Dumpster Fire

CHAPTER 7

Steve blew on his hands to warm them as Nancy shrieked, running like the first to be killed in a horror movie from Jonathan, her hair already wet and partially frozen from past snow noogies. The rest of The Party was working on a fortress, though it was a sad example of what they were aiming for.

The snow wasn't deep, more of a three inch slush. The fortress kept collapsing, though in the late of the day it was more a lame attempt at distraction. Tonight was the night of the Winter Formal.

Steve felt his stomach bottom out.

Mike was going with El, Max and Lucas. Dustin had the satellite phone. Will was the only one dateless, though after the drama of last year Steve doubted it would last long. Nancy and Jonathan volunteered to be chaperones, but Steve knew it was a lame excuse to drink spiked punch and slow dance together.

He couldn't stomach the idea of watching everyone pair off. Be all gross and in love. So when Billy had volunteered the Harrington house for a ditch party, Steve had jumped on it, much to Dustin's later disappointment.

"But it's your last Winter Formal!" He had argued, like that meant anything to Steve. "We're supposed to make memories-

"TP someone's house and get drunk is what he means." Lucas clarified sarcastically.

"We just watched 'Sixteen Candles'." Max had clarified. "Now Dustin thinks every teen adventure is like a Hollywood flick."

It was endearing, but Steve just couldn't. Not with his ex. Not with- And he… liked? Billy? Steve was pretty sure he could admit at least that much. He liked Billy's stupid hair and dumb face. His ugly voice. Steve had even started liking how Billy showed up at random hours, unpredictable but welcomed if only for someone at the other end of the couch to doze off with while watching early morning infomercials.

He hesitated to say he felt less… alone with Hargrove around. Loud, boisterous, annoyingly confident Hargrove. 

The familiar, distant roar of an engine snapped Steve out of it. Tried not to glue his eyes to the road to watch Billy approach, tried not to stand up and pace. Tried not to look eager.

Pretty sure he failed when he jumped up from Byer's front porch as Billy squealed to a stop, spraying the kids with snow, earning nasty names and whining complaints.

Billy climbed out the drivers side window, slapping his open palm on the roof.

"Let's go, Harrington."

Energy.

Steve felt his body respond, eyes lock, blood thrumming, hand on the metal of the door before noticing people. That took him back, made him frown as the door swung open. Maddie stumbled out, tugged down her skirt, flipped the seat down so Steve could pile in back.

"See ya!" Dustin's voice crowed, obviously overjoyed at how visibly uncomfortable Steve looked.

Steve frowned over his shoulder, climbed in, settling the best he could in the corner with three other people, looking for the seatbelts, giving up as Tiffany popped a bottle of beer, offered it to him, then Billy when he declined. Watching adorned fingers accept, skim over Tiffany's slender, manicured hand. Feeling anger climb up from his stomach to strangle him; to stain his face.

Gaze flickered up, catching Billy's eyes in the rearview. Quickly looking away and out the window. Watching the slush-snow covered city passing by as they crossed town to his house. Not sure why, why, why, he felt so dejected and angry.

•~•~•~•

It turned from a simple party with a handful of people to a rager. Steve felt like he could be king of the mountain again. People were acknowledging him, thanking him, congratulating him. A couple girls had kissed him - him. For fun. Just because.