November 27, 1985
Dove stood just outside Eddie's trailer, the thrum of music pulsing through the walls as laughter and the sounds of drunken chatter filled the cool night air. She glanced around at the crowd gathered outside—almost the entire school had shown up for the party, which felt surreal in itself. Eddie Munson, the guy who spent his time on the outskirts of Hawkins High's social circles, had somehow managed to throw a party that attracted the very people who never gave him the time of day.
The trailer door creaked as she stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of beer, cigarettes, and something a little less legal, the scent clinging to the worn furniture and the crowd packed into the small space. A group of Eddie's usual crew—Jeff, Gareth, and another guy from Hellfire—were near the makeshift DJ area where Eddie had set up his turntable, grinning and laughing like they were on top of the world.
Dove caught sight of Eddie standing in the center of it all, beer in hand, laughing louder than she'd ever heard him. His wild hair looked even messier in the dim light of the trailer, and his eyes were bright with excitement. She'd never seen him like this before—so carefree, so happy. It was like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Princess!" Eddie's voice cut through the noise, his grin widening when he spotted her. He waved her over, nearly spilling his beer in the process. "You made it!"
She made her way through the crowd, dodging a couple of guys who were halfway through some drunken arm wrestling match, before finally reaching Eddie.
"Of course I made it," Dove said, raising her voice over the music. "You didn't really give me much of a choice, did you?"
Eddie laughed, the sound loud and infectious. "No way was I gonna let you skip out on this! Biggest party of the year!"
She glanced around, taking in the chaotic scene. "It's definitely something," she said, smirking as she raised an eyebrow at him. "How did you even manage this?"
Eddie took a swig of his beer, his grin turning a little smug. "Turns out people are suckers for free booze and loud music. Who knew?"
Before Dove could respond, the opening chords of a heavy metal song that she didn't recognize blasted through the trailer. Eddie's face lit up even more, if that was possible. He darted over to the turntable, adjusting the volume so that the music was practically shaking the walls of the trailer.
"This," Eddie called out, spinning back around to face her, "is the best day of my life!"
Dove couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. Eddie had always been a bit of an outsider, someone who didn't fit into Hawkins High's neatly defined social groups, but tonight, none of that seemed to matter. For once, he was the guy everyone wanted to be around.
The music blared louder, and the crowd erupted into cheers as Eddie threw his arms in the air, swaying to the beat of the song. Dove found herself laughing, caught up in the sheer absurdity of it all. Here they were, crammed into a dingy trailer, surrounded by sweaty, obnoxious, drunk teens, but somehow it was perfect.
"You're insane, Munson!" she yelled over the music, shaking her head as she watched him revel in the chaos.
Eddie shot her a wink. "You love it!"
Maybe she did. Dove wasn't one for big parties or wild nights, but there was something about being here, with Eddie and the rest of his odd little group, that felt right. They weren't part of the popular crowd, they weren't the jocks or the cheerleaders—well, Dove technically was now—but they were something else, something that made sense to her in a way the rest of the world didn't.
As the night wore on, the party grew wilder, the music louder, the drinks flowing freely. Dove found herself sitting on the worn couch, laughing with Eddie, Jeff, and Gareth as they recounted ridiculous stories with exaggerated flair, each one more outlandish than the last.
Every once in a while, Dove would catch Eddie looking at her, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was happy—really, genuinely happy—and it made her heart feel lighter to see it. For tonight, at least, she could forget about the darkness that lurked just beneath the surface of her life. She could just be a teenager at a party, pretending everything was normal, even if only for a little while.
And as Eddie's laughter echoed through the trailer, Dove couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this was the best day of his life after all.
As the party started to wind down, the trailer was littered with empty beer cans, solo cups, and a haze of smoke. Most of the crowd had already left, leaving only a few stragglers hanging out in the backyard or slumped on the couch inside.
Dove stood in the small kitchen, picking up discarded cups and bottles. The music had long since been turned down to a low hum, and the atmosphere had shifted from wild celebration to quiet exhaustion. Eddie was wiping down the counter, glancing over at Dove as she worked.
"You don't have to do that, you know," Eddie said, leaning back against the counter, watching her with a half-smile. "I can handle it."
Dove shook her head, tossing some trash into a nearby bag. "I'm not just going to leave you to clean up all of this by yourself."
Eddie rolled his eyes playfully. "I'm serious, Princess. Go. Danny's coming into town tomorrow, right? You've got a big day ahead. Spending Thanksgiving with your.. 'friend.'" He smirked at the last word, making air quotes with his fingers.
