𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗬 [steve harrington]

goodbye big sister

October 31st, 1978
Izzie's 11th birthday
🎶 soon you'll get better - taylor swift

"Wake up sleepy head!" A voice called to Izzie.

Izzie groaned as she was woken up by her sister. "Too early." She grumbled.

Madi huffed. "Well then. I guess this delicious donut is all mine isn't it Izzie?"

With that statement, Izzie sat up. "Nope. Wide awake."

"That's more like it." The older blonde smiled. "Make a wish!"

Izzie smiled at her sister, before blowing out her candle. "Happy birthday Izzie."

"My favorite day of the year." Izzie grinned widely. She was telling the truth. She loved Halloween, and so she found it incredibly fitting that it was her birthday. Madi however, always jokingly claimed it was because Izzie was a witch.

"Okay witchie, let's go downstairs. Mom and dad are waiting." She said, making her way to the younger girl's door.

Izzie followed behind her sister, and began heading downstairs to see her parents.

"Happy birthday Izzie!!" Her parents cheered as she entered the kitchen.

Mr. Williams smiled at his two daughters. "You two are getting so old." He complained. "I can't believe my little Izzie is already 11."

"Dad, you're so sappy." Madi teased.

"Only happy thoughts on the best day of the year!" The younger sister scolded.

"Yeah well there is school on 'the best day of the year' so go ahead and finish your breakfast so you can get dressed." Mrs.Williams added.

Izzie rolled her eyes jokingly at her mother. "I think it's unfair we have school on Halloween."

"Well I think it's unfair that I'm living with a witch." Madi quipped.

Izzie giggled at her sister, playfully pushing her to the side.

Izzie's life was great. Madi was spending time with her, probably because she felt guilty about the fact that she was planning on leaving to go to Berkeley next year, but Izzie didn't mind. Madi worked so hard to even have the confidence to apply to her dream school. Besides, it's not like she was dying. Izzie would see her again, and she liked her nice home in Texas. It was all perfect.

Until it wasn't.

-

Izzie never found out how her sister died. No one would tell her. She was left a confused mess as she was forced to go to her sisters funeral and not even know why she was there in that position.

Years later, when Izzie's parents got the guts to tell her what happened, she has heart broken. She crashed her car on her way back from picking up Izzie's birthday present. They found it in the passenger seat wrapped in silver. When they gave Izzie the box at first, she was told they found it in her room. Everyday since Izzie opened that little box she has worn the charm bracelet placed inside.

She had to pick up and move from the only home she ever knew to a suburban home in Indiana. Her parents couldn't take the constant reminders. The only positive thing Izzie could conjure up was the fact that she didn't have to tell people about Madi. She wouldn't have to talk about her, she could go on and act like this terrible thing never even happened. Over time she grew to tolerate her home in Hawkins. With a newfound group of friends, maybe she could survive.

She was quickly befriended by a loud, and sometimes mean, redhead named Carol and two boys she would often hang out with. One was named Tommy, he was Carol's boyfriend and he was a total jerk. The other was a cocky but softhearted brunette whom Izzie would soon come to know as Steve Harrington. Izzie took a specific liking to Steve Harrington.

They could never replace Madi. Ever. No one ever could, but maybe they could help her forget.