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THE UPSIDE DOWN II
Valerie waited in the hospital next to Steve processing what hopper told her.
START OF FLASHBACK
"what?" Valerie asked. Her throat closing up.
"I'm really sorry kid. She wasn't there. We couldn't find her." Hopper said. Trying not to look at her. He felt like he let her down
"no-no- we have to-we have to go back. we have to find her" She said as tears started pooling in her eyes
"we can't-" hopper was cut of
"yes we can! we can just go back! she's there I know-"
"they aren't going to let us go back. And even if we could it's too dangerous. We don't know what's in there" He started tearing up. Ever so slightly that you would have to pay very close attention too see.
"but-but she counted on me!" Valerie said. Her words coming out more hoarse "she counted on me- she talked to me! I'm not crazy- I'm not crazy" she said starting to sob
"I know you're not kid" hopper said as he pulled her in for a hug. Trying to bring her as much comfort as he could.
"she counted-she counted on me" she continued to sob
END OF FLASHBACK
Jonathan came in, distracting her from her thoughts
"he's awake! wake up! will's away!" mike shouted at Lucas and Dustin, waking them up.
Valerie felt like she was going to start crying, so to save herself from the embarrassment, she walked outside.
She sat on the stairs outside. The cold air nipping at her skin, as she let a few tears fall. She felt as if she was loosing Mia all over again.
She heard feet shuffling on the floor, making her look up. It was Steve.
"are you okay?" he asked hesitantly. He got no response. She just looked to the side not wanting to answer.
he sat down beside her, sighing, he pulled something from his pocket. and handed it to her.
A cigarette.
She let out an airy laugh
"I know you don't want to talk about it,so..." Steve said pulling out a lighter, and lighting her cigarette.
They sat there in silence. listening to their breaths, along with the breeze. Sure he wasn't hugging her and telling her it was 'all going to be okay'. But he was still comforting her.
No matter how many very prominent flaws that Steve Harrington had. Maybe he wasn't that bad.
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ONE MONTH LATER
The lights were twinkling around the Christmas tree, as the star on the top of the tree glowed. Christmas lights around her mom's bed while a vase filled with red poinsettias sat on the edge of the bed.
"oh, Mrs. Lander!" Valerie ran up to the nurse as she was packing up to go home "hey, sweetie" the lady responded. Valerie handed her 200$, 4x more than her usual payment. She was feeling generous "oh no, sweetie, you keep that for you" The nurse said trying to put it back in her hands. Valerie refused, closing the nurses hand "merry Christmas." she simply said.
The nurse smiled. hugging the girl, and kissing her on the cheek.
Valerie walked back over to her dad as he sat by his wife's bed. His daughter handed him a present. And took the present that was meant for her. They smiled at each other about to open the gifts until.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Mrs.lander probably just forgot something. ill get it" Valerie said standing up
she opened the door she was surprised to see that it was no Mrs.Lander. And in fact Steve Harrington.
"Steve, hey, what are you doing here?" she asked surprised.
"I have a present for you" he said holding a hand behind his back. Valerie furrowed her brows, not expecting a gift from him.
He pulled the gift from behind his back, revealing a toy car.
Valerie laughed "Very funny" she said immediately understanding the joke
"Just so you don't go stealing my car again" He said with a proud smile on his face
"I didn't get you anything" Valerie spoke regretfully.Steve brushed it off "it's fine. I didn't expect anything from a toy car" Steve said "thank you.... really." Valerie said
Steve muttered a quiet "yeah" they both smiled at each other. Valerie was wearing dark blue jeans, and a simple burgundy sweater. Steve was wearing light blue jeans, with a dorky Christmas sweater, along with a jacket due to the cold weather. They stared at each other for a little until Valerie broke the silence
"uh, do you want to come in?" She asked. She wasn't hoping he said yes, but she wouldn't mind if he did.
"I better not, I'm having dinner with the wheelers" Steve said. Valerie smiled and nodded.
"ok, well... merry Christmas Steve Harrington"
"merry Christmas... Valerie Benson"
She closed the door and walked back to her dad, sitting down. She didn't realize it, but a faint smile lingered on her face.
"who was that?" her dad asked
she looked up, shrugging "no one."
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yayayaya finished season 1. Chapterstarted sad but ended on a somewhat good note.
