Twisted Happiness (Stranger Things Steve x OC)

Chapter 3 - Rumors

This is shorter then intended but it was more of a filler before things get intense.

This is unbeta'd so all errors are my own... i can only re-read chapters so much before things start blending together.

STEVE POV

It wasn't more than 45 minutes into the movie before Roni was asleep. Even sleeping she looked like she was on guard, I don't think there was a time that she didn't look tense. Tonight had been a shit show from the start. I knew Nancy wasn't herself this morning when we talked in the library, but I still thought we should go to the party, if nothing more to let loose just a little.

Nancy had this idea that everyone was forgetting about Barb and that no one cared, but in all honesty, the guilt was almost all consuming. Barb had died at my house be it here or in the Upside Down, she was here. I had invited Nancy over and convinced them to stay. The guilt I felt each day, each time we sat down for dinner with Barb's parents was coming out my ears, but I had to be strong for Nancy, at least that's what I wanted to do, what I thought I needed to do.

Turning the TV off I turned and looked at Roni on the other side of the couch. With a sigh, I ran a hand through my hair and stood up. There was a chance my next move would get me thrown across the room, but if she was truly asleep as I suspected she was, I would be safe. I could see how exhausted she was yesterday but wasn't sure how to help until today. Placing my arm under her back and the other under her knees, I lifted her into my arms holding my breath as her head slowly lay against my shoulder.

As I slowly made my way up the stairs, I thought about the first time I saw Roni. I had no clue who she was. She was quiet, sat in the back of the class, in the corner of the lunchroom and hardly said a word. At the time, it was weird, and unfortunately, I judged her on it, no different from her judging me on my actions. After last year, everything changed. Nancy and I had gotten back together, but now that I think about it, I think we did it to bring back some sense of comfort.

What I feel for Nancy was genuine, I do believe I love her, but how I love her changed. We weren't the same people we fell for. I laid Roni on my bed and covered her up before heading back down to the couch. Flopping on my back, I stared at the ceiling. I almost kissed her tonight... I would have if she hadn't pulled away.

I wasn't supposed to feel anything for anyone else right now beside Nancy, but how I felt about Roni, it was different then Nancy. I thought it would go away as Nancy and I got closer, but as Nancy pulled away, Roni and I got closer. The way I felt when I saw her with Billy today, I thought it was just my dislike for the guy.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I knew I was being shaken awake. Opening my eyes, I blinked several times before Roni's hazel scowl came into focus.

"You're an idiot." She stated and I groaned as I sat up stretching. "You should have just left me down here and slept in your bed."

"I was being a gentleman." I state scratching the back of my head.

"It wasn't necessary." She sighed. "If you don't hurry up, we're going to be late." Looking at my watch, I cursed as I saw the time. She remained seated as she watched me rush upstairs. Running a brush through my hair and changing I came back down finding her standing by the door.

"You can drop me off at the police station." She stated getting into the passenger side of my car.

"Why?"

"Don't you normally pick Nancy up?" She asked and everything that Nancy had said last night came back to me and I gripped the wheel tighter.

"Not today." I shook my head.