𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃，𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗏𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗈𝗇

𝗍𝗐𝗈

𝐈 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐓 Carol's last night after the fight with my dad. The girl continued to ask me why I was so upset but I didn't say a word. The only person that knew of my dad was Steve and I didn't want to ruin his night with Nancy.

I followed my friends through the corridors of Hawkins High with my arms folded. Steve had been sending me concerned glances all morning but I just shrugged it off.

"Hey," He nudged me, "You okay?" I only hummed in response, "Hey. Talk to me."

He gripped onto my shoulders, stopping me in my tracks, "It's just my dad. We had a fight."

He sighed heavily, "Nim, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you call me?"

"You were with Nancy." I shrugged, faking a smile, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

I caught up to Tommy and Carol, my best friend trailing behind me as we bumped into his girlfriend and her friend, Barbara.

I laughed until the boy leapt forward and took a handful of small pieces of paper out of Barbra Holland's hand. "Hey." The Wheeler girl complained in her perky voice.

I chuckled when Tommy poked the redhead's ear, "I think you've studied enough, Nance." Steve told her as he rummaged through the flash cards. "You've got this. Don't worry."

I rolled my eyes at the conversation, "Now, on to more important matters. What's happening later?"

The Harrington boy nodded as he looked at his girlfriend, "Yeah, my dad has left town on a conference and my mom's gone with him, because, you know, she doesn't trust him."

"Good call." Tommy snickered. I slapped him lightly around the head which made him shut up. Steve's parents were not perfect by any means but they were better than what I could say for myself. They gave me food and a roof over my head.

"So are you in?" The boy finished.

Nancy frowned, "In for what?"

Carol scoffed, "No parents? Big house?"

"A party?" She questioned to which we all nodded at.

"Ding, ding, ding." I laughed.

The brunette frowned, "It's Tuesday."

"It's Tuesday." Tommy mocked as Carol and I laughed along.

My best friend spoke up, "Come on. It will be low-key. Just be us. What do you say? Are you in or are you out?"

She looked down in thought until the popular redhead spoke up, "Oh, God. Look."

I snapped my head to where she was looking to see who I thought was Jonothan Byers putting up a poster. It was on the news that his brother was missing and I felt slightly bad for him.

Steve chuckled, "Oh, God, that's depressing?"

Nancy frowned, "Should we say something?"

Carol shrugged, "I don't think he speaks."

Tommy smirked, "How much do you wanna bet he killed him?"

The older redhead let out a loud laugh as I shook my head at the boy, "Too far."

I frowned when I saw the Wheeler girl approach the brunette. We all watched even though we couldn't hear their conversation. The girl suddenly turned around to face us and I mastered on a fake smile.

The sound of the school bell suddenly rang through my ears as Steve threw his arm around my shoulders and walked me to class.

𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋, 𝐈 went home to check on my dad before making my way to Steve's. I walked through the front door and my father immediately stood from his place on the couch, "Naomi, there you are." He slurred as he approached me, "I was worried about you."

"I'm fine." I fakely smiled as he brought me into a quick hug. "Have you eaten?" The man didn't reply, "Dad." I spoke disapprovingly.

He fell back against the couch as I made my way to the fridge and handed him some of the pre-made pasta. I laid it on the table in front of him to which he smiled gratefully, "Thank you, darling."

"I just wanna let you know that I'll be staying at Steve's tonight." I spoke up, "That okay?"

He looked up at me, his mouth full from the pasta, "Course it is, sweetheart."

"You gonna be okay?" I asked with a frown.

He leaned back against the couch as he switched the channel on the TV, "I'm fine. You go."

"Okay," I smiled, grabbing my coat to leave my home, "I love you," I called out.

"Love you." I heard him whisper faintly as I left the small house.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄
hi my loves
here's chapter two of the best friend, naomi's development is gonna be so great, i'm very excited.
and as you can see, naomi and her dad do very much care for each other, they just have their moments
xoxo