𝙀𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙨 || 𝙀𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙚 𝙈𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙣

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒 erupt from the crowd as the Hawkins High Tigers run out into the gym. Pep rallies aren't really my scene but since my brother, Lucas is on the basketball team I thought I would go as a show of support.

"Good Morning Hawkins High!" Jason exclaims into the microphone. I roll my eyes, already aggravated by the sound of his voice. Lucas throws me a small wave, then does the same to Max. Those two were such a strong couple, shame what happened to her brother. "First off...Hey. First off, I'd like to thank each and every one of you. Without your support, we wouldn't be here. Give yourself a big hand. And of course, of course, I have to give a special shout-out to the best and the prettiest fans of all time, the Tiger Cheer Squad!"

Jason stands in front of Chrissy, his girlfriend, my former best friend. "Chrissy..." He begins. "Chrissy, I love you, babe." She blows him a kiss gently. I fake a gag, earning a chuckle from Max. "You know I think I can speak for all of us when I say it's been a tough year for Hawkins. And sometimes I wonder, "How much loss can one community take?" On dark days like this, we need something to believe in. So, last night, when we were down by ten points at the half to Christian Academy, I looked at my team, and I said, 'Think Jack' 'Think of Melissa' 'Think of Heather' 'Think of Billy'" He rants.  At this point, I've tuned him out. My gaze shifts over to Max as I place a consoling hand on her shoulder. Many high schoolers were giving her weird glares. Jason then proceeded to rant about all the dead people of Hawkins before walking off after chanting a series of "let's win this game"'s.

***

"I don't get the big deal. Just talk to Eddie. Get him to move Hellfire to another night." Lucas groans to Mike and Dustin as I walk in front of them, Robin and Steve joined at my hip. We were walking to our next class since the Pep Rally had ended.

"I just don't get it!" Robin rants. "Why can't the girls in this school be as hot as Ellie!" I stifle a chuckle as Steve rolls his eyes. "Vickie is so cute but how do I know she's gay?!"

"Just ask her..." I trail off, watching Chrissy rush past us, heading towards the bathroom. Robin smacks me upside my head in response to my comment. She throws me a 'wish I thought of that look. "If you want, I can figure it out myself. I'm great at getting information from people."

Robin puts her arm out in front of me, stopping me from walking while Steve heads to his locker, fixing his hair for the thousandth time today. "Would you really do that?" She grins. I smile back at her, wholeheartedly before pulling me into a hug. "YOU'RE THE BEST FRIEND EVER ELLIE!"

***

Practically all of this day passed by so quickly, it's crazy. Sitting at lunch, Robin picks at her food while Steve flirts with the girls (as per usual). My head was in the latest magazine.

"-As long as you're into band or science...or parties or a game where you toss balls into laundry baskets..." Some punk weirdo from the DND table shouts, looking at all the cliques. Mean mugging the Jocks.

"You want something, freak?" Jason retorts, standing up and walking a few feet forward. The punk simply puts his fingers up, stuck out his tongue, and sputtered at Jason. I'll admit, it was nice to know that there was someone else that didn't immediately fall on their knees for Jason. He walks off the table before shouting once again. Those walking with their lunches jump in terror, rushing away from him. The punk weirdo continues having those loud outbursts; and honestly, they're quite annoying.

"God, does he ever shut up?" Robin groans, shifting in her seat. I shrug in sheer annoyance, glancing back in their direction. Just as I do, I see Dustin and Mike being pushed by the freak.