the paper girl ⌲ stranger things { on hold }

{ i: arcade }

Steve Harrington was an idiot.

This was a certifiable fact. Everyone knew it to be true; his mother, his younger sister, Dustin, even his ex-girlfriend Nancy Wheeler. Especially his ex-girlfriend Nancy Wheeler.

So when Dustin first irritably uttered the news to him over another failed attempt at mastering Dragon's Lair, it was no surprise that Steve replied with a confused, "Huh?"

"My mom thinks it'll be great," Dustin said, smacking the game console and cursing loudly.

"You're getting a new sister?" Steve repeated incredulously.

Dustin whirled to face him. "She is not my sister," he said harshly. "She's just another girl. We have a spare room, and my mom's been looking for another project ever since my dad left years ago." He rolled his eyes and slid another handful of quarters into the machine.

Steve shrugged and took a step back. "Whatever you say, man." He stood there in silence for a few minutes, watching Dustin try (and, of course, fail) once more to beat the game. Then he smirked. "Is she pretty?"

Dustin glared at him.

Steve sighed. "Fine, geez. Just trying to make conversation." He held up his hands in surrender.

"Sure you were." Dustin's voice was dripping with more sarcasm than lisp these days. With his new set of teeth had come a new set of teenage tones and reactions, though none of them were an affront to Steve. "I haven't even met her yet. She's coming in on the bus this Saturday."

"Tell your mom know I'll be coming to dinner this Saturday," Steve joked, just to watch the flame of annoyance flicker in Dustin's gray eyes.

Steve smiled and ruffled his hair. Dustin shoved his hand away and turned his attention back to the game.

"Do you at least know her name?" Steve called, one foot already out the grimy glass door of the arcade.

"Cassie," Dustin said, the corner of his mouth twitching in concentration. "Cassie Redding."

a/n: yes i know this chapter isn't that great but its 11:18pm, i just got off work, and i promised that this would be up a good three days ago (sorry about that!). besides, introductions have never been my strong suit and i haven't been writing much recently so it may take a bit for me to get my rhythm back. anyway. so please bear with me, and i promise it will get better. 

please share/vote/comment to give me some motivation :)