Basic Instinct [stranger things]

37. Junk-yards

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
JUNK-YARDS

The group soon arrived at the old junkyard, Steve sighing and looking around with a look Aaron couldn't quite decipher.

"Oh, yeah." Steve nodded, taking off the sunglasses he had put on about an hour before and walking away from the three stood next to him. "This will do just fine. Good call, dude."

Dustin smiled proudly at Steve's words, rushing after the older boy.

Aaron watched the two from where he stood next to Kimmy, he and the girl beginning to follow the two just much slower.

Aaron wondered how Steve could be so open minded when it came to Dustin - a boy he had only just properly met that day. Quite honestly, it frustrated the younger boy.

The blond had literally spent years fighting to get Steve's attention and only now was he beginning to get a fraction of it. But Dustin walked up and suddenly it was as if all Aaron's work was down the drain.

Aaron honestly didn't know what to do anymore to get his brothers attention, he had done everything he could think of already. Aaron and Dustin were the same age, had the same interests, in the same friend group, everything. Steve seemed so set on helping out Dustin when he had asked for advice but whenever Aaron went to Steve for help he was either pushed to the side or ignored, insisting he didn't know how to help without ever actually knowing what Aaron's problems were.

The boy hated the strong feeling of jealousy that tugged harshly on his stomach as he watched the two talk and joke with each other.

What had helped Aaron work through his previous issues with his brother was by him reminding himself that Steve was like that with everyone. He thought he was too cool for everyone, it wasn't just Aaron.

But after being with the group today, Aaron began to think that maybe it was just Aaron. Maybe it was as simple as that Steve just didn't like him.

Just as Kimmy and Aaron caught up with the two boys talking, there was a voice yelling at them from a close distance just where Kimmy and Aaron had just been.

"I said medium-well!" Lucas yelled jokingly, laughing as he waved at the group.

Aaron waved back at him, suddenly relived that he wouldn't have to put up with Steve and Dustin bonding any longer knowing that Lucas would probably find it stupid and joke about it.

Max was also stood laughing next to Lucas, Aaron noticed that Kimmy seemed to perk up upon seeing her friend, the twos girls waving to each other.

"Who's that?" Steve asked Dustin, looking confused.

Dustin didn't answer, although Aaron didn't think Dustin had heard him. He was looking at the two with a saddened expression, and Aaron knew it was because he got the impression that maybe Lucas and Max were closer than he was too Max. Steve seemed to notice Dustin's expression too, frowning slightly at him.

"Alright, come on." Steve spoke abruptly in order to change the topic, motioning to the junk scattered all over the ground. "Let's clear this shit up."

Kimmy and Max did as they were told, instantly falling into conversation and soon after the two laughing with each other.

Dustin was talking to Lucas where Aaron had once stood, but Aaron was walking away from the two and towards his older brother.

"Steve," Aaron murmured quietly, catching the older boys sleeve to grab his attention. "Can I talk to you?"