Freak || Steddie

chapter one

"Freak," Steve Harrington muttered as he passed by the local metalhead. He rolled his eyes as the man put fingers to his head to resemble devil horns. The loud boy sneered at the motion and hopped off the table he was standing on. Steve resumed his conversation with his best friend.

"I'm sick of this town," he complained. Hawkins, Indiana was a small town; upon trying to expand back in the 80's, their actions were futile with their precious mall burning down. In the past three decades, the town hasn't tried to rebuild the remains of the mall. Steve wanted more than what the small town had to offer. His father and mother, although well respected around the town, were always gone. He didn't see the point in staying after graduation, other than his younger friends.

With a sigh his best friend nodded, "there's too much homophobia here," her nose scrunched up, "it's 2022, you'd think people would be over it." Robin Buckley was one of the few openly lesbian women in her town. Steve thought about her words, many in the town were in fact homophobic, but it didn't effect him as much. He was sure of his sexuality, the large amount of women he left heartbroken were proof of that. "Not to mention the views on women this town has," she continued her rant. Steve did agree with her, he tried to be a good ally as his best friend fit many of the categories that the town ostracized. He continued to nod in agreement with her, but not necessarily adding to the conversation. It was best not to stop Robin in the middle of her rants, she didn't like to be cut off.

She looked at Steve expectantly, indicating she wanted a response. "I know what you mean, even if it doesn't effect me directly, it hurts to see you upset." She seemed happy with this response and changed the topic. Robin knew about Steve's "extra-curricular" activities, though she didn't judge his man whore ways. In fact, in one conversation she expressed jealousy; she wanted to be able to date who she wanted without the judgmental stares or unknowingly hitting on a straight girl.

The two friends sat down in the corner of the cafeteria, continuing the topic of Robin's new love interest. Steve was sure that the girl she was interested in, did indeed like girls. Robin disagreed but once Steve brought up that all three of them liked "boobies" Robin decided to drop the topic.

The bell rang and the pair stood up to exit the building. Saying their goodbyes, with the promise of a ride home, they parted ways. Walking down the halls of Hawkins High was almost disgusting. The place hadn't been renovated since the late 80's and there was definitely mold growing on the ceilings. Smiling at Nancy as he passed by her in the halls, he didn't notice the slightly shorter man in his way.

"Watch it, Harrington," Eddie Munson's words were laced with venom. The same boy from on top of the table earlier sneered at him. Steve glared back at the man and shoved past him without a word. "Too afraid to speak to the freak, Harrington?" Eddie was provoking him, which got under Steve's skin. He knew he shouldn't let Munson get to him like this, but he loathed the man.

Steve spun around on his heel to face the other man, "if you know what's good for you Munson, you'll shut the fuck up." He was seething. Just the smallest interactions with Eddie pissed him off. Steve's face felt hot with anger. Eddie didn't seem to acknowledge anything Steve was saying, which pissed him off even more.

Eddie smirked at the slightly taller boy, "or what Harrington?" Without thinking, Steve's fist struck out and hit Munson in the nose. An audible crack was heard through the halls. Blood spurted out of Eddie's nose as he tackled Steve to the ground. Both boys were wrestling on the ground, throwing punches in where they could. Yelling filled the air as people egged them on or were yelling to stop. A pair of hands pulled on Steve's shirt, lifting him off of the older boy. Eddie was yelling a string of curse words at Steve as he stood, trying to attack Steve the same way. Some of Eddie's friends grabbed him and held him from getting to Steve.