Drumroll, please ( a Gareth x reader story)

Harrington

READER'S POV:

Growing up in the shadow of the one and only Steve Harrington wasn't as glamorous as it seemed. I love my brother, don't get me wrong. But two years ago, he was a completely different person and that person treated me like shit. I forgive him. I mean I get it, he was just a dumb 17 year old boy, I myself am a dumb 16 year old, but I guess time heals all wounds.

It's 7:14 AM when the sun pokes out through my blinds and gently wakes me. Most of my friends call me crazy for it, but I actually really love the mornings. The bridge between slumber and stirring is such a beautiful journey and I sometimes think I might be the only person who appreciates it. Perhaps I'm just being dramatic. People say that a lot. I don't care that much, it makes me a better writer. Or I guess a better person that writes. I don't know if jotting down random song lyrics and the constant inner-monologue my brain spurts out deems such a title, but whatever you call it, I'm better at it because of my appreciation of the mornings.

"Y/N, be down in twenty if you still want a ride. We have to pick Robin up in the way to school!"

Steve's voice traveling through the thin walls of our two-story house, pulled me out of my early morning monologue.

"No thanks, Stevie I'm gonna walk today!"

"Suit yourself, kiddo"

Most days I would never decline sharing any space with Steve and Robin. I could be stuck with them for hours at a time and never get bored - and believe me, I have - but some days I miss the Byers more than others. I used to walk to school with Will everyday. Some days I like to walk by his house and listen to the mixtape he gave me before he left. He had this way of always sensing when I wasn't okay, even without me saying a word. He's been through so much yet he's still so full of life and he cares so much about other people. I really miss him sometimes. I love Mike, Lucas, Max, and Dustin but it's just not the same without Will.

"As much as I'd love to talk about my friendship problems, I've really got to get ready for school"

I blurt out to no one in particular. That's another thing I do. Sometimes I like to talk without having to actually communicate with another person. This is mainly because when I talk about my problems, people only ever want to offer solutions. But sometimes I don't want a solution. Sometimes I just want to talk about my problems and be listened to. But most of the time, I don't want to talk about my problems at all.

I pull on my headphones and walk to the bathroom, the cool tile against my bare feet waking my body up with each step I take. I speed through brushing my teeth and hair and putting on any makeup that I have the energy to do then sigh as I begin to tackle my hair.
My brother and I aren't the most similar people in the world, but we are both Harringtons. I tug and tease at my hair until I'm at peace with it and wander back into my room toward my closet. I decide on some distressed jeans, a Metallica tee, converse, and Steve's old Hawkin's High sports jacket.

I head downstairs where I'm met with my brother, sipping coffee from a Scoops Ahoy mug and reading the daily paper. He's grown up a lot. Sometimes it's hard to believe how much he's matured. Part of me wants to tell him how proud of him I am and the other part wants to pretend I don't notice. I don't like to think of Steve and I's past too much. The yelling and fighting and isolation that the both of us pretend didn't happen. I guess you can't embrace the good without fully addressing the bad and I honestly don't know if I can do either right now. So right now, I'll just enjoy being able to hug my older brother. So I hug my older brother.

"Good morning kiddo" Steve says softly as he reciprocates my embrace.
"Is everything alright?" concern is evident from his tone no matter how hard I can tell he's trying to hide it. He knows I'm not the type to let my walls down that easily so he aproaches them gently.