Radical | A stranger things story

13: Difficult

The following day Billy is waiting for me outside. I grab a croissant my mom made the night before and head out. I hop in his car and see Max in the back seat.

"Sup, Max!" I say while giving her a high five.

"Sup," she says.

Billy takes a drag of his cigarette and drives off. He blasts music, and Jenny is giving me the death stare from across the parking lot. I flip her off, and she rolls her eyes. We all get out of the car, and I hug Max before she skates off to school. I see Steve staring at me, but he quickly looks away. 

"I'll see you in homeroom, Billy," I say.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"I'm going to go talk to Steve," I answer.

"Harrington? Why?" he asks sourly.

I roll my eyes and walk over to Steve anyway.

"Hey, Harrington!" I say.

"Hey," he hesitates.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

He shakes his head but looks over to Billy.

"You're taking rides from Hargrove now? That was our thing last year," he says.

I didn't know he felt that way. I never thought he missed those car rides to school or anything.

"I'm sorry, Steve. I didn't think you would want to do that anymore," I tell him.

He shakes his head and begins to walk away, but I grab his arm.

"Hey, I won't do it anymore. If it's not a problem for you, you can drive me. Does that sound good?" I question.

He nods, but he still doesn't seem quite okay.

"Also, to make it up to you, wanna come over tonight? We can watch a movie and have a bunch of snacks like we used to," I suggest.

He smiles a bit and looks at his feet.

"Sure, sounds like fun," he remarks.

"Hell yeah," I say.

He laughs, and puts his arm around me, and walks me into school. Steve and I stop at his locker as he grabs his stuff. 

"Y'know, I never meant to get all sensitive about you being in the car with Billy. I just wasn't expecting it," he begins.

"Steve, you don't have to explain yourself. I understand," I say.

"I know, but I guess I was just a bit jealous, and I'm sorry. I just felt like we were drifting away a bit. It's stupid but-"

"No, it's not. You shouldn't be the one apologizing. Life has just been so busy with my mother and Mateo. I just forgot that I could live a bit. I shut out my friends, including you, so I'm sorry," I apologize.

"It's alright," he says.

We stop in front of my homeroom, and I realize he still has his arm around me. He notices too and pulls it away. 

"I'll see you at lunch," he states.

I nod and walk into homeroom. I don't see Robin today, which is unusual. She could be sick. I'll have to call her later.

I sit down, and Billy bursts through the door, obviously mad. He takes his seat next to mine and doesn't even look at me.

"Are you alright?" I whisper.

He ignores me and continues to look at the board. What's wrong with him?

"What's wrong?" I ask.

This time, he glances at me and clicks his tongue. I sigh and look at the board. I'm not going to let him ruin my day.