Dove sighed, already knowing where this was going. "We are just friends, Eddie."
Eddie chuckled, tossing the rag he was holding onto the counter. "Sure, sure. You and Danny, just friends spending Thanksgiving together. Totally normal thing for just friends to do."
She crossed her arms, giving him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Eddie started, leaning in slightly with a knowing grin, "you two are perfect for each other. You're practically the same person, Dove. It's like fate or something."
Dove rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "We're not perfect for each other. Danny's.. Danny. Besides, I really should not be in a relationship right now."
Eddie raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Just saying, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."
She smiled at him, appreciating his attempt to look out for her, even if he didn't fully understand how complicated things were, not just with her love life, but with her life in general. "Thanks, Eddie. But seriously, we're just friends."
Eddie shook his head with a soft laugh. "Whatever you say, Princess."
She playfully nudged him before finishing up the last bit of cleaning. "Alright, I'm gonna head out. Get some sleep."
He gave her a lazy salute. "You got it. See you around, Dove."
As Dove left Eddie's trailer and drove home, her mind wandered to the next day. Eddie's words lingered in her mind. She wasn't sure what to make of her feelings for Danny. They'd been close for a few months, ever since he saved her life, but she didn't want to overthink it. Not now.
She entered the house quietly, not wanting to wake anyone, but as soon as she walked in, she was greeted by the familiar sounds of lightsabers clashing and John Williams' iconic score filling the room.
She paused when she saw Dustin, sound asleep on the couch, a bowl of popcorn in his lap, his head tilted awkwardly to the side. Steve sat on the other end of the couch, staring at the screen, but his attention shifted the moment Dove walked in. He glanced over, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Hey," he said softly, shifting carefully as to not wake Dustin. "You're back."
"Yeah," Dove replied, matching his quiet tone as she walked over and slipped her jacket off. "I helped clean up after the party died down. I figured it was time to come home."
Steve nodded, shifting slightly to make room for her on the couch. "You want to sit?"
Dove hesitated for a moment, her mind still lingering on the conversation she'd had with Eddie, but she shrugged it off and sat down next to Steve, careful not to disturb Dustin.
"So, Empire Strikes Back, huh?" Dove said, glancing at the screen. "A Dustin classic."
"Yep," Steve replied, popping a kernel of popcorn into his mouth. "He insisted. Again."
They shared a quiet laugh before the room fell into a comfortable silence. Dove leaned back, watching the movie, but she could feel Steve's gaze flickering toward her.
After a few moments, Steve cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So.. how was the party?" he asked casually, though there was a subtle edge to his tone, like he was fishing for something.
"Good," Dove said, keeping her answer simple. "A little chaotic, but I guess that's to be expected with Eddie in charge."
Steve huffed a quiet laugh, nodding. "Yeah, that checks out." He hesitated, his fingers drumming lightly against his knee, the rhythm uneven and restless.
Dove glanced at him, narrowing her eyes slightly. "You okay?" she asked, her tone gentle but curious.
"Yeah," Steve said quickly, the word coming out too fast, too rehearsed. He winced slightly at his own response, his hand freezing mid-tap. "I mean.. yeah. I'm fine."
Dove arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. She waited, letting the silence stretch between them, and after a moment, Steve sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Dustin told me that Danny's coming into town tomorrow."
Her stomach tightened into a knot, a swirl of unease settling in her chest. Eddie's teasing replayed in her mind, his voice light but pointed as he joked about her and Danny being perfect for each other. Then the memory of Steve's confession surfaced—the raw vulnerability he'd shown. Danny's visit already carried its own layer of awkwardness that she had been trying to ignore, but now that Steve had said something, there was no avoiding it.
"Yeah," Dove said finally, her tone careful, measured. She glanced at Steve, her gaze meeting his for just a moment before she looked away, focusing on the corner of the coffee table instead. "He's, um, spending Thanksgiving with us."
Steve's smile faltered, and for a brief moment, tension hung in the air. He tried to mask it, but Dove could see the unease in his eyes. "Oh," he said, his voice flat but not unkind. "You must be excited."
"Yeah," Dove said, her tone careful as she nodded slightly. "We haven't seen each other since he left for school."
Steve's expression didn't shift much, but Dove could practically see the subtle flicker of something behind his eyes—a mix of discomfort and maybe even jealousy. He nodded once, his jaw tightening again as he said, "Right. Stanford."
