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SUMMER WAS ISADORA'S FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR.

Back when she lived in California, summer was a magical season filled with endless possibilities. It meant long, sun-drenched days at the beach with friends and family, where they would surf the waves, hold beach parties that lasted into the night, and watch spectacular fireworks light up the sky at Santa Monica Pier. Those summers were characterised by laughter, warmth, and the salty scent of the ocean, painting her world in hues of blue and gold. Isadora could almost feel the sun on her skin as she remembered the days spent lounging on sandy shores, the thrill of riding the waves, and the sense of freedom that accompanied those endless summer days.

But summer in Hawkins was a different beast altogether. While there were no sandy shores or crashing waves, the warmth of friendship still brought life to the season. When Steve suggested a pool party at his house, Isadora felt a thrill of excitement coursing through her veins, invigorating her spirit and momentarily distracting her from the bittersweet memories of her previous summers. It was a chance to create new memories with her friends, and she quickly jumped at the idea.

Now, as she stood by the edge of the Harrington's pool, she watched her friends gather. Some chatted animatedly while others dove into the cool, inviting water. The sun cast a golden glow over everything, and the laughter of her friends filled the air, mixing with the faint sound of music playing in the background. The backyard was alive with energy and life, and for Isadora, it was a welcome escape from the quiet of her everyday routine. She leaned back slightly, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, letting the moment wash over her.

"Watch out!" Jaxon Tyrell, one of their classmates, shouted playfully as he ran toward the pool. Without warning, he leaped into the air, creating a massive splash that sent waves crashing over Isadora. The cold water hit her unexpectedly, and she gasped, instinctively wiping it from her face while glaring at Jaxon as he resurfaced, water dripping from his tousled hair.

"Jaxon, what the hell?" Isadora exclaimed, the chill still lingering on her skin as she shook her head, droplets flying off her hair.

"I told you to watch out! Not my fault you didn't move, Blondie," Jaxon shot back, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. Isadora rolled her eyes in annoyance, trying to maintain her composure despite the mischievous glint in his eye.

"You know, you're lucky I'm not as mean as you are," she retorted, trying to mask her smile. She quickly turned her attention back to Jacqueline, who was engrossed in a conversation about their future plans.

"I can't believe you'll be leaving Hawkins so soon. I'm really going to miss you, Jacquie," Isadora said, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice.

"I know! I'm going to miss you too, Is. Have you made a decision yet about where you're going for college?" Jacqueline asked, her tone both excited and a little melancholic. Isadora glanced over at Billy, who was lounging nearby, taking in the atmosphere of the party.

"Yeah, I'm going to Eastview College. It's close enough to Hawkins that I can just drive back whenever I have classes," she replied, a smile dancing on her lips as she thought about the adventures awaiting her. The conversation flowed easily between them, laughter punctuating their words, but a nagging sense of uncertainty about the future lingered in Isadora's mind.

As the girls chatted, their laughter mingled with the sounds of splashing and playful shouts from their friends. Unbeknownst to them, Jaxon was swimming toward Isadora, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Billy, noticing his girlfriend and Jacqueline sharing a laugh, lowered his sunglasses, only to see Jaxon making a beeline for Isadora. In a moment of playfulness, Jaxon grabbed Isadora's arm and pulled her into the pool with him, an impulsive decision that sent ripples of laughter and surprise through the air.

"Jaxon!" Isadora cried out, surfacing with her hair clinging to her face. She pushed it away, shooting a faux angry glare at Jaxon. "I didn't want to get my hair wet!"

"Baby, you're at a pool party! How did you plan on avoiding it?" Billy chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes, and Isadora couldn't help but smirk at his playful banter.

"I... I don't know! But I didn't want to get my hair wet!" Isadora retorted, making a face at him before turning back to Jaxon, who was already grinning in anticipation of more fun.

"Oh, it's on, Jones!" Jaxon declared, splashing water at her with abandon. The playful back-and-forth ignited a full-fledged water fight, and soon, everyone was involved. Ellie Hopper, caught in the crossfire, shrieked, "Hey!" as the water splashed over her.

