Getting Even [STEVE HARRINGTON]

Chapter 3

November 4th, 1983

The past year had been the same over and over again. The same act of rebelliousness from Rebecca while she searched for the real answers about the case. Her father always being disappointed with her because 'It's not what she would have wanted,' and she's so 'smart' and 'bright' but Rebecca didn't feel like it. No matter how much time she spent studying on her subjects seemingly passing all her tests with some of the tops marks in her classes nothing seemed to fill her void except that screaming feeling to be rebellious. No matter how many times the younger girl Barb may have said that they were friends, with Nancy Wheeler shaking her head nervously in the back, it didn't feel real. In fact... nothing did to her anymore.

The only person she could confide in was the broken, beat down cop Hopper, who was shabbier than ever because Joshua Harris had given up after her last stunt. 

After a night of partying a group of kids headed towards the quarry. The stories had been told of those that tried to survive the fall but none ever did. Intoxicated, Rebecca decided that she would try it herself. If it wasn't for some sober teens and a couple of worried parents, Rebecca would probably be dead.

It never seemed to phase Rebecca. The only reason she was still somewhat happy to be breathing was that she knew she wanted to share her life. It was just... She didn't have anyone to it share with. All these things that had never left her side. The troubling struggle of making friends, the pair of parents spectacularly split into two, but more importantly the mark they left on her.

Rebecca's father, Joshua had found her on the ledge dancing around shit-faced with another drink in her hand. It was a sight he'd never want to see if he lost her he wouldn't know what to do with himself. Joshua rushed over grabbed her right off the ledge. Nothing could have saved her there and that's what scared him, not even Rebecca could have saved herself.

Once she had sobered up and realised what happened Joshua let loose. The attention-seeking had gone too far and it was time for her to let go of her just like he had. The weeks after the incident left the house on edge, her father barely talked to her and at school, things didn't seem to be any better.

Everyone watched her walk throughout the hallways their eyes following her all throughout the day which went on for weeks but of course she wouldn't be able to get by without being interrogated by the people that annoyed her most.

"Bec!" she turned around to spot Barb trying to catch up with her. Barb wasn't the one annoying her though, "Hey do you want to hang out tonight?" Barb's face held a pleasant look that Rebecca couldn't help but feel guilty for. Her poor friend was off with her newest obsession. "Nancy's been busy with Steve and I know things have been rough for you this past month,"

"Oh, Rebecca!" It was none other than Tommy, Carol and Steve with his new play toy; Nancy.

"Good to see you!" Tommy called out. Rebecca motioned for Barb to leave but Barb didn't quite get the message.

"Barb, just go. I can handle this myself." Bec gave Barb a sympathetic look then returned her eyes back at the group behind the kind redhead girl, eventually, Barb gave in and shuffled her feet along the dirty ground of Hawkins high.

"What do you want or in Carol's case what do you have?" Her face was blank as she faced the group.

"You've done a good job at hiding for the past month, Becky," Carol said obnoxiously chewing her gum.

"Sorry but," Rebecca started to imitate the ridiculous chewing from carol then continued, "I can't understand a word you're saying."

She stopped but before the others could jump in she started again, "Either way I don't care, I have my own stuff to deal with and I don't need your emotional baggage being put on me, ok?"

Rebecca didn't wait around for them to reply so she made her way towards the doors with one last snide remark, "I don't care if its Gucci!" She stepped outside with a shit eating grin on her face. That one would've got them, her eyes were trained on the floor when she bumped into a small figure.

"Bec!" Will stood in front of her with the genuine yet innocent smile on his face.

"Will? I thought you were campaigning with the guys this afternoon?" Rebecca questioned

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you real quick." It was easy to see he was in a rush to get to their campaign planning.

"Of course. Let's walk." The two walked back towards Hawkins middle, Will was asking various questions about the loved board game between the boys, Dungeons and Dragons. Will could have been there for hours if it wasn't for Bec sending him off to the Wheelers. Something about the boy had struck with Bec, he was maybe one of the only people she could actually relate and talk to. 

The town was unusually empty, though there were the usual suspects sulking around the town. Everything felt different in a way. The sky had begun to darken, the rain was on its way but the town continued on. Without warning, there was a small onslaught of water raining down from the sky. Rebecca looked up towards the greyed sky and soaked it all in, she didn't bother unlike the rest of the town that was rushing to the nearest cover or building, she simply stood there watching it fall off her towering stature onto the cold concrete beneath her feet.

"Rebecca?" Joshua was piling his coat on outside the entrance to the police station fastening his hat securely on his head. Her eyes slowly moved from the resting point on the ground to her father's face. Bec took small steps along the flooded ground as if she took too big a step into a puddle she'd drown and never get out. When she finally reached her dad it was as if everything that had ever happened faded, Rebecca didn't know how or why? But Joshua engulfed her in a fatherly hug.

"What happened to you, Becs?" He whispered into her hair. Nothing necessarily felt wrong with her.

"I'm fine dad." She unravelled herself from the embrace of her father.

"Are you sure it's not th- umm the uh... thing?" Joshua motioned towards her face suggestively. Without any warning, the Simmons car alarm suddenly went off. The locals in the surrounding area covered their ears from the annoying blast of noise.

"It's not the thing," Rebecca stated sniffling heavily as she dropped her gaze back to the floor, entering the police station with an unsettling feeling growing ever stronger in conscience.