And His Name Was Steve

Chapter 4: The Search

A/N: Hi guys! This chapter contains: physical touch, vomit, missing children, drinking, implied sex, cursing and bullying. Just wanted to let y'all know <3. Also, sorry for taking all day to post this, it took extra long to write. Hope you enjoy!
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Wednesday: November 9th, 1983

"Hey love," Lea's eye's fluttered, opening and closing. "It's time to get up," Steve rubbed her shoulder kneeling next to the bed. Her head felt as if a million elephants were sitting on it. She groaned, massaging the bridge of her nose. Steve placed his arm on her back, assisting her in sitting up. "Ugghhhh," Lea gripped her stomach. Her intestines twisting and turning. He kissed her forehead and handed her a glass of water and Advil. "What happened last night?" Steve chuckled, counting on his fingers, "Well let's see, you chugged a bunch of beers, swam in my pool in November, puked all over your clothes, and...uh...do you uh remember anything else?" Steve hesitated, excitement building in his voice. His eyes peered into hers while brushing her hair with his fingers. Lea gripped his cheek, stroking it with her thumb. She gently shook her head. Steve's heart sank, his eyelids, brows, and mouth floating towards the ground. Bowing his head, stammering "That's okay darling...ummm, let's get you ready for school." "Where are my clothes?" She asked, looking down at Steve's sweatshirt she was wearing. "Oh um...I washed them. There was pool water and puke all over them. And I doubted you wanted to wear dirty clothes or my clothes to school." He placed the freshly folded clothes next to Lea. She pulled his face into her's, kissing him on the cheek. "I love you Steve Harrington, thank you for everything." She nestled her head into the crevasse of his shoulder. "Anytime, Hendson," wrapping his arms around her so she couldn't see his face. He bit his tongue and shut his eyes, holding back his tears. "Anytime."
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At lunch, Carol was showing everyone this weird mark on her ankle. "It's totally frostbite!" She shrieked, examining her foot. "It's a heated pool," Tommy H responded in between bits of his lunch. "Ew, I don't care what it is. It's disgusting," Steve crinkled his face. "Yeah we're eating here Carol," Lea laughed, softly pushing her in the arm. Nancy speed walked over, clutching her lunch close to her body. She swiftly swayed her head scanning the cafeteria. "Hey, Nance, is everything okay?" Lea asked, tilting her head. "Uh...yeah um...Barb didn't show up for school today." A cold shiver went down her spine, turning her stare to Steve. They locked eyes thinking the same thing...another missing child. Squinting her eyes, she asked, "Hey Tommy. When you left, did you see Barb?" "I seriously don't know who you're talking about." "Come on, don't be an ass man. Did you...did you see her leave or not?" Steve scuffed. "No, she was gone when we left." Carol cracked up, "She probably couldn't stand all that moaning." Her and Tommy H began to mimic them, thrusting themselves against the table. Lea turned her head, resting it on her right hand. They did...that? Lea scowled, pursing her lips. She grabbed her bookbag and moped away.

Steve gazed at Lea, trying to speak with no words coming out. She had just confessed her love for him and now she had to find out that him and Nancy fucked last night. His bottom lip shook, his hand reaching out to grasp the past minute away from her mind.

"Lea, where ya going?" Steve shifted his legs over the bench.
"Oh umm, I just... don't feel well. Guess I'm still hungover. Umm...uh...I think I'm just gonna go home." Her face scrunched up at that half ass excuse as she began to walk away.
"How? Your car is at my house." Shit. "Right, um..." fuck, "could you...um give me a ride?" Lea resisted the urge to roll her eyes, wishing she had never gotten up in the first place. All she wanted at that moment was to get away from him.

"Um, sure, yeah of course." Steve rubbed Nancy on the back, uncomfortably answering Lea. "Listen Nance, I'm sure Barb is just playing hookie or something." He kissed her temple as he flicked his car keys in the air, landing in his other hand.
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