Converse | Eddie Munson x OC x Billy Hargrove

Chapter 3

There was a weekday party at Lucas Greenbrier's place, and Marzi, a classmate of mine that Steve had managed to charm, was very willing to drive us. Yet again, we found ourselves entering a new space, utterly drenched in swagger, and yet I couldn't care less about the activities playing out. Steve was already swirling a bottle around between his fingers, arm around Marzi's waist, so I merely moved along.

About an hour in, with very little entertainment or information gained, I was becoming bored.

"Harrington,"

I was so tired of being referred to by only my last name. I could never tell if it was me or if it was Steve they were trying to talk to- well, almost never. This time, I recognized the voice, and immediately regretted veering from Steve's side. Why was this guy at every Hawkins party known to man?

"What do you want, Billy?" I turned in place, finding myself almost pressed against his form with how close he'd managed to get.

I stumbled back a bit, peering up at him with biting eyes and crossed arms. He leant forward, pressing his forearm into the wall directly above my head, trapping me further. His long hair nearly tickled my cheek, and his eyes danced. He was loving this. The smell of musk and cigarettes came off of him in waves, as if his skin was embedded with them. I coughed, perhaps subconsciously from the thought.

"Hey, sweetheart," His smooth voice murmured, rocky and deep.

I gagged, ducking beneath his arm. "You do not understand boundaries, and that is the biggest red flag."

"Do you really want me to?" He eluded, following me easily as I weaved through the crowd.

"You also think you're irresistible- that's an even bigger red flag." I called over my shoulder, finding my way to the kitchen.

"I'm kind of a big deal," He merely responded, amusement in his tone, but every word the man uttered felt dangerous- like there was always a deeper meaning. "You sure you don't want me to cross some boundaries? Get closer? Make you uncomfortable?"

I was completely disgusted, and he was serious bad news. "Can't say I've ever wanted anyone to make me uncomfortable. Just fuck off, would you?"

His expression dimmed, his eyes lidding dangerously as he watched me putter around, collecting a bottle and struggling with the cap. I had never tried harder to act aloof- but I was nervous at the prospect of the man before me getting the wrong idea. He was clearly never told no, and I was making it as clear as I could that he needed to back off. I grunted at the effort of removing the cap to the beer bottle, but as my teeth gritted, the bottle was removed from my hands.

In one swift motion he'd knocked the top off, taking a couple long swigs, eyes never leaving mine as his throat bobbed up and down. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, shoving the bottle into my hands, grinning tauntingly. I was shocked, and I looked down to the bottle, then back to Billy at least four times in succession. His thumbs hooked around his belt loops, and his tongue flicked out, wetting his lips. He winked, and then like he'd never been there at all, I was alone.

I clenched my fists, clomping to the sink and pouring out the liquid.

I decided to go sober- not that I'd enjoy it, but because I needed to remain vigilant. My spider-sense needed to be actively scanning for signs of Billy- though I had a feeling if he wanted to, he could corner me at any point. My heart picked up a little. This guy sucked. My love of parties may finally die this year. I needed to find Steve.

I wove through the sweaty crowd, scanning for any sign of my brother. I didn't want to ruin his night, but for once in my life, I was pretty freaked. In the very corner of the room, someone had placed an empty bottle on the coffee table, and surrounding it were a collection of drunken teenagers, one of which was my disgruntled brother. I didn't really want to join the game, but I'd much rather be here, hiding behind Steve than roaming around the house alone. I shuddered, imagining coming face-to face with Billy alone.