Star Crossed Lovers (STEVE HARRINGTON)

The weirdo on Maple Street

Murph's POV:
First thing I did waking up was check on Dusty, after giving him a smooch I got dressed, grabbed an eggo and left the house to go see how the Byers' were holding up. I got in my car and began driving, the eggo still in my mouth.

When I got there, I knocked on the door politely understanding barging in like I used to probably wouldn't be smart. Jonathon answered the door muttering a "Come in" as he let me slide past him. Before I could say something Joyce came into the kitchen where Jonny was stood cooking breakfast. I stood quietly, watching the interaction unfold.

"All right mom, breakfast is ready." He said. "What? No be careful of the poster." She mumbled, her hair a mess and her eyes sunken in. "Yeah. Okay." Jonathon muttered before his mom interrupted "I can't eat." She said tiredly, her voice showcasing just how scared she was. Her eyes on both me and Jonny as she spoke, her eyes pleading us to understand. I looked over at him, she had every right to feel the way she was right now.

"I need you to eat mom." He stated, persistently. She sniffled over him "Listen the Xerox place opens in like 30 minutes..." I watched his eyebrows furrow as he responded "yeah" I contemplated giving them space but decided against it, they were like my second family and I'd be damned if I let them go through this on their own.

"I don't want you to go alone." She said as a quietness followed. "No I know, I've got it. I told you." My eyes shot between the both of them as they spoke. "Can you go with him Murph... please .. cause I should be here." I nodded as she spoke "Of course, you don't need to ask I'll go." A small smile pulled up her lips but didn't quite reach her eyes as she continued. "We need to make what 200, 300 copies?"

"Yeah okay." Jonathon said a little louder. "How much is a copy?" Joyce began going on, digging through her purse. I looked at Jonathon, empathy in my eyes. "Okay mom.. mom" He was cut off by her mumbling "Ten cents?" Her eyebrows scrunched up as she placed a hand on her forehead stressfully. "Mom.." Jonathon repeated a little louder and she spoke again "If we.. Ten cents." This time Jonathon raised his voice "Mom, Mom! You can't get like this okay?"

"I'm sorry... I... I'm sorry." Her voice broke as she stopped, I watched quietly feeling invasive. Before we could say anything there was knocking at the door, Joyce got up and ran over to see who it was. "We've been waiting for six hours." She said in a dangerously stern tone.

"I know, I came as soon as I could" Hopper reassured, moving in our eye line. "Six hours" Joyce repeated. "A little bit of trust here all right? We've been searching all night, went all the way to Cartersville" His deep voice filled the room. "And..?" Joyce said, me and Jonathon both focusing on the conversation intently. "Nothing." He muttered apologetically. "God.." Joyce whispered, a tear streaming down her cheek.

As they began discussing the phone which had apparently blew up last night, I pulled Jonathon to the side. He eyed me sideways as we leaned against the desk in Will's bedroom. "When we find whichever sick bastard prank called your mom last night, we are going to fuck them up." I said, partly listening to Hopper's conversation. His eyes suddenly widened a little as if an idea rose in his head, he walked inside with me following beside him confused. "Can't we like, trace the call?" Jonathon asked curiously. Hopper shook his head "No, it doesn't work like that kid."

Moments later Hopper was outside and Jonathon was following him. I made my way out also "Hey Hopper, Hopper!" Jonny exclaimed. He turned around facing us. "Let me go." He said. "I'm sorry?" Hopper said taking out a cigarette. "To Lonnies. If Will's there that means he ran away. And if he sees the cops he'll think he's in trouble. He'll hide. He's good at that." He finished up. "Yeah?" Hopper began, walking closer to Jonny and grabbing his arm.

I walked over, his eyes shooting to me. "Well Cops are good at finding. Stay with your mom, she needs you." He said. Jonathon stumbled back, no doubt annoyed. "He just wants to find his brother." I said, defending him. "What and you think I don't? We've spoken about this before kid you need to stay in school. Don't get involved in this." He lectured. I scoffed loudly.