𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

064

By the time we arrive at the Wheeler house my lungs are filled with happiness, a relief to be alive I hadn't quite let myself feel yet.

The sight of Steve's car pulling up causes Nancy and Robin to turn towards us in anticipation, catching sight of me in the front seat and their eyes lighting up.

I close the door lightly behind me as Nancy runs into my arms, the tightest hug stopping my airway, "you're ok!" She giggles through the air, beaming joyfully.

"I'm ok," I reply and it feels genuine, real.

Noticing the boxes behind her, my heart is sent back to my youth as I notice small teddy bears and board games, "those all for the donations?"
Nancy gives a small smile, as if she doesn't want to let go, "yeah.. other people will use them more than me," she shrugs, "guess that's just the price of growing up."

I place a hand on her shoulder, "Nancy, you're not running out of time, you have the whole world ahead of you," the words seem to fill her with some kind of relief as she physically relaxes, body no longer tense and grin wider.

"You always know what to say Ruby," I'm reminded of the words I spoke to air inside Eddie's trailer, "what would I of done without you?"

Eyes swell up, we hug once more, a friendship blossoming from past trauma and juvenile jealousy, the me from 1983 would watch and wonder how I got here, and I'd simply tell her it's because I started living.

Mrs Wheeler calls for Nancy, but first acknowledges me with such sympathy and kindness, it almost confuses me, I'm not used to a mother doing something like that.

"Ruby, darling I'm so glad you're ok, I heard you got injured in the earthquake!"

I nod, unsure how to react, "I'm- I'm great thank you Mrs Wheeler," she gifts me a kind gaze before catching Nancy's attention once more.

Robin walks up to me as Nancy heads over to her mother, "You.. ok?" She seems to notice the guitar pick now hanging from my neck, I nod, "yeah.. yeah I'm ok."

"There's been so much loss, Ruby, I'm sorry." But I simply shake my head, "no, it's ok, I don't- I don't want to think about that anymore," she raises a brow, about to respond when the beeping of a car in the distance distracts us.

"Did someone order a pizza?" Karen Wheeler questions, the rest of the group turning in confusion, and I can't help but notice the happy glint in Steve's eyes.

Noted, we'll get pizza later.

But instead of a delivery, Jonathan Byers sits in the front seat, Michael and Will close behind him as well as a man I don't recognise, who looks a bit too..'far away,' to be driving.

Jonathan and Nancy run towards eachother like couples in those cheesy movies, almost in slow motion before placing foreheads gently on each others, soaking in the energy of their lover.

Michael runs to his mother and she playfully scolds him, telling him he can never leave again, he responds with a silly smile and a warm hug. I feel empty for a moment, watching a mother love her child like that, wish for their safety.. it's something I don't think I'll ever experience, not anymore. Not with Miss Cook gone and my biological mother so distant.

The sadness spreads for a moment but I shake it off, instead choosing to cherish the moments I did have Miss Cook here, to imagine that if she were here, she would be so thankful I was alive, just like Mrs Wheeler is.

As everyone begins to reunite Steve and Robin stand by my side, happily watching everyone as Steve's hand interlocks with mine once more.

Another body steps out of the car, a familiar face, familiar girl. As she talks with Dustin her stare never leaves my own, watching me carefully,
as if my movements were dangerous.