The Devil's Gift/The Bloody Handed

4

After we radioed Nancy and exchanged updates, we all split off to do our own thing. We had to return when it was dark out so we weren't easily spotted. She was waiting on the outskirts of town in an abandoned lot. Steve was avidly talking in the far right corner to Robin. His hands were thrown up moving and then he pinches his nose. I swore I heard Nancy's name exit his mouth at least five times. Steve was the type to seek female validation to accommodate his loneliness. Maybe it wasn't right, but I could tell that's who he was. Or maybe he sought the validation to distract himself from the pain of losing Nancy. I'm not sure what happened between them, but whenever they're even near each other they can't burn out the sparks that fly. If Nancy wasn't looking at him, Steve was looking at her. A love like that doesn't mean you should just throw it away. And yeah, sure I didn't know Nancy's boyfriend or what love was but I also am a firm believer in right person wrong timing.

I walk over to Robin and Steve. I give her a certain look and she nods, walking away towards Eddie. I lean against the wall on my back and look over to Steve.

"Somethin's bugging you, I can tell." I raise my eyebrows and look him up and down. He runs his hand through his tasseled hair and looks up. The nighttime's fluorescent light shone through the window illuminating his very masculine and square features. Square jaw, straight cheeks, narrow forehead. His nose was a straight slope down.

He looks down and shakes his head at me. "I just want this whole thing to be over."

"I get it. I mean- I know this isn't your first scenario to where this is mine. So I can't say I blame you there." I click my tongue. "So what's it with you and Nancy? I feel like we haven't had much time to talk."

He looks at me wide eyed, like a deer caught in headlights. "Nothing." He says bluntly. "We are literally nothing. And she wants nothing to do with me."

"Remember when I told you she dived in right after you for that portal?" I narrow my head peering at him. "I meant that. She did not hesitate one bit."

"She just cares too much. She doesn't need me. She has someone." He shakes his head.

"You seek validation from women because of her. You want a distraction from her." I urge. He looks at me and immediate gives me an alarmed look. Bingo. "Distractions aren't always the best thing. Sometimes it's just.. sitting there and fighting for it. I can't speak for myself. I've never been in a relationship, but I do know sparks when I see them."

"So.. like right person wrong time?" He elaborates. "I just can't bear the thought of her going back to Johnathan. I can tell it's just not there with them anymore, but who am I to tell." He shakes his head and looks down.

I nod my head. "Yeah. Just give it time, Steve. It might work out for you in the end if your optimistic. I heard someone once say, the optimist always beats the pessimist." I look over at Eddie over my shoulder who's talking with Dustin and Robin arguing.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. I just feel like a total ass now, trying to make moves on you. You're just really cute- and your personality is great. It was something new, you know?"

"No worries.." I smile and look at the ground.

"I just see so much chemistry between you and Munson I know I can't stand a chance."

I look up and shake my head, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's completely platonic."

"No, what's platonic is Robin and I. I know real when I see it. Whether it's you like him or he likes you, there's some sort of connection there and you can't deny that either." Maybe he had a point, but my favorite thing to do is deny and brush it off.

"I guess we are just giving eachother lessons today huh?" I ask.

"I guess," he smiles.

"Goodnight Steve." I wave and he returns it back. I walk towards Eddie and the rest.