Chapter Thirty-Nine

Wine Cooler

Veronica was used to people looking at her whenever she walked around. Have it be at school, or around the grocery store whenever she went into town with Joyce. A part of her understood. She was the girl that disappeared over thirteen years ago, and now she was back, and with little to no answers. But when Veronica came walking down the stairs, with her hand tightly grasped in Steve's, she noticed the looks and stares. She moved closer to him so she was pressed against his back more as they walked through the crowd that seemed to form throughout the first floor. Noticing the glares from passing girls and even a few looks of disgust. It was a new way for Veronica to once again feel like she didn't belong. And most importantly, belong with Steve.

Steve held her hand tightly within his own as he worked through the crowds of people toward the kitchen. Music vibrated throughout the home with the scent of cigarettes, alcohol, and body odor wafting through the air. The closer she got to the living room and kitchen area, the strong scent of marijuana became stronger. Steve finally made it to the kitchen and moved around the counter to where fewer people were standing around. When he turned to look down at her, Steve didn't miss the quick change as she smiled up at him. He hated how sometimes Veronica would hide her emotions but knew better than to press the issue. Especially now with half the town standing around as an audience.

"You want anything?" Steve asked, shouting slightly over the music, digging through a cooler, and grabbing a beer for himself.

Veronica's brows pulled together slightly in confusion, "Uh...I-I...I've never drunk before."

"You don't have to," Steve quickly spoke, "I know we've got a few sodas in the garage, if you want something a little fruitier, my mom has her wine coolers. I'm sure she won't notice them missing."

Veronica debated with herself for a moment as Steve stared down at her. Fuck it, she thought, it's my birthday and I want to spend the day as a normal teenager.

"I'll try a beer," She shrugged, causing Steve to nod his head slightly with a chuckle before bending down and getting one for her.

He cracked it open, before passing it over, waiting and watching attentively as she brought the can to her lips. She kept her eyes locked with his before the slightly sour and bitter liquid hit her tongue. Veronica's face screwed up as she swallowed down the liquid the look of disgust worsening with each passing second. Steve couldn't stop the laugh that passed through his lips.

"Oh my god, that is horrible," Veronica groaned, quickly setting the offensive drink down on the counter, "Oh, what did I just drink."

Steve continued to laugh as he spoke, "Beer isn't for everyone."

"I'll take anything other than that. That was honestly horrible."

"I'll get you something better, ok? I'll be right back."

Before Veronica could say another word, Steve bent down to kiss her lips softly, before pulling away and disappearing into the crowd and toward the back of the house. Veronica ducked her head down slightly and could feel the heat of blush overtake her cheeks and chest as she stood there. But the insecurities started to burn away the fuzzy feeling as she heard the familiar shrill laughs to her left. Her head turned up quickly to see Tanya, Carol, and a few other girls laughing and obviously about her. Their cynical eyes peered down at her as if she was less than them. Veronica quickly turned so her back was to them as she leaned against the counter of Harrington's kitchen.

"There you are!" Robin shouted as she stumbled to push through people. "You disappeared with Harrington and then I couldn't find you."

Robin took nearly two milliseconds to see that something was wrong with her friend. Her brown eyes searched around the party like she was looking for someone specifically, with her brows pulled together in a pensive look of worry.

"Hey, you ok?" Robin asked, causing Veronica to snap her eyes toward her. "Where's Harrington?"

"He went to get me something to drink, it wasn't really like the beers," Veronica spoke.

"Ah," Robin spoke, "Then why do you look like someone who lost her puppy and can't find them?"

Veronica closed her eyes for a moment and sighed heavily. "Steve and I kissed."

Robin's eyes bugged out slightly, "I'm sorry...what?! When? Where?"

Veronica giggled at her friend's reaction, "In his room after she gave me my birthday present. I-I wasn't expecting it...but it was nice."

The blush returned to her cheeks.

"A-And he did it again when he left, and...Carol saw or something and they started laughing."

