Chapter Text
Hawkins High.
Home of the Tigers.
The typical middle American high school, stuck in the suburbs, decaying away as the years continue to pass. The weather stained panel ceilings and worn outer bricks hold the next generation of citizens practically begging to not be there.
The bell blares through the speakers of the hallways and courtyard, signaling to all students the beginning of the 7 minute long passing duration to get to first period. Suddenly the school becomes overwhelmed with laughing, shouting, shuffling kids trying to move their way through the cramped, long hallways.
Eyes wandering along the dozens of passing faces that you’ve known for most of your life. You and Robin maneuver your way through the herd of students. Saying your goodbyes before parting ways, counting down the minutes until you can regroup again at lunch.
Strolling your way to the front office, taking up as much of the passing period as possible before your inevitable morning with the one, the only, Billy Hargrove. Your face contorting in disgust at the sheer thought of him.
Hawkins Morning Announcements was not your first choice for extracurriculars. You would have much preferred photography or theater or literally anything else besides having to do this silly little talk with Billy every morning. But you guessed this is what you get for getting caught smoking behind the bleachers. Though the punishment could be worse. The foul taste of Billy sitting by you every morning for 180 days out of the year makes you want to barf.
Well actually has made you barf. Beginning of the semester, right after he tried to kiss you, right into the principal's trash can. Not a pretty sight.
Walking through the open double doors into the front office area, minding your own as you observe your shoelace becoming loose.
And then it hit you.
Stumbling back, your textbooks suddenly falling all over the floor.
He hit you. Your mind racing at the abrupt collision.
“Shit, sorry.” The voice says, just audible enough not to be considered a whisper.
Regaining your balance as you follow his movement to the floor, piling the textbooks and loose papers. Racking a hand through his brown locks as he straightens up, handing you the collection of school supplies.
Steve Harrington hit you.
“Y/N, right?”
Steve Harrington is talking to you.
Nodding your head in affirmation to his question, eyes immediately darting away. You haven’t had much interaction with Steve other than giving him a pencil in math class when he forgets (which is almost every other week) or a quick smile while passing in the halls.
He shoves his hands into his front pockets, rocking back on his heels. His demeanor is friendly, his lips lifting up slightly in the corners. He wasn’t as cold as you had imagined. And oh did you imagine being this close to him often . “I’ve got to go.” He utters after a couple of silent moments, flashing another sweet smile before walking past you.
“Yeah.” You breathe as he is already gone.
Pathetic .
How pathetic can you really be is all you can think. To basically have Steve Harrington standing right in front of you and barely be able to speak a single word to him. Slumping your shoulders as you continue on the way to your final destination.
The chatter filling up the space as the room is full of middle-aged women attending to students and daily duties. Your mind is still floating as Steve Harrington swirls through your thoughts. Turning the handle of the door marked Announcement Studio , flicking the lights on in the enclosed room before placing the messy stack of books in your hands on the table where two microphones and a switchboard station sit on top.
Overhearing giggling coming from the front desk area, you stick your head out to investigate, only to see Billy Hargrove, in all of his unwanted glory, flirting with the office secretary. You really can’t believe these women fall for his act.
You watch as Billy winks to the secretary before walking your way, the light giggles still follow even after he is standing right in front of you. His walk is confident and maybe, just maybe, if you were completely drunk you would give him a chance. But sober you has full control now and doesn’t want anything to do with him.
He is irritating, persistent and overall probably the most annoying person you have ever met. And for some reason he seemed as if he enjoyed sitting in the cramped room with you every morning. Shoulder to shoulder for the first 10 mins of the school day.
Leaning against the door frame as he passes you. Walking closer than he should have been, pressing your back against the cold metal that seeps through your shirt. The heat radiating from his body, your noses almost touching
“You love me.” He whispers, his breath of pure cigarettes. His mouth pulled into his annoying signature smirk.
“Let’s just get this over with before I barf… again .” Your voice follows him into the room. Plopping into his designated seat while pulling your seat open for you. His arm finding its final resting place along the back.
“ Baby ,” the words falling so easily from his lips, “how about you just stop with this whole act of you not liking me and we go take a trip out to my car after this little party.” His pointer finger waving in the air as if he is trying to cast a spell on you. You smile and then laugh. Really having to hold in any amusement that you were having at Billy trying to make advances at you again .
Sitting down in the empty seat, prepping the switch board and microphones as the seconds grow closer to morning broadcast across the school.
“You’re killing me.” His head tilts back, the subtle whine in his tone as the word drags, echoing more in the small room. “Come on, you know you want me.” His fingers play with the ends of your hair that fall down your back.
“That’s definitely a negative.” You shake your hair, wiggling out of his grasp.
“Fine then who do you like?” He crosses his arms over his chest. Puffing that his usual tricks weren’t working on you.
You straighten up at his words, side eyeing as he watches, “None of your business.” You freeze for a moment, just a moment , hoping that it wasn’t long enough for him to tell.
Oh but he did . He can tell how anxious you got over the little question. Could tell how you swallowed abruptly, your brain going a hundred miles per hour trying to think of a good answer. Any answer to get him off of your case. Leaning forward, his head resting on his knuckles as his elbow rests on his knee. Studying your face. “Tommy Hagan.”
