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Steve pulls into the Henderson driveway. He gets out of the car, grabbing his cap and Gown. He’s dressed in a white button-up shirt, a black tie, and dress pants. Steve sighs, thinking about how he even got here. It was his graduation day, and he was expecting a quiet and hopefully quick ceremony. His parents weren’t coming, obviously. When was the last time they ever took the time to be there for Steve?
They always have the time to ground him, yell at him, and punish him, but they never came to his basketball games, to science fairs, or even to their own son’s graduation. Steve clenches his teeth, remembering how angry his father was learning his son wasn’t gonna be going to college.
At least they are letting him stay at home while he finds a job; he almost thought he’d get kicked out once he graduated.
Steve comes up to the Hendersons’ front door and rings the doorbell. He sighs. The reason he’s even here is that Dustin Henderson blabbed his mouth.
One time when Steve was taking Dustin to the arcade, Dustin asked about graduation, and Steve let slip that his parents wouldn’t come.
— — — —
“What? But they’re your parents?” Dustin was aghast at the idea that Steve would go through his graduation without his family there.
“Chill, kid, it’s cool. Besides, Nancy will be there.” Steve tried to calm the younger boy down. Dustin still wore a confused, concerned look. Steve sighed, “Seriously, Henderson, drop it!” Steve stated.
— — — —
Steve should have known the kid wouldn’t drop it. Next thing Steve knew, he got a call from Dustin’s mom to come over before the ceremony.
“Well, here goes,” Steve mutters to himself as he rings the doorbell. A couple of seconds later, the door opens, revealing Dustin’s mom, Claudia, on the other side.
“Steve! Come in, come in! Thank you for coming! I hope it wasn’t too much trouble.” Claudia cheerfully gestures for Steve to enter the house. Steve comes in and looks around. He’s been in the Hendersons’ house before, and he always liked the cozy feel of it compared to his nearly empty big house.
“Dustin! Steve’s here!” Claudia’s voice pulls Steve out of his thoughts. Steve turns his head and sees the small middle schooler run up to him. He was wearing a dress shirt with some dress pants.
“Steve!” Dustin ecstatically belts out as he comes right up to Steve. Steve smirks at the kid’s bubbly entrance. If you asked Steve a year ago if he would be hanging out with a middle schooler, let alone one of Nancy’s little brother’s friends, he would have called you crazy, but Dustin actually was a lot of fun to hang out with.
Dustin was easy to talk to, gave Steve a reason to leave his house, and, most importantly, let Steve be himself. He went to the arcade with Dustin, watched movies, took him out to grab food, and Steve didn’t have to put on a persona around Dustin. Dustin liked Steve the way he was, still looked at him with the same cheery look and wide eyes. Steve didn’t know what he did to get Dustin to admire him so much.
“Hey, bud, looking nice!” Steve remarks as he puts a hand on Dustin’s head and ruffles his hair. It’s usually how Steve greets the kid, considering how short he is.
“Steeeeve! Come on, stop it.” Dustin moans as he tries to stop Steve from messing up his hair. Once Steve stops, the two of them laugh about it for a couple of seconds before Dustin speaks up, “We need a handshake.”
Steve furrows his brow, “A handshake? What you can’t handle, your hair being messed up, Henderson?”
“No! Not just that, I just want one, it’d be cool! Don’t you think?” Dustin tries to sell the idea. Steve never had a handshake with anyone before, and honestly, the idea really excites him.
“Sure! Why not?” Steve expresses his enthusiasm, gaining a big grin from Dustin.
“Great! Okay, so-” Dustin starts going before Claudia interrupts.
“Alright! Steve has somewhere to be, Dustin. We can’t keep him here forever.” Claudia reminds Dustin as she moves closer to the two boys.
“Oh, right, sorry, Steve, we can go over it later.” Dustin relents. Steve gives a short nod in reply.
“Now, Steve, I know you must be wondering why I wanted you to come over,” Claudia states, and she was right: Steve was confused about why they asked him to come over.