"Sorry, Ellie!" Isadora called out, her laughter mingling with the chaos. The group quickly formed alliances, with Ellie and Jaxon teaming up against Isadora and Steve, who had been convinced to join the fray by the infectious energy of their laughter.

"Okay, okay, you win!" Isadora finally admitted, raising her hands in surrender as she realised she was thoroughly soaked and gasping for breath from laughing so hard. Her friends cheered in delight, their laughter echoing through the backyard, bringing a sense of joy that filled Isadora's heart with warmth. Grateful for the truce, she climbed out of the pool, water glistening on her skin as she walked over to grab a towel. She wrapped it around her waist and settled in front of Billy's chair, leaning against his legs as he draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head.

"Here, I grabbed you a soda," Kendra said, walking over with a can and handing it to Isadora.

"Thanks!" Isadora smiled, opening the can and taking a refreshing sip. The fizz tickled her nose, and she savoured the sweetness, feeling a little of the chill fade away.

"So, have you decided what you want to do now that we've graduated?" Kendra asked, settling next to her and watching the party with a content expression.

Isadora took another sip before shrugging, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "Well, I'll be starting classes at Eastview College in September because I got accepted to medical school to study nursing, but maybe I should look into getting a job for the summer," she said, leaning back against Billy, who momentarily paused to absorb her words, a look of pride in his eyes.

A small part of him had always known Isadora would pursue college, but he was surprised to hear her plans were already set in motion. "You know, you could always be a lifeguard for the summer and work with me at the Hawkins Community Pool," Billy suggested, a hopeful smile on his face.

"Yeah, maybe," Isadora replied, mulling it over, before turning her attention back to Kendra, who was leaning forward with an inquisitive expression. Billy frowned slightly; he hadn't realised that Isadora later deciding against the lifeguard position would become one of the best and worst decisions of her life. As he resumed massaging her shoulders, Isadora continued, "I'm just glad I won't have to move states for college. Luckily, the college I got into is close enough to Hawkins that I can just drive there whenever I have classes, and they have all the courses I need."

"And you're still set on studying nursing?" Kendra asked, her tone curious and supportive.

"Definitely! Nursing first, and then I want to become a surgeon. I'm leaning toward being a Paediatric surgeon," Isadora said, a spark of enthusiasm lighting her eyes as she took another sip of her drink. Billy listened intently, his heart sinking at the thought of her potentially being away more than he anticipated. The idea of her leaving him for long stretches left an unsettling feeling in his gut.

"And you're still planning to find a job for the summer?" Steve asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Yes! Something that hopefully lasts after the summer. If I do keep a job, it will probably mean balancing work and college," Isadora explained, her eyes bright with determination. Billy continued to massage her shoulders, feeling a mix of admiration and anxiety about what Isadora's busy future might mean for their relationship. He was afraid of losing her, and as selfish as it sounded, a small part of him wished she wouldn't go to college—though he would never dare to voice that concern to her.

As he massaged her shoulder, his fingers brushed against a faint scar that caught his attention. He hesitated, gently tracing it with his fingertips, but Isadora flinched at the contact, pulling away abruptly. She quickly walked over to where Ellie was animatedly chatting with Dustin, Will, Lucas, Max, and her friend from California, all invited by Steve. Billy watched, confused by her sudden change in demeanour as Isadora laughed and re-engaged with her friends, her previous joy replaced by a flicker of discomfort.

"What was that about?" Kendra asked, glancing between Billy and Isadora with concern.

"I don't... I'm not sure. She flinched when I touched her," Billy replied, still focused on Isadora.

"She flinched?" Kendra echoed, surprised. Billy nodded but chose not to elaborate, a nagging instinct warning him to keep quiet about the scar. As he turned back to Isadora, he realised she had secrets he hadn't uncovered, and curiosity mixed with concern gnawed at him.

"Come on, just stand right here," Ellie said, positioning Isadora at the pool's edge with an exaggerated grin. Billy raised an eyebrow, intrigued as he watched Isadora comply, her expression a mix of apprehension and amusement.

"I swear, Ellie, if you're going to push—" Isadora began, but was cut off when Jaxon approached from behind, scooped her up effortlessly, and jumped into the pool. They resurfaced, and Isadora sputtered, pushing her hair out of her face with a mix of annoyance and laughter, glaring at Jaxon and Ellie.