The word hung in the air, weighted and awkward. College had always been a sore subject for Steve, and Dove knew it. She could see it in the way his shoulders stiffened slightly, in the way he avoided meeting her gaze for more than a second.
Steve's mouth opened slightly, like he was about to say something else, but then he closed it again. He pressed his lips together, letting out a deep breath through his nose.
"I should probably head home," he said finally, his tone forced into a casualness that didn't quite land.
Dove's mind raced, scrambling for the right thing to say, but nothing came. The words felt stuck, tangled in her throat, so she just nodded, her hands clasping tightly in her lap.
Steve stood up, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair and shrugging it on. His movements were slow, almost hesitant, like he wasn't quite ready to leave but couldn't think of a reason to stay.
He turned toward Dustin, who was still asleep and snoring softly. Steve leaned over and gently nudged his shoulder. "Hey, kid," he said softly.
Dustin stirred, groaning as he rubbed his eyes and blinked up at Steve. "What? Are you leaving?"
"Yeah, I should go," Steve said, his tone quieter now. "Your mom's gonna kill me if I keep you up all night again."
Dustin yawned, stretching before sitting up. "Alright, alright. See you this weekend?"
Steve nodded, straightening up and glancing at Dove one last time. She met his gaze, her chest tightening at the unspoken emotions swirling in his eyes. For a moment, she thought he might say something else, but instead, he just offered her a small, faint smile.
"Night, Dove," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Night, Steve," she replied softly, her voice just as quiet.
He turned and made his way to the door, the sound of it clicking shut behind him echoing in the quiet house. Dove sat there for a moment, staring at the empty space where he'd just been, her thoughts spinning.
November 28, 1985 — Thanksgiving
The crowded airport buzzed with the sounds of travelers rushing to their gates and the occasional overhead announcement. Dove stood near the baggage claim, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Her heart skipped a beat when she finally spotted Danny, walking toward her with a broad smile on his face.
"Danny!" she called, waving as she stepped forward.
Danny's smile widened, and without thinking, Dove broke into a light jog, closing the distance between them. She threw her arms around him in a tight hug, feeling the familiar warmth and comfort of his embrace. But just as quickly, an awkwardness crept over her. Eddie's teasing voice echoed in her head, You two are perfect for each other. And Steve's quiet frustration from the night before only made the moment more confusing.
She pulled back, the hug lasting a little too long before she awkwardly let go. "It's so good to see you," she said, trying to ignore the sudden self-consciousness creeping up her spine.
Danny didn't seem to notice her hesitation, his eyes sparkling with genuine warmth. "You too, Dove. It's been too long."
"Yeah," Dove agreed, forcing a smile as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Feels like forever."
The two exchanged pleasantries as they made their way to the car, catching up on school and life, but Dove couldn't shake the awkward feeling that lingered in the air. Every now and then, she'd catch herself wondering what Steve would think if he saw them together like this. She mentally shook herself, trying to focus on the present—on Danny, her friend who was only there for the weekend.
As they pulled up to her house, the familiar scent of Thanksgiving dinner hit them before they even walked inside. The windows were fogged from the warmth of the kitchen, and Dove could already see her mom bustling around, making sure everything was perfect.
"Smells like your mom's been busy," Danny said, glancing over at Dove with a grin.
"She loves Thanksgiving," Dove replied, a smile tugging at her lips.
She pushed the door open, stepping inside and holding it for Danny to follow. They were greeted by the warmth of the kitchen and the sight of her mom, apron-clad, chopping vegetables at the counter.
"Mom, we're back," Dove announced, leaning against the archway that led to the kitchen.
Her mom looked up, her face lighting up when she saw Danny. "Danny! It's so good to see you, sweetheart!" She wiped her hands on her apron and moved around the counter to give him a quick hug. "You look wonderful. How's school?"
Danny chuckled. "It's good, Mrs. Henderson. Busy, but good."
Her mom beamed as she turned to Dove, pointing toward the stove. "Why don't you help me finish up in the kitchen, hon? Danny, feel free to sit with Dustin in the living room. He's been watching Bladerunner all morning."
Dove nodded and headed to the stove, grabbing a spoon to stir the gravy. Danny gave her a quick smile before heading into the living room. As he left, Dove caught her mom's approving look, her eyes twinkling as she glanced between Dove and Danny. She didn't say anything, but her expression spoke volumes.
