#joyce doesn’t either most of the time but y’all call her the best mother

[sspiderj]

karen wheeler defender till the day i die

[calypsoff]

Fifty Nine. Part 2

Clinton honestly plays at my heartstrings with Chris, just to see a good father. He is ever so attentive towards Chris and I love to see it, he just comes out with the most random things too which makes me laugh but to see a father, it’s nice to see. I don’t know what one is, it’s been tainted for me because of my own and I don’t think I know what a real father should be doing “you good now yeah? No more tears” Clinton placed his arm around Chris and patted his shoulder “no more, I’m good now. I ain’t seen y’all in a while, I missed it. You know how much I missed you when I was locked up but yeah, I’m good” Chris makes me so proud, he really does. He just so open with his emotions with his family, even with me but I love that “so what is happening in the family, how is the baby? Tell me” Clinton asked Chris, he probably wants to hear what he has to say which I don’t mind “good, erm me and Barry aren’t friends anymore. I’m not sure what he is on at all, we just not speaking anymore. He was saying things that angered me that I ended up beating him, in the middle of iHop and I got arrested and now I got a court case. So that happened” Clinton looks horrified “again!? What did I say to you about letting anyone get to you! Seriously, you have so much going for you. I said it to you when you were first time arrested, I said to you that you are not like those boys out there that need to do these types of things. Barry isn’t proceeding the way you are Chris; you need to make new friends in that field. The people of VA you leave behind, nobody is happy for you” Clinton was harsh there “we understand why you both didn’t come to the home and we appreciate that you even came to VA, I’m very happy to see you both even came but we will come to you both” Joyce added “I’m not hiding though, fuck them” Chris said “you’re not hiding son, you’re fully there and we see it” Clinton is right “move to Cali, then I can see you when I want and then when Robyn isn’t speaking to me I can see you all” Chris would mention that “no baby, your sister is here” Chris pulled a face “but I would like you to be safe, you know Robb is throwing threats” Clinton looked at Joyce “I think your mother wants to stay in VA; our family is here. Only you are in Cali” Chris shrugged his dad’ arm off “yeah the family that don’t fuck with your son, ok. It’s just me” Chris is offended by what was said, I don’t blame him.

Chris as he does he’s walked off because he’s not happy, I’m not going to get myself involved because it’s his family “Clinton leave him, he needs space and we give him that” Joyce said as Clinton was going to get up and follow him “I just don’t want him to be sad, it’s a lovely day. Seeing each other” taking in a deep breath “do you all still speak to the family still? It’s just Chris?” I questioned, I want to know more actually “they speak to us yes, but when it comes to Chris he is a bit of a taboo, Robb is the first born grandchild. Spoilt, so when that all happened they took sides and it hurts me so much because he’s my only son, but I also want my family, We decided to just keep both sides happy and not speak on either, I know my son feels I am betraying him. I don’t know what else I can do without losing the family I got and have nothing��� pressing my lips into a hard thin line “but then Chris had nothing besides you three? How was that fair on him. In that situation, coming out of jail and he came back to nasty behaviour. I just feel it’s hard for him, he did what he needed to do to be out, I won’t ever say he did wrong. You both got your boy back and that alone should be praised but how you think he feels when now he’s between you and that family you want” I shouldn’t be involved in this because it’s not my issue at all “it’s ok because I will have my own family” oh Chris heard then “son, you’re taking it the wrong way. You knew this, you knew the family didn’t forgive. We would always choose you over them, it is never like that but we are ok in VA, we really are so please let’s not argue, can we not” Chris made his way over to me and sat next to me “I have no family” looking over at Chris “stop” I don’t want this to be an argument, we didn’t come here for that.

Both Clinton and Chris went out to get some groceries, they took Frank with them. I wasn’t letting them go alone, I’m not risking it at all “Joyce, it’s playing on my mind and you can tell me to mind my business but. They want to kill your son, does that not hurt you and want you to not deal with them anymore?” I’m still on it “kills me deep inside. My sister came and she said my son is suffering, I said to her so is my son as you all wish nothing but bad on him so all he keeps getting is bad, I told Chris to go to church more, he needs the blessing because there is nasty people out there that are wishing it, those people is my family. I do want a change but all I know is VA, I am comfortable here” as a mother I can imagine how hurt she is about it all “all I knew is Barbados Joyce, but I did it and I was happier, hand on my heart a change could be best for you all because he wants to protect you all too, but that’s something you all want. Chris is a hurt man and I see it sometimes, he loves Barbados, he loves my family and minus my dad but how close we are. I see his smile and then he comes here, and he has no family around, it’s a shame. All they are doing now is selling stories about him, my publicist told me, and I said deny it all, he doesn’t know that, but I do. It’s just a nasty situation where now his cousin is threatening him, I feel like someone has put some witchcraft on him, you’re right. All those bad wishes add up and maybe we need to go church, but I think if you really want a change, make it” they are thinking on moving then they need to do that now before Chris gets the house for them.

