Shadows of the Night •a Stranger Things story•

Earth to Robbie

With the sun slowly making its way to the horizon line, it's about three in the afternoon and the pool is still incredibly packed with people. Robbie Jones hates the pool. He hates the loud noises, the whistles, the smell of chlorine and sunscreen. He also isn't a huge fan of the heat. He prefers the quarry. He can take Eleven and Nic there without having to worry about people noticing them. It doesn't smell like chlorine, and it's peaceful.

El hasn't wanted to go to the quarry in weeks. Not since she and Mike have declared they'd spend the entirety of summer with each other and only others when it's convenient for them. Mike never wants to go to the quarry because he doesn't feel like spending his first summer with El and Robbie in tow. It hurts Robbie to see that not even the kids are enjoying his company anymore. He spends far too much time now-a-days trying to see his brother. Not that this is a bad thing, but he can tell that Nic is itching to see his friends again and spend time around people his own age.

Nic has adjusted to school and his education level so well in the last several months that homeschooling him is no longer necessary. He is a very intelligent kid and he understands that in order to escape the life he once lived and be normal, he'd need to work extremely hard to get into school and begin his normal life. It's stressful at times, but nothing that he and Lisa can't handle together. Robbie and Ronda help as much as they can. It became easier when summer started. The two of them have much more time to spend with Nic.

Naturally, Ronald and Melissa Jones have no idea that Nicolas Drewins existed, or that he is Ronald's third child. The parents don't know that Robbie and Ronda spend most of their days looking after their younger brother, who Ronald thought had died almost fourteen years ago. The twins do not blame their parents for this. It's a busy time in the Jones household. The re-elections for Mayor would be happening next year, and there is no doubt that Larry Kline and Melissa Jones both want to run for it.

Missy has been the assistant mayor for Larry for years, and to put it plainly, she is sick of his bullshit. Mayor Kline is a greedy, misogynistic, arrogant and downright annoying person. Missy knows she'd never stand a chance running against Larry in re-elections if it isn't for her six-month-old gorgeous baby girl; Poppy Jones. Poppy was born in December, not many days before Robbie and Ronda's eighteenth birthday.

She's healthy, beautiful, and shows everyone early on that she is meant for the limelight. She loves the attention she receives from Hawkins's townsfolk. Missy brings Poppy everywhere. Missy broke barriers, going back to work so early on after being pregnant, and bringing her newborn into work, breastfeeding on the job—groundbreaking. She loves every moment of it, and so does Poppy. This did exactly what Missy is hoping, she gained the attention and favoritism of all the mothers and women of Hawkins. Having Ronald Jones' support also helps. Ronald's appreciated by most husbands, fathers, and men in Hawkins. He's a responsible and respectful citizen of the town. People appreciate that about him. Overall, people love the Jones'. They are a happy, healthy, adorable family.

Robbie and Ronda both agreed that if they told their parents about Nic, it wouldn't be so easy for people to appreciate the Jones' anymore. It'd cause unwanted attention. Besides, sharing with their father that Nic is alive will provide many uncertainties of what he'd do with that information. Would Ronald believe it? What if he wants to take Nic away from Lisa? That would destroy Lisa.

"Earth to Robbie," says Ronda, waving a hand in Robbie's face.

Robbie looks up, squinting from his spot on the sunchair. His eyes lock on Nic, who stares at him absentmindedly. Nic's swim trunks are still wet, and he has a towel hanging off of one shoulder, but his hair is drying in the heat.

Ronda has the bag that Lisa left with them hanging in the crook of her elbow. She's finishing up her shift. The pool closes at six. Billy would be alone for the last three hours. Ronda doesn't care. She hopes Billy slips on the concrete and drowns in the pool. "Ready?" she asks.

"Yeah," he mumbles, getting on his feet with a slight grunt. He stares down at Nic. "You ready to go? Want anything to eat before we drop you off?"

Nic shakes his head. "I thought Lisa would be here?"

Ronda shrugs her shoulders. "Must be busy. It's okay, but it's already three. We should get going."

Robbie gestures for Nic to walk with him as he digs his keys out of his pocket. They walk past Billy's lifeguard tower, doing their best to ignore him. Billy notices Ronda and calls out to her. "Hey, Jones!" He carefully climbs down the lifeguard tower and stands too close. Ronda takes a step back.

"My shift's up, Billy," she replies in annoyance. "You know this. I'm clocking out."

Billy tilts his head upward, jaw clenched. "I'm supposed to watch all these little shits myself?" he questions.

Rolling her eyes slightly, Ronda shoots a look over at Robbie and Nic. Lisa has arrived. Billy follows her gaze, his eyes locking on Lisa. His features shift suddenly. He eyes Lisa with a pleased look. "Who's your friend?"

"Relative," she says curtly. "Goodbye, Billy."

Billy latches onto Ronda's free elbow. He leans in. "Introduce me."

Ronda flinches. Her eyes lock with Robbie, who notices Billy's grip on his sister. Lisa has an arm wrapped around Nic's shoulder, talking to him. The two of them don't notice Billy. Robbie leaves them, making his way over to Billy. Billy releases Ronda, stepping back. He knows that Robbie hangs around Steve and Christine, who hang around Max.

"Come on, Ronnie." Robbie stares at Billy as Ronda hurries over to Nic and Lisa. Robbie waits until Billy offers a smirk and low chuckle before he makes his way back to his tower. Turning on his heel, Robbie leaves with his family.