Different

1

  " Dani." Nancy said poking me in the arm. 
I had drifted off again and this time when I opened my eyes the English teacher wasn't staring directly at me.
  "What time is it?" I said stretching.
Nancy scoffed.
   " Time for you to pay attention.  Our test is next week." Nancy said turning her attention back to the board.
I rolled my eyes and looked to the front of the room. Mr. Murphy was writing some bullshit about Romeo and Juliet. I sighed louder than I expected and turned my head towards the window. Mr Murphy snapped his head towards me when he heard the sigh.
   " Ms Berkly, would you mind reciting to the class  the last phrase of the play?" Murphy said crossing his arms.
  With another heavy sigh I said, " For never a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
I looked at Murphy with raised eyebrows as he stood looking at me, obviously thinking I hadn't even finished the play. This was my third time reading the play and everything was always the same so why pay attention. I had to switch schools twice in the last year, what with my parents situation and all.  As Murphy composed himself I heard a snicker from across the room.
  " Mr Hargrove perhaps you'd like to explain Romeo's first impression of Juliet?" Murphy said placing his hands on his hips.
    I looked to where Murphy was starting to see a blonde mullet and leather jacket. He seemed to think he was hot shit. And... to be fair he was.
  " Pre- haps you'd like to focus on teaching your class and quit riding my dick." The boy said with a snarky  attitude.
   I chuckled. Murphy's head snapped back to me.
   " Hargrove detention. Ms Berkly, maybe you can give us all a quote about Romeos first impression." Murphy said.
   " See! how she leans her cheek upon her hand: O! that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek." I said being over exaggerate with each movement and batting my eyelashes.
    I quoted with ease not taking my eyes off of Murphy's gaping eyes.  It was obvious he hadn't slept right in days. The bags and dark circles were very prominent and he seemed to not know. He coughed and went back to lecturing. Nancy turned to me and slightly smiled.

        As soon as the bell rang everyone jumped up, eager to escape. I put all of my stuff in my arms and was about to meet Nancy at the door when Mr Murphy called my name.
     " Ms Berkly, a word." He said not looking up from his papers.
     " Yes sir?" I said making my way to his desk.

" Do you know that new boy, Billy Hargrove? I'd like you to tutor him. You obviously seem to be a pro on this section and it comes with ease so it shouldn't be a problem for you."Murphy said waving his glasses around.

  " But sir I don't know him, I've never even spoken a word to him." I said trying to weasel  my way out of this.
Murphy said that was all and I could go and I left. I made my way to my locker to find Nancy unsurprisingly leaning against it.
    " Dani what did Murph say?" Nancy squeaked
" I have to tutor Billy Hargrove. I don't even know who that is." I said with another sigh.
    "I heard he's trouble be carful Dani." Nancy sheepishly said.
      We walked to the school exit together. She waved to me as she jogged over to Jonathan who waved to me. I politely waved back. They pulled out of the parking lot leaving my car, a blue Camaro and Steve's car in the lot. I wondered why Steve was still here then I remembered he probably had basketball today. I sat on the hood of my car not yet ready to go home and pulled out a cigarette. I lit it and slowly started smoking. It was hard enough to be the new girl 3 months into the school year but having anxiety made it worse. I tried to have this badass vibe but deep down I was just a nervous little girl.  I sat smoking wondering if anyone was looking at me in Murphy's or if they were starring at my body. I've had horrible body dysmorphia most of my teenage life but my last boyfriend made it worse. I will admit I'm not a twig, but I've got and hour glass figure and larger boobs. I've always been so self conscious. I wonder what everyone thinks of me. I try to play like I don't care but I do... a lot. Don't want everyone to judge me for my short hair or how I dress.Trying to shake the thoughts I got off my car and decided to see if basketball practice was going on. I sashayed my way to the gym doors. I heard the squeaking of sneakers and grunting of boys. I wasn't the only person in there watching there was also peoples girlfriends or just girls who wanted to watch the guys. I made my way to the bleachers and sat in the center. I saw Steve. He was all sweaty but his hair still looked great. He saw me too and smiled. They were playing shirts and skins and Steve was on shirts.

The coach blew the whistle allowing a short water break. Steve jogged over to me. He smiled and I smiled back.
  " Hey Dani." He said happily out of breath.
" This is great. Yous are doing great." I said motioning to the court. He chuckled.
      "I love your city accent it's so cute." Steve said making me smile. He always said things like that if I said "yous" or "jawn".
    " Yeah well we've got this new guy and he's a real pain in the ass." Steve said running his hand through his hair.
  " I was only looking at you so I didn't notice." I said not realizing how flirty I sounded.
     Steve was about to say something when the coach called the team back to play again.  I watched as Steve jumped for the ball being only short by an inch to a boy on the other team I didn't recognize. He was on the skins team. He had a blonde mullet and as he turned around I realized who it was.

       Billy Hargrove

A/N:
  I'm changing the year to 1991. It's still everything from stranger things just taking place at a later time. No one is any older or anything. Same story different year.