chapter twenty-five – what's the saying? ignorance is bliss?

March 21st, 1986

The spring bloom in Hawkins was beautiful. Everything about it just seemed to make the town a lot less haunting and more colorful – brighter. The sprouting flowers that hung near the front and back end of their house had the Vasquez women in a chipper mood; the bubbling excitement for spring break had a lot to do with the high spirits as well. Their house was shining underneath the morning sun.

"So," Sofia piped up as she leaned against the counter across from her daughter, loosely clutching her coffee cup, "Any plans for your break?" She questioned, wiggling her eyebrows at the teen who was trying to finish her bowl of Captain Crunch whilst simultaneously putting on her sneakers. Irene caught on fairly quickly to the undertones of the question and didn't know whether to give in to her mother's investigation. She had yet to tell her about what happened with Eddie but it had been a month and she was finally reaching some kind of normalcy again. She had Steve and Robin to thank for taking her mind off of not only the outer turmoils she was facing but the inner ones – the ones she kept secret – as well.

She shrugged, "Painting and I'll probably pick up an extra shift or two at Vince's. Nothing too special." The way her mother's gaze was set on her told her everything she needed to know; she was being analytical and it was only a matter of time before she started pestering about what was really going on.

"Hm, sounds like a good time." Irene braced herself for more but when no further comment came she heaved a sigh and finished lacing up her Adidas. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and just as she was about to leave the kitchen she turned to her mother.

"Can I ask you something?" She knew the question she was about to ask was going to be a shot in the dark but it was something that had been gnawing at her for the past seven months and with everything going on with her visions, and nightmares, she needed to know.

"Shoot." Her mother responded curtly, crossing her arms.

"Have you ever tried to change the outcome of a vision?"

Sofia chuckled, "Well, that's a loaded question on a Friday morning." But she quickly noticed that her daughter didn't share her humor and cleared her throat, "No, I haven't. Why do you ask mija?"

Irene shifted back and forth on her feet, toying with the hem of her shirt, "It's just...we've been talking about quantum mechanics and parallel universes in my physics class and I've always wondered–if the theories are true–how it relates to our gift. If there is more than one reality...thus meaning more than one future, who's to say our visions are even accurate...I mean, haven't there been times when family members got it wrong?" 

Sofia stared at her daughter for a moment – really dissecting her curious gaze that, if she looked hard enough, seemed almost hopeful. It was as if she were anticipating an answer that would fix the grinding gears inside her head and bring forth some clarity. It made her feel nauseous; she was going to burst her daughter's bubble and despised herself for it.

"Well I do know that one of our ancestors, I think it was one of my great aunts, believed in the possibility that we were looking at more than one outcome of the future but I think it was just too difficult of a concept to grasp for the family and on top of that many were being labeled as satanists by society so there was that too and it was just something that never got talked about again. There became this widespread fear that the future was set in stone and we were to blame. I mean...you can't run from fate, that's the way I see it – it's the way I was taught."

She could tell it wasn't a good enough answer by the way her daughters' lips drew into a thin line and soon enough she was shaking her head and looking at her in confusion.

"But isn't fate up to us though? Don't we will the power to change our destiny and even the destiny of those around us if we're strong enough?" Irene questioned and she watched her mother take in a huge breath – as if the response was like a blow to the chest. In some way it was, it made Sofia wonder if she could have done anything to prevent the deterioration of her marriage. Did she not try hard enough?

"Well," she breathed. "I guess I never thought of it that way." Before either could soften their words' striking blows, an abrupt knock against their front door stole their attention. The conversation was over and soon enough Irene was out the door, mounting the bus with the same red-head she'd been tagging alongside since the beginning of the school year.

Max seemed more reserved than usual as she sat near the window. No matter how hard Irene tried to initiate a simple conversation, whether it be about spring break or her favorite song off of Starpoints Restless album, the red-head just wouldn't budge. Instead of pushing, she handed her the goodie bag she'd made and slung a comforting arm around her – like she had countless times before – and let the teen nestle her head into the crook of her neck for the rest of the ride.