Dove sighed, stirring the gravy a little too forcefully as her mind wandered. She was just friends with Danny, but the way everyone else kept looking at them, the way Steve had reacted, and even the teasing from Eddie—it all left her feeling more confused than ever. She focused on the task at hand, trying to push those thoughts aside, reminding herself that today was about family, food, and being thankful. Even if things were a little messy.
As the aroma of Thanksgiving dinner filled the air, Dove sat at the table across from Danny, glancing around at her family. The warmth of the day was supposed to settle her, but something about the quiet tension in the room left her feeling on edge. Her mom had pulled out all the stops, the spread before them a classic Thanksgiving feast: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, the works.
Danny was sitting next to Dustin, smiling warmly, trying to engage him in conversation. Dustin, on the other hand, sat stiffly, his eyes focused more on his plate than on anything Danny was saying. Dove knew that look—Dustin wasn't interested. It made her stomach churn a little, remembering how much Dustin adored Steve. Her little brother clearly wasn't giving Danny the same chance.
"So, Danny," Mrs. Henderson began, a bright smile on her face, "Besides school, what have you been up to out west?"
Danny swallowed a bite of food before answering. "I visit the Byers sometimes and I started working part time as an EMT, but between that and school I don't have much free time."
"Did Dove tell you she joined the cheer team this year?" Claudia asked.
Dove cringed slightly as the topic came up, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
Danny's eyebrows lifted in surprise as he turned to Dove. "Cheer team, huh? You've been holding out on me."
Dove gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I guess I forgot to mention that."
"Forgot?" Mrs. Henderson teased. "She's been doing great! Christine Cunningham and her have become good friends, haven't you, Dove?"
Dove nodded, trying to keep the conversation light. "Yeah, Chrissy's great."
Dustin, sitting across from his mom, let out a small grunt, pushing his food around on his plate with his fork. Dove shot him a warning glance, but he didn't seem to care.
"Hey, Danny," Dustin suddenly piped up, looking directly at him. "Shouldn't you be with your family for Thanksgiving?"
The question hung in the air, and the mood at the table shifted instantly. Danny's smile faltered, and he tensed up, his eyes darting away from Dustin's. He mumbled something vague under his breath, his voice low. "They uh.. They made other plans."
Dove's heart sank. She could see the tension written all over Danny's face. It was clear he wasn't ready to talk about it, and Dustin's direct question had hit a nerve.
Mrs. Henderson, sensing the discomfort, shot Dustin a disapproving look. "Danny's always welcome here," she said kindly, placing her hand on Danny's. "You know that, don't you?"
Danny gave her a grateful smile, though Dove could see the strain behind it. The rest of the meal continued in a more subdued tone, with Mrs. Henderson trying to steer the conversation back to lighter topics. Dustin, on the other hand, remained mostly quiet, clearly unbothered by his mom's silent reprimand.
After dinner, Dove and Danny volunteered to do the dishes, giving them a moment of relative privacy in the kitchen. Dove stood at the sink, rinsing plates while Danny dried them, the silence between them filled with the faint clatter of dishes and running water.
"Sorry about Dustin," Dove said after a moment, her voice soft as she glanced over at Danny. "He shouldn't have asked you that."
Danny shook his head, letting out a small sigh. "It's fine, Dove. He's just curious."
"Still," she continued, feeling a pang of guilt, "The way he's treating you isn't fair. I'm gonna talk to him."
Danny was quiet for a moment, and Dove wondered if he was going to let the conversation die there. But then he set down the dish he was drying and leaned against the counter, his eyes focused on the floor.
"I don't talk to my family anymore," he said softly, his voice tight with something she couldn't quite place—anger, pain, maybe both.
The statement hung in the air, and Dove's stomach twisted. Danny had never talked about his family before, and while she'd assumed they didn't keep in touch, the bitterness in his tone made it clear the situation was worse than she'd thought.
She wanted to say something, to ask, but the way his shoulders tensed and his gaze stayed fixed on the floor made her hesitate. He was holding something back—she could feel it. But she also knew better than to push him. Danny wasn't the kind of person you could force to open up.
Instead, she thought back to the mall, to the way he'd handled the gun with practiced ease, the precision of someone who'd done it before. She couldn't help but wonder if that had something to do with how he grew up. What kind of environment shaped him into someone who could keep his cool in life-or-death situations?
"Danny.." she started, her voice soft, but he shook his head, cutting her off.
"It's fine," he said quickly, forcing a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. "They're not worth talking about. I just wanted you to know why I'm here, instead of with them."
