daylight | s. harrington

snowball

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

°•. ┊ Daylight┊.•°
✧ ˚ ━ we're the new romantics, act one

CHAPTER NINE — snowball

✧

It's been about a month since Eleven closed the gate and life is pretty good. Billy has completely backed off, the lab is officially closed, and Steve Harrington is my boyfriend. And it's almost Christmas, so the holiday cheer is in full swing. Today the middle school has their annual Snowball, which is just a dance in the winter with a bunch of seasonal decorations. Max won't admit it, but I can tell that she's excited for it. Right now, I am heading to the Henderson house because Delilah called and said she needed to talk and that it's important. I am let inside by Dustin and within moments Lila has her brother and I sitting on her bed, awaiting this news.

"Okay, so I asked you both here today because I have to tell you something." Delilah paces nervously, as Dustin and I are sitting on her bed.

"Son of a bitch, are you pregnant?" Dustin huffs.

"Shut up, Dustin." I scoff.

"You made a scientific discovery before me?"

"Shut it, shithead." I snap, as he stops Delilah from speaking once again.

"Oh my god, you're dying. Shit."

"Dustin. If I have to tell you one more time-" I warn.

"Clearly, I need to cut to the chase. This is scary. Um, I like girls. As more than just friends..."

"That was it? You gave me a heart attack. I seriously thought you discovered something Nobel Prize worthy." Dustin starts, this earns him a swift smack in the head from me. "Ow, okay. Congratulations. I support you and love you. Good?" He was doing well, until the end. I glare at him, which he ignores and he exits Delilah's room, returning to his own devices.

"Well, that was something." She releases a breath.

"I guess his concern on the supposed discovery is a good sign that your sexuality doesn't change the fact that you're his sister and he loves you." I laugh. "And I am right there with him. You're my best friend. And who you date will not change that. Unless it's Harrington, in which case you'd be dead to me, but now I'll never have to worry about that." We laugh and she seems much more relaxed, which is good. And since Steve and I got together, it's time to turn the tables on Lila and start poking into her romantic life. Delilah and I decide to watch a video, while we paint our nails. That was the remainder of our day and then I was driving back home to pick up Max.

I'm dropping Max off at the SnowBall, parking on the side lot of the middle school to avoid any backup of cars. I walk with her to the doors, fixing her hair a bit before letting her go inside. Nancy gives me a wave, which I return. I spin around to go back to the car and lock eyes with Steve, who's sitting in his car. We stay like that for a moment, until Dustin snaps in front of my face. "You know, you've been a real pain in the ass today, Henderson." I huff, looking at the younger boy.

"Yeah, yeah, not about you. What do you think?" He asks, gesturing to the bees nest on top of his head.

"Oh, it's nice. In a big hair, Sandy Dee, sorta way." I speak, trying not to wince. His old hair suited him a lot better. Steve needs to stop giving advice because he's terrible at it. "But hey, I'm a girl. Guy's hair isn't my forte. Go have fun tonight. And make sure Sinclair keeps his paws above the waist at all times." I command.

"As you wish, my lady." The boy gives me a bow, then walks into the building. I notice that Steve's car is gone and I continue to my own vehicle. I see Hopper's and Joyce's cars not too far from mine, both owners standing together, having a smoke. I approach the pair, with a soft smile.

"Hey, kid." Hopper greets. "So, I asked that doctor from the lab about you and it turns out that they never had operations anywhere near California. And there's no information on you at all."

"Oh. Okay." Disappointment riddles my voice.

"Awe, sweetheart, I'm sorry." Joyce comforts, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay. Really. It just means that finding out what makes me whatever the hell I am, a little bit harder." I breathe. "Thank you, Hop. I appreciate you looking into it."

"Anytime, kid." He says. "Don't let this mess with your head. You'll figure it out eventually."

"I know. And if I'm being honest I'm not sure if I want answers. I'm comfortable with not knowing. Especially if there's a good chance that I'll never know. I gotta go. I promised Harrington that I'd look over the final draft of his college essay. I'll see you guys later." I part from them, getting in my car and drive to the Harrington residence. I knock, before opening the front door, and call out for Steve. He emerges from the kitchen carrying a big ass bowl of popcorn and a few sodas, while a bag of chips hangs out of his mouth like a dog. "Wow. And here I thought we were looking over your essay and you just wanted to get me on a date. All you had to do was ask." I tease, before taking the chips and patting him on the head.

"Well, everyone else is doing something fun tonight, so I figured I'd bring some form of a party to us. And we can still look at my essay, just not right now."

"AKA not ever." I correct. "And by the way everyone else is at a dance, not a party."

"Oh, I've got that covered." He states, turning on the stereo. 'Time After Time' by Cyndi Lauper starts playing and he moves to stand in front of me, reaching out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"You're so cheesy." I smile. "But yes you may." I place my hand in his and his other hand rests in the small of my back, as we start to sway to the music. My head rests against his shoulder and I begin to hum along, melting into him, losing myself in the moment. I expected to spend the next two years hating this place and counting down the days until I left for college, but I am pleasantly surprised. I never thought that I would unofficially adopt middle schoolers and make a few really good friends, let alone start to fall in love with someone.

[word count: 1107]

lexi's letters; stemira + living room dancing = perfection