“We just thought, since your parents won’t be there, maybe Dustin and I could fill in as your sort of family at the ceremony,” Claudia suggests.
Steve goes wide-eyed at the suggestion. They want to come to his graduation. Why would they want to do that? He thinks to himself.
“Mrs. Henderson, I couldn’t possibly put that on you both. You don’t have to do that for me.” Steve tries to convince Claudia. The last thing Steve wants to do is drag people into his issues.
“It’s no trouble at all. We want to come and support you. It’s been great having you around these past few months.” Claudia affirms her stance.
“But I really don’t want to make you feel obligated to go just cause of what I’ve done,” Steve responds. He's about to say more when he sees Dustin walk closer to him.
“Do you not want us to come?” Dustin sadly looks up at Steve. Crap, Steve immediately thinks. He hated seeing the kid sad. Dustin has a real-kicked-puppy look when he’s sad.
“I swear it’s not that, but I just don’t wanna make you guys go out of your way just for me,” Steve explains.
Dustin looks at Steve, eyebrows furrowed, “I wanna go! Steve, I wanna be there for you!” Dustin whines. Steve didn’t know how to respond to Dustin’s outburst.
I wanna be there for you. When was the last time Steve heard someone say that to him? Had anyone said that to him? Steve looks at Dustin, who is giving him puppy dog eyes. Steve lets out a sigh.
“Sure, I would love to have you guys there.” Steve relents, and Steve instantly sees Dustin’s face light up.
“Yes! Thank you, Steve!” Dustin enthusiastically says as he goes in and hugs Steve. Steve pats Dustin’s head as he laughs awkwardly. Dustin rarely hugs Steve unless Steve does something really nice for him. The older male likes the feeling, even if it’s coming from someone who only goes up to his chest.
“All right, well, how about you get dressed, Steve. You too, Dustin,” Claudia speaks up.
“Steve, can you do my hair? You know, like the way you did for me at the Ball?” Dustin asks.
“Why? It’s not like you’re trying to impress anyone.” Steve inquires. Steve remembers when he drove over to the Hendersons’ house at the time Hawkins Middle School had their Snow Ball to do Dustin’s hair. Steve showed up unexpectedly cause he wanted to make sure it was done right. But there’s no girl to show off to at his graduation.
“I just like when you do it. I think it looks cool!” Dustin smiles. It makes the older boy feel warm. Steve relents and lets Dustin drag him to Dustin’s room.
“Alright, kid, you have the products?” Steve asks as he sits down. Dustin nods and starts grabbing everything. The Fabergé Organics that Steve bought for Dustin. Once Dustin hands them to Steve, Steve sees they are starting to get low.
“Remind me to buy you more of this next time we’re out,” Steve states absent-mindedly. Dustin goes wide-eyed at Steve’s casual nature.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to.” Dustin says.
“Of course, might as well, especially if you like it so much.” Steve laughs Dustin’s worries off. What was the point in having rich, absent parents if you can’t splurge on you and your friends? Steve always had that mindset. The one thing his parents have always given him is money, so why not use it? “All right, kid, let’s go.” Steve heads out of the room with Dustin following close behind.
When they make it to the bathroom, Steve informs Dustin, “Alright, you know the drill, the shampoo and conditioner, and make sure your hair is damp, not wet. Got it, Henderson?”
Dustin does a mock salute, “Yes, sir.” Steve chuckles and rolls his eyes as he pushes Dustin inside the bathroom. Steve decides to just stand outside the bathroom and wait for Dustin. As he waits, Claudia comes up to him.
“Thank you for allowing us to come. I know it’s sudden,” She says.
“No, I should be thanking you both. You really don’t have to do this for me.” Steve remarks. Claudia shakes her head.
“It’s not about doing this for you. It’s been great having you around. Dustin loves you, and I really appreciate all the help you’ve been.” She responds. Claudia gives Steve a warm smile. Over the past few months, she’s seen her son happier than he’s ever been. Dustin never complained about it, but Claudia could always tell Dustin felt a little left out, being the only one in his friend group without a sibling.
