Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 79

Steve follows her out of the house, still skeptical, "I don't think this is a good idea, Ange."

"Well, somebody has to go," she sighs, "He's completely out of food-- We've already ignored him enough the past couple of days."

"I know, I know," he stands before her now, one hand on his hip, "but you know how I feel about you going places by yourself. It's incredibly dangerous out there, right now-- the entire town is out for your family."

"That's exactly why I don't want him by himself," she reasons, slipping past him, "I mean, you could come with me," she suggests at a whisper.

Steve pauses, thinking deeply, "Fine," he mutters, calling out to Nancy, "You guys go on without us."

"Where are you two going?" she scoffs, "We're gonna need all hands on deck."

"I know, I know," he replies.

"We've gotta go check in on Eddie," Angie announces, "We'll meet back up with you guys after we're done."

Nancy nods reluctantly as everyone piles into her family's van.

"Okay," Steve spins to face her, "Where to first? Do you wanna go check on him now or would you rather pick up food first?"

She looks up, her gaze locked on his, "Food first," she answers, "but it's gotta be a quick run."

"Well, then, let's go," he replies, pulling his keys from his pocket, "we're wasting daylight here."

Angie grins, pecking him on the lips, "Thank you for doing this,"

"Of course," he hops in front of her, opening her door, "now let's go."

Once she's secure, he takes off.

"Wait," she pauses, checking the street names, "the store is that way."

"I know, but my house is closer."

"But you don't usually have food at your house," she comments.

"Yeah, usually," he shrugs, "but my parents are in town. And I bet mom stocked the cabinets."

She immediately folds in her seat, "Your parents are in town? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well, I was going to. That's why I showed up at your house the other day," he admits, "but then I saw all of the cops everywhere and decided that you were a bigger priority."

"So you've left them there alone this whole time just so you could help us with Vecna?"

Steve nods, clearly unbothered by it, "Yeah,"

"Oh, okay," she mumbles, allowing him to drive.

"Shit," he curses as they approach the driveway, "my parents are home."

"Do you want me to just stay here?" Angie asks, fidgeting with a loose string on her jeans.

Steve places a comforting hand over hers, "Yes, but I'll only be a minute, okay?" he sighs, noting her hesitation, "I'll be quick."

He kisses her swiftly before exiting the vehicle and making his way up to the front door.

The door is unlocked, so he doesn't bother with announcing himself.

He quickly grabs an extra paper sack from the cabinet and begins filling it with various canned goods-- anything that won't go bad in the next few days.

"Typically, you say hello to your parents before you take them for all they're worth," his father jests, entering the kitchen.

"Dad," Steve mutters in surprise, holding the bag tightly in his hand, "I didn't realize that you were home."

"You didn't see my car out front?"

"Guess not," he shrugs uncomfortably, "I must've missed it."

His father smiles, "Too focused on the food, right?"

"Yeah, yeah,"

His mother's voice echoes from upstairs, "Honey, who are you talking to?"

"Our son decided to pay us a visit," he replies loudly.

She comes running down the stairs, a robe wrapped around her body, "And you didn't think to let us know that you were here?" she scoffs, "Just gonna grab what you needed and slip out unnoticed?"

Steve runs an awkward hand through his hair, "I don't-- I guess, I was--"

Angie emerges hesitantly from the front door that he had left cracked open, "Steve, what's taking so long?"

Her breath gets caught as the three stare at her.

"Oh," his father chuckles, unsure of her, "and you brought a guest?"

His mother scoffs, noting Steve's jacket covering her arms, "He brought another skank."

Steve shifts his body in front of Angie, hiding her from his mother's view, "This is my girlfriend, mom," he stands firm, "and you will not speak to her that way."

She grins manically, "You really think you can waltz in here and disrespect me," she chuckles, gesturing to the bag in his hand, "after emptying our cabinets for God knows what?"

"Now, now," his father speaks, "let's not get too worked up."

"You're just gonna let him--"

"Enough," Steve interrupts, trying not to raise his voice in Angie's presence, "We don't have time for this," he grabs her hand softly, "We're leaving."

"You can't just come in here and--"

"Actually, I can," he asserts, "And I am."

"Then, don't come back," she scoffs.

"Honey," his father steps up, "don't you think that's a little extreme."

"No, I--"

"Can we run this routine later?" Steve sighs, "You act like you hate me. Dad swoops in like he's the savior. You two argue like you actually care. But, at the end of the day, you both end up treating me like crap. Nothing ever changes," he snaps, pulling the door the rest of the way open, "And I honestly have much more important things to do right now. Goodbye."

They stand still, shocked by their son's words.

Angie grabs the door handle, ready to pull it shut, "I really wish I could say it was nice to meet you," she mutters with a tight smile as she closes it.

Steve stomps back up to the passenger door, yanking it open for her.

His expression makes her hesitant to speak, so she quietly slips into her seat. 

When his door slams shut, her body shakes as she tries to conceal her flinching.

He continues to face forward, putting the keys into the ignition, "I'm sorry that you had to see that."

"No, don't be," she reassures, "I should've stayed in the car like you told me."

Steve turns to her, shaking his head, "No, their behavior isn't your fault. They're just--"

"Your parents," she shrugs, looking him in the eye with an understanding grin, "it's okay. I get it."

He sighs as she grabs his hand, "I'm so so sorry."

"You're not the only one with substandard parents, you know."

He opens his mouth to ask, but she only laughs. 

"Bad parents, Steve," she smiles.

"Yeah," he chuckles, admiring her compassion, "I guess that should've been implied, huh?"

She leans over the center console, kissing his cheek, "Yeah, probably."

"Alright," he beams, pulling out of the driveway, "we better get these to your brother before he starves."