Joyce touched my bump and it made me giggle “my mother would be jealous right now, she just calls me on FaceTime to stare at my bump. She’s so excited about this, she’s telling me she will move in for me and she will do this and that and I’m like hold on mommy, I am ok. Chris and I are ok, I just know Chris is going to be so supportive. But I think I will let her stay for a few days and then she needs to go home, she will take over. The baby is going to be so loved, I can’t wait” she cooed out “what you guessing? My mother said boy weird enough, she said the way I am carrying so I am so unsure, also Chris and I met this guy in Jamaica called captain and he knew so much, he turned around to me and said girl, I was so freaked out” Joyce gasped “wow, well I think girl. Oh baby I hope it is a girl, daughters are a pleasure. Such beautiful, spirited kids, boys are a pain. I enjoyed my daughter then I did my son but Chris himself, he was clingy to me, forever wanting me to pick him up but I feel like when boys grow up, they grow up to not be yours” Joyce has got a point “he also said we have four kids but one is vague and I questioned and said was one a miscarriage and he said no so that scared me, I don’t know. I hope it’s not anything awful” I sighed out “impressive” Joyce said and I laughed “well” I dragged out, her son has super sperm so it could be a thing actually “would you want that many? You’re a very busy woman” I chuckled “with the help and support from the love of my life yes it can happen, even if god blessed me once I am happy” Joyce cooed out “I am so excited for you both” this baby is going to be so loved and I can’t wait.

Sweet of Joyce, she cooked for us and I wasn’t expecting that at all. She made me sit down and not do anything at all, it’s nice “you know what, this was so nice. Thank you, but leave the dishes, Chris will clean up” I grinned at Chris “what?” He said confused “you heard me but it’s getting late, I don’t want you driving home and it’s too dark for you” Chris chuckled “she is trying to make you both leave, she is bored of you” Chris is such a liar “don’t listen to him please, he is a liar. But anyways, can we take a picture together, just before you depart. I want a in-law’s picture, I’ll get Rich to come and take it” getting up from the seat “oh god my hair is not done?” Waving Joyce off “stop it” making my way to the living room to get Rich so he can take this picture of us “Rich, can you take a picture” walking back on myself “what’s bout your bump?” Chris asked “your jacket” taking his jacket from the back of his chair, I just really don’t care about hiding about the fact I’m with my in-law. Putting Chris’ jacket on and zipping it up “don’t you think it looks better on me?” I smiled at Chris “mhmmm nah, better on me” Chris wrapped his arms around my shoulders “Rich can you notice my bump? Anything at all?” I asked as he aimed the camera up “erm no, the counter covers it” shuffling to Joyce and placing my around her “ok smile” I grinned wide, I probably look a mess but who cares “done” Rich made his way over to us, taking my phone from him “awwww thank you, I love this picture. I don’t look pregnant here at all, ok family” pressing next and adding a caption ‘I have the cutest in-laws’ pressing send on the picture “it’s been honestly so nice to see you both, but honestly. Chris will clean” I am being deadass, he thinks I am joking “awww, how long you both staying for?” Joyce asked “erm, I would say a few days. Spending some quality time together” I laughed to myself because that sounds stupid, we see each other anyways.

Chris is downstairs trying to figure which home he wants to get for his parents, I spoke to Chris last night about them remaining here, they are happy to be here so why change that for them. Even though for Chris I would have liked them to come to Cali but it’s fine, just because they are happy here so he is downstairs looking at different homes, he changed his mind on what he wants to get and I don’t mind because I need sort out his birthday gift or gifts anyways, but I don’t know what I am doing with this shit so I am getting my brother to help me, I have not a clue about this shit so while he is down there I am calling him “nigga, why you take so long to pick up” I scolded him “sorry, man I was just going to have a nap under the sun” he knows damn well I miss Barbados “asshole, so anyways. Have you done your investigation for me? I told you, if I say it to him he will clock on so I don’t want to ask” he better have spoken to him “yeah, I text him and said well lied to him. I said I am moving to Cali to be closer, and I am looking to get a car, well at first we spoke about sports and then I turned it into about cars, then he said oh my car is just an Uber which made me laugh but he spoke on Lamborghini, he said once he makes his money up he will get that for himself, so there. I did it” I have no idea about cars, they cute whatever but I don’t. I have that Porsche that is in a garage that I don’t even use “right so now what? Rorrey please, you got to do this for me” he has no choice he has too “right there is a few models but I am flying over sis so we can both go and look, don’t worry about it I got you” thank god he is coming.

