Blondie | Steve Harrington

IV

Eloise

As expected the weekend was one hell of a shit show.

My dad made us go on house arrest since Billy came home in the early hours of Saturday morning looking like he'd been through the ringer with a smirk held onto his face ignoring the words of punishment and discipline from our father. Bringing me into the mix was off the hook as I was supposedly the one agreeing to "sneak" out of our house and attend that Halloween bash I was kindly invited to. But then again screaming at my brother of how me dressing up like that allowing some boy to drive me home was unacceptable and unimpressive.

Even though the punishment my dad gave not only me but to the both of us lasted for the weekend it'll always felt like an eternity which made our lives a living hell. I wish ever so badly that I could tell Susan to take Max back to California and escape the prison she is trapped in but it'll never work. He's brainwashed her into believing that he is always the victim of our misbehaving acts and that he will always "protect this family" with his will.

Protect this family my ass.

Monday morning couldn't come around any sooner with grey skies, frosted grass, and a cool breeze in the air while the Winter season soon approached us in Hawkins.

The drive to school was insanely long and quiet as no one dared speak a word to each other about the weekend and early morning antics that occurred not too long ago in our unpacked gloomy kitchen. Tuning out the music of Billy's choice I watch the leaves fall from the trees preparing to hit the ground softly and aware that their time was coming to an end for the year.

If only it'd be that simple.

Pulling into the school parking lot I hurried out of the Corvette not worrying about the stares and whispers from the girls around us obsessing over my brother with his tight skinny jeans and his leather jacket. I walked in the opposite direction avoiding Billy at all cost until later this evening when school is out and the torture for me begins.

Over the course of the years Billy's been a teenager and starting his adulthood nothing but his anger and trauma showed within his actions. He can never throw it at our father or else his alter ego claps back in his face so instead the hatred and anger are thrown at either Max or myself which adds to the abuse from that household and family.

To him, I was just some blondie who was supposed to be his sister.

༯

Whenever it comes to sports I always came to the love for Cheer and after a simple try, I was easily a part of the Hawkins High cheer squad.

I was benched through the first practice as tryouts were closed way before I joined this school but in my defence, I had nothing to lose with my athleticness and coordination skills since I cheered back in California.

I watched the girls and guys practice their routine for this year's basketball games taking in each step and cheer.

Paying attention was import in this moment but watching the boys practice their basketball had me in a trance and not for any spectacular reasoning besides my brother targeting the sweaty long haired boy who kindly drove me home Friday night. "Are you catching on with our steps?" I was startled from my trance and nodding slowly looking at the brunette taking a drink from her Hawkins water bottle. "Getting there," I smiled "I think a few more run-throughs and I'll be able to follow along next practice." total lie.

Keeping my eyes on her she smiled and tightened her green and orange scrunchies. For the first time since I've moved here in Hawkins nothing felt strange. I felt like I somehow belonged in the world beyond these strangers and their mysterious lives and that I wasn't the only one struggling on the inside. No one had a place like a beach to run to like I did in California unless someone hasn't mentioned it to me which I totally doubt there is but a girl can wish.