Always Been Yours (ON HOLD)

Chapter Three

"I'll see you both later! Want me to get you any specific snacks or drink?" Shay asked as she gathered her belongings from the back.

Steve pulled some money out of his wallet and handed it to her. "The usual is fine!"

Shay used to try and refuse his money but he wouldn't take no for an answer so she just accepted it. She nodded and gave them a wave before going out to unlock her bike and wheeling it over to Eddies van. He helped her get it into the back and then went to open the passenger door for her like usual.

"Steve give you snack money again?" Eddie asked as he got in, also making sure she was buckled in properly. That was a new thing but she thought it was cute.

"As always! Bless him. Are we getting chocolate or strawberry ice cream this time?"

"Why not both?" He replied with a grin as he started the van and pulled out of the spot he was in. Shay turned the radio up and they happily sang along to the metallica song that was playing.

They arrived at the supermarket and grabbed a cart. Shay remembered when they used to just get a basket and then get way more than they could fit in it. Eddie went off to grab sodas while Shay made her way to get the sweets and popcorn. She threw a mix of sweet and salty popcorn into the cart and the grabbed Steve and Robins favourite candy. Eddie always wanted something different when they picked movie snacks so while she waited for him to come back with sodas she picked out her own favourites. As she threw the last pack of candy into the cart she jumped when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Shay was about to rip the person a new one about how tapping someone is rude but when she turned around she was too stunned to speak.

Standing there with an awkward smile on his face was Patrick McKinney, the best friend of Jason Carver. Jason was the current King of Hawkins High and head of the basketball team. Shay didn't know what to say so she just stared at him and raised her eyebrow expectantly.

"Hey Shay.. erm.. I know you probably don't wanna talk to me but," Patrick said, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "I just wanted to apologise for how the others treat you. I don't agree with them!"

Shay was shocked at the fact Patrick was apologising. Sure, she had never actually heard him join in with the name calling of her and Eddie but he was friends with Jason and Jason was a dick. She still didn't know what to say to she gestured for him to carry on.

"I know it doesn't mean much but I am sorry. I have tried to talk to them about it but you know how Jason is."

"Then why do you hang out with them?" Shay finally spoke up, feeling a bit annoyed.

"Jason wasn't always like this, I swear."

"Are you scared of him? Is that it?" Shay asked, wishing Eddie would appear and save her from this awkward encounter.

Patrick looked at the floor and began to scratch the back of his neck nervously again. "Yeah, maybe a little. I know it's stupid. I just, I wanted you to know I'm sorry!"

"Well... thanks, I guess. See you around." Shay turned and started to push the cart away, wondering where the hell Eddie was.

"Wait!" Patrick shouted, stopping her from getting very far.

Shay let out a heavy sigh and reluctantly turned back to look at Patrick. "What?"

"I was hoping we could be friends."

The words that came out of his mouth weren't what she was expecting and once again she didn't know what to say. Patrick was probably the nicest Jock in the school but that didn't really change anything. "Friends? Why?"