To Love a Boy ☆ S. Harrington

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𓆉 ⋆.˚𓇼 ⋆.˚𓆟

November 12, 1983

Opening the door wide enough to where Steve couldn't see past her, Magnolia's sharp glare met his confused, bruised eyes.

"Henderson? H- What are you–"

"Leave, Harrington," she said, getting straight to the point, but instead of closing the door in his face like she had planned, he pushed it back open.

"No, I'm not trying to start anything, okay?"

"I don't give a shit. You need to leave."

"Listen, I- I messed up, okay? I messed... I messed up," he repeated, hitting his hand against the door in frustration.

Magnolia rolled her eyes. He's such a baby. "Look, I know you don't get it right now, but I'm actually helping you out here," she said through gritted teeth. "Just go."

He shook his head, "I just want to make things right. Okay? Just–" his voice trailed off as his gaze fell upon her hand that rested against the door. Her bandaged hand. "Hey, what happened to your hand?" he questioned with a strange softness that made her pull back.

"Nothing," she excused, a little too quickly.

"Is that blood?" he squinted.

Nancy had taken that as her queue to finally step in. She pushed herself to be next to Magnolia, relaying the same message the other girl had just given him. "Steve, you need to leave."

"Wh- Nancy?" He pushed against the door with more force, now noticing his girlfriend adorned a similar wound. "What's going on?"

"Nothing!''

Magnolia stepped back, letting Nancy deal with her boyfriend. She had tried, but she underestimated the stubbornness of that man-child.

"Wait a sec- did he do this to you?" she heard Steve question.

"No! No, no, Steve!"

Steve finally pushed past Nancy and entered the Byers' house. He looked around, taking in the sight of the lights and weapons strewn about. "What is... What the–"

Jonathan pushed against the older boy's chest, "You need to get out of here."

"Whoa. What is all–"

"Listen to me. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. Get out of here!"

"Wh-What is that smell? Is that gasoline?!"

Magnolia walked back over to where she had sat, grabbing her axe. She wasn't going to use it or anything, of course not, she just thought that if it came to it, it would be easier to get rid of Steve if there was some sort of intimidation.