As I come down the door knocked at the same time “I will get it” Rich said as he got up, I need to make some lunch actually, I am hungry. Slowly walking down the last step as Rich walked by me “you don’t look happy” I said, “I was having a nap” I gasped “so in that nap you were saving me from what?” Rich chuckled as he opened the door “oh wow, hi” letting out an oh, it’s TJ “I come in peace, honestly big man” Chris jogged by me “is that you TJ?” Rich moved to the side, TJ stood awkwardly with a car seat in hand but then he placed it on the floor as Chris jumped on him, giving him the biggest hug “oh man, it’s the married man” I smiled seeing them both hugging, seeing Chris happy with his friend “oh shit, oh my god. Is this Camron? Holy shit, who this white boy” Chris crouched down to the car seat “hi Rihanna” TJ waved at me “hey, come in. Chris bring the baby, come in. I am going to make lunch, you want some?” I asked “no thank you, I just ate. I really wanted Chris to meet my son, like I am so excited about this” watching Chris as he bought the car seat over to me “look at him, he fat and white” I cooed out looking into the car seat seeing this chubby little thing with the lightest hair “wow TJ, he is you!” I spat “he is so cute” now I am jealous, I Want my bbay with me now, Camron is so cute.

Walking into the living room and sitting next to Chris “ugh, I cannot wait for our baby to be here. Look at you being all daddy, TJ your son is beautiful. He is really you’re twin, god bless him” TJ laughed “thank you, I just wanted Chris to meet him, and it happened. I just wanted this moment, when he’s older I can start taking him to Cali, he will have someone to play with when little Breezy comes along but thank you” poking my lips out “come here, you are so precious” picking Camron off of Chris, slowly placing him in my arms “you really are a charmer staring at me with those big brown eyes” I should have known, like he’s a baby and they can sniff milk “aye, wait. No, those nipples are mine” I snorted laughing moving him away from my breast, this baby is ready for milk “oh shit, I just fed him, he probably senses it” lifting him up and sat him up on my lap with my hand behind his head “take a picture for me, do you mind?” I asked TJ “I don’t, I mean after the breast thing. You can” Chris aimed the camera, placing my hand just under his chin “mind the stomach” I added “Camron, hey nephew! Yeah, you going to smile at me, awww look at that” Chris turned my phone to me “cute, post it please and put. Just had a baby the world thinks I am pregnant with, I want to annoy the rumours floating around. This will throw them off” also just that alone will upset Seiko, she will be so angry about me posting her son.

[hunnywrites]

Arcade Dreams: Chapter Six

Summary: There’s a new girl working at the Palace Arcade and Hawkins’ Family Video. Billy can’t stand her, and the feeling is mutual. No matter what everyone else seems to think.

Pairing: Billy Hargrove/OFC

A/N: I’ve had a few people asking if I’ll be including the supernatural aspects of the show, and I will be! This takes place just after season 2 and will include the events of the third season! I’ll also be including more character cameos. We’ll meet Joyce in this chapter, and she and Hopper will make a few appearances throughout. Steve will also start to get peppered in and become a big part of the story! I’ve also had a few concerns about Teddi’s dad, and I just want y’all to know that while he’s an important part of Teddi’s story (and the future plot) it won’t be a focal point or even a major part of her relationship with Billy. But I want to thank you all for the comments! It means so much and I’m so glad you guys are loving this so far!

Hawkins was a blur. Teddi felt like she was on some sort of alternate dimension. Her head hadn’t stopped hurting since the night before and now everything just seemed...hazy. Slow. Weird. She was also well aware that she was the only person in town wearing sunglasses. She hoped that no one would really notice that the gloomy, cold, winter afternoon just seemed a little too much for her to handle. She’d done her best to cover up the giant bruise on her left eye with makeup, but it was still too noticeable for her liking. 

Teddi was embarrassed. She knew she shouldn’t be. Her dad was a jerk and that was all. But still, she felt like if anyone saw her black eye and put the pieces together they would judge her for it. After leaving the coffee shop the day before she had gone home to change for work, and her father had come home early. They had gotten into an argument over how often she was out. He blamed her for leaving her “poor mother” home alone all day and night. Teddi had been dumb enough to try and argue back, and now she had a lovely shiner to remind her of just how bad an idea that was. 

