Summary: Having a nice view of the handsome blond while working at the Hawkins pool was good enough, but when circumstances lead you to an encounter with Billy and then a chance to become friends, perhaps even more, you can't stay away. Maybe Billy Hargrove isn't such an asshole after all. [Canon with a variation]

Warnings: None for this chapter! Swearing, I guess? ha.

Word Count: 3.1k

Author's Notes: Alright, y'all! This is where you'll start to see some variation from canon. :D I hope you're ready! There's lots more fluff and awkward flirting coming your way. I kinda love it! I hope you will too! Please let me know your thoughts, my lovelies! <3

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The next day, you were finally getting a breather from customers when you looked out to see Heather climbing down from the lifeguard tower. You rolled your eyes, well aware of what came next. The line of lounge chairs to the left of the tower was occupied by middle-aged women with young children swimming, but their focus was instead on the locker room door. The women primped and adjusted their posture just before Billy walked out the door and into the sunshine.

Gross.

Not Billy. The women. Billy wore his usual red swim trunks but today he also had on a white tank top with the Hawkins Pool logo plastered on his chest. He slipped his usual sunglasses on as he stubbed a cigarette out on the red brick wall before heading for his post.

"Afternoon, ladies," you heard him say over the screaming and splashing of children.

"Hi, Billy," the women answered in unison.

You resisted the urge to gag outwardly.

A few customers arrived then and you were back at work.

Hours later, the pool was closed and you were wrapping up the last of your responsibilities for the evening. As usual, music was blasting. Billy had a spray bottle and rag in hand, wiping down the lounge chairs. It had to be done at least once a week because all the sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine would leave stains over time. Yuck.

Intent on taking out the garbage, you walked out the side door but spotted Billy lying in one of the now-clean lounge chairs. Abandoning your task, you walked toward him and commandeered the chair next to Billy, laying down while still in your apron and visor. His head turned at the sound, offering you a half-smile before he turned back to staring into the distance.

The silence stretched out comfortably as you listened to the music, the lapping water, and wind rustling through the nearby trees.

"Not swimming tonight?" you finally asked. The best opener you could come up with after wracking your brain.

"Nah."

You nodded, listening as a new song was announced by the DJ on the radio. You knew the song but the artist escaped you. The chorus came up and you decided to make an ass of yourself, singing along with exaggerated head bopping and hand gestures.

"She's just a devil woman,

With evil on her mind.

Beware the devil woman

She's gonna get you..."

Billy smiled with amusement, choosing to join in. You both sang the lyrics you knew and did ridiculous moves without leaving your lounge chairs. As the last chords rang out, you both laughed while meeting eyes.

You couldn't let a good moment last, though.

"Speaking of 'devil women'...how's Mrs. Wheeler and her coven?" you asked, raising your eyebrows at Billy.

The blond rolled his eyes, looking away. "They're just bored of their dull lives and even duller husbands. Doesn't hurt if I give them a little thrill," he shrugged with a grin.

You scoffed at that, gazing out at the pool. "Yeah, okay. I just think it's a little creepy. I mean, Nancy's basically our age. All I'm saying is that if it were MISTER Wheeler perving after someone like Heather, I don't think people would be so okay with it. Would you?" you asked, looking Billy's way.

Billy was turned away, brows furrowed. He was a silent a long moment.

Panic gripped you, thinking you'd overstepped. "Never mind, I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm talking abo—"

"No," he quickly interrupted. "You're right. I hadn't really thought of it like that..." Billy trailed off, raising a hand to chew on his fingernail. A nervous habit you had noticed.

Taking off your visor, you let it fall to the side while you scratched your head. Billy took it as an opportunity to snatch the visor and take a closer look at it.

"Billy, it's probably all gross and smells like fried food, just...give it back, come on," you urged him.

He saw this as a moment to lighten the mood, yanking it out of your reach every time he offered it to you with a smile on his face.