When the bus parked in front of Hawkins High the both of them said their quiet goodbyes before Max stepped off while Irene desperately searched for her walkman inside her backpack. When she found it she let out a breath of relief, tucked the headphones neatly around her neck, and trailed behind the last few freshman stragglers with the cassette player tightly in hand.

With a triumphant smile she skipped down the bus' steps and weaved through the groups of friends cheering about the championship game and spring break plans as they were ushered toward the gym. Her shoulders were nudged as she squished between the plethora of students; she was trying her hardest to stay relaxed and it didn't help that the moment she stepped off the bus she couldn't help but feel like she was being watched by prying eyes.

Pep rallies were as overstimulating as she remembers. Pom-poms flinging here and there, cheerleaders being tossed in the air, screams echoing inside her ears – it was far too much for Irene. She was forcing herself to keep it together though because as much as she wanted to blow off the event and rebelliously break away, she promised Lucas that she'd be extra peppy and involved for him. Even though she was squished between smelly teens and kept getting jabbed in the ribs by the girl standing beside her, she still cupped her hands around her mouth and rooted when she saw him jog out.

She was the only one out of the three teens beside her that seemed genuinely ecstatic.

"First off, I'd like to thank each and every one of you." Jason Carver, the senior captain of the team, began his regular spiel about how the support of the students was essential to them before he proceeded to thank the cheer squad (specifically his girlfriend, Chrissy Cunningham). The exchange was normal and typical for the jock, but then he suddenly grew solemn and Irene felt uneasy as he stared down at the floor.

"You know...I think I can speak for all of us when I say it's been a tough year for Hawkins. So much loss." Irene swallowed down hard and felt a hand nestle into hers. She looked over at Max who gave her a weak yet reassuring smile. "And sometimes I wonder, "How much loss can one community take?" In dark days like this, we need something to believe in. So, last night, when we were down by ten points at half to Christian Academy, I looked at my team, and I said, "Think of Jack. Think of Melissa. Think of Heather. Think of Billy." Irene tightened her grip on Max as she bowed her head; she braced herself for the impact of the blond's next words.

"Think of Officer Vasquez's son, Mateo, who died protecting his younger sister. And think about our heroic police chief, Jim Hopper. Think about each and every one of our friends who perished in that fire. What did they die for? For us to lose to some...some crap school?"

Hell no, Irene wanted to scream, they didn't die for your stupid game. They didn't die so they could be used as a means to appeal to strangers' emotions and motivate a goddamn high school basketball team. She couldn't believe what she was hearing; she couldn't believe that someone would actually stoop that low and use the deaths of innocent people in order to get a crowd hyped up. It was vile. Her chest felt tight and her eyes suddenly burned with hot tears.

She clenched her jaw and let go of Max's hand before she shoved through the cheering students on the stands, pushing through the gym's double doors so she could escape toward anywhere far enough from the room. Lucas watched her go and felt his heart sink. He advised Jason the day before to leave both Billy and Mateo out of his speech — he knew his friends' wounds were still too raw for the senior to go picking at them. His efforts ran short when Jason insisted on using the mall fire as a means for motivation because they'd all lost someone that night and it would give the crowd "hope." 

Irene found solace inside the art studio until the pep rally was over and then, when the bell rang, she expertly moved alongside the foot traffic of revved up students on their way to first period. The rest of the day droned on exceptionally slow. Many teachers, despite the looming presence of the much needed break, treated the day as if it were as normal and monotonous as the rest. They finished their lessons, gave their annual projects, and refused to let any students mingle or fool around. By the time lunch rolled around Irene couldn't help but feel exhausted; mentally and emotionally drained. She was really pushing herself to make it through the day and night before she could sleep for the entirety of break and hopefully give herself the reset she desperately needed.

She decided that the cafeteria would be too much for her – she really didn't feel like interacting with Jason, his goons, nor her bullies, after the strenuous day she'd been having. Lunchtime was both metaphorically and realistically feeding time for the vultures her fellow peers deemed popular.

With a sigh she pushed open the bathroom door and when she was inside she let her backpack slide down her arm and plop onto the floor with a soft thud. It was there in the silence that she was able to relax her shoulders and ease into the stillness that the tiled walls provided her with. That calm went as quick as it came though when she heard someone sniffling in the last stall.