At first she had been worried she’d had a concussion. He had hit her twice. A hit across her face with the back of his hand as punishment for talking back that had made her ears ring, and then another hit directly to her eye for good measure. She still remembered how shocked she had been after it happened. It had been a long time since he had ever laid a hand on her. It happened all the time when she was younger. Teddi had always been too little to really understand that the way her father taught her lessons was far from okay. Around the time she entered middle school and she was beginning to realize all of the other kids didn’t have parents that hit them, Teddi’s dad had gotten a big promotion at his construction job. He’d started making really good money then and Teddi stopped existing for the most part. After that the abuse mostly just been verbal. All bark and no bite. But with the added stress of being completely broke and stuck in a shitty job that he hated, Teddi assumed this was just an excuse to let some of his frustration out like it had been when she was a kid. 

She didn’t really know if her mom had any idea that it had happened. Teddi had only seen her once that morning and that had been it. Her dad had stormed off after. Teddi assumed he was off to some bar to drink his stress away. But to avoid pissing him off any more than she already had she called Keith and told him she couldn’t come in. He had been understanding of course. It was the first time she’d called out since she’d been hired. And it was probably for the best anyways, considering how she looked.

There had always been that voice in her head telling her that she should tell someone about her home life. But over time she had convinced herself that it would only bring more trouble. What if she told someone and they didn’t believe her? What if they told her father? Eventually she had gotten into her habits of avoiding her parents and it hadn’t been much of an issue all too often. And what was the point now? She was almost out of the house, and this was probably a one off occasion. So she would just stick it out. 

Teddi felt really awful about ditching Max and Billy though. She never broke a promise. Ever. Now she would have to come up with some sort of an excuse for when Billy no doubt confronted her about it. She just prayed that his “date” with Cheryl Burns had gone well so he would be in somewhat of a good mood. 

Teddi walked into Melvald’s drug store and pushed her glasses further up her nose. There weren’t many people around, but thankfully they were all too busy with whatever they were doing to pay much attention to her. She grabbed a bottle of aspirin and headed to the counter where Joyce Byers was waiting. Teddi had only spoken to Joyce a handful of times when she would come to the arcade to pick Will up, but she was probably one of the sweetest people Teddi had ever met. She was a little overprotective of Will, but from the little Teddi had heard of Will’s disappearance about a year ago she couldn’t really blame Joyce for being that way.

“Hey Teddi,” Joyce greeted her warmly. Joyce looked from Teddi to the large windows and out to the slightly overcast day. She quirked an eyebrow and smiled. “Bright out today?”

Teddi hesitated a moment before letting out a nervous laugh and slowly taking off her glasses. “No. I uh had a little accident getting out of my van yesterday. The driveway was like super icy and I slipped. Looks great, right?” she joked, motioning to her eye.

Joyce made a face. “Oh jeez. Are you okay, hun?” 

“Pffft, totally. My ego’s more bruised than the rest of me.” that wasn’t completely a lie either. Joyce gave Teddi a slightly uneasy look. 

“Well, alright. You be more careful next time though, huh?”

Teddi nodded. “Oh I definitely will. Um, I’ll see you at the arcade later I guess? I should probably go. My shift starts soon.”

“Oh! Sure, sure,” Joyce handed Teddi her bag. “Yeah, I’m picking up the kids for movie night at our place. I hope you feel better, hun.”

“Thanks, Ms. Byers. Later!” she nearly ran outside and shoved her glasses back on. Teddi was headed straight for her van when she heard the sound of a door slamming.

 “Larsson!” the tone in Billy’s voice made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She turned to face him, fidgeting with her glasses awkwardly and offered him a small smile. 

“Hey, Billy. Look I’m so-”

“Where the fuck were you last night?” he seethed, stomping over to her. She took a step back from him in shock. She expected him to be angry, but not this angry. 

“Something came up…” she offered weakly. 

Billy raised his eyebrows, his head tilting to the side. “Oh yeah? Like what? Do you have any idea how much shit I would’ve been in without you? If Max had run off?” so that’s what it was. He might have gotten in trouble, and he was taking it out on her. “I’m waiting, Larsson.” he snapped, taking a step closer to her. 

Teddi’s anger outweighed anything else she was feeling. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with one of Billy’s tantrums when she had actual problems to deal with. “Leave me the fuck alone, Billy.” she bit out, turning to walk away. 

He grabbed her arm, spinning her back around. “Was this some kind of a joke?” he asked. “Trying to pull one over on me for throwing you in the pool? You want me to say sorry?” 

