ACT ONE
the paranoia.

   ARLO LEONE WAS LATE. The boy unfortunately had to run home before school to grab a change of clothes, while he had adored Freddie Mercury. He also knew if he went to school in last night's halloween costume. He might earn some stares.

The fact that he had missed two classes wasn't a complete shock to the boy, he didn't really care about his classes. He found them unimportant, especially right now. When he felt as if he was having a crisis.

Arlo had crushes before this, only a few on guys. None of which led to anything seeing as guys dating guys wasn't considered normal.

While he didn't have a crush on Billy. He did sleep with him, even if he didn't remember it. Meaning Billy knew he liked guys, which scared Arlo.

Arlo had never told anyone he liked guys, the only crushes he would share would be the few times he would have a crush on a girl.

The fact that a boy that barely knew Arlo, found out about him liking guys before his own sister. He felt like he had the right to be worried, terrified in fact. Terrified by the fact that he might get outed.

So, as Arlo walked down the crowded hall. Every time someone would whisper anything, his head would whip towards them. His fear that they were talking about him, being far greater than the worry that he looked strange.

Arlo came to an abrupt halt when he bumped into someone, making him take a small step back as his head whipped back to face them.

When he made eye contact with Ida, his worries temporarily paused. A nervous smile coming onto his face. "Ida—Ida, I need to talk to you."

"You never came home last night." Ida reminded, seeming suspicious of her brother.

"I know—that's what I need to talk to you about."

His words made Ida sigh, turning on her heel as Arlo followed behind her.

The girl then led them to a more quiet hallway, this one being at the back of the school. Which is why very few Hawkins Students used it to get to class. "What?"

"I—I slept with someone."

"Holy shit—Was it Nancy?"

"What? No, she's dating Steve." Arlo answered, clearly confused by his sister's suggestion.

His words earned a quiet laugh from Ida, shrugging her shoulders as she responded. "Not anymore, you can confess your feelings for her now—"

"It wasn't her, it—it was someone else and i'm really nervous they're going to tell everyone that we did—"

"—Are you a fucking nun? Everyone here sleeps with everyone, no one would give a shit that you slept with somebody." Ida reminded, her joking tone stopping when she noticed the worry in her brother's eyes. "If they did give you shit for it, i'll beat their ass."

"I can beat their ass myself." Arlo replied, his usual smile slowly creeping back onto his face.

"Yeah.. Keep telling yourself that." Ida patted her brother's shoulder. Walking around him as she said a few final words. "And fuck you for making me cover for you."

Arlo smiled wider at the words, letting out a light laugh as his sister walked further away. The bell ringing as she did, signaling that he was late for class.

Arlo watched the basketball game from afar, not wanting to join. While he had chose PE, he has assumed the class would be a free period. Which unfortunately was not the case.

While watching the game did bore him, when Nancy suddenly entered the gym. Signalling Steve to follow her, Arlo's interest was peaked.

Billy noticed this, he watched as the boy's eyes followed behind where Steve had disappeared to. Only stopping when the PE coach yelled at him. "Leone, join the game."

Arlo froze for a moment, beginning to mumble curses to himself as he reluctantly joined the game. Already hating it.

As he stood on the court, he attempted to pretend busy. Hoping no one would pass him the ball, the coach seemed to see through this. Seeing as he yelled at him again. "Pass the ball to Leone."

The boy with the ball complied, Billy coming to guard Arlo as soon as he got the ball.

Billy's close proximity only made Arlo nervous, his hand slipping from the ball almost instantly. Billy quickly stole the ball, tossing it into the basket before focusing his attention back on Arlo.

"We need to talk."

"Now?"

"After school. I'll give you a ride."

"My sister usually—" Arlo was cut off by Billy's stern look, his eyes never appearing kind. "Okay.. That sounds good."

"Until then, keep your damn mouth shut." Billy mumbled, beginning to walk towards the locker room as Arlo nervously scratched his neck.

