ocean eyes ✧ Billy Hargrove

[ 07 ]

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Billy until he was right beside her.

"Hey there," Billy's voice was smooth, dripping with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. "What's a beauty like you doing all alone?"

Daphne looked up, meeting his piercing ocean eyes. His smirk was as sharp as ever, but instead of being intimidated, she felt a spark of amusement. If Billy thought he could charm her like every other girl in Hawkins, he was in for a surprise.

"I'm not alone," Daphne replied, tilting her head towards Tina, who was too focused on her notes to notice the interaction. "I'm with Tina."

Billy's gaze flicked to Tina for a brief moment before settling back on Daphne. "Right. But I'm guessing you're the one everyone's really interested in."

Daphne raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching into a playful smile. "You think so?"

Billy leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone. "I know so. So, how about we get out of here? I'm sure you're tired of all these boring small-town folks."

Daphne chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair as she looked him up and down. "And go where, exactly? Somewhere you can show me what a big deal you are?"

Billy's smirk widened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—was it irritation? He wasn't used to girls challenging him. "Depends. What do you say?"

Daphne pretended to consider it for a moment, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Sorry, Hargrove. I've got a lot on my plate today. Maybe another time."

Billy's expression faltered, his frustration barely hidden behind a cool mask. "You're missing out, Byers," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance.

Daphne smiled sweetly, shrugging as if to say, maybe, maybe not. "Maybe I am. Or maybe you are."

Billy stared at her, clearly not used to being dismissed so casually. Daphne could almost see the gears turning in his head as he tried to figure her out, but before he could say anything else, Tina suddenly looked up from her notes.

"Daph, we should get going," Tina said, glancing between her and Billy with a raised eyebrow. "Lots to do, remember?"

"Of course," Daphne replied, standing up and grabbing her bag. She looked at Billy one last time, her smile never wavering. "See you around."

Billy didn't respond, his jaw clenched as he watched her walk away. Daphne could feel his eyes on her back as she joined Tina, who was already heading toward the door.

As they left the study hall, Daphne couldn't help but feel a small thrill of satisfaction. Billy might be the new bad boy in town, but he had no idea who he was dealing with. She had seen through his act, and she wasn't about to let him get the better of her.

As they stepped out into the hallway, Tina nudged her playfully. "What was that about?"

Daphne shrugged, her tone light. "Just Billy being Billy."

"Well, whatever it was, he didn't look too happy when you turned him down," Tina said with a smirk. "You really know how to keep them on their toes, don't you?"

Daphne smiled at that affirmation, yes, she really liked it.

The school day had dragged on, and Daphne was more than ready to head home. As she made her way across the parking lot, her eyes immediately caught sight of Billy, casually leaning against his Camaro.

The bright afternoon sun glinted off the car's polished surface, making the scene seem almost cinematic. Daphne couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and wariness. He looked like he was waiting for someone, his posture tense, his eyes scanning the lot with a predatory focus.

A few moments later, she saw the same red-headed girl from Billy's first day skating toward him, her pace quickening as she approached. The girl—Maxine, as she recalled from overhearing a conversation—seemed nervous, her eyes downcast as she rolled up to Billy.

Daphne's steps slowed as she neared her own car, which, much to her annoyance, was parked right next to Billy's Camaro. She was close enough to hear their conversation.

"You're late again," Billy snapped, his voice low but edged with anger. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his eyes narrowed at the girl, his frustration clear.

Max shifted uncomfortably, stopping just in front of him, the skate under her arm. "Yeah, I had to get catch-up homework," she mumbled, barely looking up.

Billy's jaw clenched as he took a drag from his cigarette. "Jesus, I don't care," he hissed, clearly not interested in her excuses. "You're late again, and you're skating home. Do you hear me?"

Max nodded quickly, her face pale as she stood there, clearly intimidated. Billy flicked his cigarette onto the ground, crushing it under his boot with a sharp twist, and opened the passenger door for Max, who climbed in silently.

Daphne felt a pang of sympathy for the girl, her protective instincts flaring up. Before she could stop herself, she called out, "Hey! Maybe if you weren't such a jerk, she wouldn't be late."

Billy's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto Daphne's. He stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with slow, deliberate steps, he walked over to her, closing the distance between them until he was standing just inches away.

"Mind your own business, Byers," he said, his voice low and dangerous. The playful flirtation from earlier was gone, replaced by something much darker. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Daphne didn't flinch, meeting his gaze with a defiant glare. "I know enough to see you're being a complete asshole to her," she shot back. "Maybe you should try being a decent human being for once."

Billy's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he took another step closer, his presence looming over her. For a moment, Daphne thought he might actually lash out, but instead, he just gave her a look so cold it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Careful, princess," he warned, his voice dripping with venom. "You don't want to make an enemy out of me."

Daphne's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down. Instead, she smirked, raising her hand and flipping him off without a word.

Billy's expression hardened, his lips curling into a sneer as he turned on his heel and walked back to his car. He threw one last look over his shoulder before sliding into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut with a force that rattled the Camaro.

Daphne watched him peel out of the parking lot, the tires screeching against the asphalt as he sped away. Max sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her eyes staring straight ahead, not daring to look back.

As the roar of the Camaro faded into the distance, Daphne let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She shook her head, muttering to herself, "What a complete psycho."

She quickly climbed into her own car, still feeling the adrenaline from the confrontation. As she started the engine, she glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of herself. She wasn't sure what it was about Billy that got under her skin so much—maybe it was the way he treated people like they were beneath him, or maybe it was the way he thought he could intimidate her. Either way, she knew one thing: she wasn't going to let him get away with it.

With a final glance at the empty parking lot, Daphne shifted the car into gear and drove off, leaving behind the tension of the encounter. Now it was time to get ready for the biggest night of the year.