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BILLY HARGROVE WASN'T A FAN OF SCHOOL DANCES.

To be completely honest, he hated them. The loud music, the awkward dancing, and the cliques that always seemed to come with these events made him cringe, but that didn't stop him from asking Isadora Jones to go with him. When she surprisingly said yes, a mix of excitement and dread swelled inside him. Now, as the night of the dance approached, he felt something he rarely experienced—nervousness. This time, he genuinely wanted to make a good impression on the pretty blonde, especially since she had given him a second chance by agreeing to be his girlfriend. He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing her.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Beatrix Hargrove asked as she appeared in the doorway of her brother's room, her arms folded across her chest. She watched him fumbling with the suit jacket, his fingers clumsy as he struggled to adjust it. "I don't think I've ever seen you wear a suit in your life, Bills."

"I'm going to the school dance tonight with Is," Billy replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but his voice cracked slightly.

"Wait, you're going to a school dance? Oh, is tonight finally the night?" Beatrix asked, moving closer to her brother. She shook her head, a teasing grin forming on her lips. "Here, let me fix your sleeves so you don't look like a complete idiot."

"I feel like a complete idiot," he muttered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I don't even know how to dance, Trixie. What if Is asks me to dance, and I step on her toes?"

"You're not going to step on her toes. And seriously, is tonight the night?" Beatrix pressed, her curiosity evident.

"I don't know what you mean," Billy said, attempting to play it cool.

"Come on, I know you're in love with Isadora. By the way, I want to meet her. You've told me so much about her; it feels like I know her already," Beatrix teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Billy rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide the faint blush creeping up his cheeks.

Then his sister noticed a box resting on his bed and pointed at it. "What's that?"

"You want to meet Isadora?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

Beatrix nodded eagerly. "Yes! Seriously, what's in the box?"

"Nothing, Beatrix," Billy said dismissively, trying to hide the growing embarrassment.

She scoffed and walked over to the bed, opening the box to reveal a beautiful corsage nestled inside. "Who are you, and what have you done with my brother? You got a corsage for Isadora?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Yes, I got her a corsage. Can you please leave my room now?" he requested, an exasperated laugh escaping him.

Beatrix nodded, closing the box and placing it back on the bed. As she turned to leave, she paused in the doorway, glancing back at him with a softer expression. "It's nice seeing you happy," she said. Billy smiled at her, feeling a swell of affection for his sister as she left the room.

He finished getting ready, grabbing the corsage before stepping out of the house. As he left, Beatrix watched him go, hopeful that her brother would finally muster the courage to confess his feelings to Isadora.

~*~

"Hi!" Isadora beamed as she flung open her front door, wrapping her arms around Kendra and Hazel in a warm hug. The three girls had planned to get ready for the dance together, sharing the excitement of the evening ahead.

"You cut your hair?" Kendra exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she examined Isadora's new shoulder-length style.

"Oh, yeah, I did," Isadora replied with a casual shrug, leading the girls upstairs to her bedroom. They settled in and began doing their hair and makeup while gossiping about boys and school. Kendra picked up a brush, starting to carefully work on Isadora's hair.

"Uh, Isa, did you cut your hair by yourself?" Kendra asked, frowning slightly as she examined the ends.

"Yeah, I did. Why? What's wrong?" Isadora replied, her brow furrowing.

"Well, it's a little uneven, but nothing we can't fix," Kendra assured her, grabbing a pair of scissors. "What made you decide to cut your hair?"

"I just thought it was time for a change, and it's easier to manage this way," Isadora said with a shrug.

"I think it looks good," Hazel chimed in from the corner, giving Isadora a thumbs-up.

"Thanks, Haz," Isadora smiled back, glancing at Kendra, who was now curling her hair.

"Do you think Tom will try to ask you to dance tonight?" Hazel asked, her tone teasing.

Isadora sighed softly, a hint of worry crossing her features. "I really hope he doesn't."

"You know he probably will, and likely right in front of Billy," Kendra remarked, rolling her eyes.

Isadora shook her head, finishing her makeup and zipping her bag closed. "I just want tonight to be nice and fun. I don't want anything to go wrong."

"You've probably jinxed it now, Isa," Hazel teased, smirking.