"What the hell?" she shouted, feigning anger but unable to hide her amusement. Billy chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Isadora emerge from the water, her laughter infectious as she wrapped her arms around Ellie in a playful hug that sent the younger girl squealing in surprise.

"What are you two up to?" Max asked, strolling over to investigate the commotion.

"Nothing, just giving Ellie a hug," Isadora said sweetly, letting go of her friend and walking back to where Steve, Kendra, and Billy were, wrapping a towel around herself before settling next to Billy, who pulled her close once more.

"I can't believe it's finally summer," Kendra said, reclining on her chair with a satisfied sigh, her eyes closed as she soaked up the sun.

"I know! I love summer. It was always my favourite time of year back in California. I remember those sunny days spent at the beach, surfing or hanging out with friends. There were parties too, like this one time..." Isadora trailed off, her mind wandering back to one particularly memorable party.

She smiled, lost in the memory, and continued, "I remember this one party where this jerk accidentally spilled his drink all over me." As the words left her lips, Billy froze, his heart racing at the realisation.

"That... that was you?" he asked, caught off guard, his cheeks flushing slightly.

Isadora turned, "Wait... what are you talking about? You were there?"

"Uh, yeah. I was the jerk who spilled the drink on you," Billy admitted sheepishly. Isadora's eyebrows knitted together in disbelief before she burst into laughter, the sound ringing out in the warm summer air.

"Is anyone else confused about what's going on?" Steve interjected, eyeing the two with a puzzled expression.

"What's so funny, Isa?" Kendra asked, genuinely curious.

"Honestly? I remember seeing Billy at that party, but we barely spoke—he just told me to watch where I was going and called me 'Princess.' How did you even end up there? You didn't go to my school," Isadora said, still laughing at the unexpected connection.

"Just one of my friends invited me," Billy replied with a casual shrug, still grinning.

"Oh, right," Isadora nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as she tried to piece together the memory.

"You went to parties in California?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I was a different person back then. I used to party a bit, but summer was more about the beach and surfing," Isadora explained, her smile tinged with nostalgia.

"You surfed?" Billy asked, genuinely surprised, leaning closer as if wanting to hear more.

"Yeah! We lived right by the beach, so I learned young. I spent hours out there; my parents often had to drag me out of the water. I'd surf before and after school, and every weekend was dedicated to it," Isadora shared, a gleam of excitement lighting her eyes as she reminisced about those carefree days.

"I never pictured you as a surfer," Billy said, his admiration for her growing.

"Yeah, my dad taught me when I was little. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm a pro, but I definitely loved it," Isadora replied with a smile, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Just when I thought you couldn't get any more perfect, you can surf too," Billy smirked, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. Isadora felt her cheeks warm at the compliment, and she couldn't help but grin back, feeling a swell of affection for him.

"Come on, we should probably go and join everyone else," Isadora suggested, nudging Billy gently. He nodded in agreement, and together with Steve and Kendra, they walked over to rejoin the festivities.

As they approached the lively crowd, the sounds of laughter and music enveloped them, creating an atmosphere thick with joy and camaraderie. Isadora felt a sense of belonging wash over her, mingling with the warmth of the sun. She glanced around at her friends, each absorbed in their own conversations, and felt grateful for the connections they shared.

For the rest of the afternoon, the group celebrated the start of summer, laughter and joy filling the air as they shared stories, played games, and splashed around in the pool. The sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting it with shades of orange and pink, creating a breathtaking backdrop for their carefree gathering. Isadora couldn't shake the feeling of happiness that enveloped her; she was surrounded by friends, laughter echoed around her, and the warmth of summer wrapped her in a comforting embrace.

But unbeknownst to them, dark clouds loomed on the horizon, hinting at the challenges and adventures that awaited them in the coming weeks. As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting a serene twilight over the gathering, Isadora felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She knew the summer would bring changes—some exciting and some daunting—but for now, she was surrounded by friends, the air filled with laughter and promise.

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And this was the final chapter before the season three storyline begins.

Enjoy! Xo

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