𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 | 𝐬.𝐡

045. Tainted Expectations

WINTER HAD COME AND GONE AND HAWKINS WAS GROWING HOTTER AND HOTTER EACH DAY. The majority of Hawkins found themselves at The Starcourt Mall. The rest could be found lounging at the pool, at Starcourt, or ramping up for the Fourth of July.

On this day, Mavis found herself at the pool. It was her day off from her job at Scoops Ahoy and she wanted to relax. So there she sat in her bikini with The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath in her hands. She always enjoyed keeping busy, during the school year she did so with her assignments. But, during the summer it became harder to do. So when Steve asked her to apply to Scoops with him, it didn't take a lot of convincing.

She had placed herself in a chair tucked behind a tree. The same place she always did. She did so in hopes of never being spotted by Billy. And it always worked.

She had been there for about an hour when her peace was interrupted. She could hear none other than Mrs. Wheeler and Billy talking. She eavesdropped as their conversation grew more and more uncomfortable to listen to. Suddenly she felt the need to evacuate, not being able to withstand being by the two.

She stood up and put on her jean shorts before slowly gathering her things and slinging her bag of stuff on her shoulder. She then began to walk towards the exit, making sure to go around the side opposite of where Billy had been.

That was when a little voice called her from in the pool. It was Erica Sinclair, Lucas's little sister.

She reluctantly stopped. Not because she didn't want to speak to Erica, but because she wanted to avoid attracting any attention to herself.

As Erica began trying to bargain for free ice cream with Mavis, Mavis caught someone's eye. Billy Hargrove. He hadn't seen her practically all summer unless it was in Scoops. And even then she was being practically guarded by Steve. He had to go up and speak to her. After confirming his plans with Mrs. Wheeler he ditched the conversation and made his way over.

"Erica I don't know what to tell you, I'm not working today and Steve and Robin are really cutting down on the Erica doesn't get free ice cream rule," Mavis said crossing her arms.

"And why's that?" she said annoyed.

"Why do you think? You're mean to them Erica," she chuckled.

"You mean because they're big babies," she said crossing her own arms.

"Okay if you say so," she said rolling her eyes.

"Well you were no help," Erica said before swimming away.

Mavis laughed to herself before turning to walk away. When she did, she bumped straight into Billy, who was walking toward her without her realizing.

Mavis backed up, "oh sorry," she said before going to walk around him.

He grabbed her arm, causing her blood to run cold. When she turned back looking shocked, Billy let go. He didn't mean to be aggressive, he just wanted to talk to her.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to say hi," he said.

"Uh, it's okay. Hi," Mavis said still confused but waving a smile. She began walking in hopes that he wouldn't follow. But he did.

"I haven't seen you much this summer Montgomery," he said.

"Yeah I've been busy, you know, slinging ice cream," she said using her hand to motion the scooping.

"Yeah, I've seen you there. Harrington's always there giving me a stare down though so I haven't said hi," he said.

"Can you blame him," she remarked, a chuckle leaving her mouth.