"Here, just take it," he teased, keep it out of your reach until you stood from the lounge chair. He did the same, taking a few steps toward the pool and threatening to drop it into the water.

"Seriously, Hargrove. Hand it over, I need that for tomorrow."

"Last name basis, huh? It's serious now," Billy grinned.

Making a swift attack, you lunged for the visor while throwing an elbow into Billy's side, causing him to drop it but luckily onto the pool deck. You couldn't care less, though, because the man had folded in half, clutching his side after your soft strike. He truly looked liked he was in pain.

"Billy? Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't think it was that hard, I—"

"No, it's fine," he grunted out, straightening his posture. "Just a sore spot."

You bent down to pick up your visor while Billy collected his cleaning supplies, still wincing at the movement. Lingering a moment, you blurted out the first thing that came out of your head.

"Any plans for the Fourth of July next week?" you asked.

Billy's eyebrows raised, surprised by the change in subject, and then he shrugged. "I don't know. Max will probably want to go to the carnival with her friends. Not really my scene, but..."

"Yeah, mine either. The fireworks will be pretty cool, though, I hear. Actually, I..." you paused a moment, gathering your courage. "I had a friend in school with a great view of the fireworks from their farm. They're out of town this year, but I was thinking about heading there before dark. You know...good show but less people. Do you...want to come?"

You held your breath, so sure The Great Billy Hargrove had better things to do in his spare time, but after a few seconds he smiled with a nod.

"Yeah. I'm up for that."

"Yeah?" you couldn't help but grin. "Okay. Cool. Well..I should finish up," you said, gesturing to the Snack Shack behind you.

Billy nodded, waving goodbye with the rag in his hand.

Taking out the trash seemed like a much easier task with a hangout outside of work to look forward to. With Billy Hargrove.

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The days leading up to the Fourth passed unremarkably except for one thing. While Mrs. Wheeler and her gal pals weren't mentioned again, you did notice a change between them and the handsome lifeguard. Billy's greeting was cordial to the older women, but he didn't seem to open up opportunities to chat or linger. You even saw Mrs. Wheeler climb out of the pool and approach the lifeguard stand while Billy was on duty one day. Unlike previous encounters, Billy stayed in his chair rather than climb down and further the conversation. His gaze remained on the rest of the pool with his replies short, a tight smile on his face.

Interesting.

When America's Independence Day arrived, the pool was closed for the holiday so you spent it with your family with an eye on the clock. The anticipation of the upcoming night had you nearly jumping out of your skin. There may or may not have been a closet explosion as you tried on nearly everything you owned in search of the "perfect outfit". Billy had never seen you in non-work clothes. Well. Not since school and not since he started paying a little more attention. Possibly.

You really didn't want the questions or interrogation of Billy picking you up at home, so you might have fibbed to your family and said you were going to the carnival and meeting friends there. Instead, you planned to meet Billy in the swimming pool parking lot. Billy roared into the lot right on time, opening the passenger's side door by leaning through the car from his own seat. You placed the bag of snacks you'd brought along in the back seat next the Billy's cooler filled with drinks. Well coordinated, of course.

"Hey," you said in greeting, climbing into the passenger seat and clicking on your seatbelt.

"Hey," Billy echoed, offering a smile. "So, where are we going?"

He followed your directions toward the outside of town. Arriving at the empty farm, Billy pulled down the long dirt driveway and cranked the wheel to park in the direction of the upcoming fireworks. He cut off the Camaro's engine but then turned the key halfway again to leave the radio playing. You both climbed out and while you grabbed the bag of snacks and cooler, Billy popped the trunk and pulled out a blanket. He laid it out on the hood of the Camaro and then took the cooler from you before placing it in the middle.

"Hop on," he gestured, indicating for you to get on top of his precious vehicle.

Eyebrows raised in surprise, you hesitated. "You sure?"

"Yeah," he smiled, walking around to the drivers side. With his back toward you, he placed both hands on the edge of the hood and pushed himself up to sitting on the classic car. Billy swung his legs up until he was lying back on the windshield, the blanket acting as protection from the paint job most likely. And maybe for comfort, since the engine still retained some heat.

