Knee Socks | Billy Hargrove AU

8

A few hours after Billy dropped me off, my dad arrived home from work with takeout from his favorite local restaurant.

Our dinners were usually casual, but the one rule we had was that we would always eat together if we were both home. We're both pretty busy when I go back to school, so family dinners are a way for us to catch up. Plus, my mom works morning and night, and is never home for dinner, which makes my dad sad.

"So, how was your first day back?" My dad asks the inevitable question that he's been asking since I could speak.

"It was... eventful." I would rather not go into the juicy details of the day, so settling with the word, 'eventful' seems like it sums it up.

"Is Nikki in any of your classes?" He asks innocently, and I try not to make it obvious that we're on bad terms.

"No, she's not," I say curtly, hoping the subject would change.

"Is everything... okay between you girls?" He questions before taking a big bite of his dinner.

"We're fine, dad. Can we please talk about something else-" I am cut off my the sound of the doorbell ringing. My dad eyes the door and looks back at me in confusion. No one ever shows up to our house at this hour, so I shrug since I don't know who it could be.

"Can you get that, honey? I've been on my feet all day and my back is killing me." My dad requests, making me want to roll my eyes but respecting his excuse.

"Sure." I say, leaving my meal behind and taking my time to walk over to the door.

I open the door and am stunned by the person behind it, Steve. My eyes widen, and I quickly look back at my dad to see if he's looking at the door. When I realize he's digging into his food, I push Steve further outside and follow, closing the door behind me.

"Steve, what the hell are you doing here?!" I basically whisper-yell, the thought of my dad hearing this conversation making me nervous.

"Woah, relax, Myers. I just came by to... apologize for everything that happened," he explains, and I try my best not to roll my eyes.

"Steve, you can't just show up at my house randomly to say things that could be said at school!" I want to flick his forehead for even thinking this would be a good idea. 

"I've been thinking about it since you called me out during lunch. It was basically eating me up inside so I had to come here," he tells me, convincingly to say the least. 

"I'm not responsible for your guilty conscience, Steve. My dad is right inside and if he finds out you came here he will-" My fear comes true as I'm cut off by my dad opening the door behind me, revealing Steve and myself. I try to mentally prepare myself for the lecture that would inevitably arrive. 

Instead, my dad perks up at the sight of Steve. "Harrington? What are you doing here man?" They shake hands as if they've been buddies for a lifetime, and I couldn't be more confused. 

"I'm sorry, do you know each other?" I ask, too confused to even comprehend a possible friendship between my dad and Steve Harrington. 

"Don't you know, honey? Steve worked over the summer for me at the shop. We used to play basketball after hours, kids got quite the shot," Dad says with a beaming smile, and it's almost like I'm not even standing between them. 

"Nope. Why... Why would I know that, dad?" I question, shaking my head. 

"Lacey you don't even know how much your dad schooled me on the court. Broke my ankles multiple times," Steve says with a chuckle, and my dad laughs along with him. What the hell am I witnessing right now and how do I stop it?

"Well that's great, Steve but my dad and I were actually in the middle of dinner so you can get going now!" I try to say as politely as possible, but I'm sure the annoyance must've been evident in my tone. 

"No! No, why don't you come on in and eat with us, Steve? There's enough for the three of us!" My dad's offer made my want to turn around and give him a deadly glare. 

"Oh, well if Lacey's okay with it?" Steve responds and looks at my grim face. 

Of course, my dad doesn't even consider to ask me if I want Steve to come in before saying, "Oh I'm sure she doesn't mind. Besides, it's my house anyways and I'm the one inviting you in. Come on in, son." My dad leads Steve into my house, and I catch an apologetic look from Steve's face before he follows behind my dad. 

I can't help but roll my eyes at my dad's actions, but there's clearly nothing I can do about it so I just muster up my annoyance and sit back at the dining room table. Steve is mindful to choose a seat next to my dad and not me. 

"So, Steve, why are you showing up at my doorstep at dinner time?" My dad's words are kind but protective, and they shock me a bit since he's been nothing but buddy-buddy since Steve showed up. 

Steve's face flushed red at the question, and I know he's pondering if he should lie or tell the truth. I decide to put him out of his misery and answer for him. 

"He came over to talk about our English project, right Steve?" I say, looking at Steve for confirmation. He looks beyond relieved that I saved his ass. 

He clears his throat before saying, "Yeah... It's not due for a couple weeks but it's a really big project and I really want to do well this year. I knew Lacey would be the best partner." Wow, what a good liar he is. No wonder I wasn't able to tell he was shit-talking me at the party. 

Thinking about what he said about me brings back anger that I'd been pushing away the entire weekend until now. "You know, dad I'm actually not hungry anymore. Steve can have my leftovers." I say shortly and don't wait for an objection from my father before heading upstairs to my bedroom. 

What a long day it has been. I plop down on my bed, feeling highly overwhelmed with the day and just wanting to sleep and forget about it. I take a deep breath and stare at the picture of me and my sister that Steve had pointed out after Penny Brooke's party. 

I wish you were here, Lucy. I don't think I'm ready for the future that's ahead of me to go on without you. 

A tear slides down my cheek at the emptiness of my room that used to be shared by two but now only had one. I know if Lucy was still here she would've comforted me and made me forget all about the rumors, the boys, the drama. But she wasn't here and she would never be here. And I would have to get through all of it alone. 

I sigh and lay the other way around, my back facing the precious photograph of me and my sister. Hopefully I wouldn't have to go through it alone forever. My head flashes to Billy for a split second before I remember who he is and who I am. He would never be there like Lucy would if she were alive, stop it Lacey. 

Before I knew it I was drifting off to sleep dreaming about two boys who wouldn't stop coming around, and who I secretly wanted to stay. 

....

Hi loves! I think I decided that this story won't have any smut because they're high schoolers and that's weird. Maybe in the second book.... thoughts??? Anyways, hope you enjoyed the Steve content today... Billy will be back I promise! Please vote and comment it really motivates me when I read a sweet comment. Have an amazing night/day!!! XOXO