Claudia remembers the first time Steve took Dustin to an arcade, how excited Dustin was, and how, when Dustin got back, he wouldn’t stop talking about how fun it was and how awesome Steve was.
“Well, it’s no problem. You got a good kid, Mrs. Henderson.” Steve responds, a little taken aback by the comment that Dustin loves him. Steve wonders why Dustin feels so attached to him, given that people like Jonathan and Nancy knew Dustin longer and had a stronger connection to him than Steve did.
Claudia smiles at the compliment and goes to her room. Steve waits longer, and Dustin finally gets out. “I’m done!” The smaller boy says as Steve sees his damp hair.
“Good, get dressed, and we’ll put the spray in,” Steve says, holding the Farrah Fawcett spray. Dustin quickly goes to his room and changes into what he’s wearing for the graduation. When Dustin comes out, Steve sees his attire. A white dress shirt and black dress pants with a jacket and a bow tie to top it off.
“Looking good, man.” Steve's compliment makes Dustin smile. The boys go to the bathroom, and Steve styles his hair to look like his. After taking a couple of minutes to get it right, once Dustin’s styled correctly, Steve uses four puffs of the spray on Dustin’s hair.
Steve looks at the mirror and smiles. “Alright, looking good, Henderson.” Dustin beams, looking at his reflection in the mirror.
“Thanks, Steve!” Dustin exclaims, turning his head to look at Steve. Steve smiles back, happy that Dustin is pleased. Steve looks at Dustin as he is and thinks how, with his hair like this, Dustin really is Steve’s mini-me.
Steve likes the feeling that Dustin wants to emulate him, but he questions why Dustin would want to after his advice utterly failed the kid. When Steve came to pick up Dustin from the Snow Ball, Dustin informed Steve that he wasn’t able to get a dance with any of the girls, but Nancy came up to him and danced with him. Dustin told the story cheerfully, and Steve was happy. Nancy cheered the kid up, but Steve also thought about how spectacularly he had failed to help Dustin. Steve apologized to Dustin, but Dustin was confused about what Steve was even apologizing for.
“Steve?” Dustin’s voice breaks Steve out of his thoughts. “Are you okay? You were spacing out.” Dustin continues confused.
Steve shakes his head, “No, I’m good, dude. You just look good. Okay, well, I’m gonna put on my gown, you just go to your room, okay?” Steve says, Dustin nods, and goes to his room while Steve uses the Hendersons’ guest room.
Once Steve was in the guest room, he pulled out his cap and Gown that was on the bed. Graduation is a day for celebration, but Steve can only feel anxiety about it. He doesn’t know what he’s gonna do with his life. He couldn’t get into college, so who knows how long his parents will let him stay at their house. Steve’s whole world was crashing down. Everyone else was gonna move on, do better things with their lives, and Steve was just gonna stay in Hawkins, having peaked in High School.
With all these thoughts in mind, Steve puts on his cap and gown and leaves the guest room. He goes into the living room and sees Dustin and Claudia. Claudia has a camera in her hand.
“Good, you’re out. Now it’s picture time.” Claudia announces enthusiastically, holding up the camera. Steve would object, but he knows it’s no use if she’s already set on it. Steve lets Claudia take multiple pictures of him, smiling as naturally as he can in a situation he has never been in before. She ends up taking a lot of pictures.
“Dustin, do you wanna take one with Steve?” Claudia asks her son. Dustin nods instantly and goes up to Steve. Steve laughs and moves Dustin in front of him and puts his hands on Dustin’s shoulders as the two of them smile for the camera. Once Claudia takes the picture, she says, “Alright, that should be enough, let’s go.”
Steve’s a little sad after it’s over. He’s never had an experience like this before, and he really likes the feeling of having a mom who would bother to take his pictures.
As the three of them head outside, Dustin speaks up, “Can I ride with Steve?” Dustin directs the question to his mom. Claudia approves of the request as she heads to her own car.
