STRANGER THINGS 3 [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 2: A Flash Of Remembrance (Part 8)

As the group of people that were seated around the dinner table finished their food, all of them went separate ways around the house. Joyce stayed with Steve on the dining table trying to reason him to not make any irrational decisions that are solely based on his current situation; Hopper sat down with Nancy and talked to her about her home life and Jonathan was the one that took care of the mess made after the delicious dinner. On the other hand, the "kids" went into Will's room where they continued their gossiping about what happened the previous school day.

"As I was walking to the gym, I saw both Stacy and Matt KISSING just around the corner. Of course, they didn't hear me, but I swear to God, Stacy is still in a relationship with David because at lunch I saw them kissing in the cafeteria!" – Dustin explained to Jane. "What a slut!" – Jane replied, trying to keep up with the gossip that was going around the school. She wanted to fit in with her peers. She read a lot of magazines where she read that gossiping is the number one time passing for modern teens. Will just told her that magazines are silly and that she should just be herself because she's perfect the way she is. El just ignored Will's advice. "Can we stop talking about who Stacy is making out with and start talking about that physics test that's coming up! That substitute teacher doesn't teach anything!" – Will tried to change the subject, but both Jane and Dustin just blew raspberries at Will regarding his "lame change of topic".

As the kids were chatting the night away, Joyce was sitting with Steve trying to find a solution and prevent him from joining the army. "You know Steve; a mall is opening up not too far from here. Maybe you can find a job down there. I would've offered you a job down at Melrose, but we're overstaffed at the moment." – Joyce searched Steve's eyes as they were glue down to the floor, not having the courage to lift them up. "I don't know Mrs. Byers, I really don't want to be stuck forever in this town, I don't have a future here. Maybe my future is somewhere else? Like in the army! I will be far away from everything in this town." – The brown haired boy, soon to be a man said with such pain laced in his voice. "Is this about your family?" – The older woman asked curiously. "My dad wants me to start working with him, find a job or leave the hell out of his house!" – Steve said quietly. "You know you always have an open door over here Steve. I may not have much, but I can always find space for you!" – The woman scanned his face as he lifted it with joy and thankfulness in his sad eyes. Steve gave her a warm smile and a quiet thank you as he looked at his hands.

Over the course of what happened since the last incident, Joyce started to make effort to welcome Steve as much as she can. After long conversations with Nancy, she found out about Steve's family situation and what he had to go through on a daily basis. Her worries got worst when she got news that Steve didn't get a place in any college. The woman feared for the boy and how that is going to affect him and the state he was in currently. Joyce tried her best to let Steve know that he is not alone and that he is always welcomed and loved in the Byers family, no matter what happened in the past between Jonathan and him. Frankly, Joyce wasn't aware of Steve and Jonathan's history because Jonathan never cared to explain to him mother why the camera he worked so hard for was smashed in pieces. She was aware of the incident after she found the camera while cleaning his room and Jonathan had to lie through his teeth in order to fool his mother into thinking it was from an accident that occurred a week ago.

Steve felt at eased when he knew that someone else is there in his corner, no matter how big their contribution was. He felt loved and wanted somewhere rather than a burden that his parents made him feel like. Maybe he wasn't the brightest kid in Hawkins, or the most talented one, or even one from the best family in town; but he knew that he had friends that supported him no matter what, except for a few instances like tonight!