Star Crossed Lovers (STEVE HARRINGTON)

When I come around

Murph's POV:
"It really does suck" Jonathon comforted, his arm around me as we hung out in the basement. I hummed in response as I chewed on some gummy worms, he'd come over as soon as he heard that I could no longer lean on little cancer sticks for comfort. I was honestly feeling okay, I guess pushing away the seriousness of the situation helped.

"These will definitely help." I grinned, pointing the candy stick in his direction, he chuckled as he took it and began chewing on it. "So how's everything been with your mom since she no showed?" He asked as gently as he could, I sighed before pausing the movie we'd put on for background noise. "She hasn't mentioned it, neither have I." I responded, laughing dryly. He tutted to himself, no doubt feeling disappointed in her.

"Do you wanna stay at my place for a while? Dustin and Will can hang out and I really need you to help me out with an idea I had for a photoshoot." He kindly offered, hope in his eyes. Smiling, I nodded before throwing an M&M up and catching it in my mouth. "Never gets old." He laughed to himself as I threw one in his general direction, hoping he'd catch it (he didn't)

"So you're coming?" He grinned, I rolled my eyes "Yes! My modelling skills are needed!" I dramatically gasped, he then rolled his eyes and laughed at my extravaganza's. He sighed before getting up and holding a hand out to me which I took, we trudged up the stairs and I made it a point to lock the door behind me. A new habit of mine since I knew my mom would probably be snooping. Placing sunglasses on to hide my bags, I trudged up into the kitchen.

When we got inside, Dustin was eating and talking into his walkie talkie while my mom snored on the couch, I rolled my eyes and made my way over to Dustin. "Grab your things, we're going to the Byers'" I stated, he grinned excitedly and ran over to his room to go pack his backpack.

My moms voice rang behind me as Jonathon slowed to a stop. "Sit back down Dustin." She warned, suddenly sat up from whatever nap she had been taking. Jonathon cleared his throat as he looked between us, not sure what to say. "No. You're coming with us." I ordered. staring at her. She scoffed before standing up and pacing, her hand on her head. "I've had a migraine, walking around, worried about you." She muttered, Jonathon placed a hand on my arm and I saw Dustin sit back down slowly, a soft frown on his face.

"Yeah you were so worried you were waiting hours while Owens ran those tests right? Wait no, that was Hop and Joyce." I checked, she scoffed again this time looking at me with fire in her eyes. "You have been so difficult Murphy. Do you think this easy for me? I have to sit and watch you parent my child for me? No! It ends now, as your parent you will do what I say." She seethed.

Jonathon took Dustin outside as I shot him a look and then turned back around to her. "Dustin needed you and you weren't there. So yes I took that responsibility off your hands to help you. You think I chose to parent my little brother? Jesus I'm 16 fucking years old. Dad is not here mom, look around. This is our goddamn reality!" I yelled, she placed a hand over her head and took a deep breath.

Before she could respond, I walked out. Jonathon was leaning against the car and Dustin was sat inside speaking into his walkie talkie as I sighed, approaching Jonathon. "Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked quietly, I shook my head and put a smile on my face. "I'm good Byers, I gotta get into character for our shoot anyway." I joked, he opened my door for me and jogged over to his side.

"Murph... What happened back th-" Dustin began asking before I turned back and faced him. "We'll talk about it later." I stated, he sighed but I ignored it as I messed around with Jonathon's radio. Clicking it, the Bee Gees began playing as I listened intently, a feeling of empowerment in my chest as I thought about how I'd just stood up to her. Finally confronting the massive elephant in the room felt good, I just hated that Dustin had to see it.