Star Crossed Lovers (STEVE HARRINGTON)

The Body

Murph's POV:
Mother was listening to some reporter when I walked into the kitchen hearing it faintly. "... by state police earlier this evening. It was discovered by state trooper David O'Bannon, just after dark. The state police are mounting an investigation to determine Byers' cause of death...." I ran to the bathroom before hearing anymore. Crouching down and throwing up in the toilet.

I groaned as I saw Dustin stood behind me, he crouched down beside me, pulling my hair aside and rubbing my back. I wanted to smile at his thoughtfulness but couldn't as all I could think about was Will. 12 year old Will. My little brother's best friend. Fuck.

Before I could speak Dustin spoke "I'm biking it to school so don't worry about driving me. You should stay home Murph. You seem sick." He smiled sadly, I subconsciously furrowed my eyebrows, not understanding how he wasn't a mess. Manic maybe? I nodded regardless, slowly, he stood up after kissing the top of my head and left me on the floor.

A few minutes later, I got up from the floor and watched myself in the mirror, my cheeks pale and my eyes watering. I made my way back to the basement and groaned in agony as a sharp pain shot through my stomach. Grabbing a cigarette, I lay down, grabbing the necklace around my neck, the one that belonged to my dad. And for the first time in a long while. I cried. I cried for The Byers', for Will, for my dad and for Dustin.

I managed to get my eyes open from the deep slumber I appeared to have been in, rubbing my eyes and pulling myself up. My joints hurt from laying all day so I stood up slowly, checking the time and grabbing my keys. I needed to be there for the Byers after all. I drove around looking for Jonathon, certain that Joyce probably didn't want me sniffing around.

I made it to their house regardless and gently knocked on the door to which Joyce answered quite frantically. Before I could even react she shut the door behind her and joined me outside. Looking around wearily, she finally met my eye "Joyce I.." She interrupted intently. "Please not you too. He's not dead. I know it, jesus..." She started, I took a deep breath and shook my head. My eyes landing on the christmas lights along with the alphabet painted across the wall.

"I believe you." I said, it may have been a white lie but she needed someone, that much was obvious. Her soft stare lingered on mine as I took her hand in mine. "I know he's still here. We just gotta find him." I said. She smiled gently, but her eyes showed me her unsureness and lack of trust in me. Understanding this I took a small step back, "If you need anything at all Joyce. I'm merely a call away." She pulled me into her arms and tightly embraced me for a while.

Letting go, she mumbled "I'll be sure to call." She said before heading back inside. I sighed deeply, concerned for Joyce and wondering where the hell Jonathon was. I got back in my car and drove around, searching for him. I couldn't find him anywhere and it had began really worrying me. I'd gone through an entire pack and a half and it was barely evening.

I felt the stomach ache rise again and made my way to school, the last place I had to look. I walked around, clutching my stomach as I tucked my keys inside my shoes. Damn I needed a skirt with pockets.

The school was still open because kids were still practicing whatever cliche sports they played and I very much doubted Jonathon was here but I still had to check.

"You know... If you weren't such a bitch I'd probably have some fun with you." I heard Tommy's voice behind me and spun around. His eyes grazing my entire body as I scoffed. "I'd rather slit my own throat." I coughed out. "Leave her alone Tommy." Steve's familiar voice rang through the halls as I looked behind me to see Harrington. Tommy barely rolled his eyes and walked away, leaving us alone together.

"Have you seen Jonathon?" I asked, unbothered. He shook his head slightly before asking me "You seen Nance?" I shook my head back. "Listen I wanted to say I'm sorry about the other day when I..." He began. I looked at him inquiringly. "When you what?"

"When I yelled at you. It's obvious you didn't know what he was doing, I'm sorry." He said. I began walking in the opposite direction from him when he followed behind me, grabbing my arm gently. "Don't touch me." I warned. He held his hands up in response before sighing. "You never told me why you hate me so much." He said, tired from running around all day, I decided to indulge him, so I took a seat and leaned my back against a locker, pulling out a pack of M&M's, I gestured for him to hold my cigarette, which he did distastefully. I slipped open the packet and began munching quietly.

I almost saw a smile on his face as he joined me on the floor. "You've treated Jonathon like complete and utter shit. I hate that. I hate that you don't see how fucked up some of your actions are. I can't fucking stand the fact that you parade around school as if it's a privilege to be you... You are just like the rest of us. You're nothing special." I tried to ignore the pang of guilt rushing around me as I said it. He took a sharp breath, nodding along.

"So you hate me because I'm popular?" He asked. I groaned noisily. "See even that.. you don't listen Harrington." At this he genuinely smiled. "Yeah I'm not exactly the brightest. I might act like that now but it's because after this..? I'm not going anywhere. That's the problem Henderson. I'm not special, I have no plans. No dreams." Awkwardly, his eyes glanced at me, full of conflict. For a moment, I was astonished, honestly and truly lost for words. Awkwardly sliding a handful of M&M's over to him I began speaking again.

"You're not an idiot Steve Harrington." I muttered, pulling a new cigarette out and lighting it as I inhaled deeply. He took the handful, smiling gratefully as I visibly relaxed. We sat in a comfortable silence for a while before I began pulling myself up. "Here let me help." slowly taking my hand and lifting me up, I smiled softly before I began walking away. "Bye Murph" He called out. I threw my hand in the air without turning back and waved, leaving the school and getting back in my car. Choosing to ignore that Steve Harrington had actually surprised me.

The silent time we'd spent together somehow having a small but visible impact on me. I drove home smoothly, my mind elsewhere as I drove past the Byers' not seeing Jonathon's car. I groaned, making my way home. I need to see him and it needed to be quick.

When I got home, I jogged down to my basement and slumped down, after picking my guitar up and began strumming it thoughtlessly. I hummed for a little while finding solace in the sound before it grew tiresome and my fingers ached. Then I put it aside along with my necklace which I slipped off every night, and grew comfy, closing my eyes and falling asleep.