Steve laughs. Dustin always wants to ride with him. Steve doesn’t mind it, he’s not gonna deny the kid. “Alright, get in, twerp,” Steve says as he opens his car door and gets inside. Dustin smiles and runs to the passenger side.
Once everyone is inside, Steve drives out of the driveway with Claudia close behind. It’s a pretty chill ride. Dustin continually talks about whatever nerdy stuff his friends are doing and how he’s going to Summer Camp soon.
When there’s a moment of silence, Dustin lets out a thought he’s been having for a while. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t want me to tell anyone about your parents not going, but I just had to! You shouldn’t be alone for such a big deal.”
Steve sighs, “It’s fine, man. I just didn’t want you to feel obligated to come just cause my parents wouldn’t be there. I don’t know why you’re so pushy about going, though.” Steve responds.
“'Cause I want to be there.” Dustin casually remarks.
“I know that I just…I just don’t understand why you want to. I mean, it’s not like I’ve done that much to help you, really. Just drive you around places. I don’t think I’m that remarkable for you to get so passionate about this.” Steve explains.
“I don’t think that’s true, Steve.” Dustin says, “I think you’re awesome. One of the best guys I know.” Dustin states. Steve chokes up a little at that—the way Dustin so matter-of-factly compliments Steve disarms him.
“T-thanks. I appreciate that.” Steve responds. He doesn’t know how to respond to Dustin, so he’s just honest. He really appreciates Dustin’s words.
After the conversation, the two sit in relative silence until they arrive at the ceremony, which is taking place outside. Steve and Dustin get out of the car and meet with Claudia. The Hendersons part ways with Steve as they try to find a seat on the bleachers, while Steve goes and sits at his assigned spot.
As Steve anxiously waits for the ceremony to start, he turns his head to the bleachers and sees the spot Claudia and Dustin chose to sit. He also spots Nancy and gives her a small wave, which she returns. Steve’s happy Nancy decided to come. Nancy promised she’d come when they were dating, but Steve made it clear she didn’t have to go through with it once Steve and Nancy broke up. Nancy stuck to her word, though, and Steve was grateful for that.
Then he heard a familiar, aggravating voice right next to him. “Well, if it isn’t, Harrington.” Steve groans as he turns his head to see the shit-eating grin of Billy Hargrove. He hated Billy. Ever since Billy moved to Hawkins, he’s terrorized Steve and Dustin’s friends. He forgot how close their last names are. Sitting next to Billy for the entire ceremony was the last thing Steve wanted.
“Hey, Hargrove.” Steve grimaces. Billy starts trash-talking at Steve as Steve tries his best to ignore Billy.
Meanwhile, in the bleachers, Dustin thinks back to the car ride and to hearing Steve talk down about himself. Dustin can’t believe Steve would think less of himself. The past few months have been some of the best times in Dustin’s life.
Dustin hangs out with Steve “The Hair” Harrington. The premise of that was unbelievable to him, but Steve was also just great to be around. He didn’t mind taking Dustin places or listening to Dustin yap about nerdy things.
Steve also helped Dustin at the Snow Ball. Sure, Steve’s advice didn’t work, but that didn’t matter to Dustin. Steve went out of his way to help Dustin and make him feel more confident in himself. Dustin will never forget the day Steve unexpectedly came to his house to help him get ready and drive him to the ball.
But the best thing about Steve was that he didn’t look down on Dustin. Steve didn’t look at Dustin like a charity case or a nuisance. Steve didn’t talk down to him. Steve didn’t walk on eggshells around Dustin. He treated Dustin like he would any other friend. He didn’t pretend they weren’t hanging out when they went somewhere in public. Steve just enjoyed being around Dustin, and Dustin didn’t think anyone like Steve would ever treat Dustin like that.
Dustin pouts, “How can Steve not see why I think he’s so cool?” he thinks to himself.
“Dustin!” Dustin jerks his head at the voice. He sees Max and Lucas walk up and sit beside him. Dustin’s a little shocked seeing two of his friends here.
