𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

038

Nancy parts from the group as soon as she can, the action leaving confusion in my head as I tap Steve's arm and nod my head in her direction, causing my boyfriend to call after the girl.

"Nance, where are you going?'

She seems flustered, like she's stuck inside her own head, like she's stuck inside her thoughts. "There's just.. something I wanna check out first.."

"Is there something you wanna share with the rest of us?" I point to Dustin in agreement and Nancy seems to get more embarrassed, "I don't know it's.. it's a real shot in the dark I don't wanna waste your time."

"Are you out of your mind?" The words slip out before I can think and I slap myself over the mouth, embarrassed as she looks at me surprised. Regaining my composure, I carry on, "it's just.. with vecna on the loose do you think you should be flying solo?"

Silence engulfs us for a moment before a light flashes inside my mind, "I'll come with you!" That light seems to blind Steve as he suddenly becomes defensive, "woah no way," he grabs my arm lightly, pulling me into his chest as he begins to whisper down to me, voice light and worried, "Ruby it's like you said, with this thing on the loose I really don't want to be separated from you right now.. it makes me.." his cheeks go red as he seems embarrassed, "it makes me anxious."

His confession makes my heart jump, I'm glad that within all this chaos Steve has found a way to be honest with me about his emotions. It feels me with a strange sense of hope.

"Well why don't you come with us?" My eyes look up to his, briefly grazing over his lips which doesn't go unnoticed as his cheeks border on maroon.

"I can't leave the car.. none of these bozos can drive!"

"Oh my god, if you two lovebirds are done I'll go with Nancy." Robins declaration sprung Steve and I back into reality as we laughed awkwardly and turned our heads back toward the group again. But our bodies didn't move. We stayed close to each other, his warmth calming my nerves.

"Unless.. being separated from me makes you anxious?" My best friend pouts comedically as she copies Steve's words, cracking a smile at his dumbfounded expression.

As Robin and Nancy walk away Steve stands there frozen and embarrassed, "you gonna stick to the ground like glue or are we ready to go?"

It's like the ice sticking him to the ground is melted at my words and he comes running to the car.

***

"You sure this will work?" 

I find myself laughing at his words as I unbuckle my seat belt, "Steve.. Miss Kelly has been trying to get me to see her for weeks now, it'll work."

I feel something brush my arm, but when I turn back around nothings there. Making my way out of the car and to Miss Kelly's door feels like the world is in slow motion, I know the things I'm going to have to say to her, and I know it's going to hurt.
But weirdly, I'm willing to try.

"Miss Kelly? Hi."

***

THIRD PERSON POV

"Do you wanna talk about it?"
Dustin's voice echoes over Steve as the popular boy seems lost in his own thoughts, barely hearing the words of his small friend who'd taken Ruby's place in the front seat.

"Steve?" The words knock the boy out of his imagination as he snaps back into reality, blinking himself into existence.

"Uh- what? Talk about what?" He shuffles awkwardly in his seat and Dustin scoffs knowingly, "how anxious you've been seeming lately? Like Ruby's gonna float away like some balloon?"