HEART FLAYER | b. hargrove

CHAPTER 014.

February 6th, 1985
Two Weeks Later

Billy and Arwen hadn't spoken since that incident and the latter wasn't sure how she felt about it. At least they weren't forced to interact anymore since their project was over. Occasionally she'd still receive glares from Jason, but she'd just respond with her middle finger and move on from it. She doubted the guy would start anything with her again... Billy had really fucked him up good and seemed willing to do so again. She really tried not to think too hard on how confused that made her.

So, Arwen distracted herself with keeping her grades up, hanging out with Robin or Steve, and attending Hellfire Club once a week. Hargrove was not on the brain whatsoever. At all. Nope.

On another topic, today was her eighteenth birthday. She didn't really enjoy unnecessary attention and birthdays were known for that, so she kept quiet about it. The only people who knew - to her knowledge, anyway - were Hopper and El and they'd already sang off-key to her this morning while they presented her with a giant stack of Eggos decorated with candles. She never did have the heart to tell them that she didn't love those waffles as much as El did.

Feeling content with her avoidance of her own birthday, she walked out of the school after the final bell rang and made her way to her car. She thought about how good a celebratory nap would be when she got home.

This idea was dashed, however, when she noticed there were balloons tied to her car and it was surrounded by some familiar faces. Steve, Robin, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Will, Max, and El were positively beaming at her as she approached.

Ah, fuck me sideways.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARWEN!"

They all screamed, making her jump a little before a small laugh took over her. She shook her head and took turns enveloping each of them in a grateful hug. Eddie approached from behind and picked her up to spin her around for a moment. She shrieked and slapped his arm playfully as she laughed even harder.

"We're having a birthday party for you at Steve's," Eddie informed her as he set her down with a big accomplished grin. "And yes, you have to go."

As he spoke, Arwen's eye caught Billy walking past them briskly to get to his own car. He shoots her a brief, deadpan expression and for a moment she feels a pang of guilt. Did she invite him to come to her party? Where did they even stand with each other? Are they friends or are they 'even' now like he said and now never speaking again? She didn't have time to make a decision as he got into the Camaro and revved his engine loudly before speeding off.

Max, who also seemed to notice her stepbrother's departure, looked from where his car had gone and back to the group.

"Apparently I'm going to need a ride," she sighed. "Is that okay?"

"Of course, Maxxy." Arwen smiled and patted her shoulder with the red-head rolling her eyes at the nickname.

They all piled into Eddie's van and Arwen's and Steve's cars. As she drove, she felt such a rush of love and appreciation for her friends. Sure, she'd preferred a more lowkey and relaxed birthday, but seeing how much they cared... it could almost make her cry.

Not long after arriving at Steve's house, Will approached her.

"I made you this..." he said softly as he handed her a piece of paper.

It had a drawing of herself as a Circle of Wildfire Druid. It was clearly a mixture of the class she played in DND and her own powers in real life. Her cheeks hurt from the smile that grew on her face and she wrapped her arms around the boy in gratitude.