To Love a Boy ☆ S. Harrington

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𓆉 ⋆.˚𓇼 ⋆.˚𓆟

November 12, 1983

Magnolia's hand connected with Dustin's head as she shoved him out of the cramped car. The drive to Hawkins Middle School was the most claustrophobic she had ever felt and her pre-adolescent cousin and his smart-ass remarks hadn't made it any better.

Inside, everyone had separated into groups and had been assigned tasks. Unsurprisingly, Magnolia was to set up the kiddie pool with Dustin and Lucas.

"This damn thing is heavy," Dustin grunted as he rolled the pool down to the center of the gym.

"Quite complaining," Magnolia scolded.

She watched as the two boys wrestled to unfold the plastic material.

"Come on, it's upside down," her cousin said.

"No it's this way," Lucas corrected.

"Yeah, how the hell would it be upside down, idiot," the girl commented, still having not contributed to their efforts.

"You know what? Why don't you come grab a side, huh?" Dustin argued.

She rolled her eyes and reluctantly did as she was told. "Pull it out that way more, dude."

"How does this even work?"

"Try that side," Lucas pointed.

"Son of a bitch!"

"Hey! Watch your mouth," Magnolia said, pointing a finger in his face.

"Pull it back. Pull it back!"

"I am!" Dustin whined.

"That's not helping, Lucas," she shook her head.

"Well, do you have any ideas then?!"

"Okay, how about we pull it at the same time? Okay? One. Two. Three!" Magnolia called out, only for the whole thing to collapse in on itself once again.

"Shit!" Dustin exclaimed.

"Hey! What did I just say?"

𓆉 ⋆.˚𓇼 ⋆.˚𓆟

Everyone now sat around the kiddie pool, as Eleven lay in it, blindfolded and searching for Will and Barb, like she had attempted only a couple of hours ago. The girl searched for Barb first. So, as the static of the walkie-talkie droned in Magnolia's ears and the lights flickered, she grabbed Dustin's shoulder. Under any other circumstance, she would've been embarrassed and felt dumb, but Magnolia was more anxious than she'd like to admit and desperate for comfort.