FREAK ; steve harrington

5.2

Rose fell asleep in the car. Sleeping for the first time in probably close to a day. Elevens head laid in Roses lap. The ambulance came to get Sam and get him to the hospital. They also took Bob and Jeans body, Jim not giving much of an explanation, except take care of them.

Jim helped the girls out, leaving the lab for the last time.

The sun started to rise on the way back to the Byers. Dried blood on both of their faces.

Jim pulled into the Byers driveway, Joyces car parked in front of him. He put it into park, taking out his keys. He gently shook Roses shoulder first. The girl groaned, her voice still hoarse.

"We're here." Rose yawned, shaking Eleven awake. Both girls could barely move. Rose helped El down, El clinging onto Roses side. They heard the door slam and the group in the house raced outside.

All of them running to the three. Mike reached El first holding her face in his hands. El moved to lean onto him, Dustin reaching Rose. He surprised her, almost pushing the girl to the ground.

"Hey buddy." She rubbed his back the rest of the teen staying with her. He hugged her tight then let go. Nancy was next to hug the girl.

"You're okay." She breathed out.

"I always am." Rose joked, her voice cracking lowly. Nancy pulled away wrapping an arm around the girls waist. Johnathan gave the girl a nod.

Steve stood awkwardly.

"Hey Harrington." Rose was first to say, her legs carrying her towards the house. Nancy helping to support the girl.

"Hey Canary." Rose chuckled stepping up into the house. She coughed, Joyce handing her a wet paper towel.

"Thanks Joyce." Joyce kissed Roses cheek, rubbing her back. Rose pressed the towel under her nose wiping the blood. The other all filed inside. Steve now in the light.

"The hell happened to you?" She hissed, Steve's cut and bruises now visible in the light. Steve sighed, running his hand throug his hair.

"Got my ass kicked."

"Yeah I can see that." She said obviously, tearing her eyes away. Rose wiped the cool watered towel across her nose then under her ears. She slowly walked to the couch, sighing out.

Rose held the towel in her hands feeling exhaustion overtake her. Joyce crouched down picking up Roses legs placing them onto the couch. Blankets and pillows were placed all
over the living room floor for the kids to sleep. Eleven was already asleep, her head resting on Mikes shoulder. Steve walked taking Roses towel from her hands to throw away. Joyce layed a blanket over the girls body brushing her hair back.

Not many more words were said after that. Everyone tired and ready for the day to be over. Everyone went to their clamied spots on the floor, the darkness overlapping them.

---

Everyone slept in that morning. Jim and Joyce the first to wake up. Rose groaned pushing her head further into the pillow. The light shined through the closed curtains. She heard clanging in the kitchen, and sizzling of stuff on the stove.

She peeked an eye open, most of the blankets empty. Eleven and Mike were the only still asleep. Rose turned onto her back, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She stretched pushing herself up. The group was all sitting in the kitchen, Jim making bacon on the stove.

She yawned standing onto her tired feet.

"Morning!" Dustin greeted a little too loudly and Lucas slapped his shoulder. Rose grinned, clearing her throat.

"Rose." The girl turned seeing the boy in the hall.

"Hey Will." The boy ran to her, tightly wrapping his arms around her. "Oh-hey." Joyce smiled sweetly at the two of them. Will pulled away, his color already returning to his face. He looked like him again. "How do you feel?" Rose ruffled his hair.

"Myself." Rose smiled at the answer, something nudging her shoulder. Rose reached for the cup of coffee. Steve sipping on his own in his hands.

"Thanks." He nodded, the girl taking a drink of the dark liquid. A door opened, Nancy and Johnathan walking out-togheter. Rose glanced over seeing Steve notice. He looked away, staring down at his cup.

Nancy found Roses knowing eyes, the girl winking at the curly haired girl. Nancy blushed walking over to the coffee maker.

"Here sweetie." Joyces soft voice pulled Roses attention over to her. Joyce held a plate of bacon, eggs, and a pancake. Roses stomach grumbled at the sight of it.

"Thank you so much." Rose took it taking the empty place at the table. Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max all left going into Wills room. Steve was on one side of Rose, Nancy taking the other side of her. Rose pulled her leg up onto the chair, her knee pressing up against her chest. She dug into the food.

"You eat like a caveman." Nancy spoke into her cup. Roses eyes snapping to narrow at the girl.

"I haven't eaten in a day, my apologies madam for forgetting my table manners. Roses pinkie rose from the fork, and Rose took another bite. Nancy rolled her eyes playfully, a smile on her face.

"Very mature." Jim sounded, placing a bowl of fruit in the middle of the table. Rose laughed fakely, shoving another peice of pancake into her mouth.

Jim sat across from Rose, a plate infront of him. He started to cut his pancake when his eyes slowly rose.

"Morning kid."

"Hi." El sweetly replied. Rose turning to looked over her shoulder, Mike was making his way out of the living room. Joyce handing them both a plate, the two going back to eat at the coffee table in the living room.

"Shes too cool for us now." Rose said to Jim, who huffed taking a bite of bacon.

"She always was." Rose kicked Steve's leg under the table. Steve groaned but smiled at Rose. Rose rolled her eyes leaning back into the wooden chair, grabbing her cup of coffee.

She never liked coffee, not that much.

But Jean did.