86' baby

Hawkins High

Valerie's pov

The weekend flew by, I ended up spending my Sunday unpacking my room and getting my life together.
Mike had come by for dinner last night and tried to reassure me that everything was going to be okay at school today. So weird having a kid give me life advice.

" Hey, is it alright if you take Jane to school? I want to stop by the cemetery and see my parents." I ask my uncle.
I'd also much rather ride my bike, way cheaper on fuel.
" Yeah, ofcourse. Most mornings she rides with her friends anyways. " He hands me a cup of coffee before calling Jane down the stairs.

I head outside, lighting a cigarette, my uncle shortly following behind me.
He reaches his hand out, asking to borrow my lighter.
" Look Val, I'm not going to parent you but please don't be getting in trouble for smoking at school." He laughs lighting his own.

We chat back and forth until it's time to head out.
I go the opposite way, making a left towards the cemetery.
" Hey Mum.. hey dad." I sit with them for a moment, explaining why I haven't been around.
I didn't even attend their funeral.
It was to raw. To much for me.

Sitting by their graves just makes it feel so real. The thought of never seeing them again never really crossed my mind until now. I guess that's what happens when you push something aside for so long. Denial.

I kick start my bike, heading in the direction of the school.
I can't believe I'm back here again.
Shutting off my bike, I reach into my jacket pocket for a cigarette. Knowing this will be my last one until first break, I savour it.
I can't help but feel eyes burning into me, looking up I'm met with an unfamiliar face, a guy with a mullet standing by his car, his own cigarette in hand. He gives me a nod before hopping back into his car and driving like a mad man out of here.
As he drives out, I notice that familiarity of the vehicle to match the one Lucas had entered at the rink the other night.

Here we go. I say to myself, heading into the building.
I walk straight to the head office, knowing I'll need to grab a timetable.
I was meant to come in earlier today but considering they would've wanted to ask about my mental health, I decided against it.
I'm so over everyone asking me if I'm okay.

" Miss Hopper, it's nice to see you back. " Kerry, the administration lady smiles at me, walking over to the printer.
" Nice to see you, Kerry. How are the kids?. " I use to babysit her children on date nights, anything for some extra cash.
" Noah and Christine are well, thank you. I'll tell them you say hello?. " she offers, I just nod my head, taking my timetable from her.
" Have a good day!." I say my goodbyes, entering the hallway.

The room falls silent as I walk in, what was once a room full of gossip about the events or the weekend, becoming as silent as a cemetery.
I quickly walk over to the teacher, apologising for being late then heading to the only empty seat in the room.
Feeling everyone's gaze on me, I can't keep my mouth shut.
" Next person to stare a hole into my head is losing an eyeball. " I threaten.
I'm not a fkn zoo animal.
I listen as everyone shuffles their feet, going back to their gossip.

" Hey Valerie, it's Robin. " Robin speaks up from beside me.
" Oh hey Robin! How was your weekend? " I smile. Happy to be around a friend.
Robin and I continue chatting throughout the lesson, sharing notes and just getting to know each other.
" Sit with me at lunch?. " She smiles, standing up as the bell rings.
We say our goodbyes and I head to my locker. It's as if I've never left, given me the same locker as before.

" How's it going?. " a voice startles me, however I soon learn it belongs to Dustin.
" Oh hey Henderson."
We talk Briefly. I've always liked Dustin, he's a good one.
****

It's finally lunch time, I head to the cafeteria planning to eat before I go for my cigarette.
I'm honestly starving, I forgot what it was like to not be able to eat whenever you pleased.

" Val! Over here!. " Robin calls.
I still haven't seen Barb all day, I'm
Starting to wonder if she moved after the incident. Knowing her parents they wanted to her her out of here.. away from me.

Finishing up my food, I was about to let Robin know that I'm heading out to my bike to have a smoke when I hear a commotion.

Eddie fucking Munson. Ofcourse he's still here.

Eddie's POV

" As long as you're into band, or science, or parties OR THROWING BALLS INTO LAUNDRY BASKETS. " I carry on my rant
" You want something freak?. " Jason stands
I pull a face at him, being sure to do devil horns with my fingers. I couldn't help but notice Valerie walking by at this time,
I watch as she turns to me and does the one thing I wouldn't expect. She pulls the face back... devil horns and all.

" Why did no one tell me Valerie was back. " I drop back into my seat.
" We've kind of been pre-occupied. " Mike states
" Did you know she was back?. " I ask the boys
" Yeah! She was at the rink on the weekend. She lives with my girlfriend and her uncle, Hopper. " Mike states
I grab Dustin and Mike by their shoulders, telling them they should've told me this intel. The person who hates me the most is back in town and they didn't seem it fit to tell me.

" She's changed. " Henderson speaks up
" I can tell, she didn't have a comment about my rant earlier. "
I sit back down, listening to the boys tell me Sinclair won't be joining the campaign tonight.
Informing them they need to find a sub as soon as possible, I send them on their way.

This will be good.

Authors note /

Yes Billie is alive.
El and will didn't move to cali
Barb is dead, val doesn't know

There will be spoilers for S4.
However I won't be following the direct story line as you can see
Xoxoxo