Teddi jerked away from him and took a small step back.“I want you to go away! I want you to stop being so fucking mean for once! Jesus, what is wrong with you? The whole world doesn’t revolve around you, Billy! I have shit going on in my life and I can’t be at your beck and call!” They both stood there on the sidewalk, both still and glaring at each other. But while Billy was nearly standing over her in this menacing stance with his jaw clenched so tightly he felt like his teeth might shatter, Teddi was pulled away from him almost like a frightened child. Her arms were crossed against her chest like she was trying to shield herself from something. From him.  

And it wasn’t until that moment that Billy realized she was scared of him. She’d never been scared of him before. She’d always met him head on. That little, nicer part of Billy was screaming. Max was right, he was an asshole. His face softened a little, and he took a step back from her. He shoved his hands awkwardly in his pockets before fumbling to light a cigarette. Teddi let out a deep breath and adjusted her sunglasses. “Why are you wearing those?” he finally asked.

“It’s bright out.” she snapped. 

Billy studied her quietly for a moment. It was a hunch. His own paranoia talking maybe. But between that bad feeling he’d had the night before and how absolutely cliche Teddi looked he couldn’t help by wonder. Before he could give Teddi a chance to protest or smack his hands away, he reached forward to snatch her sunglasses off. He felt his stomach drop when he saw the large, nasty bruise on her eye. “Jesus, Ted, ...how’d you get that?”

Teddi wouldn’t meet his eyes. Her bottom lip shook, and Billy watched as big, fat tears pooled in her eyes. He shifted uncomfortably. “I slipped on ice last night in my driveway. That’s why I wasn’t at work. I hit my head and I felt like shit.” He had a feeling it was a lie, but he didn’t push it. He’d made stupid excuses like that before after having to go to school with a busted lip or a black eye. That anxious feeling in his chest was back. Billy didn’t know anything about her parents. He didn’t know their names, or what they looked like. Max had made a comment that Teddi had moved to Hawkins after her dad had gotten laid off, and now he was working construction on some mall that was being built outside of town. Still, he never would have guessed that Teddi’s parents might be hurting her. 

But then the dam broke. Teddi broke out into tears, and Billy nearly recoiled from her. He nervously handed her her sunglasses back, holding up his hands in defense. “Christ, Teddi. Don’t do that. People are looking at us.” he begged. 

“They’re probably looking at us because you were screaming at me!” she argued, leaning against her van and slipping her glasses back on. “God, this is so embarrassing.” she whimpered, nearly doubling over to hide. 

Billy took a drag of his cigarette, unsure of what to do. He hated it when people cried. He looked up to see a few people glancing over in their direction. “What?! You’ve never seen someone cry before? Keep fucking walking!” he snapped. 

Teddi only groaned. “Oh my god. You’re making it worse,” she moaned. “Look, I’m sorry okay? I should have left a message with Keith or something. And I’m sorry if you guys got in trouble or something-”

Billy shook his head, waving a hand at her. “Nothing happened...Max was just worried is all. I got sick of listening to her.” he wasn’t sure why he even said that. 

“Shit. Is she mad at me too? I’ll be in tonight if you wanna bring her over…”

“No one’s mad, Larsson,” she shot him a look. “Okay, so I was a little mad,” he let out a loud sigh. “You just drive me up the fucking wall sometimes. I mean, I got to do shit to Cheryl Burns last night that you wouldn’t believe and after all of that I was still pissed off that you ditched. Do you have any idea what that’s like? How frustrating that is?”

“I think you might just be a little too full of yourself.” Teddi sniffed. 

Billy rolled his eyes. Now she was starting to sound like Max. “Look, are you gonna be alright? Do I need to...like, drive you home or something?”

Teddi looked a little shocked at his offer, but shook his head. “I’m not going home...but thanks, I’ll be fine,” Billy nodded, flicking the rest of his cigarette away. “Uh, can we maybe not tell anyone about this? Ever?”

“Who am I gonna tell? I only hang around you and six year olds, remember?” he asked, turning and walking back to his car. 

Teddi sighed loudly, reaching under her glasses to wipe her eyes one last time before getting into her car. ‘You just drive me up the fucking wall sometimes.’ that was rich coming from him. At least she had never screamed at him in front of the whole town. Okay, maybe not the whole town, but still. 

She had a pretty good feeling now that Billy knew something was amiss. The way he had looked at her after he pulled her glasses off almost made her wonder if he could read her mind. He looked...sympathetic almost. Which was a really weird feeling. It bothered her more to wonder why he had seemed sympathetic. Billy didn’t care about anything that didn’t directly involve him. 

If anything maybe this would lead to something good. Maybe this was a new side to Billy and he would back off a little...unlikely, but she could hope. Maybe she would be able to enjoy that Christmas party that was coming up in a few days without having to worry about him trying to pester her or snap at her or whatever he would do depending on his mood. 

