Escape ~ S.Harrington

59} Championship Game

Whilst Hellfire was taking place, the championship basketball game was also. Steve and Alice had gotten out of work at the same time so, like earlier, they simply carpooled together and also picked up Steve's date.
As they walked into the gym the bleachers were completely filled to the brim but, luckily, there was room right behind Robin and the rest of the marching band.
"Does it bother you that, like, we might win a championship right after you graduated?" Steve's date asked him while twirling a piece of her hair.
"Yeah, yeah, that's an interesting point. Thank you so much for bringing that up, Brenda," Steve said, sarcastically.

"You two go get seats," Brenda smiled, "I have to use the bathroom. Be right back, Steve!"
"Bring me back a souvenir!" Alice yelled after her then looked at Steve. "So, you don't actually like this girl, do you?"
"Ugh! I don't know how feelings work anymore, Alice. Heidi- I mean Brenda, is really nice and all, but I don't think anyone is..."
"That anyone will be Jenna. Yeah, I kinda got that. No one will be her, Steve. And no one is asking you to move on yet. You should at some point but that doesn't have to be now if you aren't ready. I know I've been pushing you, but if you really aren't ready, just tell me."
"Thanks Alice. I'll say it now: I'm really not ready. So, what's going on with you and Robin?"

"What!? Me and- and Robin?" Alice started to quiet down a bit after she remembered Robin was literally right in front of her, "Nothing. Why, is there something?"
"Oh my god! I have never seen you this nervous talking about a girl."
"Quiet! She's literally right there in front of us, dipshit. But she's just so... perfect. And I know she won't screw me over with the 'I'm just experimenting' line, but last time I was joking around with her she said she had a crush on," Alice pointed down to Vickie who was standing right next to Robin.
"She doesn-" Steve stopped himself, "Just don't count yourself out, Alice. Shoot your shot. Unlike our lousy team who keeps missing their practice shots!"

The principal walked up to the microphone in the front of the gym, causing the marching band to cut out.
"Everyone now please rise for our national anthem," The principal announced and everyone stood up. "Singing for us tonight, we have a very special guest. All the way from Nashville, our very own Tammy Thompson!"
Steve and Robin looked over at each other in surprise as Tammy walked over to the mic to sing. As she sang her heart out, the mic started to crackle. Steve looked at Robin and whispered, "Told you. Muppet."
"Okay," Robin whispered back, "she does sound like a Muppet."
"Oh my god, totally," Vickie chuckled.
"Hey," Alice tapped Vickie on the shoulder, "Could you please stop talking? I'm trying to listen."
"Yes, sorry," Vickie bowed her head down and shut up.

Steve elbowed Alice.
"Hey! What was that for!?" Alice whisper-yelled.
"Stop acting like a jealous asshole," He replied.
She stuck her tongue out at him as Tammy continued to sing The National Anthem.
"Wow. She sounds amazing, doesn't she?" Brenda looked at Steve in amazement.
He didn't reply and just contorted his face in confusion as she looked away from him.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Steve's ears could stop bleeding because Tammy finished up her singing and the game started right afterwards. The Tigers had a pretty strong start, mostly because Jason was being a selfish bitch and was the only one taking the shots: or the easy ones at least.

Across the gym from Steve and Alice was Nancy taking pictures for the school paper with Fred. Alice had no shame and yelled, "NANCY! HI!" Across the entire gym. Nancy's head shot up as she looked around for who called her name. Her eyes eventually landed on Alice who was waving her arms frantically trying to say hi and get her attention. Nancy waved back and continued on writing.
"Who stuck a stick up Nancy's ass?" Alice muttered.
"She's journaling, Alice," Steve shook his head, "Leave her be."
"I just think my cousin needs to get his ass up here and visit. She's been overworking herself so she doesn't have to deal with it. Jonathan isn't much better either from what I've gathered talking to him on the phone."
"Well, that's not our problem now is it?"
"It kinda is mine because Jon asked me to keep an eye on Nancy when he left. It's kinda hard when she barely talks to you and is busy twenty four seven."
"Let me rephrase what I said before, that's not MY problem now is it?"
"Jackass."