You followed his lead, although much less gracefully. Finally in a lounging position, you laid your head back with your gaze at the sky. The sun was setting with clouds painted pastels of pink, orange, and purple. It would be fully dark in less than half an hour and the fireworks would then begin. Opening the bag of snacks, you showed Billy the selection of chips and candy you brought. Billy did the same, opening the cooler.

"I got beer and soda. Which do you want?"

"I'll have a beer," you requested.

He nodded, plucking out one of the bottles and popping the top with one of his keys before handing it to you. Billy chose the same, opening his own beer and clinking the glass bottle against yours in "cheers" before taking a long gulp. You took a sip as well, trying in vain to keep your gaze away from the beautiful man only inches away who also smelled really good. Not that you minded his usual aroma of chlorine.

Billy wore a white button-up shirt paired with a casual denim jacket. His usual well-fitting jeans were showing all his best assets and you couldn't decide if these or the swim trunks were your favorite on Billy. Although, he looked good in anything, honestly. Past his long legs, he wore Converse tennis shoes instead of the heavy black leather boots he preferred most of the school year. Billy was distractingly handsome, those blond curls framing his masculinely beautiful face in the fading light.

The DJ on the radio announced the next few songs during something called a Block Party where they played a block of songs all by the same artist or band. A familiar song began to play but you couldn't place where you'd heard it. You tapped your toe to the beat, though, as you sipped your beer.

"Shout, shout, shout at the devil..." you sang along, at least the only lyrics you knew.

"You like Motley Crue?" Billy asked, head turned your way.

You shrugged. "Yeah. I don't know a lot of their stuff but I recognize this one from somewhere..." you trailed off, then snapping your fingers when the memory came to you. "A party! Halloween last year."

Billy frowned, cocking his head. "Tina's party?"

"Yep."

He shook his head. "I was there, too. I don't remember seeing you."

"I'm not surprised," you said with a sigh. "You were otherwise engaged, Mr. Keg King," you teased.

He turned his head away but you caught a hint of a smile. When Billy turned back, his expression was serious. "I'm sorry. I wish...I wish I had known you better then."

You met his gaze. "It's okay. Nothing to apologize for. Everything in good time, right?"

"I guess so, yeah." He smiled softly, letting the silence hang a moment before he redirected the subject. "Shout at the Devil is a great song, but they've got better stuff."

"Oh really?"

"Hell yeah," he assure you, turning to face you as he went on a long, passionate tirade about the band's big break and which members had been there from the beginning and which albums he liked best.

The information was for sure interesting but what you loved even more was how engaged and intense Billy was when he felt comfortable to share what he loved. Billy's bright blue eyes lit up and he talked with his hands for emphasis. It was absolutely adorable. He took a break for a moment, reaching for the Marlboro Reds in his pocket.

When Billy looked back your way, he must have caught an odd expression on your face.

"Why do you do that?" Billy asked, cocking his head.

"Do what?"

"Why do you look at me with that little smile?" he clarified, lighting a cigarette between his lips.

"Sorry," you muttered quickly, pressing your lips together tightly.

Billy exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Never said I didn't like it."

Shifting your view out toward the sky, you thought a moment.

"I guess...you surprise me. Learning more about you makes me smile," you admitted, dropping your gaze to focus on your fidgeting hands.

The silence stretched until you finally braved a glance his way. His expression was surprisingly soft, eyes holding your gaze.

"I like getting to know you, too."

You resisted the urge to glance away. Feeling brave, you reached out and plucked the cigarette hanging from his lips and brought it to your own, taking a long drag. He watched as you exhaled out through your mouth, then returning the cigarette to his parted lips that closed around it. Billy put it between two fingers after another drag, still meeting your eye.

"I didn't know you smoked," Billy said, voice strained as he held the smoke in his lungs.

