That's My Best Friend [Billy Hargrove]

Ice Ice Baby (seven)

All eyes were on you and Billy when Billy parked the Camaro in front of an ice cream shop further downtown. You had never been here before, and it become embarrassingly clear that you hadn't actually experienced everything that little Hawkins had to offer.

The ice cream shop was busy taking orders from old people and families. It was bigger than the ice cream shops you had visited before. But it was hard to not beat those, because they hadn't been actual shops, more like trucks. 

"We're here", Billy hummed and pulled you towards the shop. He had obviously been here before. But even more so than you had ever guessed because the ice cream man seemed to recognize Billy through the windows and gave the two of you a warm smile. You returned the smile, and soon after, you stepped into the shop. 

Inside it was cool and smelled like childhood memories. The interior was colorful and the walls were painted pastel blue. 

"What can I get the two of you", the ice cream man asked and Billy handed him a dollar.

"Two ice creams with two scoops each", Billy replied and the man took out a waffle cone and began putting ice cream scoops into it.

Billy turned to you and signaled you to stand with him.

"What do you want", he asked you and pointed to the ice cream display freezer and you looked at the variety of ice cream flavors. You weren't sure what to get.

They had everything from rum and raisins and pistachio, to more plain and safe choices, like strawberry and vanilla.

"Uhh, I think... Cherry and banana", you spoke after finally deciding what flavors you wanted.

Billy grimaced in disgust when the ice cream man handed you the unique ice cream.

"Are you an old lady or something? Cherry and banana? Really", he said judgingly. 

You frowned baffled.

"What? These are banger flavors", you replied and looked at Billy's ice cream. He had gone with vanilla and strawberry.

"And you? Are you basic or something", you said annoyed, giving Billy some of his own medicine.

"Everyone knows vanilla and strawberry are the best flavors", he said confidently and tasted his ice cream. 

"Basic", you muttered and shook your head as you and Billy went outside to sit on one of the benches. you sat beside each other about 3 feet apart. 

"So is this like, your designated go-to-place for a date?", you jokingly said and licked your ice cream. The banana flavor melted on your tongue and you hummed in delight.

Billy chuckled.

"No, you're actually the first person I've brought here", he replied and looked at you.

"Well, how do you know this place then? The ice cream man even knew your order by heart", you said and referred to Billy's ice cream that had just been made without Billy even saying what flavors he wanted. You were a little taken aback by the fact that you were the first Billy had shown this place to.

"My sister, Max, and her mother, Susan, took us here when we first moved to Hawkins", Billy replied, and his expression changed to a more glum expression. You felt more and more confused.

"Her mother", you asked, not following Billy. Max was probably the red-haired girl but weren't they siblings?

"Yeah, Susan isn't my mom, and technically, Max isn't my sister either".

"What about your mom then", you asked Billy and he went silent for a moment before answering.

"I'm not answering that", he muttered, annoyed. He looked frustrated.