Uptown Girl (An Elmax AU)

Max's Shitty Big Brother

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

I groaned as the incessant beeping awoke me, but was confused to find that it was not from my alarm clock, but from a heart monitor.

Opening my eyes as I recalled the events at Starcourt Mall, I looked around the hospital room that I had been placed in, still irritated by the beeping of the heart monitors.

Wait... monitors? Plural? What the-

"Morning, Shitbird." I heard I familiar voice, Billy's call, whipping my head and my red hair around to face the other side of the room, I was shocked to see Billy lying in a bed. He was hooked up to the same machines that I was and wearing similar bandages.

"Billy... what-"

"Thought you'd get your own room? That's cute." He taunted. I rolled my eyes with a sigh before he continued speaking, "Anyway, it's probably 'cause we have the same street address or whatever." He paused, "But I guess I should thank you."

"Why?"

"You saved my life back there. And you tried to get that weird-ass monster thing out of me. Guess your not such a shitty little sister after all."

I stayed silent as I processed his words.

"Also, while I'm at it, you know how you and Sinclair are... you know? I'm cool with it. I've always been cool with it. I guess I was just... worried about him breaking your heart and all that and about Neil finding out, and-"

"Actually, we broke up. I'm dating El. But thanks for the sentiment."

"Oh... Who's El again? I mean, you can't expect me to keep track of all your weird little friends, like that Wheeler one, Steve's son Dust-bin, Sinclair, and Will."

"She's the, uh, curly-haired girl you met at Heather's house. And, really? You only know Will's name?"

"He's my favorite 'cause he's quiet. Also, we have the same name so screw you. And I'm sure you and, uh, El will be very happy together. She seems a lot like you: sweet, when you want to be, and a badass."

I smiled at his words, "Guess you're not such a shitty big brother after all."

We stayed silent for a moment before he spoke up again, "So... you and El. How'd that happen?"

I fired back with a question of my own, "So, you and Steve. How'd that happen?"

He sighed, "A few months ago, I guess. We just kind of started hanging out, and he started to help me work through some stuff, you know? He helped me not be so angry all the time, work through some issues with home and California and shit, and come to terms with my sexuality and-"

"Wait? Sexuality?"

"Yeah. Aromantic and Asexual. And then, the rest was history."

"Cool. I'm bisexual, so..."

Billy laughed, "Look at us. Neil's so homophobic that the world gave him two."

I laughed along with him for a moment before the door to our room opened up, revealing Steve, my Mom, and Erica.

"Oh my god! Thank goodness you two are all right!" My mother called out as she came in, hugging me and a shocked Billy before taking a seat in a hospital chair.

"Hey, Billy! Hi, Max!" Steve greeted.

"'Sup cool people, and Steve," Erica spoke up.

"Really? Come on! I'm super cool!"

"Nope."

Billy laughed as Steve groaned.

"On that note," Steve spoke, "Everyone else is fine. Mike and Jane are a couple of rooms down. Hopper and Ms. Byers are in the waiting room, and Murray went back to his place."

"Can we go visit them?" I asked at the same time Billy remarked:

"Who the fuck is Murray?"

"Billy! There is a child present!" My mom scolded.

"Trust me, I've said worse," Erica warned.

"I like her!" Billy complimented.

"And Max, we'll have to talk to the doctors first, but I would love to meet these friends of yours. If they are half as wonderful as Steve and Erica have been, then I'm sure they are lovely people." My mom answered as Steve blushed and Erica beamed at her praise.

"Hear that Stevie? You're wonderful!" Billy taunted as Erica and I laughed.

"Shut up!"

We all laughed again, my mom even joining in this time.

Maybe things would work out after all.