Everything I Ever Wanted {A Billy Hargrove + Stranger Things Fanfic}

11. Escape

I left Billy's house in a pool of tears, trying to fight the things I was feeling, but to no avail. By the time I managed to reach the lab, I was puffy eyed and irritated. How could I be so stupid? I knew what getting involved with Billy entailed. Nothing but hooking up and occasional hang outs. At first it was simply sex and then i'd go home, thinking of other things on my mind besides him.

Then it progressed to him coming to my house and well..... sexy time. But we started to hang out. Like we were the best of friends. Talking to him was unlike any relationship I've ever had with any one person. I craved the attention from him and hung onto every single word with a smile. It was quickly turning into a lust for much more than sex. This bond of sorts. We just connected more than we ever thought we would or could. He got me. I got him. We had an understanding of one another.

But then it started. The feeling I always told myself never to let happen. To never let in again. Because it would only backfire on you and leave you for dead. And boy was I right. I was stupid. A whore.

"Lana?" I looked up, completely startled by the sudden voice of Steve from in front of me, seeing that just about everyone in my life was standing right outside of this horrible lab of horrors.

"Steve..... you guys knew to? I heard them the entire way here. I just had this gut feeling. And Will......" I looked up to the darkened lab, knowing they were all still in there with those horrible beings. Trapped like animals.

"We have to find a way in there. They're all in danger. The Demogorgons are coming back home. And out for blood. Our blood." I followed Steve to everyone else, seeing the look on his face that meant he clearly wanted to ask me what was wrong. He always knows when something is up with me. He's always been able to read me so well. That's why we've remained such good friends, even after our dating relationship ended.

"Lana!" Dustin ran up to me the minute he noticed me next to Steve, noticing the subtle change in my demeanor. I wasn't smiling. I wasn't.... anything. All I felt was that pain. The horrible pain. Like it was clawing at my throat. I simply hugged him to me so tightly, surprising him to say the least.

"What's wrong Lan?" He looked up to me the moment we pulled apart, taking in my appearance. I felt like death. Nothing unusual here.

"Just.... nothing. It's nothing. I uh..... we need to get in the lab. They're in serious danger. But considering the whole town is gathered out here, you knew that already." I noticed Nancy and Jonathan standing by the entryway booth with their eyes on me, waving. I hoped that their journey got us what we needed to end this lab once and for all. Suddenly, the lights within said lab turned on one by one, giving us some hope that maybe we could actually get in.

"Push the button!" Jonathan instantly went for it, pressing it over and over to try and get the gate open But nothing was happening what so ever. I sighed in pure frustration, knowing this was just not my day what so ever. I was scared. Upset. Sad. Heartbroken. But I wasn't going to let anything stop me from getting in there. They need us.

"Finally!!! Okay, Nancy and I will ride up to check what's going on. The rest of you stay here and wait for us okay?" I simply nodded at Jonathan, going to stand right next to Steve and Dustin with my eyes trained on the now open gates to the lab, not even beginning to imagine what was really going on up there. I watched them pull up the drive through the gate, completely out of sight.

"What happened Lan? And don't give me that shit you gave Dustin." I finally met the gaze of Steve. And I knew I wasn't going to be able to get out of this one. I felt so incredibly weak by this point, barely able to stand as it is. And my mind kept wandering back to Billy and his words, words that stung me more than any slap to the face could.

"It's Billy.... we had 'the talk'. His dad and step mom were arguing about where Max was. They got into a massive fight. His dad might as well have called me a whore. And when Billy came outside to see me after it was all said and done, it happened. He just.... basically said I was nothing more than a friend he fucks. I swear Steve..... I've only slept with him. And I was stupid for doing that. Because I caught something I never intended to...." I averted my gaze back to the ground, talking lowly so only Steve could hear me. I was honestly devastated. But saying it out loud, made it all the more real. And my next round of tears sealed the deal.

"Listen to me, you're not a whore. You're Lana Henderson. The sweetest, most loveable and funny girl I know. Billy had a good thing. And he was stupid. Don't let him make you feel like this about yourself." He put his arm around my shoulder, letting me lean my head against him with my soft sobs filling the once silent night air around us.

"You know Harrington, you should consider being my therapist. And while you're at it, being my own personal motivational speaker." I looked up into his eyes, seeing they were already trained on me as we both laughed from my comment, feeling him nudge me slightly with a smile.

"Billy hurt you? He's such a dick. Why does he always have to run people who actually care about him away?" I looked up at Max, seeing the now angry look on her face. I never realized she was listening. Shit.

"He's clearly been hurt in the past. Just like I have......" Before we could say anything else, Nancy and Jonathan sped off right past us, when Hopper pulled up right behind them in his police truck. Oh fuck......

"Get in!!" Hopper opened his door, letting Steve and I usher the kids in before we jumped in, Steve being the last on in the truck before he slammed the door quickly and signaled that we were good to go. I sat back with a huge sigh escaping me.

"Boy am I happy to see you Hop! Are you okay?" I hadn't seen him in so long. I honestly missed the guy.

"As best as I can be. What about you Lana? You look like you haven't slept in years." I let out a breathy laugh, indicating that he was in fact correct. It's been such a long few days.

"You have no idea. I'm just glad you're okay. I missed you." He smiled at me a little, before we drove on further down the road, heading to the Byer's household, deciding to rest my head once again on Steve. I suddenly felt Dustin place his head on my shoulder. And i couldn't help but smile, putting an arm around him as best as I could. But yet again, I kept thinking of Billy.