Teddi shook her head, deciding to shove all of this to the back of her mind and focus on getting to the arcade. She wouldn’t be able to wear her sunglasses inside. So she would have to count on her lying skills and the bright, neon lighting inside to help disguise the truth. If it even came up. She wasn’t really expecting for a bunch of preteens to be half as observant as Billy (as strange of a thought that that was to have). Especially when video games were involved. 

Keith was already there when she arrived. He was stationed at his usual post behind the prize counter looking like he might actually die from boredom. Teddi smiled at him, pushing her sunglasses on top of her head. “Hey Keith, your saving grace is here.” she joked.

“They’re really at it today. An eight year old spit gum in my hair...man, what happened to your face?” he asked, making a face once he spotted her black eye.

Teddi’s smile only faltered a little before she let out what she hoped to be a convincing laugh. “Oh yeah, this is why I couldn’t come in last night. I ate shit on some ice. It’s a great look, right?” 

“I didn’t know you were such a klutz.” shockingly Keith’s teasing didn’t quite have the same charm that Billy’s had. 

“Me? Pfft. It’s a miracle I’m still alive,” she laughed nervously. “I’m gonna go put my stuff in my locker and I’ll take over. No gum spitting eight year olds next door.” she didn’t give him a chance to answer. She slipped past him and into the door behind him that read ‘employees only’. The break room was incredibly shitty. At least the one at the pool had a vending machine. This was just barely too big to call a closet. There was a single row of lockers crammed in the corner next to two games that Keith had been saying he’d get around to repairing, and a tiny fold out table and chair. Needless to say, Teddi preferred taking her breaks in her van. 

She pulled a small zipper pouch out of her bag and picked out a compact. She touched up the makeup around her eye, grimacing at how noticeable the bruise still was. At least Keith had bought her story. Tossing the pouch back into her bag, she grabbed the painkillers she’d bought before her run in with Billy and dry swallowed two before tossing her bag into her locker. 

She walked back out just in time to see Max, Lucas and Will walking in. “Hey guys!” she greeted. “Sorry about last night, Max. I had a little accident.” she pointed to her eye. 

Max only shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I mean, Billy was super pissy, but I figured you were like...sick or something. Hey, you think you could help us pick out a movie? Everyone’s supposed to be meeting us here. We’re gonna hang out at Will’s later.”

Teddi was officially confused. Billy had told her that Max was worried last night when she didn’t show. She shrugged it off. “Uh, yeah! Yeah, sure. Just come find me when you guys are ready. I have a few machines with sticky buttons that need fixing.”

“Please tell me one of them is Galaga. I haven’t been able to play in two weeks. My high score is in jeopardy, Teddi.” Lucas said, folding his hands together as if he were begging her. 

Teddi laughed. “Yeah, I’ll take a look at it, okay? Can’t have high scores in jeopardy. Later, little dudes.” even though Teddi now had some new questions about Billy, the interaction left her feeling relieved. All that worrying about coming in to work was over nothing. Now she could actually enjoy her shift. Even though most of it would be wiping down machines from whatever gunk the kids of Hawkins seemed to always have on their hands. 

[riventing]

Chapter 3

Read from the beginning on AO3 or FF

Summary:  Max should have been able to sacrifice the girl she loved. Yet the bullet continued to hover in front of Chloe. The moment that started everything was frozen in time.

Rating: Teen

Excerpt: “Are you okay Chloe? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Chloe was seeing a ghost. She had seen Rachel’s body in the junkyard. What was once a hollowed skull was now fleshed out. Instead of discolored skin taut against bone, her cheeks were rosy and full. Those blank eyes that stared aimlessly at the sky, now looked back at her in hazel concern. The putrid scent of death was replaced by a soft jasmine.

She needed to control her emotions. Now was not the time to freak out in front of everyone. 

It took all her strength not to run up to Rachel and to tackle her. Chloe took a deep breath, and stomped down her emotions. “I’m just really happy to see you Rach.”

“Chloe you saw me yesterday.”

“A lot of things happened and I just… Rachel I missed you and I’m just so… happy you’re here with me.”

“Chloe… We’ve got a class together and we’re best friends. I’m supposed to be here with you, I’ll always be here for you.”

Chloe only nodded. She couldn’t take anything that was being said to her properly. Her head was reeling. Rachel was alive. William was alive. The two people that had made her happy were present. Yet none of this mattered without Max. She had to find her. She had to find the girl that may have caused all of this.

