wonderland ━━━━ steve harrington fic

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘰 | 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭

CHAPTER TWO —
nerd girl

ೀ 🎰🕸️🪃 ꒱ !

Lorraine keeps her promises, even when it's too weird. You could ask her to go skinny dipping and she'd do it in a heartbeat even if Lorraine would be shaking with fear. This is why Will Byers takes advantage of that to get her to join their campaigns. She would do anything to keep the boy happy, especially when it came to the boy. "Just this once, dress up again," asked Will, Lorraine biking Will home before her shift at the movie theater that day. "It's crucial."

"Well, I could try to– but Will I've got a shift then I'm coming straight to you all," she explained. "I don't think it's possible."

The boy sighed. "But you always do– and it's way more entertaining when you do. Engagement and all!"

The girl only laughed at his reaction. "You got it, Will the wise." Her bike finally makes it to the Byers' house, stopping right by the porch. "Don't wait for the daylight to lose you, okay? Drop your school bag off and grab what you need."

"Got it." Will started to walk up the steps before noticing that Lorrain didn't leave, instead she just watched. "Don't you have to go?"

"Well, I'm not leaving till you leave. Can't go 'til I know you're on your way. " This made Will smile, immediately running back into the house. The girl made a promise to Jonathan that if he wasn't there, Lorraine would do as much as she could to ensure Will's safety– even if it was just making sure he left for the Wheelers' safely. She started to whistle to a tune, Under Pressure by Queen, but it wasn't without noticing the chill in the air. It was November, after all, Hawkins was always this eerie during the winter. The girl realized she needed to dig out more of her mother's old coats. Once Will came running out, he hopped onto his bike and gave a good kick.

"I'll see you later!" Will yelled, before disappearing into the street. Lorraine smiled before beginning to bike back to her place– or what she considers her place. Down Cornwallis Street and a turn to the left was the Forest Hills Trailer Park, where the Jennings live. It wasn't the best, but it was the least the family could afford. Hawkins Memorial Hospital didn't pay as much as Elizabeth expected, working multiple shifts every week. Andrew and Elizabeth Jennings once loved each other, and the only thing that kept them together was Lorraine.

The trailer was empty, as observed by the girl. She pulled out her keys and hurriedly dropped off her belongings in what seemed to be the living room. The liquor bottles around the table, and the ashtray full. Lorraine scrunched up her nose while hastily cleaning. "They have to stop smoking," she mumbled to herself, throwing the trash out. Once it looked a bit more decent, she changed into her work uniform, grabbed her 'costume', and left for work, remembering to lock the door. The ride from her trailer to the cinema was rather long, and in truth, she would've saved more time had she not brought Will home. But it wasn't like she was going to make him walk all the way home– Jonathan already left and their mother was at work. Lorraine, out of the goodness of her heart, decided it was more rewarding to see Will at the steps of his home than to come in right on time.

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩

"You're a few minutes late," mumbled Jonathan as Lorraine clocked in for work. She was out of breath from pedaling endlessly to the cinema, but she had no time to explain herself.

"I still made it," she told him cheekily, hurrying to her place at the concessions area. All The Right Moves just started to screen in Hawkins, a month after its release date. But it wasn't like anyone was complaining about it, it came in time for the holiday season. Holidays meant customers, customers meant money, and money meant Jonathan and Lorraine would (hopefully) get some cash. But for that week, they probably wouldn't make any just yet. It was fun for both of them, though, since that meant they got to use their 'employee privileges.' For Lorraine, it meant free popcorn– free food in general.

"So earlier today, Steve Harrington got completely embarrassed during class," laughed Lorraine, eating some of the hotdogs Jonathan prepared for her. Jonathan laughed along, sitting on the stool they had positioned right in front of their register. "I mean, you can't score so low twice in the same semester– you at least have to be paying attention just a bit."

"He's too busy basking in Tammy Thompson's presence–"

"Who's too busy basking in Tammy's presence?" a voice asked, causing Lorraine and Jonathan's attention to turn to the person who stood before them. Lo and behold, Steve Harrington. "Hey, uh, quick question. Aren't you supposed to be working instead of whatever date this is supposed to be?"

Lorraine rolled her eyes. "We're not even–"

"What can I get you," Lorraine interrupted Jonathan, his fist already balling up in frustration.

"Oh, so you do say more than one word," mused Steve, raising his eyebrow at the girl. She could only bite her tongue back. "I'll have some popcorn."

"Got it–"

"And just, some M&M's, that's it." Lorraine stared at him before getting his food ready. It wasn't a minute too soon till she gave Steve his order.

"Here," she told him before he paid and left. "Enjoy the– whatever."

Her friend rolled his eyes at how Steve walked away. "Entitled ass." Jonathan and Lorraine shared a glance before bursting out into laughter. Steve Harrington, the Entitled Ass. Well, at least to the pair.

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩

Her shift wasn't as long, Lorraine finally gave Jonathan a goodbye before hurriedly biking over to the Wheelers' house– as promised. Thankfully it wasn't that bad of a ride, Mike already waiting outside for her. "Lori's here!" the boy called out, running to the basement to tell the others– pretty soon the four were out by the driveway to greet Lorraine. They all erupted into quick words about how their day was, what they were doing, how bored they were– and all Lorraine did was smile.

"I think we should start now, right? It's a school night– let's not waste that," she told them, immediately they all agreed.

She had makeshift elf ears on and a cloak, which somehow always amazed the kids. Sometimes Mrs. Wheeler liked to think of her as Mike's 'fun babysitter' because of how much the boy asked if Lorraine could come over to join in their campaigns. Nancy used to tag along but quickly strayed away from associating with Lorraine and Dungeons & Dragons as soon as they got to high school. Now, none of the Wheelers understood Mike's little fantasy world– except him and his friends of course.

Hours and hours flew by and it was finally nine. Everyone started to leave for their houses. Lucas was the closest, Will being the farthest. Lorraine, as always, decided to bike with Will home once more. It was getting late, it was also the 80s. The girl has heard of the crazy stories. Serial killers, child abductors, and all of the scary sorts. She didn't want that to be Will.

"I'll see you tomorrow okay?" she told him, watching him enter his house once more. Will smiled as he waved goodbye, watching as Lorraine biked home. It was one of the last times Lorraine would bike Will home. And the first time Steve would see her in her stupid, little costume.

𓈈𓂃⬫ ׂ ׅ ⏳