PANDEMONIUM [ 2 ] ↠ STRANGER THINGS

EPILOGUE

PANDEMONIUM
EPILOGUE

~ SIX MONTHS LATER ~

      COLLEEN WALKED INTO THE HARRINGTON HOUSE WITH A WRAPPED UP PRESENT IN HER HANDS. As soon as the door opened, she was greeted by Steve's parents and she said her hellos before going upstairs to find Steve. She knocked gently on his bedroom door before opening it, and she entered the room. Her eyes landed on Steve, who was standing in his mirror and adjusting his tie. He always hated ties because he could never figure them out. He had his graduation gown on, but not buttoned up and his cap was laying on top of his bureau and away from his styled hair.

She walked over to him and offered to help fix his tie, which he graciously complied. He raised his chin slightly as she tugged on the piece of silk before getting it just right. She patted his gown down on his shoulders and gave him a wide smile, "Perfect."

"What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting up at school?" He asked nervously, and swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn't know why he was nervous, they've been practicing this stupid graduation procession for the past two weeks. But suddenly, the thought of walking across that stage to get his diploma made him very nervous. All he kept thinking about was what if he tripped, or fell?

Colleen picked up the present from the counter top and handed it over to him, "It's nothing crazy, but it's still something. I finally, uh— took Hop's advice about changing the locks on Amelia, so here... I have something for you."

Steve smiled excitedly as he ripped off the wrapping paper and opened up the small box. Inside was a silver chain, so he pulled it out and attached to the end was a key.

"I had a new one made for you, because no matter what happens... you still have a home there. And if Chicago is too boring—"

Steve swallowed thickly, "I'm not going to Chicago. I got a letter yesterday, and I was going to tell you. But my GPA wasn't up to their business school standards. They wanted me to go early, take summer classes. But I have that internship with my dad lined up."

Colleen pouted as she stepped forward and placed her hand on his upper arm, rubbing it gently and he placed his hand on top of hers. Their eyes locked for moment before she spoke up, "Your dad would understand if you told him you wanted to go early. This is going to be your future, you can do it."

"That's— that's not everything. I was also thinking about... taking a year off. To get everything settled, you know? I could work for my dad this summer, maybe stay during the year. And take a couple classes at community with Lizzie to get my grades up." He swallowed hard as his eyes landed back on her and he gave a quick shrug, "And then I can reapply next year, and go with you."

Colleen squeezed his arm, "You'd do that?"

Steve tightened his grip around the necklace that she gave him, before lifted it up and clasping it around his neck. He let the key fall against his chest and he waved his hands out at his sides, "So... How does it look?"