Heaven's on Fire || Robin Buckley

Chapter One

The blurry edges of Haven's vision were blinked away as the unwanted light of morning shone through the curtains. She sighed, throwing the sheets back and swinging her legs off the bed. Making her way to the bathroom, she allowed herself to wake up completely, the grogginess of a late night's sleep washing off with the cold water that splashed over her face. Staring at her now dry face in the mirror, she groaned tiredly, rolling her eyes.

"Guess I'll just look like a zombie today," she shrugged to herself. Brushing her long brown hair out of her face, she threw her bomber jacket over the Metallica t-shirt she slept in. After finding her favourite cargo pants, Haven put on her doc martins and grabbed her bag. Running out the front door, she was met by the now familiar maroon BMW, accompanied by the owner: none other than Steve Harrington himself.

"You look like you just woke up," he teased as she hurriedly shut the passenger door of the car.

"That's because I did, dingus."

"Someone didn't sleep last night," was the reply, a smile evident in her friend's voice.

The drive was silent, yet comfortable. Steve and Haven had become best friends since that fateful day in 1983, where Haven had nearly been eaten by a demogorgan. Steve had saved her life, and after months of denial, Haven officially agreed that they were friends. In being a year younger than Steve, and not in ownership of her own car, Haven depended on the Harrington boy to drive her to and from school most days. Of course, Haven knew how to drive a car, but after the incident the previous year (in which Billy had left Steve unconscious and Max had driven his car), Steve was unwilling to let anyone but him drive his car, licensed or not. Understandably.

The two's friendship was often seen as an odd one from the perspective of all the nosy inhabitants of Hawkins, and it was. The loner metalhead girl suddenly became close with the once popular 'it boy' of the town. It was something the bored town could focus on for a while, that was for sure. Now, after almost two years of their friendship, it was seen as just another uninteresting thing happening in Hawkins.

So far, the year of 1985 was great. Almost normal. After Eleven had closed the gate the year prior, there were no more incidents or the like. There wasn't even much high school drama, which Haven thought was boring. Now in her senior year, the reality that life apparently was more than just monster-slaying again had hit her. Sometimes she thought that real life was more terrifying than the Upside Down.

They rolled into the Hawkins' High car park, and Haven waved off Steve as she got out of the car, sighing at the jungle of teenagers that stood before her.

High school was the worst.

~

"Are you working tonight?" Haven slid from her seat and walked with Robin out of the classroom.

"Yeah," the sandy haired girl sighed.

"Good, I'll come visit after I finish my shift."

It had become a new routine for Haven to visit her friends at the new mall. She had become properly acquainted with Robin through Scoops Ahoy after Steve got the job, and they had since become fast friends. Haven found it difficult to dislike Starcourt Mall as many of the other town inhabitants did. Don't get her wrong, she hated it for putting people out of their jobs, but it just held some sort of charm that drew her to it. It helped that the mall held many alternative stores for her to explore. So, most days, after school and work, Haven would come to the mall and visit Steve and Robin while they served ice-cream in their ridiculous sailors outfits.

Robin smiled at her as they waved goodbye to each other, Haven off to meet Steve in the carpark, and Robin moving to go to band practice.

It was completely against her will, but Haven felt her stomach heat at the freckled smile that was directed at her. 

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Authors note: 

So, what did you guys think? I know it's not amazing but let me know your thoughts so far :)