dark. She felt a small surge of relief, but it was dampened by the exhaustion that weighed down her every movement.
The low rumble of an engine from behind her caused a wave of panic to surge forward. Dove whipped her head around, heart pounding, half-expecting to see Billy's Camaro rolling up beside her. Her pulse raced, her hands clenching instinctively.
The car that pulled up beside her wasn't the sleek black Camaro but a BMW. Steve Harrington leaned toward the open passenger window, his face a mix of curiosity and concern as he squinted at her through the dim light. "Hey.. Dove, right?" he asked hesitantly, like he wasn't quite sure he recognized her. "Are you.. okay?"
She nodded stiffly, glancing away, her mind screaming for her to keep walking. But her legs felt weak, her energy drained, and all she could do was stand there, staring at the ground.
Steve hesitated, taking in her disheveled appearance. "Do you need a ride home?"
Dove flinched at the question, her shoulders tensing. The memory of Billy's hands, his words, flashed in her mind, and the thought of getting into another guy's car made her stomach twist. She shook her head, trying to sound firm. "No, I'm fine."
Steve hesitated, his concern deepening but not pushing further. He nodded slowly, then reached into his glove box, pulling out a few crumpled napkins. He held them out to her, an awkward but genuine gesture.
"You, uh.. you've got mascara, like, everywhere," he said, his voice soft and almost apologetic.
Dove managed a faint, shaky laugh, more out of surprise than humor, and took the napkins from him, dabbing at her face. She hadn't even thought about how she must look. She muttered a quiet, "Thanks," still avoiding his gaze as she tried to clean herself up.
Steve watched her for a moment, his face a mix of worry and uncertainty. "You sure you don't need a ride?" he asked gently, glancing down the empty street as if hoping to change her mind.
Dove forced herself to nod, clutching the crumpled napkins. "Yeah, I'm sure."
He nodded slowly, seeming reluctant to leave her there. "Alright.. I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow, then."
She managed a faint smile, grateful for his kindness even though she couldn't bring herself to accept his offer. "Yeah. See you tomorrow."
With one last look, Steve gave her a nod before pulling back onto the road. She watched as his car disappeared down the street, the red tail lights fading into the night.
For a few moments, Dove stood there, the napkins still clutched tightly in her hand. She wasn't sure what was going to happen next. She wasn't sure how to process everything, how to deal with the swirl of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
Dove took a deep breath and started walking again, the streetlights guiding her path back home. Each step was heavy with exhaustion, her mind replaying the events of the night in jagged, disconnected fragments. When she finally reached her house, the familiar sight of the porch light greeted her, casting a soft glow over the front steps. Everything looked exactly as she had left it—quiet, still, unchanging.
But as she stood there, her hand hovering over the doorknob, she felt like a stranger in her own life, as if something inside her had shifted, leaving her feeling raw and out of place.
She opened the door quietly, stepping into the darkened hallway. The house was silent, everyone already asleep, unaware of the night she'd just endured. She closed the door softly behind her, slipping off her shoes and standing there for a moment, the stillness pressing in around her.
The house felt cold, distant, like a place she didn't belong right now. She could hear the faint ticking of the kitchen clock, the low hum of the refrigerator. It was all so normal, so routine, and yet she felt completely out of place.
Quietly, she made her way down the hall to her bedroom. She opened the door, taking in the familiar sight of her bed, her dresser, the corkboard with its list of summer goals. Everything looked wrong. Her belongings felt like they belonged to a different version of herself, one she no longer recognized.
Dove closed the door softly behind her, resting her back against it as she slid down to the floor. She hugged her knees to her chest, burying her face, and felt the weight of everything she'd been holding back finally crash over her. Her shoulders shook as the tears came, silent at first, then spilling over in choked sobs, the kind that seemed to steal her breath away.
In the stillness of her room, she let herself cry, the emotions she couldn't name flooding out in waves of exhaustion, confusion, and hurt. She cried for the night she'd hoped would be different, for the trust she'd placed in someone who didn't deserve it, for the person she no longer felt she knew.
Eventually, her body gave in to the exhaustion, and her sobs quieted, leaving her drained and hollow. She stayed there, curled up on the floor with her back against the door, her eyes closed and her knees drawn tightly to her chest. Sleep took her slowly, pulling her into a restless darkness as the last of her tears dried on her cheeks.