"either way, we're not alone..."
In which Sophie Hargrove struggles to close off her heart, especially when she starts to let Steve Harrington in.
STRANGER THINGS
SEASON TWO - SEASON FIVE
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
***
Once upon a time, she used to love everything and everyone. No matter the flaw, she would adore them unconditionally. When she was stung by a lone bumblebee, she cried in the orange field. Not for her pain, but for the bee. Its stinger was lodged in her skin, but she didn't care. Sophie held it in the palm of her hands, watching it die a most painful death.
And she blamed herself for it.
Years later, she still thought of that bee, and Sophie told herself she wouldn't let another creature die like that. And she wouldn't let herself cry either. Her dad used to call her a crybaby all the time, then he'd paint her face black and blue for her tears. But his fists didn't stop them from coming.
Sophie loved too easily; it was a trait she sought to bury as she grew. When she'd open her heart to others, it only let in unwanted hatred. And as she sat alone in the cafeteria, shuffling the soggy fries around her plate, it seemed to attract unwanted attention.
"Hey, pretty thing." She peered up to find a boy her age with floppy blonde hair and a crooked grin leaning against the table, his eyes glued to her. "Why're you sitting here all on your lonesome?"
"Because I don't know anyone." Sophie dipped a fry in the puddle of ketchup on her plate, swirling it in the thick liquid as she prayed the boy would leave.
"Well, then." For some reason, he took that as an open invitation to sit across from her at the same table. "I'm Harley."
She briefly glanced back. "Hi."
Her cold exterior did not deter him. "Can I get a name off you, pretty thing?"
Two hands latched onto his shoulders. The boy flinched under the firm grip of Billy Hargrove. He leaned down, speaking into his ear with a hushed tone. "You call her pretty again," he tugged on Harley's jacket, baring his teeth as the boy's face flushed, "and I break your nose."
"Billy, don't." Sophie's voice was flat. Her chin tilted upwards, but her stare lacked warmth. "It's only the first day."
Her brother released his clenched jaw, straightening his posture. Billy's palm tapped the boy's shoulder. "I guess I'll let you off with a warning, then." His frown returned. "Now, scram."
Almost immediately, Harley scampered out of his chair, rushing off to who knows where. The poor boy was scared to death though. Billy took his place, sinking into the plastic chair and folding his arms over the table.
"I was handling it." She stated.
"How were you handling it?" Billy took a fry from her plate. "Should've just waited for me."
She rested her fork against her plate. "I'm not expecting you to follow me around like you're my bodyguard. You don't even follow me to class."
He shrugged half-heartedly. "At this rate, I should be."
