𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐂. ˢᵗᵉᵛᵉ ʰᵃʳʳⁱⁿᵍᵗᵒⁿ ¹

002

𝟬𝟬𝟮. 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗴, 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀

TONI HENDERSON LEANED BACK against the cool leather of her Mustang's seat, the familiar scent of aged vinyl and engine oil enveloping her like a second skin. The morning sun had finally started to pierce through the layers of mist that clung to Hawkins like an old, forgotten secret. She had already dropped Dustin off at middle school, his constant chattering mercifully silenced now that he was out of her car.

The parking lot of Hawkins High was still relatively empty, save for a few stragglers lazily making their way to the entrance. Toni's fingers drummed absently against the steering wheel, the silver rings adorning them glinting in the sunlight. Her collection of rings—thick bands, thin braided ones, and the occasional signet—clinked softly as she tapped. They were her armor, a subtle defiance she wore on her hands.

She sat there, taking her time, letting the engine idle beneath her like a beast held on a tight leash. This town had a way of pulling her under, smothering her fire until all that remained was a dull, aching boredom. Hawkins was like an unfinished song, stuck on repeat. Nothing ever changed. At least, that's what she thought—until today.

Her attention was caught by the loud growl of an engine that rivaled her own Mustang's throaty purr. The sleek, black Camaro pulled into the lot with an arrogance that was almost palpable. Its driver, Billy Hargrove, emerged like he owned the place, a cigarette hanging from his lips as he swept a calculating gaze over the other students.

Toni watched, her expression carefully neutral. Billy had that swagger about him, the kind that guys like Steve Harrington used to own this town a year ago. But where Steve's charm had a boyish, almost endearing quality, Billy's felt more like a challenge—a dare to anyone who thought they could cross him.

From her vantage point, Toni could see the way Steve's old entourage—Tommy H. and Carol—eyed Billy with something between admiration and suspicion. Hawkins High always welcomed a new contender, especially one that could shake up the fragile hierarchy they clung to. But Toni couldn't care less. She had long since detached herself from that drama.

With a sigh, she killed the engine, pushing her door open and stepping out. The cool morning air hit her like a slap to the face, and she pulled her leather jacket tighter around her. Her boots clicked against the asphalt, each step deliberate, unhurried. As she approached the school's entrance, she could already feel the curious eyes trailing her. Not that she cared.

Inside, the fluorescent lights of the hallway flickered above her like a series of dying stars. Hawkins High smelled of cheap cleaning supplies and hormonal teenagers, an aroma that made her wrinkle her nose. She was halfway to her locker when she spotted Steve Harrington leaning casually against it, his arms crossed and that stupidly confident smirk plastered on his face.

"Morning, Henderson," Steve Harrington and his stupid, unmistakable swoop of hair called out as she approached, his voice warm but with an edge of something else, something unspoken.

Toni rolled her eyes, already annoyed at whatever crap he was about to pull. "What do you want, Harrington?" she shot back, her tone clipped, not slowing her pace. She reached her locker, spinning the combination lock with practiced ease.

Steve fell into step beside her, undeterred. "Tina's throwing a Halloween party this weekend," he said, leaning against the lockers with that infuriating ease of his. "You should come. Everyone's gonna be there."

Toni paused for a moment, her lips curving into a sardonic smile. She slammed her locker shut with a bang that echoed down the hall. "Your friends are asses, and I hate the smell of alcohol." Her eyes cut to his, daring him to argue.

Steve ran a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair, looking momentarily taken aback, but then that stupid grin of his returned. "C'mon, Henderson, lighten up. It's just a party. You might actually have fun for once."

She scoffed, turning on her heel and striding away, her boots clicking a staccato beat on the linoleum. "Hard pass, Harrington," she called over her shoulder, throwing him a dismissive wave. "I've got better things to do than watch you and your friends get wasted and pretend to be interesting."

But as she walked away, something gnawed at her. The idea of showing up to that party, of disrupting the perfectly curated social scene that Steve's friends tried so hard to maintain—it was tempting. The image of their shocked faces, of Steve's smirk faltering, sent a small, wicked smile to her lips. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

By Friday night, Toni had made up her mind. If she was going to go, she wasn't just going to show up like everyone else. She was going to make a statement. The racks of the local thrift store hadn't offered much, but she found what she needed—a red leather jacket, a single sequined glove, and a fedora.

When she stepped in front of her cracked bathroom mirror, the transformation was complete. The King of Pop had come to Hawkins, Indiana. 

As she pulled up to Tina's house, the party was already in full swing. The bass from whatever pop song was currently on repeat thrummed through the ground, and the front yard was filled with groups of teenagers drinking from red solo cups and laughing too loudly. Toni parked her Mustang on the curb, the engine still purring as she turned it off, savoring the moment.

She stepped out, adjusting her fedora with a flick of her wrist, and immediately caught the attention of the crowd. She was used to the stares, the whispers, but tonight they carried a different tone. She was no longer just Toni Henderson, the girl with the attitude problem. She was someone to watch out for.

Steve, who had been standing near the porch with a cup in his hand, turned at the sound of her boots crunching against the gravel. His eyebrows shot up when he saw her outfit, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Well, damn," he said, moving toward her. "Didn't think you'd actually show."

"Yeah, well," Toni said with a shrug, her eyes squinting. "Maybe I just felt like slumming it for one night."

Steve laughed, genuinely this time. "Guess we're in for a show, then."

And with that, she brushed past him, making her way into the chaos of the party, leaving Steve standing there, stunned and intrigued.

-IRIS

if you didn't guess already, she's going as my absolute goat, MJ!