Cheat The Devil- Steve Harrington x Fem OC ON HOLD UNIT END OF SEPTEMBER 2024

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Layla woke up the next morning earlier than normal so she could fins a spare helmet for Dustin, and go pick him up. Layla threw her leather jacket on top of her sailor uniform and left to get Dustin, once she arrived she saw a excited Dustin waiting on his porch. When he saw Layla pull up to his house he ran over, grabbing the helmet from her hands putting it on and quickly jumping behind her on the bike. The two had arrived at the mall, both running inside to scoops trying to beat the other there. 

"Ha ha! I beat you!" Dustin exclaimed 

"Yeah yeah. Whatever you had a head start" Layla said smiling while rolling her eyes. Layla walked behind the counter to greet Steve "Hey" she said standing on her toes to kiss him.

"Hey. How was giving Dustin a ride?" 

"Good, I don't get how that kid has so much energy. How's the morning been?"

"Fine. Nothing crazy. I think Robin's got a bit more of the code done" Layla nodded walking to the back joining Robin in translating. After another hour they had finished translating the code 'The week is long. The silver cat feeds when blue meets yellow in the west. A trip to china sounds nice if you tread lightly' 

"It's gonna take a super genius to crack this, but at least its translated" Robin said standing up

"True. I'll stay back here, see if I can try to figure anything out. You can go up front so the boys can do the spy this they want to do so bad" 

"Think they'll find any Russians?" Robin asked 

"I highly doubt it, I mean why would Russians be hanging out in a mall?"

"The code did come from here though. Plus where else would they be?" 

"Hopefully we'll know once we figure out how to crack this code" Layla said looking back down at the code while Robing walked to the front of the store.

About 15 minutes after Robin left Layla in the back alone there was a knock at the backdoor, just another delivery. 

"I'm coming" Layla said getting up to open the door. Layla signed the papers from the man looking up to see his hat said 'Lynx', as the delivery man walked away she looked at him to see a silver cat emblem on the back of his shirt.

"Silver cat" Layla whispered to herself "Silver cat! Holy shit!" Layla spoke louder running to grab the code of the table and sprinting out the store past Dustin and Steve jumping to stand on a ledge in the center of the first floor of the mall. 

"A trip to china" She repeated to herself as she looked around the mall until she spotted 'Imperial Panda'. She started looking for around again muttering "If you tread lightly". Not far away was 'Kaufman Shoe's', Layla laughed to herself then starting to look for "When blue meets yellow in the west" She said once again looking around. Layla was having trouble until she spotted the clock, she again laughed to herself as Steve, Robin and Dustin came up to her confused. 

"What are you doing?" Steve asked 

"I did it. I cracked the code" Layla smiled

Everyone went back to scoops while Layla explained the now cracked code. They all agreed to go to the roof after the mall and closed to see what else they could find. Once scoops closed they left for the roof top, while it was unfortunately pouring rain. Dustin pulled out his binoculars to get a better look at the scene bellow them, Dustin and Steve were arguing over who should have the binoculars when the fell hitting the metal roof, making a loud crash. Everyone drop down out of sight while Layla gripped Steve's hand tightly. All four ran off he roof top and to the parking lot to get home. Dustin and Steve left in Steve's car while Layla drove her bike to the trailer before going to stay at Steve's that night. She grabbed a bag with extra clothes, cigarettes, a lighter, her Walkman and tapes, her pocket knife and butterfly knife. On her way out she saw her Glock '82 sitting on a counter with extra magazines by it, she decided to grab it swell before leaving for Steve's house. Layla got to Steve's house to see him sitting on the porch stairs waiting for her.

"How was the drive?" Steve asked 

"Fun as always"

"Are you okay? You've seemed off since this whole Russians in Hawkins thing"

"Can you blame me? I mean we just finished finished the upside down demo-dog stuff, or so we thought. And now there's Russians in Hawkins that we are left to deal with, again" Layla ranted 

"I know. But we are done with the upside down. We have to be, El closed the gate"

"We thought we were done the first time" 

Steve stayed silent not knowing how to respond, he opened the door for Layla while both made their way up to his room for Layla to drop her bag off. Both changed out of their uniforms and into more comfortable clothes when Steve broke the silence "Want to go sit outback and watch the rain? I know you love the rain, and you could use some cheering up" Layla just smiled and nodded. 

The couple made their way downstairs and outback to the yard and sat down watching the rain.

"Do you ever wish none of this other detention shit never happened?" Layla asked breaking the silence 

"No"

"Why?"

"Because maybe if none of it happened I would still be 'King Steve' and wouldn't be dating you. I wouldn't have Dustin, or any of it" Steve explained

"That makes sense. But... don't you sometimes miss how simple life was in the beginning of Junior year? If I could go back and keep that simplicity while still having everyone I have now I would" 

"In that case I would too. But that's not how life works"

"I know. I just miss being so carefree sometimes, you know?"

"Yeah" Steve responded. After a while longer of silence the rain had stopped during the conversation, Steve spoke again "You know. Last time we were in the pool was that party. Last night of carefree"

"Wow"

"Maybe if we do it again things will go back to care free" Layla laughed "Would you like to join me for a swim?" Steve asked holding a hand out to Layla. 

She laughed shaking her head saying "You're  crazy you know?"

"Crazy about you" Steve smirked 

Layla stood up, taking Steve's hadn't as they walked closer to the pool side. Layla pushed Steve in the pool laughing as Steve was coming above the water. 

"Karmas a bitch" She said between laughs 

"For what?" Steve laughed 

"Remember last time? When you picked me up and jumped in the pool?"

"Okay, fine. We're even now. You coming in or do I have to throw you in too?"

Layla rolled her eyes saying "I learned from last time to not swim with clothes on" Layla started taking her shirt and pants off then jumping into the pool with Steve.