The cold tile floor gave Winnie chills as she sat against the wall, several feel away from the group of teens she allowed to take her away from her best friend.

Her legs were pulled up under her chin, and she played with her shoe laces. She felt incredibly guilty. She was clueless as to why she did nothing. Yes, it was terrible what Jonathan did, and it made her question a lot about him, but she also knew who he was. She just wanted to know why he did it.

On the other hand, walking off with Steve "The Hair" Harrington made her feel twice as bad. Why did she let them pull her away? She disliked these people yet here she was sitting on the floor while they were lost in conversation. These cruel, ridiculous people.

But were they cruel? Yet another question which lingered in Winnie's currently chaotic brain. When it happened, and she felt a gentle hand placed on her back, leading her away, she didn't process properly that the hand was Steve Harrington's. That his voice was the one that asked if I needed a new ride home or anything else. His kindness made her feel sick.

Lost in her conflicted thoughts, she didn't notice the tiny brunette move to sit beside her. Not until she spoke up.

"Hi," Nancy said quietly.

Winnie lifted her head in surprise. "Hi. . ." She responded.

She knew she should say something. An apology from her, an apology on behalf of her friend, ask her if she's okay, anything. She opened her mouth in attempt to speak at least one of those things into existence when the brunette cut her off.

"You don't have to say anything about it. But I do wanna ask you something else."

". . . okay."

"Remember at lunch today, I asked you about Barbara? And you said to trust my instincts?"

Winnie nodded.

"Well, I think I found something. . . and I was wondering. . . could come with me somewhere?"

"Somewhere?"

"Yeah, I'll tell you more on the way."

The blonde didn't need to think much about it. She'd much rather go on a scooby doo hunt with Nancy Wheeler than sit in a hallway with Steve, Tommy, and Carol. So she nodded.

"Sure."

Then Nancy stood up, looking at her boyfriend, "Hey, I'm gonna give Winnie a ride home. I don't think she's really into the idea of watching the game."

Steve looked disappointed, "But what about you? It's about to start. Will you come right back?"

"Oh, I. . . I have something to do anyway that I forgot about so. . . Sorry."

And then, the two girls were off. Once in Nancy's car, the Sophomore girl turned to the blonde. She pulled out pieces of a ripped up photograph, one that obviously used to be Jonathan's, and handed it to Winnie.

The older girl held the pieces in her hand, confused. Sighing, Nancy pointed at a figure. Barbara. The missing girl sat on the diving board at a pool, looking solemn.

"That was taken at Steve's house. Now, something happened to her. I know it. And I want to go look."

"Woah, wait, you want be to go with you to rummage around Steve Harrington's house?"

"Please. We won't be there for long, I promise. I just- I need to go. And I'd really prefer it if someone came with me. Please."

Winnie looked into the girl's eyes. She was begging, pleading. So Winnie said yes. And they drove off.

_______

Nancy parked her car up the street from the Harrington house. The two girls got out, slowly walking towards it. Winnie looked around, making sure no one was watching, when she heard Nancy gasp.

Snapping her head towards the girl, she watched her run up to a small light blue car. She peered into the windows.

"Is that—" Winnie started to ask.

"Barbara's car." Nancy finished for her. "I knew something was wrong." The brunette turned around, looking for anything. "Barb!?" She shouted, her call echoed down the quiet street.

Sighing, she continued to walk towards her boyfriend's house. Winnie followed close behind. The blonde grew nervous as they entered the boy's backyard through the gate. Nancy must've noticed.

"His parents aren't home. They won't get back until much later, and we know Steve's at school. No one is here," she told the blonde.

Winnie studied the pool deck, where Barb had been in the photo. Nothing. The two girls made their way into the woods. Both shouted Barb's name, calling out into the still autumn air as if anyone would actually respond.

The woods was quieter than the street, Winnie noticed. Every step she took seemed to pierce the air as it interrupted the perfect quiet. Her breathing seemed louder here. The girl turned in a circle slowly, examining her surroundings. Nancy stood only a few feet away when they both heard a loud guttural sound.

