Dark Days, Darker Secrets

001

As I'm sure most of you are aware, this chapter, along with all the other chapters, will inevitably hold spoilers for Stranger Things Season 4. With that being said, obviously there are some distinctions due to artistic liberties, but the main plot points are still here. You have been warned <3

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     "And then there's Heidi tomorrow night, but the problem with Heidi is that she's going out of state for college." Yes, that's the biggest problem with Heidi. Not the fact that she somehow manages to walk upright without ever removing her eyes from the compact mirror she carries around everywhere. No, the biggest problem with Heidi is the fact that she managed to get out of this wretched little town.

     I tune Steve out, instead choosing to gaze out the window, losing myself in the music playing from the car speakers. I'm unable to enjoy myself long, however, as Steve almost immediately interrupts my peacefulness.

     "Ophelia! Robin! Are you listening?"

     "Uh yes... I'm listening." Robin says halfheartedly, continuing to apply mascara.

     "No." I say, not bothering to look up.

     "Ophelia, thank you for your honesty. Robin, what did I just say?"

     "Something about sex with- with Linda." She answers.

     "No! I'm talking about Heidi!" Steve hits the steering wheel with one hand, scoffing in exasperation.

     "Cut her some slack, man! Your love life is one of labyrinthine complexity." I add from the backseat, locking eyes with Robin in the sun visor mirror and rolling my eyes.

     "And," She adds, "It is 7:00 in the morning, we have to go to this stupid pep rally and I woke up looking like a total corpse!" Robin brings her hands to the sides of her face and presses, stretching her face into a thin and sickly sight.

     "You're worried about a basketball pep rally? You expect us to believe that?" This time Steve locks eyes with me in the rearview mirror. I can practically read his mind- She expects us to believe that? I snort, offering a slight smile and a shrug of my shoulders.

     "Yeah, so?" Her voice lacks all resolve as she digs through her bag.

     "So, we all know what this is about." She whips around to look at me with betrayal.

     "There's nothing else!" Robin says, glaring at me before turning back around.

     "Okay, I'm not buying that bullshit. This is about Vickie!" Steve bursts out.

     "Absolutely not." Robin, fed up with our bullshit, begins to apply lip balm. This of course, only further proves the theory that this is about Vickie- I can't remember the last time I've seen Robin wear any makeup beyond mascara.

     "Yes it is, and you know what else I think? I think you gotta stop pretending to be someone else when you're around her, okay? You just gotta be yourself." Steve says with an air of knowing. I chuckle under my breath, remembering Robin saying the exact same thing barely a month ago.

     This parallel isn't lost on her either. "You're literally quoting me to me. You do realize that."

     Steve throws his hands up in faux exasperation. Only for a brief second, thank god. I don't have time to get into a car crash today. "Well, maybe you need to listen to yourself, you ever think about that, smartypants? I listened to you and now look at me. Boom. Back in business." If back in business counts as going on 3 dates in the past week and hating every single one of them, then yeah, Steve is definitely back in business.