•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧

CHAPTER SEVEN

•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧

     ONCE THEY GOT TO THE BYERS RESIDENCE, THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO ADDIE'S ROOM. Will was in the living room watching t.v., and he was a little shy when introduced to Billy even though technically they'd seen each other around.

During the hour that Billy helped Addie study and do their homework, she fell for him a little more. He was unbelievably patient, and didn't seem annoyed even when he had to explain something 2 or 3 times.

Around 4:30, Joyce popped her head in to say she'd be running out to grab a few things for dinner. She said hi to Billy and asked if he'd like to stay for dinner, and he politely declined, saying he had to head home soon. Once Addie decided she was too mentally exhausted to study anymore, she closed her textbook and lay back on her bed.

Billy sat next to her, propping himself up with his arm. "You alright?"

"Yeah, just tired," Addie yawned. She noticed what looked like a new bruise on Billy's arm, and traced around it gently with her finger. "Are you okay?" she whispered, almost afraid to ask.

"It's... I just fell."

"Well you sure seem clumsy," Addie laughed, trying to make light of the tension that was surely building. "Look, I don't mean to pry. If you ever want to talk about... falling, I'm here." She put her hand on his face, and for a few seconds, Billy shut his eyes.

No one had ever shown him this much love and genuine kindness. He felt like he didn't deserve it. Realizing he should leave before he did speak up and scare her away, he slowly stood up, holding out a hand and pulling Addie up with him.

"Before I go," he smiled, pulling her in for another hug, "can I take you to the party tomorrow night? I promise I'll be on my best behavior."

"Pick me up at seven?" Addie asked, feeling a little bold again. People usually didn't show up until 8 or later, but the thought of more time with Billy made her happy.

"Won't be late, promise," he smiled, and Addie walked him out to his car. He got in the drivers seat just as Steve pulled up with Mike and Nancy also in the car. Billy sort of nodded in their direction, which Addie guessed was the best greeting she could hope for considering she knew her friends weren't fond of Billy either.

"What was he doing here?" Steve asks as soon has he drives off.

"Helping me with homework," Addie rolls her eyes and walks into the house.

"Hey hey I was just asking!"

"Yeah but you asked in a weird way," Nancy pointed out.

Steve scoffed. "Who's side are you on?"

"Addie's," Mike piped up before walking ahead of everyone into the house. Whenever sleepovers were at the Byers home, he was almost always the first one to arrive.

"Thank you Mike, and that's why you're my favorite!"

"Hey I'm on your side too!" Nancy defended herself.

"You guys are tied for my favorite Wheeler. And Steve has first place for most annoying friend."

"I believe that's most annoying best friend thank you very much!" Steve walked ahead of Nancy, going in after Mike.

Nancy turned to Addie before the girls entered the house. "Sorry, I did try to talk to him..."

"I know he means well, but at this rate I'll never have a boyfriend and I'm probably gonna die single," Addie sighs, but decides to let her annoyance at Steve go. She knew that he was also making an effort.

Although he hadn't forgiven Billy for hurting Addie at the party when he was with another girl, he said he was being nice by not punching Billy in the face. Addie knew that would have to do for now.

Dustin and Lucas arrived not long after that, and they all hung out in the living room watching whatever movies played on random channels.

At one point, Will brought out Monopoly, and Addie and Steve instantly glared at each other. They were both extremely competitive, especially when it came to the other person.

Not surprisingly, the game lasted 3 hours, and in the end it was down to Addie and Steve. Eventually Addie won, and she made sure to rub it in his face.

"Alright alright alright no need to brag so much. What flavor?" He sighed, standing up.

"Hmm... one scoop of chocolate please! And something for each of my good friends here," she made a big show of motioning to everyone else.

"Alright I'm not made of money!" It was another tradition of theirs whenever they competed in anything, loser buys the winner a scoop of ice cream. And luckily for Addie, it was only 8:30 and the ice cream shop didn't close until 9.

"I'll take vanilla."

"Mint chip!"

"Oooh cookies and cream please!"

"Hey not a chance losers!"

Soon, a chorus of "pleeeeease" was heard. Eventually he sighed again and got his keys from his pocket. "Well who's coming with me? I'm not about to look like an idiot carrying seven cups of ice cream by myself."

Suddenly everyone became interested in the living room wallpaper, and the funny commercial that was on.

"Addie will go!" Nancy volunteered. Addie squinted at her friend, already thinking of a way to get revenge.

"Come on I'll get you two scoops..." Steve started towards the front door.

"Oh crap we gotta go get ice cream guys!" Addie scrambled to get up, causing everyone to burst out laughing. And she immediately thought of earlier, Billy's eager reaction to helping her study.

Once they were in the car, it was silent for the first couple of minutes.

"Please don't kill me and make me crash this car, because that would also kill you too I'd like to add. But are you and Billy... together?"

Addie shook her head. She wasn't surprised that Steve had asked, and knew it was only a matter of time.

"No Steve, we're just friends."

"But he was in your room—"

"Yes. Studying. And mind you the door was cracked open not that it's any of your business."

"I can't help it if I'm just looking out for you."

"I know," Addie realized she was telling the truth. She knew Steve was coming from a good place and she couldn't actually be mad at him. "He's really sweet to me, I think I do like him but I don't know. I haven't even known him that long yet."

"You hear what people say about him though, right?"

"Yes and I also heard what people said about you but I didn't stop being your friend," Addie pointed out.

Steve sighed, knowing she was right.

They got all of the ice cream and the drive home seemed to go by a lot faster. They joked and laughed, and there was no tension. A couple of times Addie laughed so hard that she almost dropped everything that she was holding in her lap.

Once they got back, everyone practically attacked them trying to get their ice cream. They spent the rest of the night all gathered around the t.v. watching a random horror movie and at some point, Jonathan even came out to watch with them.

As the kids started to fall asleep, Addie looked around at everyone. Their whole group had been through so much, definitely more than one should have to endure at all of their ages, but they were all here. Most importantly, they were all safe.

Addie also thought about Billy. There was still so much to learn about him, but she really liked him. She had only ever been in one relationship before, and it didn't end well. Steve did end up punching that guy after he witnessed him try to put his hands on Addie when she said no. But she put all of that behind her, not solely seeking a new relationship, instead being open to new friendships that could possibly turn into something more.

She also thought about what everyone's lives were all like now. And she was glad things were finally returning to normal.

If only they could stay this way.

•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧

a/n: shorter chapter but next is the party and i didn't want to make this like 4,000 words lol