❝we didn't start the fire! it was always burning since the world's been turning!❞
we didn't start the fire - billy joel
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"Erica, do you copy?"
The dimly lit roof of Starcourt mall is much quieter this time, the skies clear of any summer storm set to sneak up of the group. Robin's soft, hushed voice echoed around the four huddled teens, Cassie between Steve and Dustin while Robin sat hunched over in nervousness on the other side of Steve Harrington.
"Mmm-mm. I copy. You nerds in position or what?"
"Yeah, we're in position. It's all quiet here, so you've got the green light."
Without looking, Cassie placed a hand out to her side expectantly, the weight of Dustin's binoculars falling into her hands shortly after. As Cassie peered through them, she could hear Steve make a noise in agitation.
"So she can use them but I can't?"
Cassie let a grin slip onto her lips, not bothering to look over at her boyfriend's annoyed face. "Face it, King Steve, the kids like me better."
"Okay, that's not even true!"
Dustin shrugged, his eyes still peering at the door, "It's a little bit true."
Steve opened his mouth to retaliate, his eyes wide as he looked between his girlfriend and Dustin. Erica's voice crackled over the radio, cutting him off before he had a chance to form a sentence.
"Green light, roger that. Commence Operation Child Endangerment."
Cassie couldn't stop the sheepish grin that slid onto her face as she felt the hot glares of Steve, Robin, and Dustin on the side of her. Robin sighed, pressing the button to the radio, "Can we maybe not call it that?"
"See you on the other side. Nerds."
Ten agonizingly long minutes later, Erica's voice came back over the radio, as condescending as ever. "Alright, nerds. I'm there."
Robin had long ago switched the walkie for Cassie's binoculars, leaving the curly-haired teen to answer the little girl. "Do you see anything?"
"Yeah, I see those boring boxes you're so excited about."
Cassie chewed on the inside of her lip. Despite her jokes, she really didn't like sending an actual child into such a potentially dangerous situation. Which is why she persisted that Erica wear a helmet, elbow guards and knee guards, fretting over the girl until she was practically pulled away by Robin and Steve. "Is there anyone else in there?"
"Negative."
"How about those booby traps you're so scared of?" Cassie smirked, already envisioning the look on Erica's face.