"I don't, really," you answered, the words coming out more husky than planned. Could be because your throat was burning a little. Or perhaps you were breathless from such extended eye contact with a beautiful man.

Smoke escaped through his mouth and nose, his features barely visible in the falling darkness.

"It's probably not that helpful for your lung capacity, though," you jabbed.

Billy released a loud chuckle, bright smile across his handsome face. "Yeah, maybe."

He held the cigarette out to you and you took it, fingers brushing his. This exchange went back and forth, sharing and exhaling and the brushes of fingers that became more and more deliberate as the glow of ash became the only light with which to see each other's faces.

Suddenly the sky exploded with a blue flash of sparkles, startling you both out of your shared reverie. You might have even jumped at the loud boom that followed. Glancing back at Billy, he had a look of surprise but it quickly eased into a smile, which you returned. He opened the cooler again, offering you the same two choices. You grabbed another beer but Billy chose a soda, which you appreciated. He was driving later, after all. He also picked a bag of chips from the snacks, opened it, and offered a few to you.

The fireworks display was amazing, lasting about twenty minutes with varying colors of exploding lights and sparkles. At least that asshole Mayor Kline was truthful about something. You and Billy made the odd comment about a particularly good firework but it was too loud for conversation. Instead, you sipped and snacked until the grand finale had ended and the night was once again quiet. All that was left was smoke in the air and the smell of sulphur.

You sat in silence a moment, letting your hearing recover.

"Not bad," Billy finally spoke into the darkness.

"Yeah," you sighed, feeling the letdown of knowing the evening was soon coming to a close.

The radio continued to play on, now broadcasting a Scorpions song. Rock You Like A Hurricane. You couldn't help but feel your cheeks warm at the subject matter.

"So, I was thinking..." Billy began, shifting on the hood of his car, "maybe we could—"

But he was interrupted just as the radio quickly shifted from music to an emergency alert.

"Breaking news in Hawkins. There's been a fire at the newly-built Starcourt Mall. We're still awaiting more details but it seems like the damage was extensive and there is word of injuries and possible fatalities. So, check in with your loved ones. We'll update you as we receive new information. Stay safe and Happy Independence Day."

Shocked into silence a moment, you had sat up during the broadcast and Billy had done the same.

"Holy shit," you finally uttered.

"Yeah," Billy exhaled.

"Um...you were saying something?" you finally remembered what interrupted the news.

Billy shook his head in the low light. "Right, it's...uh. Never mind. It can wait. Kinda feel like I should check in at home...maybe go get Max from the carnival."

"Yeah, I should get home, too."

You both hopped down from the hood and you lifted the snacks and cooler so Billy could stow away the blanket in his trunk. Climbing into the passenger seat, you watched Billy as he slammed the trunk shut and slipped into the driver's seat before starting the engine. He found his way from the farm and back to the swimming pool parking lot with only minimal directions from you. Putting the car in park, he turned toward you.

"Well, I had a good time," he said with that soft smile you were beginning to recognize and love.

"I did too. Thanks for coming with me," you replied.

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow? You're working, right?"

Some sort of winged creature had taken flight in your stomach.

"Yup," you confirmed, a little too giddy. "I'll be here. See you then."

Climbing out of the car, you walked toward your bike and then watched as Billy offered a wave and then peeled out of the parking lot.

That had gone...surprisingly well, you thought as you climbed on your bike and pedaled home. You were curious what Billy was trying to say earlier, but hopefully you'd be able to find out when you saw him at work the next day.

Except you didn't.

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Chapter Four>>> 

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Oops. Cliffhanger! :D Sorry, I had to! How sweet was that little maybe-date to watch the fireworks?? And we can all agree that Mrs. Wheeler is super gross and SOMEONE had to say it! Right?? In my mind, Billy avoiding her and that fateful drive might have changed the course of season 3′s events. Yes? Hmmm. I guess we'll see what happens! :D I adore you all! Please let me know your thoughts, I'm a thirsty hoe for comments and feedback.