“What?”
“The guy you like, Tommy Hagan.” He sounds almost proud of himself.
You’re now looking directly at him. “ Ew , gross. No.”
“Patrick…” He stops to think for a moment, snapping his fingers hoping that will somehow make him remember, “Patrick Wright.” His pointer finger aimed in your direction.
“No.”
Then it was as if a light bulb had switched.
“Steve Harrington.”
“Ok we’re so not doing this.” You basically snap, fixing the pieces of paper with the announcement script in front of you.
“So you do like Harrington.” He laughs. Laughs . At you for liking Steve. How could he laugh? How could he not realize that before his sorry ass got to Hawkins that literally every girl would pay anything to sleep with Steve.
“I-never-said-that.” You say right away. Barely any breath between your words.
“You didn’t have too.” The melody of his words string your lies together.
“Shut up,” was all the comeback that you could think of.
Billy leans in close, “Just admit it.” Grabbing one of the microphones to plug it in. Adjusting it to side perfection by his mouth.
“I will not,” speaking through your teeth.
“Can’t say he’s my particular taste.”
“Well no one asked you, did they?” Rolling your eyes.
The bell blares again through the now empty hallways. The hundreds of students packed neatly within the closed classrooms.
Steve finds his normal seat in the back of the full class. Sliding into his desk as he lets his backpack hit the floor. His fingers lightly tap against the wooden desk as he glances at the clock.
Another dreaded Monday morning. His tired eyes fall heavily as the conversion between the two of you fades quickly. The chattering of the students falls silent as the intercom comes to life. The static filling the classroom before Billy’s voice plays throughout the school.
Billy: Good Morning Hawkins High. It looks like it’s going to be a great day in paradise. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The class of students stand, lazily placing hands over their hearts as they all face the flag near the door. The groggy voices follow along to yours and Billy’s voices.
You and Billy: I pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.
You: You may now be seated.
The students shuffle back into their desk. The squeaking sound of the metal stoppers against the panel flooring sounding through the small room.
You: This is a very special week for Hawkins as the winter formal is just around the corner, do you know who you’re asking yet?
Billy: I sure know who I’m going to ask. Say, Y/N, any idea on who you’re going with.
You: I guess it’s still too far out to know yet, Billy.
Billy: I can surely think of someone who should ask you.
Kicking him instantly after his comment. The words shut up following just under your breath before you continue.
You: Principle Coleman wanted us to remind you all to remember to throw away all your trash in the yard after lunch.
You and Billy: Let’s keep this school clean!
Billy: We also want to give it up to the Tiger’s Basketball Team for a great game last Friday. Though we lost 3-7, it was still a great game.
You: I agree with Billy. Our Tigers are not ones to miss.
Billy: Especially a certain player.
The inaudible words of I am going to kill you towards Billy fall from your lips. The speakers hold the moment of silence as the hundreds of kids can hear some kind of commotion on the other end.
You: Well that’s all the news for today.
Billy: We hope you have a great day Hawkins High
You: I’m Y/N Y/L/N
Billy: And I’m Billy Hargrove,
You and Billy: Signing out. Go Tigers!
The static immediately disappears as the switch is turned off.
The teacher stands from his deck, chalk in hand as he begins to write on the board. The class settling in for another uneventful history lesson. This was definitely not going to help Steve stay awake.
But just as the words of some war were leaving the teacher’s mouth, the intercom comes to life. The static quickly fading as Billy’s voice fills the hallways and classrooms once again.
Billy: Ok, seriously just admit it.
Dozens of students are looking between each other trying to figure out what is going on.
You: Admit what?
Billy: That you like Steve Harrington and maybe I’ll leave you alone.
The class practically gasps in union as all students, including the teacher, turn to look at Steve in the back of the classroom. His face washes white, hues of soft red forming on his cheeks as he sinks lower into the plastic seat.
And as much as he was embarrassed by the whole interaction, he had to admit that he was a little bit curious. He hadn’t talked to you much in the past but he couldn’t say that he didn’t at least find you a little attractive.
You: I’m not going to admit anything if it isn’t true.
Billy: Baby, It’s just you and me here. No one's gonna know outside this room.
You: Ugh, fine.
There is a pause. The entire school on the edge of their seats as they wait for the next words to come out of your mouth
You: Yeah, I like Steve Harrington.
—
“Happy?” You question. Almost happy yourself to finally get that secret off of your chest, even if it was to someone you despise.
But before Billy could answer, the door frantically flies open to showcase a heaving Robin. Her face bright red, her body heaving from the loss of breath as she points towards the dashboard.
Following her pointer finger across the room to the small table where the dashboard sat. Realizing then that the small red light signaling that your microphones were on. The small red light signaling that the private conversation that you and Billy just had was broadcasted across the entire school.
The color in your face completely washing away at your realization that Steve just heard your confession.
“More than ecstatic.” Billy’s grin overcomes his face, his teasing laugh playing in your ears.
And all you could think about at this moment is Oh shit.