Twisted Town | Stranger Things FF

Chapter 2 | Alice Harrington

Alice P.o.V

October 30th, 1984

With little to no interest, I threw away the yellow sheet of paper as soon as a girl from my year handed it to me. It was about a High School Halloween Party, but I honestly couldn't care less. Why should I go to someones house late at night and be squished between hundreds of sweating bodies that consumed an unhealthy amount of alcohol, when I could just stay at home and use the time I have for something more important? Like finishing the drawing I started last week or go through all the school stuff we did until now so I wouldn't fall behind.

Without saying a word, I sat down in my sear and got out some pens and a notebook, placing them neatly on my desk. I was more than ready for this school day, but as soon as class started, all I could think about was the awkward encounter between me and Eddie Munson I had just half an hour ago. I really had to pull myself together to not sink into my chair out of sheer embarrassment or to groan out loud in annoyance. Why do I always overthink every little uncomfortable situation?

Luckily, the rest of the day went on as usual, although I did my very best to stay out of one particular metalhead's sight.

October 31st, 1984

Even though I loved dressing up as a child and go trick n' treating with my parents and brother, I preferred to stay hidden in my room these days and read a scary book or listen to matching music while painting a slightly gloomier picture than usual.

And that's exactly what I did.

Although my mother wasn't exactly thrilled about it, I much preferred to be called lazy and anti-social by her than being told that all these sweets I was getting would make me fat and paint the family in a bad light.

"You'll be rolling around on the floor instead of walking on it, if you keep that up, darling!" my mother exclaimed in horror as I grabbed another piece of candy from my pumpkin basket "I think we should stop this nonsense already, don't you think? You're way too old for this anyway"

I had only been eight years old.

"Besides, it wouldn't be a good thing when my only daughter walks around with stretch marks and a face full of pimples" she patted my head which was covered by a huge witch's hat "Appearance always has to be your top priority, understood?" I nodded, oblivious to what she just told me "Good girl!" and she smiled at me.

A sigh escaped me when this memory played out in my mind, but I quickly reminded myself that my parents weren't even here. They were on one of Dad's business trips again and I honestly couldn't be happier about that. For once, I was finally able to enjoy this evening. The hours seemed to fly by and before I even knew it, the clock struck midnight. Since the house was deadly quiet and my door wide open while I layed in bed and read a book, I heard it loud and clear when the front door opened. Judging by the heaviness of the steps going up the stairs, it clearly was Steve.

I wondered why he's home this early and once I heard the faint sniffling, I jumped to my feet and rushed to my bedroom door "Steve?" I looked down the hallway towards where his room was located and immediately took notice of his red, swollen eyes "What's up?" I asked him worriedly, my heart sinking at the sight. This is the first time I saw him like this.

"I..." Steve's hand rested on his doorknob "I don't want to talk about it yet. I don't even know what exactly happened, if I'm honest" was all he told me before disappearing into his room.

November 1st, 1984

After what happened last night, I was really worried about my brother. I don't think I ever saw him cry. Maybe that's why I was so curious about what happened? But I of course wouldn't force Steve to tell me. It was his decision after all. 

As Steve drove us both to school, I noticed just how deep in thought he seemed to be. I even needed to remind him to drive when a traffic light turned green. One could say we were lucky that we didn't have an accident with how distracted my brother was.

On the way home, however, Steve acted like a completely different person. He told me everything and it somehow even seemed like he didn't want to stop talking. But I listened to every single word he told me and tried my absolute best to comfort him. How could Nancy break up with him by saying that their relationship was bullshit? I never thought she could be this cold to anyone.

"Let's not think about it anymore today, okay? How about we have a movie night together? After all, we haven't had one in ages" I suggested to him with a smile, which he gladly returned. He nodded, his eyes focusing on the road ahead of them again "Sounds good"

November 2nd, 1984

I had to hold back a giggle when I listened to my brother fuss about the new macho guy in high school, Billy Hargrove. Apparently he outperformed Steve in a basketball training, thus hurting his ego. But I wasn't laughing about my brother, no, I was laughing about how confident this guy was, saying that he'd try to leave Steve some 'bitches'. It was honestly sickening.

Though once the topic shifted from Billy to Nancy, I put on a more serious face. Neither she nor Jonathan had been seen in school since yesterday morning. A bad premonition started to form inside my mind, but I decided to shove it in the very back of my head for the time being "How about you buy her some flowers?" I instead suggested, seemingly out of nowhere.

Steve, who just stopped at a red light, looked at me in confusion "What?"

I shrugged with a smile "You love Nancy, even a blind person could see that" I told him honestly before I looked at him more seriously "And it would be a huge loss if you just have up on her. Sure, what Nancy said wasn't exactly nice and doesn't leave much room for any hope, but if this relationship ever meant something to you or her, then you two should fight for it - even if you have to take the first step. Buy her flowers, drive to her house and then offer to talk about everything. I can't promise you that you'll get back together, but maybe that conversation could help you get more clarity on things"

To my satisfaction, Steve seemed to actually be considering my idea and my hopes were confirmed when he cautiously asked me if I could accompany him in buying flowers.

November 5th, 1984

Three days.

It had almost been three whole days ever since Steve disappeared and it was driving me nuts. Where the hell could he be? I haven't seen him since he left to bring Nancy the flowers we picked out for her the very same day. I had spend the entire weekend at home, only having to leave for school today. Not gonna lie, I kinda had been hoping to see him at school, but neither he nor Nancy or Jonathan were there. That definitely couldn't have been a coincidence, right?

I grumbled as I rubbed my eyes that now had very dark circles under them. I haven't even tried to sleep since Friday. I didn't want to miss the moment when my brother came back home, and since it was already late at night, I was sure that I wouldn't get any shut eye today either.

But then I heard the front door opening and without any hesitation, I jumped from my spot on the living room couch and ran into the hallway, tears of anger gathering in my eyes when I saw Steve standing there "Where were you?!" it wasn't very often that I raised my voice towards my brother "I was so worried about you!"

Steve wasted no time in pulling me into a tight hug "I'm so sorry, Al" he apologized, resting his head on top of mine "I had no way of contacting you and I couldn't leave the others alone just to put you in danger too by telling you where I was"

"The others? Danger?" I asked in confusion, breaking the hug so I could look up at him while wiping away my tears. Steve sighed before patting my head "I'll explain everything to you in a second, okay? But first I need to get something proper to eat"

I had no idea of knowing that what Steve would tell that night, was going to change my entire view of the world.