LOVE OF MY LIFE- SH

-𝚴𝛐𝐰 𝐈'𝐦 𝚮𝐞𝐫𝐞-

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐃𝐎𝚴'𝐓 𝐖𝚨𝚴𝚴𝚨 𝐅𝐈𝚴𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓 !

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Anastasia's red converse were now muddy and bloody, she had managed to wipe her hands clean and tie her hair up, she walked alongside Steve, the kids in front of them. They were heading out of the woods to try and find the demogorgons.

Steve cleared his throat as he readjusted his backpack before speaking up "What you did back there was pretty cool" he commented, briefly glancing her way "Even though you shouldn't have stepped out of the fort" he added

"Thanks" she quipped "And I did that because I wanted to" she paused "I didn't want you getting killed before I had a chance to be better than you at any of those stupid games"

His brows raised as a small smile appeared on his face "Then you'll have to keep saving me forever"

She gave a small shrug "Doesn't sound too bad" she smiled back, they kept eye contact, staring at each other with small smiles for a second too long.

"You're positive that was Dart?" Lucas questioned, breaking the older kids form their trance, they instantly faced forward falling into step with the rest

"Yes. He had the same exact yellow pattern on his butt"

Max frowned "He was tiny two days ago"

"Well, he's molted three times already" Dustin informed, now it was Steves turn to frown

"Malted?"

"Molted" Anastasia softly corrected "Shed his skin to make room for growth"

"Exactly" Dustin agreed

"When's he gonna molt again?" Max wondered out loud

"It's gotta be soon" Dustin started "When he does, he'll be fully grown or close to it. And so will his friends"

Then, Steve unintentionally created at storm with his next words "Yeah, and he's gonna eat a lot more than just cats"

"Wait, a cat?" Lucas stopped walking "Dart ate a cat?"

"No, what? No"

"What are you talking about? He ate Mews" Steve reported

"Who's mews?"

"Dustin's cat"

"Steve!" Dustin sounded hurt

Anastasia grabbed Steve by his elbows and turned him to face her "Shut up!" she whisper-shouted "There's clearly something Dustin doesn't want Lucas to know" By now you could hear the kids shouting at each other again

"Sorry" He looked down, Anastasia instantly felt pity and guilt consume her like a plague

"Don't apologize, it's okay" she softly spoke, he looked back up staring into her soft blue eyes.

A surge of dizziness overpowered him, it's hard to describe how Steve felt at that moment. It was as if he was standing at the edge of a cliff and her blue eyes were the ocean below. The truth is that at this moment, Steve realized he fell for people way too easily, he was like a lost puppy ready to jump and twirl for some love, he loved the thought of being cared about, but he never was. 

With Anastasia it was different because he had realized he was falling way before it was unstoppable and he decided to let himself keep falling, the thing is, it never seemed to stop. Her brown hair, blue eyes and soft smiles brought new feelings to the broken oh so many times heart of Steve Harrington.

Realizing how close they were, Anastasia softly patted his chest and took a step back, her head whipping to the left when she heard screeching coming from that direction. Her and Steve cautiously walked forward in order to inspect where it was coming from.

"Hey guys?" Steve called

"Guys!" they both shouted at the same time, instantly cutting off the fight. The sound was heard again and Anastasia instantly headed in that direction, Steve and the rest following close behind. Anastasia's determination to get to the source of the sound made her tune out Max's complaints as she shone her flashlight through the woods.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Steve?" Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers spoke at the same time "Anastasia?" they said in unison once again

"Nancy?" Steve frowned

"Jonathan?" Dustin added

"What are you doing here?" Nancy demanded an answer as they walked towards each other. Anastasia had to contain the urge to roll her eyes at the girl. She didnt know the specifics about her breakup with Steve but she was not blind, she had watched during her time in Hawkings how this girl put herself first in every way and to say she didn't like her was an understatement.

"What are you doing here?" the girl countered rather aggressively

"We're looking for Mike and Will" Nancy rolled her eyes 

Dustin fearfully spoke up "They're not in there, are they?"

"We're not sure"

Jonathan frowned at the other group's attitude "Why?"

"Because-" Anastasia started but as if on cue the monster screeched form the inside of the building "that" she deadpanned

Nancy turned to Steve "Why is the commie here anyway?"

But before Steve could speak up and say something against Nancy, Anastasia was already fuming and ready to seethe anything that came to mind "I suggest you shut your pretty little mouth Nancy" she threatened

None of the others had ever seen Anastasia be so vocally aggressive towards someone and it sort of was intimidating to see someone who usually kept her cool call Nancy out. Anastasia was surprised herself too, maybe it was the stress making her  lash out because never before had she stood up for herself when insults got thrown around.

Nancy took a step forward "Or what?"

Anastasia was about to pound on Nancy and mess up her doll face, but Steve grabbed her arm before she could reach the girl who took a step back "You dont wanna find out" she setheed, she took a step back, turning around just in time to see the power turn back on inside the lab.

Jonathan and Dustin tried to open the gate, but nothing was working. Eventually the door opened. Jonathan and Nancy got in a car and drove inside ready to help out. Anastasia anxiously twirled her left bracelet around her wrist, 14 minutes, that was it. If they weren't out by then she'd break in and help.

She could hear screeching tires in the distance and she stepped forward in anticipation, hoping to see Owens in one of those cars, but no, only the Sheriff pulled up and instructed them to get in; they swiftly did despite the panic everyone felt. As Hopper started driving, Anastasia sat between him and Steve, slightly squeezed in but nothing she couldn't handle.

"Owens- Sam Owens. Is he okay?" She turned to the Sheriff

"Who are you?"

"Anastasia Owens" she responded "Is Owens okay?" She asked again

"He's fine, he left in his own car" Hopper reassured the fidgety girl "Said he had to go to Washington" the man lied

"He- left?" she wondered out loud, slightly choked up

"Yes"

She really hoped he hadn't left her behind, because he was supposed to make sure she was doing okay so that someday she could lead a normal life. He was the only person who knew all about her bracelets and how to take them off or adjust them. So if Owens had fled she was truly fucked up. A hesitant hand was placed on her thigh, she looked up through teary eyes to see Steve giving her an encouraging smile along two small squeezes, she smiled back before placing her own hand on top of his and squeezing back.