Sticking Around // Steve Harrington x Reader *On-Going*

𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚞𝚎 (𝟶𝟶𝟾)

You were scared to go home with Billy after what happened in the gym. Whatever he was going to do to you didn't want Max to see. You wanted Max to have a good childhood and not be shoved around by your brother any more than she already was. You felt terrible that he made her life a living hell. When it came to Max, you just wanted to protect her. You advanced towards Bill's car but saw another girl with him. Who the hell is she? As you walked up to the car, you noticed Billy's impatient fingers thumping against the metal of his car. He balled his right hand into a fist and loudly hit the car.

"Where is this son of a bitch." He huffed. The girl with him seemed to get uncomfortable.

"Give her a few more minutes, Bill." You said rolling your eyes. He really needs to learn to get his anger under control, or he's going to scare away anyone he has a chance with, You thought. Billy let out an irritated sigh.

You tried to hold off Billy for as long as you could so he didn't leave Max behind. Your brother threw his cigarette and crushed the butt on the cement.

"So... is your sister coming or what?" The girl spoke up. She clutched onto the books that were in her hands. Your brother checked his watch anxiously.

"Screw it, that little bitch can skate home." He huffed. You panicked trying to find another way to hold them off. There was no way you were just going to leave her behind.

"Billy, wait. You can't just leave Max behind. What are you? Mental?" You protested. Billy walked over to the driver's door.

"If you are so worried, why don't you stay behind and find her then." He opened his car door. Your brother turned to speak to the girl. "And don't call her that."

"What?" The girl struggled to open the passenger door. Run while you still can, lady. Billy spat on the ground.

"Sister. She's not my sister." He slammed the door and revved the engine. You could not believe him sometimes. You let out a stunned laugh. Billy reversed out of his parking spot and blew engine smoke in your face. You covered your mouth as the thick black air was making you cough. Pissed, you flipped him off as his car raced in the other direction. 

You sat on a nearby bench for 10 minutes, but Max didn't show. Maybe one of her new friends gave her a ride home? You hoped. But now, the only thing on your mind was how you were getting home now. You quickly tried to come up with a plan.

"Y/n?" You heard Steve's voice. "What are you doing here still?" You let out a defeated sigh.

"Billy drove off without Max. I stayed behind hoping she would show, but now I have no idea where she went." Steve walked over and stood in front of you. He could tell how frantic you were.

"I assume you don't have a ride home now, right?" He questioned. You looked up at him and locked eye contact.

"Yes, Steve, that's right. I'm stranded here." You let out a nervous laugh. He held out his hand to you, but you just sat there staring confused. "What?" You raised your eyebrow at him and he let out a laugh.

"Come on, y/n, I'm taking you home." He grabbed your wrist and pulled you up. 

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The car ride so far was quiet. The last time the two of you had talked was at the Halloween party, but you were too intoxicated to remember it all very clearly. Steve made a little gasping noise as he reached to turn up the stereo volume.

"This is such a great song." He started to hum with the melody. You let out a quiet giggle. "Please tell me you have heard of this song before." You shook your head no. You didn't recognize it one bit. "What?! Never??"

"Never heard it in my life." Steve looked super beat. He let out a defeated sigh.

"That's insanity. How have you never heard this song before? Are you living under a rock?" Steve complained. You covered your mouth, trying to hold back a burst of laughter.

"In my defense, all Billy plays is his heavy metal music. You can't get away from it." Steve glanced over at you.

"Yeah, that kid would only listen to that." The two of you paused for a moment before laughing together. You rested your head against your seat and closed your eyes for a moment. This was your chance to talk to him about everything, and you decided to take it.

"I'm so sorry for my jackass brother. I don't know what his problem is with you, but I don't like how he treats you." You opened your eyes and glanced back at Steve. He seemed to be deep in thought.

"Hey, don't apologize for your dick head brother. That's not on you. You can't change how he is, alright." Steve's hand reached yours on the center council. You jumped slightly. There was a moment of silence as you guys stared at each other.

"I never thanked you for taking me home after Tina's party the other night. Thank you, Steve." Steve's hand pulled away slowly. You rested your hand back on your lap. Your head dropped down as you started twirling your fingers.

"You were about to blackout on the couch, how could I not bring you home. That would have been terrible of me to just leave you there. I mean, something bad could have happened." A warm smile grew across your face. You felt the need to push some more answers out of him.

"I am just surprised you didn't take Nancy home instead. I remember seeing her get into someone else's car." He let out a quick sigh and struggled to get his words out.

"Well, uh, Nance and I got into a fight that night. I thought it would have been better for her to go home with someone she trusted." His tone shifted. He seemed to be tenser.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Steve. I hope I didn't make it worse by being-"

"No, not at all. Don't worry about that, y/n." He cut you off. "Things have just been very difficult with her recently."

"Is that why you walked back into the gym looking very upset? I was gonna ask you if everything was alright but I didn't want to overwhelm or make you mad. I thought you needed space." He let out another sigh. He went silent for a moment as he turned down your street.

"We, um, actually broke up then." He whimpered. They broke up? You tried not to get excited about this, not right now. Steve needed you. He turned into your driveway and put the car in park.

"Steve, I'm so sorry." You sat there for a minute, contemplating what to do. You reached over and hugged Steve. This caught him off guard, but he finally wrapped his arms around you tightly. The hug went on for a few minutes until you broke it to face him. "I'm here for you. I know this seems like it really sucks right now but you will be able to get through it." You giggled. "That was a terrible pep talk." Steve giggled too.

"That really was, y/n. It's okay, you don't have to worry about me. I will be just fine." He flashed you a big grin. You grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"Whatever you say, Harrington." You released his hand and stepped out of the car. "Thanks for rescuing me, again." You smiled at him.

"Anytime, Hargrove." Steve pulled out of your driveway and disappeared down the dark road.