She cleared her throat and turned on the tap, running her hands underneath the cool water to fill the now awkward silence. The person in the stall shuffled to their feet and gently pulled open the door revealing, to Irene's surprise, Chrissy. Her cheeks were red and it was obvious that she'd been crying; she looked mortified but her features relaxed once the brunette sent her a soft smile.

Irene liked Chrissy. Despite her asshole-of-a-boyfriend, Jason, she couldn't help but admire the cheerleader. She never taunted her and would even go as far as reprimanding her friends when they did – albeit, it was always in a quiet whisper as her eyes looked toward the brunette with sympathy, nevertheless, she appreciated the gesture. The cheerleader was always sharing her gum with Irene in their AP History class too as they briefly and softly conversed about whatever piqued their interest that day. 

When she wasn't in her cheer uniform she always sported something flowery with pastel undertones which Irene complimented when she could, to which the strawberry blonde would always return the favor. Had their circles been more intertwined, the two would have made good friends and both of them knew it.

"Sorry, I didn't know anyone was in here." Irene murmured, pinching her brows together as she shook her head.

"No, it's fine...I was just..." Chrissy's voice faded as she casted her gaze downward, averting her glossy eyes from the older teen.

"It's okay, you don't have to explain yourself," She spoke with sheer warmth and tenderness that made Chrissy look over at her owlishly. 

After just ending a session with Ms. Kelley, she was preparing herself for a game of twenty-one questions, all of which would further her discomfort. But without Irene even having to say it, Chrissy knew that she was safe in that bathroom – that she could merely exist beside her and that would be enough. "I get it." Her shoulders lifted slightly, another smile spreading across her face and it made the cheerleader tear up again.

"Thanks." Her voice cracked but her face was full of gratitude and something soft. Before any silence could fall between them, the bell's shrill ring echoed against the tiles, startling both of them – neither brought it up though. Chrissy reached to turn on the sink and washed her hands as Irene collected her backpack from the floor. 

"I–uh–I'm really sorry about Jason bringing up your brother," the blonde began as she dried her hands. "It wasn't right."

Irene froze and swallowed thickly, she had momentarily forgotten about the embarrassing and gut-twisting mention of Mateo during the pep rally. The comment brought all of the feelings she tried to ignore right back toward the surface, but it also made her heart ache as Chrissy looked over at her with the kindest eyes. Her words were genuine and even though they hadn't come from the person that should have apologized, the sentiment still made Irene feel incredibly warm.

She didn't really know what to say or even how to say it, so she opted for an awkward "thanks" and stood looking down at her hands as the cheerleader began to leave the bathroom. 

"Chrissy?" She called out and the blonde turned to her with a gentle smile. "I just–uh–I think you're really cool and whoever says otherwise can shove it up their ass." The blonde chuckled softly and there was an obvious glimmer in her eye. "And...if you ever want to talk or just hang out, my door is always open." The moment had ended and before they knew it, they were being torn apart and thrust back into their separate worlds. Little did either of them know that it would be the last time that they talked to each other – the last time that Irene would see Chrissy Cunningham smile.

The day had finally ended and Irene couldn't be happier; all she had to do now was make it through the basketball game and then home sweet home. She could practically feel the warmth of her grandmother's quilt that lay at the foot of her bed and smell the fresh pineapple empanadas that her mom promised to have done by the time she got back. Soon enough she'd be tucked into her home's cozy crevices, belly full and ready for the restful spring break she'd planned out.

"I need your help." The breathy voice of Dustin Henderson panted as he reached her locker.

"Well hello to you too." She chuckled, eyes glued to the journal she was flipping through, trying to find the sticky note she threw in it before escaping the tormentors in her last class before they could pester her with their childish taunts. Apparently, decking her bully in the face was not the antidote to getting rid of using her as a punchline. If anything it put her under a microscope – gave the popular crowd an even bigger target to aim for. 