After Billy exited the gym, the rest of the class began slowly filing out. Leaving a shaky Arlo, who was already beginning to assume the worst.

     Arlo tapped his fingers on the sides of his legs, he currently stood beside Billy. The duo waiting for Billy's little sister. The redhead that Arlo had unfortunately run into when making his walk of shame.

They felt like they'd be waiting forever when Billy finally spoke, tossing his finished cigarette to the ground. "Screw it. The little shit can walk."

He then rounded his car, about to open his door when a familiar voice filled their ears. "Arlo!" Steve yelled.

He stood pretty fair from Billy and Arlo, walking towards them while he called out to the boy.

Despite, Arlo being prepared to wait for him. His mind was beginning to change when Billy rounded the car again. Now standing beside Arlo once more.

"Surprised you two are still talking."

Billy's words only caused Arlo to furrow his eyebrows, pulling his eyes away from the slowly approaching Steve to turn to Billy. "What?"

"Do you remember anything from Halloween?"

Arlo paused, attempting to remember something from that night and still coming up blank. Billy hid his smirk, catching on that the boy couldn't remember. Making him continue.

"Don't push yourself." Billy teased, glancing over at Steve who still hadn't reached them. "You were drunk.. It was obvious as shit, but—you started begging Steve to take you home, made a big scene... And, You know what Harrington does?"

Arlo was intently staring at Billy now, believing every word. Despite the accusation being entirely false.

"He says no. Said something about taking Nancy home instead." Billy paused, examining the boy's sad look before pretending to comfort him. "But, don't sweat it, man. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Arlo's eyes held hurt, which is exactly what Billy had wanted. He knew deep down lying was wrong, but he didn't care.

Billy wanted Arlo and Steve's semi-friendship to dissipate completely. Seeing as the less people in Arlo's life. The easier it was to use the boy, as a lap dog of sorts. Not that he would ever admit it.

So as Arlo glanced back at a still approaching Steve. Billy couldn't hold back his smile when Arlo finally spoke up. "Ready to go?"

Billy nodded, licking his lips before rounding the car again. Getting into the driver's seat as Arlo had now sat in the passenger seat.

Leaving a confused Steve alone in the parking lot, unaware of what had been told to his former friend.

     Arlo had gotten home around seven. He had been riding around in Billy's car since he got off school and could genuinely say he enjoyed Billy's company.

He hadn't had a friend in a while, so the fact that Billy had hung out with him practically all day. Was different, and Arlo believed it to be a good different.

So, as he walked into the living room. He softly smiled at the sight of his mom and his sister sitting on the couches.

"Hey mama, Ida." Arlo greeted, placing a kiss on-top of his mother's head as he went to turn the low music up.

The song that played on the radio was Stayin' Alive by Bees Gees. Which happened to be one of Arlo's favorite songs.

The boy let out a toothy grin as he placed he hands on the back of the couch, that Ida currently occupied.

"You're in a good mood." Ida noticed, turning around to squint at her very suspicious brother.

"She's right.. Where were you?"

The music continued to play in the background, Arlo speaking louder than normal to talk over the lyrics. "Hung out with Billy. He's new, from cali. He's cool."

"He's a dick."

"Eh—not necessarily." Arlo shrugged his sister off, beginning to snap his fingers along to the beat of the song.

I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.

"Here he go." Ida joked, covering her eyes with her hand. Fully aware of what came after her brother's finger snapping.

Arlo Leone loved dancing. While he was terrible at it, he mainly enjoyed the feeling of happiness that stupid dancing gave him.

Anyone who knew the boy knew this, while he avoided doing his dumb dances in public. There was a few times he'd get too drunk and do his dumb dances at Steve's old get-together's.

Each time, Tommy H and Carol would tease the tipsy boy. Getting scolded by Steve who was sure to defend Arlo, no matter how bad his dancing was.

Now it's alright. It's okay,
you can look the other way.
We can try to understand,
the new york time's effect on man.