Dove's heart ached at the way he said it—so matter-of-fact, like it wasn't even worth being upset over, though she could see in his eyes that it was. He dried another dish with mechanical precision, his movements stiff and deliberate, like he was trying to focus on anything but the conversation.
Without a word, Dove reached over and gently grabbed the dish out of his hand, setting it carefully back in the sink. Danny's brow furrowed as he looked at her, but before he could say anything, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
He froze at first, his entire body tensing as if he didn't know what to do. But then, slowly, he relaxed, his arms coming up to return the embrace. His movements were hesitant, almost uncertain, but eventually, he settled into it, leaning his chin lightly on the top of her head.
"Thank you," Dove said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "For telling me."
Danny didn't respond right away, but she could feel the faintest shift in his breathing, the way his shoulders sagged as if a weight had been lifted, if only slightly.
"Yeah," he muttered finally, his voice quiet and raw. "You're welcome."
They stayed like that for a moment longer, the sound of the water dripping from the faucet filling the silence. When Danny finally pulled back, his expression was softer, the tension in his jaw easing slightly.
Dove smiled softly at him, her hands still resting on his arms, her touch steady and comforting. It was a gesture she'd done a million times with Dustin, one that always seemed to help when he was upset. She looked up at Danny, her voice gentle but firm. "For what it's worth, you're always welcome here."
Danny's eyes flicked to hers, and for a moment, something unreadable crossed his face. Then he nodded, a faint, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I know."
As they went back to finishing the dishes, Dove couldn't help but feel a deeper understanding for Danny. He had been through so much, and yet he was still standing, still fighting. And she realized, in that moment, just how much his friendship meant to her.
After finishing the dishes, Dove quietly excused herself, leaving Danny and her mom chatting in the living room. She could hear her mom's warm laughter and Danny's polite responses, but all Dove could think about was Dustin's behavior at dinner.
She found Dustin in his room, sitting at his desk with his headphones on, tinkering with some gadget. Dove knocked lightly on the doorframe, waiting for him to look up. When he didn't, she stepped inside, pulling the headphones off his ears.
"Hey!" Dustin spun around, glaring at her. "What gives?"
Dove crossed her arms, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "We need to talk."
Dustin sighed, slumping back in his chair. "Let me guess. It's about Danny."
"You were out of line at dinner, Dustin," Dove said, her voice firm but not harsh. "What were you thinking, asking why he wasn't with his family?"
"I was thinking it's weird!" Dustin shot back, standing up.
Dove clenched her fists, trying to stay calm. "He doesn't have anywhere else to go, Dustin."
"Yeah, well, he's not Steve," Dustin muttered, his voice dropping. "And you know that's who should be spending Thanksgiving with us."
Dove's eyes widened, a flash of anger rising in her chest. "What?"
Dustin crossed his arms defensively, his tone sharpening. "You and Steve. You guys are good together. Danny's not right for you."
Dove stared at him, dumbfounded. "That's not your call, Dustin. You don't get to decide who's right for me."
"I'm just trying to look out for you!" Dustin argued, his voice rising. "Steve's been around for you this whole time, and now Danny just swoops in and—"
"Stop!" Dove snapped, cutting him off. She could feel her frustration boiling over, her patience worn thin. "You need to mind your own business, Dustin. What's going on between me and Danny, or Steve, or anyone—it's not your problem."
Dustin looked taken aback, his expression hardening. "So, what? You're just going to push Steve away? For Danny?"
Dove felt the words sting, but she shook her head. "I'm not 'pushing' anyone away. And Danny's not a replacement for Steve. He's my friend."
Dustin scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, right. Friends."
Dove stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You do not get to talk to me like that. I don't need you meddling in my relationships, and I sure as hell don't need you playing matchmaker."
Dustin frowned, clearly upset. "I just.. I don't want you to make a mistake, Dove. Steve's a good guy."
"I know that," Dove said, her tone softening just a little. "But this isn't about what you want. You need to let me figure things out for myself."
Dustin was quiet for a moment, clearly frustrated but unable to argue further. Finally, he sat back down, turning away from her.
Dove sighed, the tension between them still thick in the air. "Look, I know that you love Steve, but you need to trust me, okay? I'll figure it out."
Dustin didn't respond, but she knew he'd heard her. She let out a deep breath and turned to leave, glancing back once before heading down the hall. She could still hear the faint sound of Danny and her mom talking in the living room, but all she felt now was a strange mix of guilt and frustration.
As she walked back toward the living room, she couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what she decided, someone was going to be unhappy. And that weighed on her more than anything.