"HERE'S YOUR chocolate cone." Bailey passed the ice cream to a teenage girl, around her age, across the counter. She added, "Have a nice day."
The girl scoffed at her, turning to her group of friends who laughed and gave her judgmental looks. She put on a fake smile, at the girl's silent reply. Bailey said sarcastically, "You're welcome!"
Bailey turned around, perching on the counter as she took a frustrated breath. She had only worked here for two days, yet had already mentally planned an excuse to quit to tell her dad— she got in a fight, the boss didn't want anymore workers, someone stalked her, the boss fired her, Scoops Ahoy shut down.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Robin reassured, "I can't remember when a customer last thanked me."
Bailey sighed, "This job is shit, no offence."
"None taken." Robin smiled. She asked, "Why are you working here, if you don't want to?"
"My dad's making me." Bailey explained, "He found out about the parties I had been, secretly, going to so decided I need to be put on the right path. The right path being an ice cream store." She paused, "You?"
Robin hesitated, before shrugging awkwardly, "I'm poor."
"Oh." Bailey frowned sympathetically. She didn't know what else to say... hope you get better? Bailey smiled, "At least we'll have the company of each other, huh?"
The bell on the counter dinged, and Bailey met eyes with Dustin— Eleven's friend, who she fought evil forces with. Their friendship was very unexpected, but Bailey was happy around him. He had that affect on people.
"Hi, Bailey." The boy grinned.
Bailey smiled, "Hi, Dustin. What can I get you?"
"I'll have vanilla and chocolate, please." He replied, before asking, "Is he here?"
"Steve?" Bailey guessed, "He's out the back—"
Suddenly, the door behind the counter swung open, as Steve Harrington rushed out. He cheered excitedly, "Henderson! You're back. He's back!"
"I'm back!" The boy cheered, "You got the job!"
Bailey chuckled at their weird handshake, which looked like a sort of sword fight which ended in guts and gore. She glanced at Robin, who frowned in curiosity at the boys' behaviour.
Robin questioned, "How many children are you friends with?"
Bailey let out a laugh, before handing Dustin a small tub of ice cream, with extra wafers, and sitting down at a table with him and Steve. Dustin proceeded to tell the couple about his love life, like he normally did, and how he met a girl at his science camp— which Bailey was happy to hear.
Steve scoffed, "She's hotter than Pheobe Cates? No."
"She's brilliant." Dustin corrected, "And she doesn't even care that my real pearls are still coming in. She says kissing is better without teeth."
Bailey shared a confused look with Steve, as they both spluttered for words. Bailey tried to be enthusiastic, "Wow, Dustin. She sounds like a keeper."
"Yeah! I'm proud of you, man." Steve added, "That sounds— that sounds kinda romantic."
Dustin nodded, before motioning to the ice cream, "So, do you really get to eat as much of this as you want?"
"Yeah. I mean, sure. It's not really for me, though." Steve replied, motioning to Bailey with a flirtatious wink, "I have to keep in shape for Bails."
Steve's hand, underneath the table, traveled to Bailey's upper thigh. He gently placed his hand on her lap, smoothing his thumb over her skin, as Dustin agreed and nodded. The boy admired Steve, and took every bit of advice he had given him.
