A couple of hours later, the military finally showed up. I was sitting with Steve in one of the medical trucks. I was watching El who was with Mike and Will finally getting some actual medical attention for her leg.

I had my head on Steve's shoulder and Steve had his head on mine. "It's been a long day, huh?" he said. "It sure has. All i want to do is get some mexican food and watch 'the shining'" i said. "I've never seen it" he said.

"Are you joking? You've never seen the shining? How did i not know this?!" i exclaimed. "I don't like scary movies, alright! Why choose to be scared?!" he questioned.

"Because it's fun when your scared because it's not real! It's like controlled fear!" i said with laughter. "Fine. How about, for our first date, we'll go out for dinner then watch the shining?" he asked.

"That sounds fun" i said with a smile. "Then i'm thinking for the second date we should go see a movie and then go bowling or something" he said. "No, people who go to the movies on dates grotesque. You don't even speak to each other. You just sit and watch the movie the whole time in silence" i said.

"And who said we'd be watching the movie?" he questioned with a smirk. "We're not in high school anymore, Harrington. Keep acting like that and there won't be a second date" i replied.

We both laugh. "How's your neck?" he asked. "It only hurts when i talk." "Good for me then" he said. I nudged him in the arm as he laughed hysterically. He kissed me on the head.

"I'm glad your alright... But i'm still mad you kneed me in the balls. That's the second time in three years. You do realise that's not normal" he said. "No promises that it will be the last" i said.

I sat up suddenly as i saw Joyce walk out of the mall. "My dads back! I'll be back in a minute" i said to Steve as i walked away.

I looked around but couldn't spot him. "Where's Hop?" El asked as she walked towards me. I watched as Will ran towards Joyce as she hugged him tightly. As i was looking through the crowds, i saw some of the military men block the mall doors back up.

My bright smile slowly faded. I looked to Joyce who was staring at me. I gave her a confused look. She had teary eyes as she hugged Will tighter. She slowly shook her head.

My heart sank. I could see it in her face. It was then i knew. She was telling me no one was coming back for me. I felt a lump grow in my throat as my breathing stopped. I felt tears fill up my eyes.

I saw Dr. Owens in the corner of my eye. I knew he was the head scientist and head military. I stormed towards him as i pushed through the groups of people.

He was facing his back to me as i shoved him. "Hey, what the- Joy?" he questioned. I continued shoving him as some military men grabbed me by my arms and pulled me back.

"You asshole! You were supposed to be here hours ago! Where the fuck were you?! Where were you?!" i shouted as i tried to break loose from the military men's grip.

"Joy, i'm sorry but-" he began. "You were supposed to be here! This is your mess in the first place! He called your hours ago!" i shouted finally breaking the men's grasp on my arms.

Steve ran over when he saw all the commotion. He stood in front of me as i tried to push past him. "Joy, hey! Stop" he said grabbing my hands.

I tried to shove Steve away but he had my arms caught. "This is you're fault! Not his. You were supposed to fucking die!" i shouted still trying to push Steve away from me.

Dr. Owens stood there not knowing what to say. "Joy. Stop" Steve mumbled. I slowly stopped trying to fight him as i felt my knees go weak. I fell to the ground as i felt my whole body ache.

Steve wrapped his arms around me as i felt all my emotions coming to the surface. It felt like a bomb in my chest was about to go off.

I began sobbing as i screamed into Steve's shoulder. "I told him not to fucking go in there" i mumbled in-between sobs. I continued sobbing, not caring who heard me.

My mother always told me, never let anyone see you cry because then they'll know your weakness. Well now everyone knows. My weakness is loosing the only person who's stuck with me through everything.

The only person who truly knew me. And now they're gone. They're gone because i decided to try and investigate some stupid code. My best friend was gone. My dad was gone.

Three Months Later:

"Fast times! Ever heard of it? Top three for me Keith!" Steve exclaimed. The manager rolled his eyes. "Fine. You both start Monday. But Harrington! One screw up from you and your out!" he exclaimed.

Steve saluted him sarcastically as him and Robin walked out of the store. "We got it! We actually got the job!" Steve shouted in excitement. "Yeah, dingus! We got the job because of me!" Robin said with laughter.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever! Now come on, i want to try and call to Joys house again. Tell her about the job, you know?" Steve said about to get into his car.

"And when was the last time you actually talked to her?" Robin asked. Steve's smile faded. "You know when, Robin" Steve mumbled. Robin patted him on the back.

"That's why i'm going to try and talk to her, again. Now come on" Steve said trying to force a smile. Robin was about to get into the car until she froze. "Robin, what?" Steve questioned.

"Steve" she said as she pointed behind him. He looked behind as his face dropped. I waved from across the street. He looked me up and down with shock.

To be fair to him, i did look completely different. It had been three whole months since i'd seen him and a lot has changed. I haven't put on any makeup for months. I also cut off most of my hair. It was cut past my shoulders.

I was wearing sweats and one of Joyce's old sweatshirts. He slowly made his way over to me, as Robin waited in his car.

He stood in front of me with an awkward smile. "Hey" i mumbled. "Hi... How've you been?" he asked. I let out a sad, fake laugh. "I'm fine... Can we talk?" i asked.

He nodded as i led him over to a bench close by. We both sat down as i was thinking of what to say. "I missed you" Steve said breaking the silence.

I gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry i haven't been around. I wanted to call but i just-" "No, No... I get it. Don't worry.... I came by though. A lot" he said.

"Yeah, i know. Joyce told me. What is it, 27 times?" i asked. Steve nodded. "Why didn't you call me. Tell me you were okay?" he questioned. I sighed as i began biting my nails.

"Probably because i'm not. And i didn't want to tell you about... About..." i began but not knowing how to put it into words. "Tell me what?" he asked. "There's been a lot of stuff going on. Not just... My dad."

Steve grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. All i wanted to do was push his hand off of mine. He's making it so much harder.

"I'm leaving Steve" i said looking at the ground. He took his hand off mine. "What?" he questioned. "That's why i've been avoiding you. At first, i couldn't even get out of bed, let alone talk to you. Then, i had to worry about El, then i said i would tell you in a couple of days, then i kept putting it off, then my mom got involved and just so much has been happening and-"

"Wait, wait, wait, slow down, Joy! You're leaving?" he exclaimed. "I'm sorry" i mumbled. Steve put his head in his hands as we sat in silence.

"Steve? Please say something" i said putting my hand on his leg. "I just don't understand why you didn't tell me? I've been trying to see you for months and you've ignored me, which is fine. I get it. I sucked it up. Then i see you and i'm thinking, finally, i get to see her again. But i'm not seeing her. It's like i'm seeing some ghost version of you!" he exclaimed.

"A ghost? Really?" i mumbled. Steve sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just... What are we doing here, Jo? Where are you even going?" he asked.

"That's just it. I have no idea. I was supposed to be sticking with El and go to California with the Byers. But then my mom heard about my dad and wants me to come back to England. And Joyce tried to tell her the situation, then my mom said something about bringing her to court and Joyce can not afford a lawyer so right now... I have no idea where i'm going" i said.

"Your mom?... You heard from your mom?" he questioned. I nodded my head as i bit my tongue. "It sounds like you have a lot of shit going on" he said. "I guess. But that's not an excuse. I should have told you all of this sooner" i said.

"So, i'm guessing with all this shit going on, you don't want a boyfriend on top of it all" he said. He took me off guard. I didn't expect him to say that. I didn't want him to say that.

"Well, i'm guessing you don't want a ghost as a girlfriend so, yeah, that's probably for the best" i mumbled. Steve nodded. "Okay then... But this doesn't change anything. I mean, it does but... Your still my friend. Just like before. Wherever you go, you'll always come back. And me, you and Robin can hang out" he said.

He was lying. This changes everything. He's a terrible liar. "Yeah... Of course! Always" i said with a small laugh. We sat in uncomfortable silence.

"I'm gonna go say goodbye to Robin" i said standing up. "Yeah, i'll follow" he said. We awkwardly walked to Steve's car as Robin ran out and hugged me.

"Ugh! Never leave me alone for this long again! Do you realise how long i had to be alone with your dingus boyfriend for!" she exclaimed. I gave her a small, awkward smile. That smile slowly turned into tears.

Ever since that night, i think something broke inside of me. I can't keep anything in. Whenever i feel something, it just comes out.

Robins bright smile faded as she hugged me again. "I'm leaving" i mumbled. "What? Where?" she asked. "For now California. But i don't know for sure... But i'm leaving" i said.

I pulled out of the hug as Robin gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Well, that's okay! He's not actually that bad! I just prefer you. But you'll come back, right?" she questioned.

I nodded. "Of course" i said. "When are you leaving?" she asked. "Pretty much now... I just had to see you first" i said. I turned to Steve. "I had to see you both" i said.

He gave me a small, forced smile. "I should be off then. I'll call you when i get there" i said as Robin gave me one last hug. "You better" she said wiping her tears as she laughed.

"I'll see you soon" i said to Steve as i looked at the ground. "Wait!" he exclaimed. He grabbed something out of his car and handed it to me. "Keep this... And then give it to me when you come back" he said.

I looked and let out a sad laugh. I looked to see a disk which had the name "It's been a long, long time" by Harry James taped to it. "It's... Cute Harrington. Thank you" i said. "No problem, Hopper... I'll see you soon" he mumbled.

I hesitated before i walked away. Once i turned around i tried to steady my breathing and try not to break down.

I walked back to the Byers house and saw everything had been packed up. "Is that everything?" i asked Joyce. "Yeah, that's everything" she said.

I sighed as i nodded. "How did all your goodbyes go? Did you talk to that boy with the nice hair yet? Or will he be calling us every day in California?" she asked.

"No, no... I don't think we'll be hearing from him for a while so" i said with a small laugh. Joyce rubbed my shoulder as she gave me a reassuring smile.

I walked over to all the kids as they were saying their goodbyes. Unexpectedly, Dustin gave me a tight hug. I hesitated, but i hugged him back. It didn't occur to me until now how much i'd miss those small assholes.

"Hey, Sinclair, can you give this to your sister for me?" i said handing him a book. "'How To Not Be A Bitch'?" he said reading the cover aloud. "My dad bought that a couple of years ago. It didn't help but... It's the thought that counts" i said with a smirk.

Everyone said their last goodbyes as we got into the moving truck. I sat next to El who had a puffy, red face from crying. "You ready?" i asked. "No. Are you?" she asked.

"No. But, here we go."