So, as Arlo's snapping came to an end. It wasn't a shock when he offered his hand to his mother. Who almost immediately accepted.

He quickly pulled the woman up, turning her in a small circle as she laughed loudly at the boy's antics.

Whether you're a brother, or
whether you're a mother you're
staying alive. Staying alive.

The two then held onto one another's hands. Brandy's smile never leaving as she danced with her son.

Ida let out a few quiet cheers for her mother, all of which only made the dancing pair more enthusiastic.

Feel the city breaking and
everybody shaking. We're staying
alive, staying alive. Ah, ah, ah, ah.
Staying alive. Staying alive.

Arlo then let go of his mom's hands now turning to Ida with his familiar toothy grin. "Fuck no, Arlo."

"Fuck yeah, Ida." Arlo corrected, forcing his sister to stand up.

Well now, I get low and I get high.
and if I can't get either, I really try.
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes,
i'm a dancing man, I just can't lose.

Ida still refused, watching as Arlo sang terribly off pitch. Making her dramatically wince. "If I dance, will you shut up?"

"Maybe." Arlo shrugged, making Ida sigh before grabbing onto her brother's hands.

Once she did, she twisted him around. Turning to dance with her mother immediately afterwards.

You know it's alright, it's okay.
I'll live to see another day.
We can try to understand,
the new york time's effect on man.

When a laughter abruptly filled the air, the happy trio 
stopped immediately. Noticing the laughter as one which was lacking humor.

The trio then looked over at where the sound came from, not completely shocked to see Robert.

"Dad—Didn't know you were home." Arlo spoke first, wanting his father to only focus on him. Seeing as he would rather himself get yelled at than either of the women.

"Yeah, that's pretty obvious——Ida, can you turn that damn music down." Their father commanded, making Ida subconsciously tip toe over to the radio.

She turned the music almost completely off, making the lyrics now sound like a low hum.

Whether you're a brother
or whether you're a mother.
You're staying alive.
Staying alive.

Once she had finished the task, the man gestured his head behind him. Signaling his kids to go to their rooms.

This is always how it had gone.

Robert Smith, had an incredibly short temper. The man seemed to always be searching for reasons to blow up, to let his anger out.

His family knew that, in fact, it was incredibly obvious. As soon as he'd walk into their house, he'd be seemingly waiting for the moment that they had looked at him wrong.

So, when the blonde older man was awoken from his sleep to the sound of music. He would say he was rightfully angry.

He'd talk about how he just worked a twelve hour shift, and had to wake up to a stupid song and laughter.

In all actuality, he hated his family. He had grown tired of them, maybe it was stress. Yet, no amount of stress was an excuse for how he treated them. For how he treated Brandy.

"I should've checked before playing the music—I—That's my fault." Arlo reasoned, taking a step closer in order to hopefully make his dad understand.

"I know, kid. Can I have a word with your mother?"

Ida nodded, beginning to slip out of the living room. Away from the growing tension. Arlo began to slowly walk away as well, not completely leaving the living room.

"Alone. Arlo."

Arlo nodded reluctantly, walking out of the room backwards. Meeting eyes with his clearly worried mother.

Despite her worry, she still nodded. Wanting her son to leave them alone. Atleast, if he stayed in his room he would be safe.

While he ended up listening, dragging his feet along the hallway. Leaving his door open just a crack, She knew his absence wouldn't last long.

Arlo always had trouble waiting out the screaming, which is why he had so many bruises.

The boy had never let the yelling match last more than fifteen minutes, always rushing out of his room as soon as he heard his mother crying.

His dad hated it. He had wished the boy would be like Ida, who stayed in her room. Her pillow over her ears as she sobbed to herself.

Unfortunately for Robert, that was never the case.

He knew he didn't have long until Arlo was back in the living room, squeezing his way in front of Brandy. Squeezing in between them, which is the place that Robert claimed he didn't belong.