And now so did the frown.

"Fuck Carol," Robin spoke, her voice a little louder. "Who gives a shit what these prissy little bitches think. They are laughing cause they are jealous cause deep down they know they are worthless and will never have someone like Harrington. As much as I still think he's a douche, Steve makes you smile and has been good to you. I mean he took a fist to the face defending you. Now say it...fuck Carol."

"Fuck, Carol," Veronica muttered

"No, louder. I couldn't understand you." Robin smirked

Veronica sighed heavily "Fuck Carol"

"Exactly!" Robin giggled, causing Veronica to smile along with her friend. "Now, let's go and dance and have a good time. It's your birthday and you're not to be moping."

"Steve said to wait here for him,"

"Well, we are in his house and there isn't like we can go far," Robin spoke as she grabbed Veronica's hand and pulled her away from the kitchen counter and toward the living room.

The music became louder and louder the closer they walked toward the living room and were able to see the makeshift dance floor that was made. The couches were pushed up against the walls along with the coffee table. People danced close together in the space while others stood around the edge talking. Robin held tighter to Veronica's hand as she pushed through and found a space for the two of them. At first, Veronica wasn't sure what to do. She stood there awkwardly watching as Robin danced in front of her.

"Come on, loosen up," Robin shouted toward her with a smile, grabbing Veronica's hands and nearly forcing her to move along with the music.

Veronica laughed lightly as Robin danced and soon started to feel herself relaxing and moving along with the music. She loved the feeling of the electricity that seemed to be moving through the room and tingling along her skin. It wasn't long till the two of them were in their own little world in the middle of the dance floor, laughing together and not having a care in the world. When Veronica looked up around the edge of the living room she saw Nancy and Jonathan standing together, pressed closely, and seemingly whispering to one another. She moved and rushed till she was standing in front of them, grabbing their hands before either could protest.

"I'm not really in the dancing mood," Jonathan spoke in protest.

"I don't care, dance with me!" Veronica spoke before moving to pull them back to where Robin was with a few of her bandmates.

When Steve came back from the garage and saw that Veronica was gone from the kitchen, at first, he became worried. His eyes looked around with a slight panic as he searched for her dark curls amongst the crowd. But he instead came up short. With two drinks in his hands, Steve slowly moved through his home with his eyes looking for one person in particular. The last thing he thought he'd come upon was watching Veronica dance along to Duran Duran with Robin Buckley and Nancy Wheeler. Jonathan was more or less standing awkwardly to the side as the three girls moved along with the music. It brought a smile to Steve's face to see Veronica actually having fun and laughing along with her friends.

But the moment Veronica looked up and noticed Steve standing there with a smile watching her, her face broke out into a bright smile. She didn't hesitate as she moved to stand with him, nearly tripping into him as she broke through the dance floor.

"Steve," She giggled.

"Had me scared there for a moment sweetheart when I didn't see you in the kitchen when I came back," Steve spoke playfully. He handed one of his mother's wine coolers into her hands.

"Sorry, Robin wanted to dance and then we made Nancy and Jonathan join us." Veronica panted slightly, before looking down at the glass bottle he's placed into her hands.

"It's ok. I'm glad you're having a good time." He watched her for a moment, "And I hope you'll like this better. If not I did find some soda."

Veronica shrugged her shoulders and took a small sip from the bottle, before moaning softly at the fruity taste that came across her tongue. It was more enjoyable than the bitter drink from before.

"Like it?" Steve asked with a small smile. Veronica nodded her head quickly, before taking another small drink. "Make sure to pace yourself, don't wanna drink too much too quick, can get sick."

"Ok," Veronica smiled, "Will you come and dance with me?"

"Of course,"

Steve threw his arm over Veronica's shoulder and moved toward the small group of friends that was still dancing together. This time Veronica ignored the looks and stares as she spent most of the night dancing with her friends.

One drink turned to two, which turned to three, which turned to four, and Veronica sat on the back patio of the Harrington home giggling with Robin. Steve had walked off with one of his friends and had left her with her friends.