As Steve tried to get himself back into watching the game, he looked at the scoreboard to find that the Tigers were down 3 points. He tried to focus on the game, but there was too much going on around him. He felt overstimulated beyond belief and didn't want another panic attack. He grabbed his Walkman headphones and put them on. He hit play and just listened to Brown Eyed Girl to calm himself down just a tad as he watched.
This helped quite a bit. Sure he couldn't hear Alice or Brenda when they talked to him, but at least he wasn't having another panic attack. He hadn't gotten many of them, or at least not before the whole Starcourt incident. Music was helping him a lot, though, and saw why Jenna used it so frequently to calm herself. As he started to regain his attention back, he saw a player from the other team ram into a player from Hawkins, knocking him to the floor and making him unable to play. Steve saw the coach talk to Lucas and then Lucas was actually in the game.
Good job, son.

Since Lucas had started playing the game got real tense. The score kept going back and forth; Hawkins up 2 then down 2. Jason's egotistical self was part of the reason for this. He was having a hard time sharing the spotlight. At less than a minute left, Jason called a time out. Before long, the game was back. Jason took a shot that just barely missed the hoop. Luckily, Lucas caught it after it bounced out. He weaseled his way through the other team and got in a place where a good shot could be made. He threw the ball with only 2 seconds to go on the clock; he was the Tiger's last hope in winning.
You got this. Make mama proud!

Lucas jumped and released the ball. The ball soared through the air. It bounced around the rim, almost falling off. Instead, it bounced off the front, hit the backboard, and sailed right through the hoop. The crowd roared in excitement. Alice ripped Steve's headphones off and yelled, "Turn that shit off and celebrate you, big lug!"
He rolled his eyes and gave Alice a double high-five. As everything calmed down, Steve, Alice, Robin, and Brenda left the gym to the parking lot.
"That was just incredible," Brenda held a hand to her heart, "Thanks for taking me, Steve. See you later." She stood on her tip-toes to try and give Steve a kiss on the cheek, but he swerved and went to his car as Brenda had a ride home with a friend.

"For me," Alice started, "The highlight was definitely the marching band."
"You are just saying that to be supportive," Robin crossed her arms.
"Am not! Tammy sounded like Kermit the Frog-"
"I'd like to say more Miss Piggy."
"Sure, Miss Piggy, and I just don't like basketball that much."
"Then why'd you come?" Steve asked.
"To be supportive of Robin and Lucas. Why else?"
"Well, thank you," Robin told Alice, "but I've gotta get going."
"Do you need a ride?" Steve asked her.
"Nope. Vickie offered me one earlier, but thanks."

"Everything's about Vickie," Alice rolled her eyes, muttering to herself.
"Just tell her your feelings, Alice! It shouldn't be that hard."
"Like you're one to talk."
"Shut up. That was different. She was my best friend for years."
"And Robin is currently one of my best friends."
"Okay, fine. Don't tell her. Not my choice."
"STEVE!" Dustin yelled across the parking lot as he ran towards the car.
"Hey, Dustin. Need a ride?"
"Yes. Please. I'm very out of breath."
"Alice, you need one I'm guessing?"
"That would be nice."
"Cool. Hop in you two."

Steve turned on his mixtape to New Kid in Town to end the night off.
"So, how was Hell?" Steve asked Dustin after he dropped Alice off.
"Hellfire? Really good. Erica played with us because, well, you know where Lucas was. We won, though."
"That's good."
"How was the game? Did Lucas come off the bench?"
"Yeah. He actually got the final points to win."
Dustin kinda just sat there silently, sad he missed a huge moment for his friend.

"You alright, bud?" Steve reached over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah. I just wish I had got to see the game. And that Lucas had helped in our defeat of Vecna."
"Well, you win some, you lose some. Just talk to each other."
"Okay, MOM."
"Shut up. We're at your house now. Get out."
"You staying tonight? You know my mom doesn't mind."
"Nah. I have to get up early for work tomorrow. See you later, kid."
"Bye Steve."

Steve pulled out of Dustin's driveway and just drove home in the dark while moping to his music; just wishing Jenna had gotten to see Lucas's victory tonight.
[There's so many things you should have told her. But night after night, you're willing to hold her, just hold her. Tears on your shoulder. There's talk on the street, it's there to remind you. Doesn't really matter which side you're on. You're walking away and they're talking behind you. They'll never forget you 'til somebody new comes along]