𝙎𝙃𝙀'𝙎 𝘼𝙉 𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙇, 𝙈𝙔 𝙊𝙉𝙇𝙔 𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙇.
Diana Blake was who everyone in Hawkins wanted to be or be with. Her family name held power in the town and she wore her popularity like a crown. Until she discovered that her crown was made with...
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BILLY HARGROVE WAS AN ASSHOLE. It was a universally accepted fact throughout Hawkins and everyone who knew him could attest to it. But two things could be true at the same time, and the second fact about Billy Hargrove was that he loved his girlfriend. Everyone could see the way he softened around her and acted as her guard dog towards anyone who looked at her the wrong way. He hated everyone but her, which was why Diana was so confused.
She hadn't heard from him. Usually, he would call to say goodnight if he didn't stay over, but her phone never rang with an explanation for their missed date.
She knew that Billy wouldn't intentionally hurt her. He never let people in, and she was the only one who pushed past his poor attitude and still stuck around. She understood better than anyone how paralyzing the fear of abandonment was. She understood him.
He wasn't about to let her go or fuck their relationship up on purpose, but fear was a powerful feeling. It was the only feeling stronger than love. And there was a small, tiny voice of doubt crying for attention at the back of her mind that told her she once believed the same thing about Greg Morison. So as much as she hated comparing the two, she couldn't help but wonder where Billy was last night and if he was alone.
Her stare burned into the fabric of the clothes she was folding. She thought that work would take her mind off of him, but it only made her mood worse. On top of worrying about her boyfriend, she had to deal with unkind costumers, grumpy coworkers, and messy displays because nobody knew how to fold clothes properly.
All she wanted to do was go home and sleep.
"Ana!"
Diana took a deep breath and turned around with a weak smile. There was no escaping Billy Hargrove. "Miss Maxine," she greeted, knowing her boyfriend's little sister would roll her eyes at the name. Her gaze fell on Max's friend. "Hi."
The girl gave a shy wave. "Hi."
"This is El," Max introduced, smiling brightly as she put a hand on her shoulder. "El, this this Diana. She's dating my brother, but don't worry, she's totally cool. She's going to help us."
Diana raised a brow. "What exactly am I helping you with?" When she was met with silence and the redhead's mischievous grin, she understood. A shopping spree. "All right," she started. Maybe this was the distraction she needed. "Go pick stuff out. I'll get fitting rooms started for you two."
The two girls bounced excitedly on their feet before spouting a quick thanks and getting to work. In their wake, Diana was left to shake her head in fondness and reminisced about all the shopping sprees she, Tina, Vicki, and Carol used to go on before the latter two turned their backs on her.
About half an hour later, she found herself leaning against a wall in the fitting rooms waiting for the girls to try on their new clothes. Her arms were crossed over her chest and a strand of hair twirled around her finger.