"I hope I haven't," Isadora replied, biting her lip as she walked into the spare bedroom where she had kept her dress. She felt a flutter of nerves at the thought of wearing it, knowing it had belonged to her mother. After adjusting it so it fit correctly, she examined herself in the mirror, twirling to see how it flowed around her.

When she returned to her room, Kendra and Hazel gasped in unison. "Oh, Isa! You look beautiful!" Kendra exclaimed, eyes shining with admiration.

"You really think so? I-I wasn't sure about this dress because it's an old dress that belonged to my mum, and I had to hem it myself—" Isadora began, her insecurities bubbling to the surface.

"Isa, stop stressing. You look absolutely stunning, and no one is even going to know because I can promise you it doesn't look like an old dress," Kendra insisted, her voice firm.

"Are you sure?" Isadora asked, nervously smoothing down her dress.

"I promise you look amazing, Isa," Kendra reassured her.

"Yeah, she's right. You look gorgeous, and besides, we'd tell you if you looked awful," Hazel chimed in from the bathroom.

Kendra laughed, her eyes twinkling. "Seriously, Isa. I don't think Billy will be able to keep his eyes off you." Isadora giggled, blushing as she glanced at her dress again, excitement bubbling inside her as she started putting on her jewellery.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Isadora rushed downstairs, her heart racing as she opened the front door to find Steve and Eddie standing there.

"Hi! Come on in!" she greeted them, stepping aside to let them enter.

"Hi, Is! You look amazing!" Steve exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Thank you! You both look great! There are snacks and drinks in the kitchen, so feel free to help yourselves. Ken and Haz are upstairs finishing up," Isadora said, closing the door behind them.

Moments later, another knock echoed through the house. Isadora opened the door again and smiled brightly when she saw Billy standing there, looking handsome in his suit.

"Hi!" she said, hugging him tightly. "You look really handsome."

"You look beautiful, Princess," Billy replied, his voice warm as he smiled back at her. He held out a small box. "Oh, I got this for you."

"A corsage?" Isadora asked, her eyes lighting up as she opened the box. "It's so beautiful, thank you! Could you help me put it on, please?"

"Yes, of course," Billy nodded, gently grabbing her wrist and slipping the corsage on. The two shared a brief moment of eye contact, the world around them fading into the background until Steve cleared his throat, breaking the spell.

"Uh, we're still here," Steve reminded them with a smirk.

Isadora rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, anyways, I'm going to finish getting ready. I'll be back soon," she said, planting a quick kiss on Billy's cheek before hurrying back upstairs to complete her look.

As she disappeared from view, Billy stood there, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. Beatrix had been right—Isadora was different from anyone he had ever been with, and for the first time, he realised he was in love.

"Look at this," Isadora exclaimed as she reentered the bedroom, holding out her wrist proudly for Kendra and Hazel to admire the corsage Billy had given her.

"Wow, that's a beautiful corsage," Kendra commented, studying it closely, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Thank you! Billy got it for me," Isadora replied, her smile beaming.

"Billy Hargrove bought a corsage for a girl?" Hazel asked, disbelief etched on her features.

"Yeah, I guess he did," Isadora laughed, her cheeks flushing with happiness. The three girls quickly finished their final touches, ensuring they looked perfect for the dance.

Once they were ready, they made their way downstairs, joining the boys, who had helped themselves to the snacks and drinks Isadora had prepared.

As Isadora entered the room, she noticed Steve and Eddie deep in conversation, but Billy stood off to the side, looking a little lost. Concerned, she walked over to him, feeling a sense of urgency to bridge the distance.

"Hi," she greeted him softly.

"Hi, Princess," he replied, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty.

"What are you doing over here by yourself?" Isadora asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

"Well, I doubt Steve wants to talk to me, especially after I beat him up—" Billy started but hesitated. He hadn't mentioned what had happened in the Byers household, and judging by Isadora's expression, it seemed no one had told her.

"You did what?" she asked, her eyes widening in shock.

"He deserved it," Billy shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant, but his heart raced as he sensed her discomfort.

"W-What?" Isadora questioned, clearly taken aback.

"Come on, you two!" Hazel called, interrupting their conversation.

Isadora nodded, forcing a smile before following her friends out of the house and into the cars. While Hazel, Eddie, Steve, and Kendra piled into one vehicle, Isadora slid into Billy's car, her excitement bubbling as they drove toward the school.

