ghosting

INTERMISSION ONE: PART THREE

CONTENT WARNING: BE ADVISED
CHAPTER WARNING - sexual assault & homophobia.

king steve

november 15 1983

Steve "The Hair" Harrington was used to a lot of things in life. Having money from his parents while they were gone, always having a girl in his arms, being popular. Something he wasn't used to was being heartbroken, scared, worried. Nancy had asked him for a break, needing time to figure things out after the events in the Byers' house. Another thing he wasn't used to? Having to hide in the bathroom stall as Tommy pounded at the stall door, screaming to get his attention.

"Come on Steve," called Tommy. "Come out."

Steve stayed on the toilet, his legs cruled up against him and ontop of the seat. The bathroom door squeaked open and Tommy stopped and backed away from the stall door.

"Get out of here Henderson," Tommy said.

Steve perked up at the name and turned his head to see through the cracks. Henderson was standing there, his backpack on the floor.

"Are you... are you harassing someone?" Henderson asked.

Tommy stuttered. "Wha- What? No!"

"Then... why are you-"

"Can you shut up!" Tommy yelled.

"Can you leave then?" he replied snarky.

Steve could see Tommy's feet move further from the bathroom. He heard Henderson hiss out in pain and then the bathroom door squeak open and close. Steve could hear himself breathing too. He didn't understand fully, what had happened and why exactly Henderson helped him (did he even know it was Steve in here?)

"Hey uh," Henderson said after some silence. "I don't really know who you are- I mean I can guess who you are but, Hagan is a dick I wouldn't let it get to you."

Steve stayed seated.

Henderson hummed, "I'll leave you to it then," he said, knocking on the stall door before exiting the bathroom.

For a moment, Steve felt safe, as if thinking that Henderson wouldn't do anything to hurt him or wrong him in anyway. When he heard the bathroom door closing he sighed softly and relaxed. His feet touched the ground and he leaned against the toilet. He was tired and hey, since no one else would question where he was maybe he could ditch his classes today.

-

It had been about two weeks since the events had taken place at the Byers' house. Nancy had talked to Steve and they agreed to take it slow and give themselves another shot at their relationship. There were moments he would let his gaze travel to Henderson and Byers. He wondered about their friendship and he wished about getting a friendship like that.

december 1983

Steve huffed softly as he walked away from Byers, wondering what he could do to apologize to him, get on his good side. Steve felt as if he has tried everything and yet it did not feel like enough. He walked to the back of the school and heard some yelling before hearing nothing. He furrowed his eyebrows together and walked towards the back alley and saw Tommy holding someone, no not someone, Henderson, against the wall. Steve scrambled for something and then he screamed.