Sweet Dreams - Steve Harrington

chapter 4

Jennifer Callahan had a very long night.

After getting the boys and girl back to the Wheeler's house, she refused to leave until they were all situated and safe. Jennifer got the girl, whose name she learned was Eleven, a pair of her clothes she had in Nancy's room and a blanket with a spare pillow. Once the girl was comfortable, she gave a stern talking with the three boys telling them not to tell anyone about the girl.

There is no telling what would happen to the girl if word got out of the new guest staying at the Wheeler household. Worst case scenario, she is taken into protective custody. Best case, the police let her live in the Wheeler's basement but Jennifer knew that was very unlikely. Especially knowing how much Mr. Wheeler hated her eating from their house for free. It was unlikely he would allow a stranger live in their basement for no charge.

By the time Jennifer got home, her dad was waiting for her in the living room and went off angrily the moment she shut the door. About her car being found in a ditch on a road on the opposite side of town, the small cut above her eye, and how she left work early. Apparently her bitch of a boss called Mr. Callahan when noticing Jennifer wasn't at work therefore ratting her out. Jennifer was now planning to hand in her resignation at her next shift.

After yelling at Jennifer for half an hour, Mr. Callahan dragged his daughter to the hospital to get a few stitches for her cut. She didn't even notice the cut or the pain the entire night until the adrenaline wore off. By the time she arrived home from the hospital it was just past two in the morning. Hence why the following morning she looked like literal shit. So when Barb and Nancy were demanding answers that next morning in the halls of Hawkins High School, Jennifer wasn't surprised. Rather just too exhausted to respond.

"What the hell happened to you!?" Barb shouted worried at her best friend. Nancy was standing right beside her staring at the Callahan filled with concern. 

Jennifer hummed tiredly, wearing a black hoodie and jeans to match her bland mood. The hood was over her head covering her messy hair and tired face but Jennifer's two best friends noticed immediately of the smile lacking from their friends face. When the two girls walked into the school this morning casually going over chemistry questions for their test later, the last thing they expected to see was their third friend with her head against her locker and hood over her head moping to herself.

"Why is there a cut above your eye?" Nancy asked anxiously noticing the two small white bandages.

"And why isn't your car here? I heard from Tina that you arrived by bus today." Barb added worried, unsure what is causing all of this unusual behaviour since Jennifer adores her crummy car more than pizza.

Jennifer groaned pressing her eyes shut in exhaustion. "Please speak quieter. I am half asleep right now." She muttered softly yawning against her locker. Nancy and Barb shared a worried glance unsure what was going on.

"Jennifer, what is going on? You have to talk to us." Nancy persisted. Slightly glaring at Jennifer's stubbornness from her lack in answers. Barb nodded in agreement looking at her best friend for a response.

Jennifer let out a sigh and stood up straight knowing her two friends wouldn't stop until she gave them an explanation. Rubbing her tired eyes while letting out another yawn, letting her hood fall to her shoulders to reveal the stitches above her eye, bags under her eye, and messy hair tied in a sloppy bun. The sight caused her friend's eyes to widen.

"I crashed my car on the way home from work last night and my dad grounded me for not coming straight home. So, I am tired and moody today which is phenomenal for a fucking Tuesday." She sarcastically smiled turning to her locker to flick the lock open.