Complicated - Steve Harrington

One

Hawkins wasn't all that large of a place. The schools were filled with the same boring, pretentious people. The shops and businesses were run by the same families, year after year. Mia Clark has never expected that to change, which meant her adventures would have to take place outside of that little town. Only, that all changed thanks to her friendship with Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington.

"It's only a Halloween party, Mi," Steve said as he leaned against the locker besides Mia's. "Even Nancy is going."

"Nancy's going to makeout with you all night, Steve," Mia rolled her eyes. "I have better plans."

"To do what? Take the dipshits trick-or-treating?" Steve asked raising an eyebrow.

"First, only I get to call my siblings dipshits, and second, no," Mia said. "I'm going out into the last sector of the woods."

"You're still on that?" Steve asked as Nancy neared, leaning against him.

"Still on what?" She asked.

"I'm finishing the sectors of the woods," Mia said.

"I told you, the woods aren't a good place to go at night," Steve said. "Just come to the party with us. I'll pick you up?"

"What if I do come? Are you two love birds going to ignore me to drink and kiss the entire night?" Mia questioned.

"Yes-"

"No-"

Mia looked between her friend with a smirk. She took the invitation from Steve, but refused to make any promises. The three parted ways and headed towards class for the day.

After school had come to end, Mia sat in her bedroom, dreading the dinner plans she had made that night. Just a year before a close friend of Nancy, Barb, had gone missing and was now presumed dead by most. Still, Nancy and Mia had dinner with Barb's parents monthly. Once Steve had learned of their monthly plans, he insisted on coming, mostly to be a good boyfriend to Nancy. Even with Barb being her friend, Mia found it getting harder and harder to sympathize with Barb's family and Nancy. It had been a year and she was beyond ready to move on and enjoy life like Barb would have wanted them to do. She didn't dare mentions her feelings to Nancy.

"Sweetheart, Steve and Nancy are here!" Mia's mother called from downstairs.

Mia sighed, grabbing her coat. She walked down the stairs to see Steve in her living room. She gave a weary smile, hoping he was as reluctant to get to the dinner as she was.

"Come on," he smirked. "Nancy's in the car."

"Don't be out too late," her mother instructed.

"I'll get her home on time, Mrs. C," Steve said. Her mother gave a knowing look to the boy, having known him since his was young, she knew how much of a troublemaker he could be when he wanted to.

"Bye, Mom," Mia chuckled, ushering Steve out the front door. Once the door was closed, she nudged Steve.

"What? Mom's love me," Steve smirked.

"Whatever you say, Harrington," Mia rolled her eyes getting in the back seat of his car. "Hey, Nance."

"Hi," Nancy sighed, not bothering to look away from the window.

Mia gave an inquisitive look to Steve, he failed to catch on. Once they were all buckled up, Steve drove off toward's Barb's old house.

* * *

Mia, Steve, and Nancy sat across a small dining room table from Barb's parents. Nancy hesitantly picked at her food while Mia and Steve dug in, almost excessively.

"I'm sorry I couldn't cook tonight," Mrs Holland apologized.

"Oh no, it's fine," Mia and Nancy both smiled.

"This is great," Steve assured before it returned to silence for a few minutes.

"I- I noticed a 'for sale' sign in the front," Nancy said. "Is it one of the neighbor's or-?"

Mr. and Mrs. Holland cleared their throats, putting down their KFC. Mrs. Holland beamed as she wiped off her fingers, as though they needed to be clean for her to speak.

"We've found a detective to look into Barb's case," she smiled.

"He'll do what Hopper couldn't," Mr. Holland agreed through gritted teeth. He handed Steve a card for their new detective.

"You mean, you're moving?" Mia asked.

"We think it's best," Mrs. Holland nodded, still smiling.

"Excuse me," Nancy snapped. She shot up from the table, throwing down her napkin as gently as her anger would let her. She stormed off towards the bathroom.

Mia waited patiently for Steve to follow her. She expected him to because normally he would have. He stayed in his seat, continuing to eat.

"Finger licking good," He commented, earning an eye roll from Mia.

"Mhm," Mr. Holland joyously nodded along while gnawing on a chicken wing.

Not long after Nancy returned from the bathroom, where she had obviously spent her time crying, Steve took the two girls and himself home. Mia couldn't tell from Steve's expressions or tone if he had noticed how upset Nancy seemingly was, but Nancy had refused to take the front seat. Mia sat awkwardly on the car ride home, hoping she wouldn't be caught in the middle of an argument.

"See you tomorrow, Mi," Steve said.

"Thanks for the ride," Mia nodded, closing the passenger's door of Steve's car. "Bye, Nance."

Nancy didn't offer much of a goodbye, simply a hum or two. Mia watched as her friends drove off into the night before heading inside. She quickly got ready for bed, undecided on her Halloween plans the next day.