Stranger Things: Riley's Version

Chapter Eighteen: The Snowball

A month later and Riley was finally all healed up, the bruises that Billy had given her and all the scraps and cuts she had were healed from the gate mishap. The last month had been crazy, more paperwork and government issues being dealt with. Along with the scandal of Barbra's death and now the approaching holidays. Riley felt like she barely had time to breathe and it didn't help that her dad was in overprotective mode again. Seeing as he came back to his daughter with bruises covering her face and stitches in multiple parts of her body, it was understandable. And Riley loved having her dad around, she would never complain about spending time with the man. Her only problem was that she barely got the chance to talk to Max alone.

In fact since their kiss they hadn't talked about it. Not like they didn't want to, they both knew what the other felt and Riley knew she wanted to talk to the girl about it but they never had the chance. They were always with the boys, and if they had a minute without the boys they were surrounded by other kids or Riley's dad. Which isn't exactly the people you want around when you are talking about when you kissed each other, and your feelings about said kiss. But the snow ball was coming up and Riley had a whole plan on how to get the girl alone for a dance and then maybe she would walk away from the night with a girlfriend and a kiss.

She tried her tie for the fourth time letting out a frustrated sigh as it came away in a lumpy knot. She groaned and threw her head back in defeat, staring at herself in the mirror. There was no way Max would say yes to being her girlfriend if she was looking like a mess. She had on some black slacks with a red silky button up shirt tucked into them. Now all she needed was the tie and to pull on her green knit sweater as the finishing touches but she couldn't get the dumb tie to cooperate.

There was a knock on the door and she turned to see her dad giving her a bit of a smirk from the doorway he leaned against. "You need a little help there?" He asked her with a chuckle gesturing to her tie.

"You make it look so easy," she whined out to him as he walked over to her.

"Well I have had years of practice," he told her as he started to untie the mess she had. She just nodded and let him fix her mess, "any girl you are trying to impress?" He asked casually as he kept tying the tie. Riley's jaw dropped in surprise at his question and she opened and closed her mouth in shock not able to form words. He just raised his eyebrows at her before pulling the tie tight around her neck. He sat down on her bed and patted beside him in a signal for her to do the same. She sat next to him lightly fiddling with her fingers in anticipation of what he had to say. "I've known since you were little, you know." He told her, "what kind of dad would I be to not notice when my girl has a crush. Besides, you make it pretty obvious." She gave him a little wincey smile in response.

"So you're not mad?" She asked shyly and her dad just chuckled.

"God no, kiddo. You are my girl, okay and I love you so, so much. I don't care who you date, as long as you're happy. Besides this way I won't have to pull out the shotgun for any boys that come knocking." She giggled a little at that and her dad pulled her into his side. "But there are people who don't see it the same way I do. Adults and kids alike. So you can't go around like those people don't exist, because something might happen and I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't warn you."

"I know dad," she told him softly. "I know what could happen and I promise I will be smart. But I'm not gonna stop myself from finding someone."

"Good, and I will always have your back, as long as I'm around." He told her with a squeeze of the shoulders.

"Thanks dad." She told him to give his waist a squeeze and they sat there like that for a brief moment just enjoying their time together.

"But seriously, are you gonna ask Max out tonight or what's the plan?" He asked her breaking the silence.