In the state of Indiana, under a near constant cover of clouds and rain, there's a small town called Hawkins. Most of it's dwindling population are clueless to it's dark secrets but those who do know are trying to desperately forget.
But Valerie H...
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"Not anymore." Valerie sighed, casting an annoyed gaze at the teenage boy.
He was leant against the opposite wall, also hid from the view of the patio doors. One arm was held across his chest while in the other hand was a lazily held cigarette. Taking a final drag, he threw it away and exhaled the remaining smoke into the air.
With his head held high and jawline extenuated, Valerie almost found him attractive.
"You know what...Hopper?" he spoke slowly.
"What?"
"People have told me a lot about you."
The teenage girl shook her head and plastered a grimace across her face. Hawkins was a small town and she didn't know why she ever thought someone wouldn't find out about her disappearance.
It was one of the few things that had ever happened in the town's history.
"Of course they have," she scoffed, "What have you heard?"
"That you were popular, drank all day and partied all night and you could get an A* with a raging hangover. But you went missing and when you came back you freaked out at everyone."
Val let out a quick burst of air from her nose.
"You could say that." She thought about how hard it was to adjust to normal life after she'd been in survival mode for what felt like years. At every minor inconvenience it was like she'd hulk out, even going so far to get suspended at one point.
"Did you get kidnapped by a perv or some shit?"
At Billy's insensitive question, she froze. Her eyebrows furrowed and her expression turned sour. She pushed herself up off the wall and turned to leave, but as her hand wrapped around the handle, Billy grabbed her arm and pulled her over onto his side of the glass doors.
Valerie raised her spare hand to try and loosen his grip but he had already released it when he noticed the discomfort on her face. Her glare intensified as she stood her ground. Not an ounce of nervousness was detectable, even with their close proximity.