Upon arriving, Isadora gasped at the sight of the beautifully decorated hall. The atmosphere was electric, with strings of twinkling lights and colourful streamers filling the space. Everyone looked amazing, and Isadora felt a rush of joy at the thought of spending the night with her friends.

"Come on, let's dance!" Steve shouted, pulling the girls toward the dance floor. Isadora laughed, caught up in the moment, but felt a pang of regret when she was pulled away from Billy.

As they danced together, Billy leaned against a wall, watching Isadora twirl and sway with her friends. Her laughter was infectious, and he couldn't help but smile, but as he stood there, he suddenly felt a knot form in his stomach when he saw Tom approach Isadora.

"Hi, Isadora," Tom said, flashing his charming smile as he walked over.

"Oh, uh, hi," Isadora replied, her demeanour shifting as she turned to face him.

"Would you like to dance with me?" he asked, stepping closer.

"No, thank you, Tom. I'm here with Billy and my friends," Isadora stated firmly, glancing toward Billy, who was watching the interaction with growing tension.

"Come on, Is, just one dance won't hurt," Tom urged, his persistence evident.

"Only my friends get to call me Is, and I said no," Isadora replied, shaking her head. "Excuse me, I'm going to get a drink."

As she turned to walk away, Amanda approached her.

"Billy made a mistake coming to the dance with you, especially since you're just an ugly, pathetic girl in a hand-me-down dress. And don't think that little display in the cafeteria yesterday meant anything; Billy doesn't care about you," Amanda sneered, her voice dripping with malice.

Billy's blood boiled at Amanda's words as he drew closer, fists clenched at his sides. "Leave her the hell alone, Amanda," he snapped, feeling a rush of anger.

"Oh, you can drop the act, Billy. We all know you don't really care about her," Amanda said, her tone dismissive. Billy glanced at Isadora and saw her expression change as doubt crept into her eyes.

"W-What?" Isadora stammered, hurt evident in her voice.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. I do care about her," Billy said, desperation creeping into his tone, but the doubt in Isadora's eyes cut deeper than any physical blow.

"Oh really? Is that why you made the bet?" Amanda sneered, her voice dripping with malice.

"Bet? What bet?" Isadora asked, confusion lacing her tone, her brow furrowing as she tried to comprehend the accusation.

"Oh, he didn't tell you? You were just a bet, Isadora," Amanda taunted, her smile wicked and triumphant.

Billy felt his heart drop as he watched Isadora's expression shift. The confusion quickly turned to disbelief, and he could see the wheels turning in her mind. "Billy?" she asked, her voice trembling, a hint of betrayal lacing her words.

The realisation struck him like a punch to the gut—Amanda's words, though entirely fabricated, were taking root in Isadora's mind, and he felt utterly powerless to stop it. How could she even consider believing Amanda, of all people, who had always sought to undermine her?

"Is, please, it's not true—" Billy attempted to explain, his voice breaking slightly as he reached out to her. The distance between them felt insurmountable, and he could see the walls rising in her eyes.

"You—you fucking asshole!" Isadora cried, stepping back as tears spilled over her lashes. The pain in her voice cut through him like a dagger, and he felt a deep ache in his chest, an agony that twisted his insides.

"Is, don't listen to her!" he begged, frustration and heartbreak mixing within him. Each word he spoke felt like a desperate attempt to cling to her, to the connection they shared, but he could see the doubt etched on her face.

"He made a bet that he could sleep with you, the pathetic straight-A student who no one really likes. You fell straight into his trap," Amanda laughed, her cruel smile a stark contrast to the turmoil raging in Billy's heart.

Every word from Amanda was like a fresh wound, and Billy felt his world collapsing as he watched Isadora's expression change. She looked shattered, as if every joyful moment they'd shared had suddenly been tainted. "Please don't listen to her, Is," he pleaded, his voice thick with emotion, but Amanda's relentless taunts continued to stoke the flames of doubt in Isadora's mind.

"I... I was just a game to you? You really are an asshole, Billy Hargrove!" Isadora shouted, her voice echoing painfully in the gym. The words struck him harder than any blow. "Stay the hell away from me, and don't ever speak to me again. Whatever this was, it's over!"