“Hey! What are you two doing here?” Dustin asks.
“My mom wants me to be here for my dumb brother.” Max rolls her eyes, clearly not happy at being here for Billy.
“Oh, that makes sense. What about Lucas?” Dustin gestures to Lucas.
“I brought him for support. I didn’t expect you here, so I needed someone here with me.” Max explains. Dustin nods his head, understanding the reasoning.
Lucas speaks up, “Why are you here, Dustin? You have a secret brother or something?” Lucas jokes, but Dustin kinda blushes at that. “Steve…my brother.” Dustin thinks about that idea. He likes that.
“N-no, I’m here for Steve,” Dustin responds. He shouldn’t feel awkward saying this. But the thought of him being here for Steve, not just as a friend but as a brother, really wouldn’t get out of his head.
“Oh, cool!” Lucas responds. Lucas never thought he’d be happy for Steve, but after Steve helped him when Billy was gonna attack him, he warmed up to Steve. Steve clearly wasn’t as bad as Lucas thought he was.
“That’s great! I know he got his ass kicked by Billy, but I respect him for helping us out when my asshole brother came by.” Max replies. She didn’t know Steve for that long, but she liked Steve; Steve was someone she wished her own brother were more like. Protective, smooth, and not a jerk, and a constant annoyance to the people around him.
“Yeah, his parents aren’t coming, so I just thought-oh!” Dustin didn’t catch himself in time. He’s sure Steve wouldn’t want Dustin telling others his family business, since he already didn’t like Dustin telling Dustin’s mom.
“That sucks. Well, I’m here for him too. Might as well be here for someone worth it.” Max passionately states.
“Yeah, same! I can’t believe his parents aren’t here.” Lucas remarks.
Dustin’s happy the two of them want to be here for Steve, too. Steve deserves it and more in Dustin’s eyes. “Right! But please don’t tell Steve I said that! He’ll be mad at me.” Dustin pleads to his two friends. They promise to keep it a secret.
Shortly after the ceremony begins, it starts with words from the principal, the staff, and the Valedictorian. Steve just drowns the talk out until they start saying the names of the graduates. As each graduate’s name is called out, there is some applause. That’s all that’s allowed, so he doesn’t expect any different for himself. Steve hears Billy's name called, the usual applause, and a groan from the bleachers. He stifles a chuckle and gets ready for his name to get called.
“Steve Harrington!” The announcer states.
Steve walks up on stage, and instead of the usual applause, he hears.
“WOOO Steve!! Hell Yeah.” A girl’s voice exclaims.
“Congratulations, Steve!!” Steve hears a boy’s voice
“YEAH, STEVE YOU’RE THE BEST!!!” Steve hears Dustin louder than all of them. He looks and sees Dustin and two of his friends, Lucas and Max, all standing and cheering and clapping for him.
“Keep it down!! That’s enough!” The principal yells over the microphone.
Steve just stands there looking at the 3 kids as they calm down, but still clap for him. He looks over and sees Claudia clapping too, and Nancy standing and clapping at him with a smile. Steve feels his eyes start to tear up.
Steve didn’t know how much he needed this. People who would be there for him. People who come to see him. Friends who want to support him. Steve quickly wipes his eyes, grabs his diploma, and holds it up, “WOOHOO!!” He exclaims. A day Steve has been dreading for a while is, all of a sudden, the day he thinks has been one of the best of his life.
The rest of the ceremony goes on without incident. Once everyone is dismissed, Steve starts walking to his friends when Billy speaks up. “Some applause you got there, Harrington.”
“Yeah, too bad it’s from a bunch of middle schoolers.” Tommy Hagan says coming up right next to Billy. The jeer doesn’t even phase Steve as he turns around.
“Yeah, but it’s more than you both got.” Steve smirks at them, “Besides, who cares what grade they’re in? They’re better and smarter friends than you were, Tommy.” Steve makes a jab.