Both whipped their heads in the direction of the noise, their eyes falling on something horrifying. It was tall, too tall to be human. Nancy took a step back in fear, falling down onto the forest floor.

In a panic, Winnie grabbed the girl, pulling her up. They sprinted, hand in hand, back to the Wheeler girl's car. Once inside, Nancy did not hesitate to start the vehicle and drive off.

"Who the hell was that?" Nancy said, voice still trembling.

"What the hell was that?" Winnie responded.

"I. . . Do you think that. . . whatever it was—"

"That it took Barbara? And possibly Will too? Maybe. . . maybe."

The girls didn't talk for the rest of the ride, still too shaken up to make any sense of it. They ended up at the Wheeler house. Nancy forgot to ask Winnie if she should take her home, but the blonde didn't care. After seeing what she saw, she didn't know if she could handle being alone. Even if Joyce was home.

————

Hours later, the two girls sat at the dining table with Nancy's parents. They ate their food in awkward silence, which Winnie was desperate to break.

"Thank you for letting me stay for dinner, Mrs. Wheeler." The blonde said.

The older woman smiled, "Oh course, honey. Though, if I had known you were coming, I would've made something better than microwave Mac and Cheese."

"It's delicious anyway."

The topic of Barbara weighed on the conversation, despite not being brought up. When they first arrived at Nancy's house, the girl told her mom what she thought. That something terrible happened to her friend. Mrs. Wheeler promised her daughter they'd do something about it, but Winnie could tell her own presence their was postponing that.

The blonde girl offered to help with the dishes after dinner, but the woman insisted otherwise. Winnie was fond of Nancy's mom. It was refreshing, ever since Will went missing, to see a family put together.

Nancy sat with Winnie in the living room. The ladder had finally convinced the former that it was okay to call Barb's parents, as she planned to leave soon.

"I can borrow a bike or something," Winnie offered.

"No, my mom would never let you out like that at night."

"Well, then I'll call Jonathan to pick me up."

Nancy glanced up at her, "Are you sure?"

Winnie nodded, sighing, "I know what he did is... bad. But I also know that it was extremely out of character for him. I've lived with him for almost 4 years, I like to think I know him pretty well. And I don't know what led him to do it but... there has to a rational explanation."

The brunette girl nodded in understanding, "I hope so."
———

Later, Jonathan had finally arrived. Winnie said goodbye to Nancy and her parents before walking outside. The boy stood next to the drivers seat with the car door open.

Once she was closer, Winnie spoke to him, "Thank you... for coming to get me."

"Mhm."

Jonathan was being quiet but not in an angry way. He didn't seem angry or upset with her at all. Instead, he just looked embarrassed. The girl got into his car and they started home.

"I'm sorry," Winnie said.

"Hm?"

"About your camera. And Steve. And for walking away without helping."

"Don't say sorry."

"What?"

"Don't. You didn't do anything wrong. I messed up. I messed up."

Winnie sighed, "Still. You're my best friend. I could've done something. Stood up for you or at least stay behind with you."

Jonathan shook his head but didn't respond. The rest of the car ride was silent. Silent, until they were almost home, when something was caught in the headlights. Something running towards them. No, someone. Joyce.

Slamming on the breaks, and forcing the car in park, Jonathan got out and ran up to his mother, Winnie not far behind. The woman had a look of pure, petrified fear in her eyes. Her breathing was erratic. What on earth had happened?

The woman embraced her son, breaking down in his arms. Winnie watched from behind Jonathan, feeling useless once again.

Then, she heard them. Sirens. A lot of them. Turning around, she saw the lights. They were all headed in their direction. Why would there be so many police coming for them? Unless. . .

Oh god.

Oh god.

Will.
________

(word count: 1542)

💔

Nancy and Winnie = new fav girl boss duo

also if this does end up being a Steve fic then these two new besties will quite literally say "wanna switch?"

Which I think is funny

anyway! leave your thoughts!

much love,
Chloe <3