SEVEN: HOPE

"SO, IF I'M HEARING THIS RIGHT," Heather began as soon as her younger brother finished his story. The rain had started to fall once again so they had quickly scrambled back through the window and into Heather's room, "There's currently some random bald girl who says "Yes" and "No" and nothing else living in Mike Wheeler's basement? And she tried to get undressed in front of you?"

Daniel sighed, "Pretty much. I-it's bogus I know! But it's happening, I swear! I don't, I don't know what to do! Mike doesn't wanna tell his mom, but I had to tell someone! My life is so fucked right now, Heather!"

"First of all, language. Second of all, quiet down or mom will hear us!" Heather hushed, "Holy shit! This is like really happening, right?"

"Yeah."

"Why'd you tell me?"

"I mean, you told me you had a crush on Steve Harrington, so I suppose it was only fair," Daniel joked with a coy smile, running a hand through his messy curls. They had finally dried from the rain, making them an even bigger mess than usual.

Heather gasped, "I did not say I had a crush on him!"

"He has a girlfriend and you're jealous! That counts!" the boy argued with a giggle. His sister's response was to throw a pillow at him which he caught right as it hit his face. "No, I told you because you're my sister and I trust you. Even if you are mean sometimes."

The two went silent, both remembering the harsh words Heather had spoken to her brother earlier that night.

"Did you mean it?" Daniel asked, his voice a whisper, "What you said?"

Heather sighed, searching her brain for something to say that wouldn't hurt her brother. "It's only been a day, there's a chance he's out there and he probably is, okay? But I think you should focus on that girl. I mean, she shows up right as Will goes missing? I mean, call me crazy, but that's a little suspicious, isn't it?"

"Yeah, yeah it is."

"Well, we'll deal with it in the morning, all right? We should get some sleep."

"Heather?" Daniel's voice was soft, more so than usual. She raised her eyebrow to signal she was listening, "Can, can I sleep in here tonight?"

She smiled and nodded, "Sure."

THE NEXT MORNING, the first thing Heather did was pull Veronica into the nearest bathroom.

"I'm sorry," she said before the girl could ask any questions, "I may have told my brother about you. About what you like."

Veronica's eyes widened before Heather could even finish her sentence, "What? Why? Shit, what if he tells people? If this gets back to my mom, she's gonna kick my ass out or send me to some Catholic school! I mean, those are typically all-girl schools. . ."

"Ver, he has a crush. On a boy, and I really shouldn't tell you that because he trusted me enough to tell me that, but I need to justify my actions so you don't hate me," Heather rushed out in the span of a few quick seconds. "Fuck, I cannot keep my mouth shut, can I?"

"It's fine, I won't let your brother know that I know and aw, that's so cute! He's such a little angel, isn't he?"

"Like, why does everyone think that? He fucking snuck out last night! That's not what angels do!" Heather exclaimed with a scoff.

Veronica just laughed as the two girls exited the bathroom. Veronica's laugh disappeared when she saw Steve and Nancy. Heather's heart may have sunk a little as well.

"Heather! Veronica!" Steve noticed them and waved them over, "Okay, so these four know what's up, but I was hoping you girls changed your mind about tonight?"

Nancy sent them a look that seemed to be telling them to agree even though they were going to do so anyway. Totally not because Heather had a crush on Steve, Daniel was not going to be right about that, Heather was going to make damn sure.

She sighed fakely, acting as if she didn't care, "Fine, I guess we'll go to your little party, all right? You forced my hand!"

Steve rolled his eyes, but there was still a smile on his face, "Ha, ha. Just be there."

"Oh god," Carol cut off the conversation, looking over at the bulletin board where Jonathan Byers was putting up a poster for Will.

"Jesus Christ, that's depressing," Steve commented with a hand on his hip and piece of his hair falling over his eyes. The whole group turned to look at Jonathan. Heather felt bad about their comments, not liking that they were making fun of him (even though he was a bit of creep). His brother was missing for Christ's sake.

Nancy sighed, "Should we say something?"

"I don't think he speaks," Carol said, causing Heather and Veronica to share a look that basically meant "simultaneous mental eye roll." They shared that look a lot when Carol said pretty much anything.

"How much do you wanna bet he killed him?" was Tommy's oh-so genius contribution. Veronica and Heather shared that look again.

"Hey," Heather spoke harshly, her tone sharp and cutting, "Piss off with that shit, his brother is missing."

"So? He's a freak," was Tommy's defense.

"God, Tommy, you wouldn't know human decency if it slapped you in the face. Say any stupid shit tonight and I'll drown you in Steve's pretty blue pool, got it?" she ended the statement with a darling smile on her face.

Tommy nodded but rolled his eyes while pretty much everyone else tried to bite back a smile.

"She's right," Nancy commented with a small laugh, sending a look of solidarity over to Heather, "You say stuff like that to the wrong person and you get your ass kicked."

It was then that Nancy made a point of turning and walking over to where Jonathan was standing. Heather would've done the same, but she actually kinda did think Jonathan was a creep. Maybe it was the bowl cut. It was the bowl cut. Everyone watched as she talked to him. He responded, which meant Carol was wrong, obviously. Nancy turned back to the group. Heather and Veronica both offered little half smiles, as did Barb, but everyone else kinda just looked away. The bell rang and the rest of them shuffled off to class, leaving Nancy talking to Jonathan.

"Should we wait?" Veronica whispered to Heather.

"Nah, I got class across campus, I gotta run," the girl shrugged. "You can, though, you hardly get one-on-one time with her."

"Not like it'd matter, she's kind of with Steve. And probably straight."

"So? Just talk to her."

"What happened to people like them?" Veronica asked with a condescending tone and a small chuckle.

Heather remembered how her brother was convinced Will was out there. "Sometimes, you gotta have a little hope, right?"

( note! )

this is really short and i hope y'all don't mind!! also, this was nominated for best overall fic on strangerthingsclub so go vote please!! it would mean the world!!