"I think we need to get you drunk more often," Robin laughed as she looked at Veronica, whose cheeks were rosy and flushed from the number of drinks she'd had.

"Drunk? What's drunk?" Veronica asked with a slight slur to her words.

"It's when you have many drinks, and it makes you...well...this," Robin laughed.

"Well, I like drunk then." Veronica giggled again, before looking out toward the backyard.

The glow of the pool against the darkness of the forest that surrounded the back of the Harrington home was both eerie and beautiful. She saw Steve sitting on one of the outdoor couches with one of his teammates laughing as they talked with a few others. They were too far for her to hear what they were saying.

"Can't believe the school year is almost over, we only have a couple of months left," Robin sighed softly from beside Veronica.

"I know," Veronica paused "Kind of don't want it to be over."

"What are you talking about? You want to be in that hell hole longer than you need to be?"

Veronica shook her head, "Not to do with school or anything. But I see you every day, I see Steve every day..."

"And you'll still see me during the summer, especially if you get a job at that new mall they are building like me," Robin spoke.

"What would I possibly do? I've never worked a job in my life," Veronica huffed with a pout, "Was locked away most of my life."

Robin frowned at her friend's drunken confession before moving to wrap her arm around her shoulders. Veronica leaned into Robin more and rested her head on top of her shoulder.

"You never talk about what you went through, and you don't ever have to, but I'm here...ya know, if you ever need someone," Robin spoke softly.

Veronica turned her head to look toward her friend, feeling the sincerity and worry rolling off her body. This was Veronica's first time drinking and she was learning in that moment, it made her more vulnerable to others.

"I know, Robin, I appreciate it." Veronica paused "You're a good friend, and hopefully one day, I have the courage to tell you. But it's better right now if you don't. Safer that way."

Robin looked at her with confusion for a moment, the two of them falling into silence, with her not fully understanding her friend's drunkenly slurred words.

"Steve knows?" Robin asked

Veronica slowly nodded her head, her pout deepening more, "Steve knows."

Robin couldn't help but feel a little hurt to not know a part of her friend's life. They may have only known each other a few months but, Veronica was easily Robin's best friend. But she knew that she couldn't dwell on it too much, because she chose to believe Veronica's words.

"Hey, pretty girl," Steve spoke as he came up beside the two of them.

At the sound of his voice, Veronica perked up and gasped slightly with excitement. She removed herself from Robin's side and nearly fell into Steve. His arms wrapped around her quickly and held her tightly.

"Woah...alright," Steve spoke with a chuckle, "I see that we need to be cut off?"

"I think she's had about five of those wine coolers." Robin frowned "Poor thing is going to have a hangover for sure."

"What's a hangover?" Veronica slurred again with a giggle.

"You'll learn," Steve bent down and kissed her forehead, causing Veronica to hum softly and nuzzle into her neck.

"So you two are like...dating now?" Robin asked

Steve shrugged "We're taking things slow, but yeah...I guess you could say that."

"Hmm, does Jonathan know that?" Robin questioned

"Didn't think I needed Byers approval to date her." Steve's brows pulled together tightly.

"That's practically her big brother, I would think you'd wanna...you know...talk about it? Especially since he's dating your ex and they are all close."

"That's not a factor or a problem." Steve shook his head, holding Veronica tighter as she seemed to doze off. "Byers should know and understand how much she means to me."

Robin hesitated for a moment and paused, before speaking again. "Don't hurt her, ok? She's...she's too good for you to be honest. But I also know how much she cares for you."

"I would never hurt her," Steve declared, and Robin could see the seriousness settling in his dark brown eyes.

"Alright," Robin nodded, grabbing her beer, before moving to stand. "Then I trust you to take good care of my best friend."

Steve watched as she walked away before turning to look down at the girl that was lying in his arms. She was sound asleep and unaware of the world around her, and seeing the peaceful look on her face brought a smile to his lips.