After the clapback, Steve leaves the annoyances behind him. He would rather spend time with people who care about him. He spots Nancy and runs up to her. “Nance!” Nancy looks and walks up to Steve.
“Steve! Congratulations, that was some show they put on.” Nancy says. Steve smiles and nods his head.
“Yeah, I really didn’t expect that. Trust me, I didn’t set them up to do that.” Steve responds defensively.
“I know. Guess it’s just a perk of being a really good babysitter, as you said.” Nancy jokingly remarks. The two former partners laugh. “You deserved it, Steve,” Nancy states.
“Thanks, Nance. I’m glad you also came. It means a lot.” Steve admits that Nancy being here really did mean a lot. Steve may not be her boyfriend anymore, but he still wanted them to be friends.
“I told you I wouldn’t miss it even if things didn’t work out. I’m glad we’re in each other's lives, Steve.” Nancy says, giving a genuine smile.
“Same Nance, hey, catch you around?” Steve inquires, Nancy nods, “Cool, and tell Jonathan I said hi.” Steve finishes. Nancy affirms, and they go in for a hug before parting ways.
Steve then walks up to the three kids, “Hey! You twerps really caused a scene back there.” Steve says, putting his hands on his hips, looking down at the three.
“Yeah, but who cares. You only get one graduation.” Max replies, not thinking it was a big deal in any way.
“Well, technically, you get two if you go to college.” Lucas retorts as Max rolls her eyes and calls Lucas a dork.
“We just need to show you how much you mean to us. You aren’t mad, are you?” Dustin says, hoping he didn’t do something Steve didn’t want.
Steve laughs and ruffles Dustin's hair. “I’m not mad, it was obnoxious, but it was cool,” Steve says.
“Hey, not the hair!” Dustin exclaims, trying to get Steve’s hand off his hair. Steve grins at that and continues for a couple more seconds.
“It’s not my fault you have such a perfect head to ruffle, Henderson,” Steve states as he puts his hand on Dustin’s shoulder now as Dustin tries to manage the state of his hair.
“Seriously, though, thank you, Dustin. You’re a good friend. I’m really glad you came.” Steve looks Dustin in the eyes. Dustin beams at Steve’s statement.
“Really! You mean it?” Dustin says. Dustin grins from ear to ear, seeing how happy Steve seems to be.
“Yeah, you made this a really good day, man. You’re the best.” Steve says. Dustin goes to respond before Claudia walks up.
“Oh, Steve, congratulations, I hope these three didn’t embarrass you,” Claudia says.
“No, it was nice,” Steve responds. Steve looks at the three kids and gets an idea. “Hey, Mrs. Henderson, you mind if I take Dustin out? I want to take him and these two out for a bit.” Steve suggests.
“Really?” Dustin says.
“Wait, where?” Max asks.
“I was thinking there is this ice cream place at the new mall. Might as well treat you brats.” Steve grins.
“I obviously don’t mind, just make sure he’s back at a reasonable hour,” Claudia responds. Dustin instantly thanks his mom, and Steve looks at Max and Lucas.
“What about you two? Your parents are okay with it?” Steve asks the two.
“I mean, my parents think I’m with Max anyway, I’m sure they won’t mind,” Lucas responds.
“I’m sure my mom’s alright with it.” Max lazily retorts.
“Well, okay then, well, what are we waiting for?” Steve announces before heading to his car with the three kids behind him.
“I get the passenger seat!” Dustin announces. Lucas and Max groan as Dustin always gets the passenger seat, but Steve just laughs.
“It’s yours, man. It’s not like you sit anywhere else anyway.” Steve jokes.
“I have to make sure! I don’t want anyone taking that seat.” Dustin defensively explains.
Steve grins as they make it to their car and get inside. As he sees the three kids ready for the drive, he gets a warm feeling inside. Maybe Steve’s life isn’t so bad when he has people like them here with him. Steve looks over at Dustin, who smiles at him. Steve smiles back.
Yeah, Steve thinks his life is pretty good.