Emma || Steve Harrington/Billy Hargrove

004. New Year's

*Emma's POV*

The day had been pretty uneventful. My parents left early that morning, leaving me with the house all to myself. I took it as an opportunity to lounge around and have a spa day before the party. I pampered myself and did facemasks, shaved my legs, and all that jazz. It flew by, and pretty soon it was time for me to get ready for the party.

I wore a skin-tight white dress and my signature denim jacket. I paired my dress with a pair of heels and teased my hair a little to give it more volume. I wore my favorite pair of white hoops and a simple necklace. Billy came at around 8:30 and drove us back to the house where the last party was held. We stepped out and walked in hand in hand. This time instead of people only greeting him, I was included.

Things were going pretty well. He wasn't letting me stray too far from him at the beginning, but by the time he'd had a few drinks, he was more relaxed and I left to go dance with Carol and Tina like the last time. They introduced me to some girl named Nancy who they didn't seem awfully fond of. I made my way over to the drink table again, probably for the hundredth time that night.  The next thing I knew, the countdown had started. I looked around for Billy. I found him with a few seconds to go, but he was with Carol. His arm was around her waist and her hand was pressed to his cheek. I watched as his lips and hers connected at the strike of midnight.

"He's such a dick," Tina said beside me on the verge of tears, "He slept with me last night and now he's kissing my best friend right in front of me. It wouldn't hurt this bad if it hadn't been so damn good."

I don't know if it was the alcohol that heightened my emotions or if I would've reacted in the same way if I'd been sober, but my eyes filled with tears and I just ran inside. I heard someone calling after me, but I didn't turn around. I found my way to the front door and bumped into Steve. He gave me a concerned look. I knew he was about to ask what had happened, but I shook my head to tell him that I didn't want to talk about things.

"Do you want me to take you home?" he asked. He seemed to understand and I nodded.

"Emma, wait!" Billy yelled as he approached me, "Buzz off, Harrington, would ya?" he spat, "I need to talk to Emma."

"Steve, let's go," I said as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

"Jesus, Emma," Billy groaned, "I know what you saw and it wasn't what you think!"

"So you weren't making out with Carol even though you told me you had feelings for me just yesterday? How about Tina telling me how good you were in bed last night?" I asked. He froze and shook his head, "I finally understand why people think you're a douche, Bill. What the hell happened to you? You weren't like this. You know what, no. Don't answer that. I don't want to hear it. Have a nice life Hargrove," I said. I looked up at Steve and he opened the door for me. I walked out and followed him to his car.

The car ride was silent except for me telling him where to go and where to turn to get to my house. I was little drunk, and my coordination wasn't the best, so he helped me get inside and up the stairs to my room. "You gonna be okay?" he asked. I shook my head and broke down in tears. "What's wrong?"

"I just thought that we'd be friends like we were back home," I said, "And when I got here and he treated me like a princess, like we hadn't just been apart for months and we picked up right where we left off, I thought we'd be together in no time." Steve sat down next to me and pulled me into a side hug.

"I don't know what he was like back then, but Billy's been a dick from the moment he got here," Steve said, "To think I would've turned out to be just like him if it hadn't been for Nancy." He let out a half laugh.

"Billy from back home wasn't an ass. Not to me at least," I sighed, "I guess people change." We were quiet for a little while before I let out a laugh. "God, to think I was about to let him be my midnight kiss," I said.

"You didn't get one?" Steve asked. I laughed a little and shook my head. He took a hold of my chin and turned my face toward his. I looked up at his eyes as he pressed his lips to mine. "Happy New Year," he smiled as he pulled away.

*Max's POV*

I was hanging out with the boys at Mike's house for New Year's. My mom and Mrs. Wheeler had oddly become very close, and we were invited over just like the Byers, Sinclairs, and the Hendersons. I was just happy that I wouldn't have to spend the night home with my mom, Billy and his dad. All us kids were in the basement hanging out.

"I still don't understand how the hell Emma is friends with your brother," Dustin said.

"He's not my brother," I groaned, "And believe it or not, he's not that bad when she's around. It's weird."

"Who is Emma and why does it seem like she's the only thing you three talk about these days?" Mike asked pointing at Dustin me and Will.

"She's so pretty," Will smiled, "and we don't get new people here very often."

"She is very pretty," Dustin sighed, looking like cupid had just struck him with his arrow.

"She's just nice. It's kind of refreshing to have someone like that around," I sighed, "I heard she's going to be taking care of El in the afternoons when Hopper's at work." At the mention of El, Mike instantly perked up.

"Where did you hear that? Do you think it's true?" he asked. I laughed and shrugged.

"My stepdad said something about it, and I don't know. Maybe?" I answered.