Not Your Baby ║ Billy Hargrove

Chapter Four

 "Why hello, Nancy! How was the first week of school?" my mom greeted her with soft speech as we walked in. Being overly polite as she was, Nancy dug her foot in the ground and spun around to ensure a proper hug before she closed the door.

"Hi, Mrs. Hendersen! It was great, glad to be back!" she spoke, overly exclaimed. Looking around for the best way to ask, Nancy just blurted out "Is it okay if Nel sleeps over tonight? We're working on this book report and we're partners for it." My mom smiled, showing her perfectly crafted veneers and laid a hand on Nancy's shoulder (presumably drenched in nervous sweat).

"Of course, honey!" my mother's gaze shifted to me, halfway up the stairs. "Have fun!" She batted her eyelashes.

"Yeah, of course mom!" I resumed my sprint with Nancy up the stairs and into my room before we grabbed all necessary clothing and sprinted back down the steps and out the door to her car.

- - - 

"Ready?" Nancy asked as she brushed the last strand of her thick, brown hair into her ponytail. She dawned her jeans with a pink striped shirt, hair up and sophisticated- as usual.

"I'm ready to go!" I chimed in from her bathroom, still adorned with teddy bear wallpaper and "Nancy" engraved in cursive above the doorframe. I looked once more in the mirror applying one more flick of mascara. I took one final look at myself- jeans, black spaghetti strap top, red lipstick and all.

"Let's go, Nel!" Nancy's head peered from the doorframe as she tugged at my arm to head down the stairs and out the door, "My parents and Mike are going to be home soon from middle school orientation and they will most definitely scream when they see us like this." She spoke with concern, adjusting her shirt as she walked. I laughed as we bounded down the stairs and out the door.

Belting our hearts out to my "Highschool is Hard by Jonathan Byers" cassette, Nancy and I took off down the street, making our way to what would be the second most epic party of junior year. As we neared the street, cars flooded every curb making it almost impossible to find a parking spot. Jess Kline's dad was the mayor of Hawkins, so his house was ridiculously huge. We narrowed in on a vacant curb 2 blocks down from Jess' hotel of a home and began our stroll to the party. There was always something eerie about fall nights in Hawkins. I could never put my finger on if it was the crisp chill that seemed to always caress its way up your body, or if it was the way the trees and rolling hills blended in with the night sky. The odd gloom seemed to always set an unprecedented stage for nights like these.

"What the hell was that?" I jerked forward, grabbing Nancy's arm as I jumped forward. The large crack of what sounded like a footstep on a branch was enough for chills to run up my body. "Did you hear that?" I looked at Nancy, concerned and a little spooked. Her eyes formed slits as she scanned behind us into the abyss of the night.

"I don't see anyth-," the sound of a deep exhale was heard from beyond the tree line that separated the mansion suburbs from the tens of acres of cornfields. Nancy stopped in her tracks, her face turning from rose red to as white as a ghost. Nancy's eyes met mine, filled with what looked like pure fear. "Let's pick up the pace." She exhaled as she began to sprint her way to Jess' house. Concerned, confused and filled with adrenaline as to what lay inside the cornfield, I ran beside her as we turned the last corner to reveal Jess' home.

Like I said, it was a hotel. It must have been at least 3 stories high, with probably 7 bedrooms if I could guess. Her house was protected by an iron gate, opened slightly for the occasional house party guests. Every single light was on, showing the immense space the house occupied. Music filled the driveway as Nancy and I barreled our way to the front door. Panting and very much out of breath, we slowed to a walk as we arrived at the large, wooden front door of the house. Nancy still looked shell-shocked, constantly turning around to see if something was following her. Her eyes were wide and always moving- not something typical for her.

"Nancy" I paused to catch my breath, "what was that about?" the cool air wiped through my hair as I pushed it out of my face.

"Look Nel," she looked behind her once more. "I'll tell you later, okay? Just-," once again she turned around. "Promise me you will not leave her without me. We will leave together, okay?" she grabbed both of my arms with her warm, shaky hands.

"Yeah, uh.." A little confused, I agreed. "Promise you'll tell me?" I looked her in her eyes, noticing they were calming down a little more than before.

"I promise." She let out a sigh. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's party!" She smiled, making me smile along side her.