So I Showed Up At Your Party

The story starts when it was hot and it was summer

// I'll link all chapter title songs at the end because Taylor deserves her clout ;) Also, I'm not American so I don't know how highschool works so just bare with me, I'll probably make some mistakes.

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"God, the sunset's so pretty Steve. I wonder if this is gonna be our year, what's gonna happen, who we'll meet. It's the beginning of our lives! Don't you just feel so hopef-"

"Shut the fuck up Buckley. Since when have you been so sappy?" Interrupted Steve with a grin.

Robin laughed, kicking a stone into the ocean. 

"No, seriously, when did you get like this? Every other year you spend the last day of freedom moping in your room and now you're all excited?" 

"I don't know Steve, I guess I'm just trying to be positive. Maybe that's gonna get me the girl of my dreams." 

Steve laughed, linking Robin's arm with his.

"So, you're telling me if I smile a bit more, maybe write a happy quote on my locker, I'll manage to find the perfect girl?" Teased Steve.

"No, dumbass."

"Aw shit, I thought you were serious."

"Really?"

"No."

"It's just past nine, I've better get back." Said Robin, glancing at her watch.

"I'll walk you home, can't have your positive attitude stealing all the girls in Hawkins." 

"I'll make sure to save you some." Replied Robin with a wink. "Tammy Thompson perhaps?"

"Robin, no, you had a crush on her, I just said she was pretty, st-"

"Aw you're blushing, our little Steviekins has a crush!" 

"Big talk from a girl who confessed her love for Tammy Thompson on a bathroom floor whilst high off Argyle's weed."

"That's low Harrington. You swore you'd never mention that again."

Steve threw an arm around Robin's shoulders.

"I'm here to keep you grounded Buckley, it's all because I love you."

"Whatever Harrington." Replied Robin, rolling her eyes.

"Is that a smile I see? You love me really, I can tell."

"Alright fine, I do love you Steve, but you make it hard sometimes."

"Thanks Robin."

Steve gestured dramatically up the steps. "Ladies first."

Robin obliged, pretending to hitch a dress above her ankles.

"Why thank you, good sir." 

"My utmost pleasure, m'lady."

The two walked in silence for a while, enjoying the cool breeze and each other's company.

"Jon was telling me that Argyle's coming down from Cali over the fall break." Announced Steve.

"Really? I've missed him. Talking on the phone just isn't the same, especially when only one of you is high." Laughed Robin.

They continued walking to Robin's, laughing and talking.

"Your humble abode, dearest Buckley." Sighed Steve.

"See ya tomorrow, dingus." Replied Robin, putting her arms around Steve.

"See ya, moron." Chuckled Steve, hugging her back.

They stayed that way for a while, before Robin pulled away.

"Goodbye Steve." 

"Bye, Robin."

Steve turned away and began to walk on to his house.

"Don't forget to pick me up tomorrow!" Shouted Robin.

"I won't!" Roared Steve back.

Robin walked into the empty house, as her mother was working nights. She trudged into the kitchen and began to heat up her dinner in the microwave. Robin had a good feeling about this year, one that she hadn't felt in a long time. While she waited for her dinner to warm up, she put her headphones on and started playing her favourite album, "reputation" by Taylor Swift. She sang along as she danced (badly) around the kitchen. Seeing the reputation stadium tour live was the push she really needed to acknowledge her sexuality. Sometimes she liked to close her eyes and imagine Taylor Swift was singing to her, and was somehow madly in love with a random lesbian from Indiana. 

She heard the familiar beep of the microwave and removed her dinner. She let her mind wander as she ate, imagining the things that might occur this year. She imagined meeting a girl who let her ramble about Taylor Swift for hours, meeting a girl who finally meant she could relate to 'Lover', having her first kiss. Never having kissed someone was a source of shame for Robin. She tried to once, but she fell over at the crucial time. She learned her lesson that day, sitting on a branch of a tree isn't a good spot for your first kiss (she still has the scar from her fall). 

She was nervous, but she would never tell Steve that. She knew deep down that the chances of her ever finding someone were slim, and her being a lesbian didn't help. No matter what she did, most people couldn't cope with her personality. She talked too fast, for too long, and about the randomest things. Her intense fear of socialising made nothing better. Robin couldn't count how many times she had wished to just be normal, to magically wake up and be likeable, but it never worked. She had friends, and was grateful for them, but she was never able to shake the feeling that someday they'd get bored of her. 

Robin placed her plate into the dishwasher before heading to the bathroom to shower. As she let the water run over her, she found herself relaxing. There's no reason to stress, she thought to herself, everything is going to go well. She padded up the stairs, water dripping onto the oak step below. She closed her curtains and flicked on her bedside lamp, as she tried to decide which album she would listen to before she went to sleep. After 10 minutes deliberation whilst dressing herself, she finally decided on 'Fearless (TV)' by Taylor Swift. When Robin was younger, she always dreamed of relating to 'Fearless' as a teenager, however at 17, that fantasy was long gone.

She turned the music down low, and fell onto her bed, her brown hair fanning out around her head. She texted Steve a goodnight text before placing her phone beside her bed and clicking off her lamp. Little did Robin know, tomorrow would change her life in more ways than one.