When DAPHNE HARGROVE moves to Hawkins, Indiana from sunny California she soon hears about the curse that the Hawkins residents say lies upon the town. All while trying to navigate her new high school and her new life she meets some new people along...
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As spring break came to a close, Daphne had successfully avoided Steve for a whole week. However, when they went back to school neither of them spoke a word to each other. Every time they'd see each other in the hall they'd walk the opposite way and Mrs. Moore's' class was quieter than it had ever been.
A couple of months went by and it was as if they never had anything between them. The kiss or fighting monsters together. It was as if none of it had happened and they were complete strangers. So, when graduation came around and Daphne went to support her brother who had miraculously passed his classes it was the most she'd talked to either of them in a while.
She ended up passing by Steve, who was laughing and talking with his friends, and said a quick, "Congratulations," before quickly walking away to go to Billy.
Seeing as her father, Susan and Max either couldn't make it or didn't want to go Daphne found herself giving in to be there for Billy. Despite not being able to forget what he did. It meant more to him than he cared to admit and after the ceremony, things went back to the way they were. Billy would go out with his friends and keep his distance from his sister unless she approached him.
Summer was now underway and the new mall that was being built was almost finished. Daphne was relieved to find out she didn't have to go to second-hand stores anymore and also decided that she should get a summer job. She thought it would be smart to start saving money for college or to have just in case. Her small allowance was not enough to say, fix her car if she had any trouble let alone pay for anything after she graduated.
So, Daphne applied for the record store that was opening in the mall. It was the perfect job for her. Daphne loved music and after securing her position at the store she found out they had many flexible hours so this would give her time to work on her art and photography as well as work someplace she actually liked. Everything seemed to be working out perfectly for her.
The first weekend of the Starcourt Mall opening it was packed, especially when nighttime rolled around. There was not a store empty and the movie theater is where everyone was going.
"You don't mind going early? I know the movie doesn't start for another two hours." Daphne asked Max as she threw her hair up in a loose ponytail. Max was sitting on Daphne's bed watching her get ready for her shift when she asked Daphne for a ride since she and her friends were going to see a movie.
"Yeah, it's fine. Can we pick up Lucas on the way?" Max asked. "Of, course. Come on," Daphne smiled and grabbed her bag and keys before walking out the front door with Max.
They rolled the windows down in her car and enjoyed the summer evening air. "So, have you talked to Steve yet?" Max asked suddenly. "What? No, no, I haven't and I don't plan to. Things are just so awkward now and I don't have the mental space to think about it okay?" Daphne said defensively. Max sighed and said, "I just wish you would realize how much he likes you, Daphne. You guys would be so amazing together."
