Alone, No More (Harringrove)

Chapter 21//Just Like Him

AN: Uhg okay I'm sorry it's been a billion years, but I've been really struggling to be okay with my older writing. So I've settled on sprucing it up and praying you guys still like the story still. I have 10 chapters written up and waiting to be posted, so I won't be leaving you all in the dark again.
As always, thank you for the support. You guys keep me going!

A party followed the second big win for Hawkins' high, because what else are you going to do in a small town other than drink and work, and the attention was on the basketball team's all stars, making Steve feel like the king again.

It wasn't a title he related to anymore, and many people had forgotten about him being popular anyway, but for some reason, he felt like indulging. He hadn't let loose in a long time, and the win had gotten to his head; especially when Nancy had broken from Jonathan's grip to congratulate him.

It felt like old times, and he was drunk on that fact alone.

Something had been bothering Billy all week, and Steve could only guess it had to do with the fact that he was going home every night, Max in tow. Everyone had felt it, awkward conversations only got them so far, and if even Max wouldn't reveal anything, they would just have to wait.

Nothing had come up in their searches all week regarding Hopper, so the whole group had collectively decided to keep their eye open, but to just get through the week unscathed. Their focus had mainly been transferred to the unusually quiet step-siblings, their efforts now on keeping them comfortable at school if they couldn't do anything for them at home.

Steve had asked Billy if what they were going through was as a result of their dad's ongoing concerning behaviour, but the blonde had had swiftly avoided the conversation, as if it had the potential to burn him. And Steve had decided he just wanted Billy near, even if he didn't say anything. Because, at least he was safe with them.

But Steve's head, along with his hair, was too big. Not an hour later, after letting what seemed like hundreds of young people into his home, and Steve was a few shots of cheep small-town whiskey deep into the night, and Nancy fuelled it.

Jonathan watched with a guarded front as his girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend drank up. Billy stood beside him, smoking, regardless that he wasn't supposed to smoke in Steve's house.

"Lettin' loose, eh?" Billy said, motioning to the ex couple before lazily removing the worn aviators from the bridge of his nose and hooking it on his button down shirt. Or tried to, at least.

Jonathan watched with pinched brows as Billy struggled to hook the arm of the glasses as his shirt had been unbuttoned to his sternum and barely had enough fabric to hold onto. Once they finally successfully hung from the flimsy fabric, and the blonde had only slightly sneered at him once, Jonathan's attention found its way back to the progressively drunk duo. He shrugged in response as if he didn't know how best to speak to Billy, especially after the strange air from the whole week.

"Did they used to do this a a lot?" Billy asked, breaking the awkward silence between the two, while pointing his lit cigarette at Steve and Nancy; watching Steve's Adam's apple bob with another shot. He found himself being drawn in by Steve's radiating confidence; something he had noticed wasn't present much anymore.

Jonathan coughed awkwardly, "She didn't until she met him". The implication didn't go unnoticed, however the way Billy head tipped back slightly, it was clear he'd caught on. He paused, pressing his lips tighter together then visibly making efforts to relax, "And he stopped after meeting her. Well...he truly stopped this party-guy act after...y'know".

Billy nodded, even though he wasn't so sure Jonathan could have seen him do it, but he was grateful the guy was even willing to talk to him. Billy and Jonathan had never really had beef, but Jonathan was insignificant to him, so he was neutral about his existence.