Hypotheticals

10-High didn't mean 100%

Steve is woken up by the loud ringing of his home phone. He sighed and got up. He trudged down the hall into the kitchen. What a way to start his day off.

"What?" Before he could take a breath a frantic voice starts.

"Steve Steve you need to come to the hospital right now! I-it's Dustin." Steve struggled to keep the phone in his hand. "What happened?!"

"No time, Bring Eddie." Max's voice is cut short. Steve dropped the phone this time. That's his best friend. In the hospital. And he doesn't know why. Fuck! He doesn't know Eddie's number. He grabbed his keys and headed for the door. He checked the clock quick before he left. 5:48 AM. Sorry Eddie.

Steve never drove over the speed limit. Never. But today, he couldn't care less. He recklessly drove up to Eddie's trailer. He heard someone yell faintly to slown down but he tuned them out. He jogged up to the door of the trailer and knocked so hard that he could already feel bruising.

"What in the shi- Harrington-" Eddie stood there stunned. Steve was on his front porch, at six in the morning and he looked like a sack of shit. He looked at Steve's face. He was not okay. He removed the headphones from his ears. "get in the car please." Steve said, voice breaking.

Eddie didn't even ask, he knew Steve wouldn't be here if it wasn't important. The two got in the car silently. As they drove Eddie braved his negative thoughts of being rejected and placed his hand on Steve's shoulder, comforting him. Steve was gripping the steering wheel, as if letting go would cost Dustin's life. Fighting tears, Steve spoke up.

"I-it's Dustin. I don't know what happened, they wouldn't tell me they just told me to go to the hospital. Max didn't sound good." Eddie felt his stomach drop. Not only did the kid mean a lot to him, he also knew how dependant he and Steve are on each other. No wonder he's torn.

They reach the hospital in record time and run in through the front doors. Steve saw the group in the waiting area and felt relief. Slight relief. Robin stood up quick to give Steve the hug he deserves. Eddie looked around at the people who were there. It was Robin of course, Lucas, Max, Erica and- Nancy? He knew Mike was visiting Lenora Hills, so of course he wasn't here.

Robin and Steve let go, but Robin grabbed his face, like she had grabbed Eddie's a few nights before. She looked him in the eyes and he couldn't stop the tears from rolling down his face. She brought him to sit down. Eddie was too antsy to sit.

"S-so what happened?" Steve asked, his voice small and quivering. Lucas cleared his throat.

"Well uh, last night we were walking home and we ran into Jason. I guess he was sick of me so he started to mess with me. It didn't get that physical. Well not until Dustin starting yelling at him to leave me alone. I tries to make him stop but it was too late and Jason punched him. And punched him and punched him. About maybe six punches in he got knocked over and hit his head real bad. I tried I swear. It's all my fault." He put his hands in his face, sobbing. Max put an arm around him and squeezed tight.

"No, Lucas, it's not. You tried to stop him and he didn't listen. That's just how Dustin works. He will not stand for anyone hurting or bullying or even touching his friends because he loves us. Lucas he stood up for you."

Steve felt heavy. If he tried to move, it wouldn't happen. He put his face in his hands and cried. He cried because his best friend is in the room down the hall. His best friend is in the room down the hall passed out because he stood up for someone. Because he loves his friend. Because he's a good person.

"Can we see him? P-please?" Max nodded. Yeah visiting hours start at 6 and that in like a minute. Steve and Eddie, accompanied by Max walk to the room in which Dustin layed still and quiet. When Steve saw the younger boy his heart broke.