"Hey Rachel, have you heard of a girl name Max Caulfield? She’s a student at Blackwell. Petite, short brown hair, carries a polaroid camera around. Sound familiar?”

Rachel looked at her bewildered “I know all the kids at Blackwell and I haven’t seen anyone who matches—“

“Now I know y’all aren’t talking about science. If you have something to say about the lab we’re doing, speak up now. Otherwise keep it down.” Ms. Grant’s gentle voice cut through the noise of the students. Her footsteps became the only thing heard as she walked in the class.  

Ms. Grant didn’t drone on like the other teachers. Her voice commanded attention and managed to enrapture even those that weren’t interested in science. She took different elements and started to show how the lab was going to be done.

“We’re going to measure the amount of pressure in this reaction. When this reaction happens, hydrogen gas is formed. The hydrogen gas gathers in this sealed glass container. After 5 minutes, you must release the pressure gradually by twisting this valve on the side of the glass. If you don’t release the pressure, the glass can explode…”

Although most of the students paid attention, Justin was more interested in the actual glass. He stared at it in wonder, as if it held the answers to the universe. Chloe could already tell, he was high as balls and so was his lab partner, Trevor. Even though they sat in the bench beside her, Chloe could smell the scent of cannabis off them. If things weren’t so hectic, she would have tried to bum a joint off them.

She had no time to dwell on this. The lab occupied her otherwise distraught thoughts. They gave her a false stability. At least she knew what would happen in the lab, she could control it.

Chloe looked at Rachel beside her, they both got into the groove of things when the lab started. It didn’t matter if it was a lab, Rachel and her worked well together, they always have. And for a moment, everything seemed alright, maybe even normal.

Until the glass cask on the other bench beside them exploded.

Shards of glass soared through the air, they glimmered in the light prettily. It felt like everything was happening in slow motion. Justin and Trevor’s glass flung itself in what felt like a million directions. Chloe saw shards impale the soft skin of Justin’s face, leaving trails of red where they hit.

Her head started to hurt. That familiar headache appeared as she raised her hand to try and protect herself against the incoming shards of glass. Yet nothing happened. There was no pain.

She put her hand down, some pieces of glass were suspended in air. Other bits of glass had already launched themselves into the flesh of unsuspecting students, blood already prickled from the wounds. Chloe looked at Rachel, the other girl’s face was frozen in shock as a piece of glass floated in front of her face menacingly.

In the frozen chaos, Chloe could feel something, it felt almost tangible. She raised her hand as if she could grasp it and focused on that feeling. Time had started to rewind yet the throbbing in her head increased into a searing pain. It became almost unbearable but she couldn’t let the glass hit anyone. She couldn’t let the glass hurt Rachel.

The glass flew to its original place, the cracks in the glass cask disappeared as if nothing ever happened. The ground underneath her felt unsteady as the pain in her head gradually disappeared. The world felt disorienting as it spun beneath her feet.

Before her Justin and Trevor were no longer wounded, they were comparing answers with the other students. The glass in front of them went unnoticed even when it was already starting to expand. Chloe walked quickly to the glass cask and slowly turned the valve, releasing the pressure.

Chloe released a sigh of relief and turned back to her own bench. She tried to walk back but lost her balance. She almost fell head first into the bench had it not been for the arms that caught her. The slight scent of jasmine was dizzying to her already disoriented head.

Rachel looked at her worriedly as she held Chloe. The other girl’s body felt limp in her arms. “Ms. Grant is it alright if I take Chloe to the washroom? She doesn’t look well.”

Even before Ms. Grant nodded, Rachel was already dragging Chloe to the washroom. It felt like the longest walk Chloe had ever taken even with Rachel supporting her weight.

The door to the washroom closed, Chloe’s legs felt like jelly on the tiled floor. She let go of Rachel and stumbled towards the sink. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror, her nose was bleeding. She went to rinse her face, the red of her blood faded away into the water.

Rachel looked at her in the mirror. Her arms crossed, a scowl on her otherwise youthful face. “What the hell is going on with you? Don’t tell me you’re just happy to see me. There’s something more than that.”

Silence was her only answer.

Chloe felt a hand on her shoulder. “Chloe… whatever it is… you can tell me.”

Chloe heaved a sigh and met Rachel’s gaze in the mirror. “I think I can control time.”

Rachel looked back her incredulously “Are you kidding me? At least come up with a lie that’s believable. Or maybe tell me when you’re as high as Justin or Trevor.” It was clear she was angry, Chloe couldn’t blame her. It even sounded unbelievable to herself. Rachel shook her head and went to open the washroom door, she grasped the handle before Chloe grabbed her wrist.

