𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

007

"Hey what was that thing about with Steve yesterday?" Robin finally spoke about it as I walked her to work in the morning, not wanting her to go alone.
"It wasn't a big deal," I smile at her, "he gave me a ride the other night and realised he lives near by so.." I look over at her properly as I lie through my teeth, "he was just saying hi."

"Hey! That's good!" She nudged my shoulder playfully, "that means you guys are getting along!" No, no it doesn't.
"Look," Robin crossed fiddled with her fingers and turned towards me, stopping us in our tracks, "I understand he was horrible in high school," I nodded along, "and trust me I'm still weary of him too but.." she sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "he's my colleague okay? So.. basically I have to like him." She laughed as I smiled at her in understanding, the last thing I wanted to do was make things difficult for Robin, but every time I tried to like him.. everything just came flooding back.

It was hard for me, but the fact that Robin is my best friend and I care for her is probably the only reason why I keep trying, despite how angry him and his stupid hair and stupid values makes me.
I sometimes wonder if I would like Steve Harrington if he hadn't said that stuff about me, would I still have that same crush on him I convinced myself I never did out of embarrassment?
Or would I still see through his materialistic views.

"So.." I realised I had zoned out and blinked back into the world as I listened to my friend, "you and him getting along would just make things.. easier?"

"Don't worry Robin," I laughed with her and patted her shoulder, "me and Steve Harrington are fine."

***

Me and Steve Harrington were not fine.
That is all that occupied my head as I walked up to Scoops Ahoy, it was nearly 1:30pm as always, Robin's break was soon and I was gonna take her to the Cinnabon just across from them, it was new and all the rage at the moment, so I wanted to try it out.

Plus Robin was a sucker for anything sweet, which is why we were best friends, I liked to bake. In fact as I walked up to her work I held a Tupperware box of cookies for her to share with her colleagues, including Steve. I secretly hoped cookies were the key to breaking awkwardness and apologies for blurting out you hate someone for seemingly no reason, or was that too niche?

Steve was behind the counter, just my luck and I stood waiting behind two girls as they brought matching rocky road ice creams. I watched as their fingers brushed each other's and smiled knowingly, Steve however didn't seem to see that he was sabotaging the two's date as he continued to flirt.

That man did not make it easy to like him.

"So I uh.. I mean maybe we could get together some time ya know?" The girl gave him a weird look and simply didn't answer before handing him the change and walking off.
I couldn't help but stifle a laugh and notice Steve dropping said change as they walked away, leaving me to move to the front of the cue.

"Well that crashed and burned," I breathed out, trying to ease any tension. He awkwardly threw down the change into the cash machine and chuckled, "yeh it usually goes that way,"
It usually goes that way? Steve Harrington is the most popular man in Hawkins, how and why isn't he getting any dates?

Girls used to fall at their feet to be with him? Maybe it's the uniform.. but as I looked at it I realised it actually made him look quite cute. God he even made a cheesy sailors outfit look good.
"Is.. is Robin here?"
He nods as I break the silence between us and smiles at me slightly, "yeh she's in the back, I'll go get her."

And I'm left for a bit, standing at the counter as another pair of girls comes in behind me.
Robin opens up the window behind the counter and laughs out loud, eyebrows raised as she smiles, "Ruby!" She continues laughing as she makes her way to the counter, "you made it!"