As she turned and fled the gym, Billy felt as if the ground had vanished beneath him. He stood frozen, watching her retreat, each step she took ripping at his heart. The whispers of the other students surrounded him, but he barely registered them; his world had narrowed down to just her and the searing hurt of her betrayal.

In that moment, he felt utterly alone, not just because Isadora had walked away but because she had chosen to believe Amanda over him. The girl he had come to care for so deeply, who had seen the real him beneath the façade, was now gone, lost to a lie. All he could do was stand there, consumed by a mix of anger, despair, and a longing to make her understand the truth—a truth that felt increasingly impossible to convey.

Nearby, Steve, Kendra, Eddie, and Hazel had all witnessed the confrontation. Concerned, Hazel, Eddie, and Kendra hurried to find Isadora while Steve approached Billy, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern.

"What happened?" Steve asked, searching for answers in Billy's eyes.

"It's not what you think—" Billy started, wanting to explain, but Steve interrupted him with a scoff, shaking his head in disbelief. Without giving Billy a chance to finish, he turned away, refocusing his attention on helping his friends find Isadora.

As the gym emptied, Amanda stepped closer to Billy, a triumphant smirk plastered on her face. "Don't worry about her; I can comfort you," she said, leaning in, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Billy's blood boiled at her audacity. "I don't want your comfort. I want nothing to do with you," he snapped, pushing past her. He was desperate to find Isadora, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Seriously? You're going after her? She's just a pathetic loser," Amanda called out, her disdain evident.

Billy stopped dead in his tracks, fury igniting in his chest. He turned around, fists clenched. "She's not pathetic! She's the best person I know! You think you can just waltz in and ruin everything because you're jealous that I chose her instead of you?!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the gym walls.

"Well, would you look at that? Billy Hargrove has fallen for the pathetic loser," Amanda taunted, her eyes glinting with mockery.

"Enough!" Billy roared, stepping closer, his voice low but furious. "Leave Isadora alone and stop trying to ruin my relationship! You're nothing but a bitter little girl who can't handle the fact that I don't want you. Just back off!"

With that, he stormed away from her, heart racing with a mix of anger and determination. He climbed into his car, slamming the door shut, and sped away from the school, thoughts of where Isadora might have gone consuming him. All he could think about was finding her and protecting her from Amanda's toxic lies.

Meanwhile, Steve rejoined Eddie, Kendra, and Hazel, who were anxiously waiting for updates. "We looked everywhere; she's not here," Hazel reported, concern etched across her face.

"Maybe she went home?" Eddie suggested, but Kendra shook her head.

"No, Isadora's upset, and when she's upset, she tends to disappear. Is there a place she might go?" Steve asked, his worry deepening.

"She does have somewhere she goes, but she's never told us where it is. We can't search all of Hawkins," Kendra replied, frustration evident in her voice.

"Let's split up," Eddie suggested, and the others nodded in agreement.

As they began to search, Billy had arrived at Isadora's house. He knocked on the door but received no response, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. Wiping the tears away from his cheeks, he turned to head back to his car, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Upon returning home, he stormed into the house, brushing past Max, who stared at him in surprise as he vanished into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

When Beatrix finally returned home, Max told her about Billy's outburst. Concerned, she knocked on his door, but when he didn't respond, she sighed softly, deciding to leave him alone for the moment.

Sitting on his bed, the heartbroken boy felt lost and alone, consumed by thoughts of what had just happened and how he could fix things with Isadora. Desperate to find her, he wondered where she could be and how he could show her that Amanda was lying.

As the night wore on, Billy's mind raced with regrets, and he couldn't help but replay the events over and over, wishing he could turn back time and do things differently. The girl he had fallen for felt like she was slipping away from him, and it terrified him. He knew he had to find a way to make it right, but how? The weight of his unspoken feelings hung heavily in the air, and he resolved that he wouldn't rest until he could tell Isadora how much she truly meant to him.

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Well this chapter started happy ...

Also I entirely re-wrote this chapter to see more of Billy's perspective. Also, yes, he's never given Isadora a reason not to believe him and yes Amanda has previously tried to come between them but I purposely wrote it so Isadora believed her this time and didn't listen to Billy. In the moment he told her that it's not true, he had already stayed quiet when Isadora had tried to ask him about the bet so she believed it may have been true.

Billy defending her though even after she told him to stay away from her makes me so happy.

Enjoy! Xo

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