“I’m telling you the truth.” Chloe’s voice was softer, nothing like the usual confidence she exuded. Chloe was too tired to even put up a fight. Either Rachel believed her or not.

Rachel turned to face her. She studied her face, trying to find any hints of dishonesty. Chloe’s eyes stared back in blue adamancy. Rachel sighed. “Alright let’s say you can control time. Prove it.”

“Why do you think I released the pressure in Justin’s glass cask? I knew it was going to explode. No one even noticed that it was going to explode but me.”

“That’s just one incident.”

Chloe huffed “Rachel I’m hella tired right now. How about we meet up at the junkyard tomorrow and I’ll prove it to you.”

Rachel exhaled “Fine. Don’t be late.” With that the blonde-haired girl disappeared out the door, leaving Chloe in the washroom. Chloe’s face looked paler in the dim light of the washroom but at least she got her balance back. She pushed herself off the sink and left the room where this all started.

….

Her footsteps would echo in the usually quiet house. But this time it was different, she heard the distant sound of a TV playing. Joyce was off working late at the Two Whales which left William. It felt like a dream when she walked inside her house. For years she’d dream about what she would say if her Dad were back but now it was as if her words left her. In its place was simply relief.

Sometimes she’d dream of screaming at William for abandoning her, she’d scream about how her life had turned into a living hell when he left. Other times she’d cry simply because she missed him. But now he sat at the sofa, watching the television. The floor beneath the sofa lacked the wine stain that marked one of her precious memories.

“Hey kiddo.” His voice ran clear even with the TV in the background. William turned his attention to Chloe.

“Are you okay? You look a little pale there.” He went to stand up but Chloe just shook her head.

“I’m fine… Dad. Just tired.” She gave him her best smile as she continued to go up to her room. It felt weird to say Dad again. She didn’t even want to call David her step-father. At the time, it felt like he was a replacement her mother got. He would never replace her father. No one would. Any mention of her father angered her. That’s why she didn’t mention William or anything dad-related. It only reminded her of being left by those who ‘cared’.

Her footsteps were sluggish as they carried her to her room. She was too tired to remotely function. The events of the day had tired. Chloe didn’t bother changing her clothes, she collapsed into her bed as sleep overtook her.

….

DREAM SEQUENCE

The pour of rain greeted her when Chloe opened her eyes. The lighthouse stood atop the hill, it was the only source of light amongst the storm. She shivered in the cold rain, the breeze whipped at her skin. But that didn’t matter. The only person that mattered was standing at the precipice of the cliff, her back towards Chloe.  

Max stood and watched the destruction of Arcadia Bay. The storm continued as bits of the town were caught in the chaos. Her clothes were wet and clung to her frame, she stood small amongst the destruction of their town.

The wind roared yet Chloe could only hear her heart beat. Her feet carried her as if the day’s events never mattered. She saw all she needed to see. Max was here. Max existed.

Without a single word, Chloe’s arms wrapped around Max. She tried to convey all that she felt in that one hug, her happiness and relief at seeing the girl who stopped time. The other girl briefly sunk into the embrace before pushing Chloe away.

Max shook her head. “Chloe you can’t use the rewind anymore.”

How the hell did she know about the rewind? “If I didn’t use the rewind, Justin and Trevor would have gotten hurt.”

Max bit her lip, it was a nervous habit of hers whenever she was hiding something. “Just… Please don’t use it. I know you think you’re helping but you’re not helping.” Although Max was nervous her eyes showed she was adamant in this.

“I thought you were about helping people? I’m not even using it for anything fun.” Chloe’s tone was harder. Her frustration rang clear to Max. The whistle of the wind was Chloe’s only answer.

After a couple moments, Max spoke carefully “Your actions have consequences. Every time you change something with the rewind, the future changes.”

Max couldn’t even look at her, she stared at the ground, a frustrated scowl marring her face. Finally Max met Chloe’s gaze, Max looked defeated. Defeated by what? Time? Chloe couldn’t tell. “I’m sorry I can’t say more but… it’s better this way… for you.”

“You’re not there Max.”

Max flinched as if struck “You’ve got Rachel and William. I thought you’d be happy.” Max wanted to say something but nothing would come out. It was as if the words just stopped and all that Chloe could read was the raw emotion in that expressive face.

“I love them but I need my partner in time. I need my best friend.” Chloe’s anger was gone. All that was left was the vulnerable girl who bared her emotions.

“I don’t think I can come back”. It was quietly said yet Max’s words rang clear amongst the violence of the storm. It was the very last thing Chloe heard before she was brought back to reality.

[thelovejustinbelivesin]

Karen 🔛🔝

karen wheeler defender till the day i die