Into Every Stranger Generation

Chapter 22

 The sun was just beginning to set as Steve and Becca walked toward Eddie's hideaway. Steve had shown up at the motel after their visit to the Byers to see if Becca wanted to grab pizza. Ivy and Jax had tagged along to the local pizzeria. Becca had filled him, Ivy, and Jax in on their conversation with Will and Malcolm's theory that Will was the one who could give them their best chance.

Steve had asked if she wanted to hang out, maybe go see a movie or something but all Becca could focus on was getting back to Eddie. She knew Steve was bored. Dustin was hanging with his age appropriate buds tonight and Ivy and Robin were planning a movie night in the room. Becca was pretty certain they didn't want any extra guests, and that was alright because she planned on staying with Eddie anyway. Now that the plan was going to be put in motion, she didn't want to waste a single moment with him. Everything felt that much more precious with the endgame on the horizon.

"We're all going to meet here tomorrow to discuss the full plan," Becca said. "But we know that I am going to stick with Will when we head in. We're basing all of this off a theory that he has powers. I am not risking sending him in there defenseless. That poor kid has been through enough. I refuse to risk his life needlessly, based on a hope and a wish."

"We'll come with you too," Steve offered. "Me, Robin, and Nancy will have your back." He sighed deeply. "Probably Jonathan too since Will is his brother. I assume Hopper and Mike will want to go with El. Dustin can go with them too. I know that kid is full of heart but I would feel a lot better if he was with the person we know for certain has superpowers."

"I mean, I have superpowers," Becca muttered with a shrug. "You know, this is going to give me a complex." She laughed. "Here I thought I was all special and now I meet two people who make me look like impotent."

"Nah, you're still super badass," Steve assured. "You make me feel impotent. It's really unfair that one person gets to be so beautiful, strong, smart, and funny. It's too much in one package."

Becca paused, her eyes looking anywhere but at him. She wasn't sure how to take his words. Was he just being kind or was he trying to say something? He knew how she felt about Eddie. She really liked Steve. He was a great guy, a lot of fun to be around, and super easy to talk to. She was glad they had become friends but god, she hoped this wasn't going to become another Jax situation. Now that she had Eddie, there was no one else for her. He was it, all she saw, all she wanted.

"Thanks. That's really kind of you to say," she finally responded, holding her breath as she waited for what came next in this conversation.

Steve shrugged. "Sure. I'm only speaking the truth. So, are you staying here tonight?"

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah. I think Ivy and Robin might appreciate having the room all to themselves anyway. I don't want to ruin their night."

He laughed, the sound warm and comforting. "Yeah, who saw that coming?"

"Not me," she admitted. "Ivy had never told me that she was into girls. So, I had no idea. She dated a bit in high school but never anything serious. Now, I think I know why. She was going through the motions with people she wasn't even attracted to so others wouldn't judge her. That makes me sad to think about. I mean, now your comment about Jax having no chance with Robin makes so much more sense. But I am so happy for both of them."

"Me too," he agreed. "Robin deserves someone amazing who will make her happy. I'm just glad she finally got brave enough to try with someone. It took her forever to work up the nerve to make a move with Vicki. After Vicki didn't work out, I was nervous that she would be too scared to ever try again."

"You are a really good friend," Becca smiled, placing her hand on his arm. "For Robin, who you accept for who she is and celebrate her happiness with her. For the kids who clearly adore you. For Eddie, who you've been helping, and for me. I can't thank you enough for everything. It's been so nice to have someone my age to talk to since we got here. You've been so supportive ever since you found out who we were. You're an amazing guy."