FOREIGN [S.T. S.Harrington & B.Hargrove]

cheater, cheater

Steve parks on the side of the road in front of Nancy's house.

"I'll just be a minute," he says, exiting the car.

I rest my head back on the seat. I had my feet in Carol's lap as she massaged my thighs and knees. 

"Have you decided where you want to get dinner?" Tommy asks me. "It's your night before the big game, after all."

"You know that Chinese joint on the outskirts?" I ask.

"The one with the really old lady that runs the cashier?" Carol asks.

"Mhm," I answer. "Tina mentioned that they added some new stuff to the menu."

"Sounds bomb to me," Tommy decides, kicking his feet up on the dashboard. "That place has killer noodles."

"I wish my legs looked like yours," Carol tells me. "So soft. No hair."

"Have you not been using that skincare I gave you for your birthday?"

"I was until dipshit there spilled it."

"Dude," I complain, looking at the back of Tommy's head. "That shit was like $20."

"Twenty dollars for a little jar?" he protests. "What is it, made of gold?"

"It felt like it," Carol mumbles.

"I'll get you a new one when I go back," I assure.

"You're going back for Christmas break, right?" Tommy asks.

"That's the plan."

Carol gasps. "What if I go with you?"

"For real?" I ask.

"I haven't been anywhere outside of the US. I'd die to go overseas. We can make it a girl's trip!"

"Won't your family be pissed if you skip Christmas?" I wonder.

She scoffs. "They won't even notice I'm gone, are you kidding? I don't even think my mother is aware she gave birth to me."

I smile a little, suddenly feeling better at the thought of not going back to Korea alone.

"So?" she asks, drumming her fingers on my leg. "Can I come with?"

"Totally!" I exclaim. "God, I'm gonna show you all my favorite places and the best stores.. You're gonna eat good food. We're gonna go shopping."

Carol squeals and claps happily. "I'm so excited!"

I giggle in glee, looking out the window- already mapping out our trip.

"What's taking Steve so long?" Tommy wonders.

I peer across the Wheeler family's lawn in search of Steve.

"He's right there," Carol says, pointing. "Outside her window."

"He doesn't look happy. Did she blow him off? Is she not there?"

"I'll go check," I say.

I climb out of the car and hug my jacket close, running swiftly across the yard. 

"Steve?" I whisper. "Is everything okay?"

He doesn't say anything, he just watches through the window.

I rub my legs together. "Steve, come on. It's freezing out here."

Steve slowly climbs down from the roof, hopping to the ground in front of me. I catch the saddened look in his eyes- one that I'd only seen when he and his father finished arguing.

"Steve?" I ask, cautious and worried. 

"She's.. with Jonathan.." he whispers.

It takes a few seconds for my brain to catch up.

Nancy was with Jonathan.. in her bedroom?

My eyes widen. I stomp to the front door, but am stopped when Steve grabs my arm.

"What are you doing?" he asks.

"I'm gonna go kick her ass," I answer simply.

"No," he denies, pulling me closer. "Don't do that."

"She deserves it," I argue.

"Let's just.. let's just go," he says, defeated.

I frown and stand on my tiptoes to give him a hug.

While I didn't like them being together as much as the next person, I could see the hurt in Steve's eyes. I could hear it in his voice.

He rests his hands on my waist and sighs. I pull back and grab his hand.

"Come on. Let's go get drunk and eat."

I pull Steve back to the car in silence.

"Everything good?" Tommy asks.

"Nancy's a two-faced traitor," I spit as Steve and I climb in the car.

"What?" Carol asks.

"She's in her room with Jonathan," Steve answers, short and plain.

"No, shit," Tommy gapes.

"What a lying slut!" Carol protests. "How could she do that?"

I rest my elbow on the door, rubbing my lips together angrily. I still wanted to get out of the car and bang on the Wheelers' door. Force Nancy down the stairs and into a fight. I was so mad. So upset for Steve's sake.

Steve drives away from the Wheeler family home. I could see him trying to brush it off.

"Have you decided on dinner?" Steve asks, just wanting something else to focus on.

"Sun said we should-"

"We should have a sleepover," I cut Tommy off.

Steve was upset. He shouldn't be driving to the edge of Hawkins when he's this upset.. It's best to go somewhere it can just be the four of us and he can be calm.

"Right," Carol says, backing me up. "My place. My parents are staying at my grandma's house. We should have a little party at my house.. A celebration for Sun making it to the finals."

Tommy looks back at Carol and I. I shake my head discreetly.

"You sure?" Steve asks.

"Yeah," I lie. "Don't feel like going anywhere when the big game is tomorrow, you know?"

𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇 𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒷𝓁𝑒𝓈--

no but she lied about wanting to do something that would cheer her up because she was worried about steve and wanted him comfortable over herself and i just

how many times do i need to shout that nancy wheeler is for the girls and gays until the duffers hear me