Brave Like You (Steve Harrington)

Three.

-Steve-

Last night wasn't my best moment, I admit it. But what was I supposed to do when my girlfriend won't tell me that she loves me after being together for a year? I knew Jonathan Byers was at the party, otherwise I wouldn't have left her there alone. She had someone there to take care of her.

But now, it's second period, and Nancy is here wanting to talk. She was pissed that I didn't pick her up for school and caused her to miss her first class. I had to remind her of what she said last night. It was the most hurtful thing she's ever said to me.

Last night she said we're responsible for killing her friend Barb, because she was taken while we were hooking up for the first time. Then she said everything was bullshit, our relationship, and especially me. Then, instead of telling me she loved me, she doubled down that I was bullshit. So I just left her there at the party and went home.

"I was drunk, Steve. I don't remember any of that," she said, as if it makes it any better.

I scoffed, "So that makes everything you said...It's what? Just bullshit, too?"

"Yes." She answered quickly.

I counter her back just as quickly, "Well then tell me."

She decides to play dumb, "Tell you what?"

"That you love me," I clarified. I didn't want to shout, but instead I sounded pathetic. I was begging her, pleading, to just say those three words. We've been together for a year and I have more than proved myself to her during that time. I saved her life last year, and Jonathan's. That was after Jonathan beat the shit out of me, too, but that's another long story.

She looks up at me like she can't believe what I just said, and she even scoffs at me. "Really?"

The door to the gym opened, and Coach came out, telling us to get back to our classes. I left Nancy there alone and headed back to class. I sat on the stands, not wanting to join the game. There was a girl sitting next to me down the bench. I knew who she was, she was Candy Munson, The Freak's little sister. She doesn't seem to bother anyone though, she was calm and nicer. She was a cheerleader, too, I believe.

All morning I heard all about what she did with that new asshole last night. Or, at least what he said they did. I don't believe it. I've never heard of her sleeping around before so I doubt she'd start now just because some new guy moved to town.

I wonder if she even knows about the rumor. Judging from how red her eyes are right now, I assume she does, and that she's been crying because of it, another sign it is just a rumor and not true. She's obviously very upset.

"You're Candy Munson, right?" I ask her, even though I am right.

She nods, "Yeah, and you're Steve Harrington."

"Yeah," I say, nodding, "I just wanted to make you aware of an ugly rumor going around about you and the new kid."

"Rumor?" She asks, "So you don't believe that I slept with him?"

"Did you?" I ask. It was kind of forward of me to ask, if I say so myself. "Sorry, that's none of my business."

"I didn't," she says, "He drove me to my friend's house after the party and he kissed me before I got out of his car, but that's it."

"Yeah, you don't seem like the type to sleep around," I tell her, "You're quiet, you keep to yourself."

"Yeah, well, I'm The Freak's sister. No one even looks at me twice most of the time. I'm surprised that you even knew who I was."

"We've had a few classes together," I remind her. "You're not your brother."

"No I am not," She agrees, "He said that I should spread rumors about Billy too, say he's terrible at sex and stuff like that."