"Hi, Rena. Wonderful weather we're having, don't you think?" Dustin spoke, his words soaked in sarcasm and dramatics. "Okay with the formalities out of the way now can you help me?" He groaned, leaning against the side of her locker – trying to read her face.

He hadn't had a real conversation with her in quite some time. He only ever heard about her from Lucas who always seemed to be in a cheery mood when she came into conversation between the three friends; she was only ever interested in his and Maxs' affairs and not the collective. Or maybe he was just too absorbed in maintaining his subpar grades and Hellfire to notice his other friends' clearly drowning and trying to keep each other afloat – you pick.

Eddie Munson was also partly to blame for his lack of interaction with his former friend. Their friendship, which the boy's preferred to call a "situationship," became heavily prevalent to Hellfire after Eddie finally made a move and took Irene on a proper date. But even before that the boys had an idea that their Dungeon Master was smitten for someone amongst them. 

Dustin was the first to actually say something about it, he'd gotten brave one lunch because he cared about both his friends' and would rather them try to get to together instead of watching them foolishly pine for each other without doing anything about it. They both deserved better than unspoken feelings and unneeded tension – to Dustin, relationships were supposed to be easy.

He was happy for the two – even though they'd kept their friendship from him and Irene selfishly had Eddie all to herself for four months before he got to meet the senior. When the two had their 'fight' there was an obvious shift amongst the club. Their once tight knit group split into factions and even though those boys practically loved Eddie, most of them still talked to Irene. 

Dustin could tell she was too enthralled in the scribbles she was reading to pay attention to him. He whined and tugged at her sweater, "Renaaa." The look that she threw him had him instantly rethinking the choice to approach her. If he wanted to be glared at like a whiny child he would have asked Robin, or hell his own mother, for help.

"What?" She asked breathlessly, trying to shove the notebook back into her locker. As she frustratedly moved the junk around to make everything fit, a bright yellow journal slipped from the open pouch of her backpack and near Dustin's feet. Too frustrated to notice, she continued having a fight with her textbooks and random crap she threw in her locker.

Dustin drew his eyebrows together at the title, clearly written by a child, on the front of the notebook: Rena the Righteous. It was battered and seemed to be miraculously held together by the manufacturing glue, but if he knew any better he would have guessed it was a campaign notebook and it made his shoulders relax and face brighten. If he could get Rena to fill in for Lucas not only would he go down in Hellfire history for finding a sub the fastest, but he'd also, possibly, get his two friends' to finally put their shit to rest and make up. 

He looked up at the older teen and then back to the book. His fingers slyly reached to turn over the cover and before he could further tumble into his friends' hidden world a hand clamped down on it before snatching it from his grasp.

"That's mine, thank you." Irene pursed her lips into a thin line as she looked at him before shoving the journal into her backpack.

"What's got you so hostile lately?" He blurted, crossing his arms. She slammed her locker shut and gave him a pointed look.

"You know one of these days I'm gonna shove your head into a toilet and not feel sorry at all about it." She deadpanned and began walking away from him toward the parking lot where Steve said he'd meet her before the game.

"And I'll probably deserve it," He quipped and noticed how her shoulders rose with the small laugh she let out. "But that's not the point. Eddie's campaign, the one he's been working on the entire first semester, The Cult of Vecna, is coming to its end tonight and because Lucas can't make it we need a sub and I was thinking maybe you could help us out and–"

"Wait." Irene stopped abruptly and Dustin almost crashed into her. She whipped around to squint at him, "He's not postponing the campaign for Lucas? You guys can't just finish it tomorrow?"

His heart dropped at the response and he knew convincing her to join was a lost cause, but he'd be damned if he didn't go down without a fight, "It's the finale. Eddie's been working really hard—"

"Bullshit," she retorted. "Lucas has been practicing overtime for this game; he thinks he might actually have a shot to play."

"Well Edd—"

"He's your best friend, Dustin." A soft scoff left her lips, "Look, I get that ever since summer things have been different between all of you, but that doesn't mean you get to just blow off your friend because you worship at the altar of Edward Munson." She grimaced distastefully and as if on cue, the senior had just strolled out of the boys' bathroom right in front of the two and she was quick to corner the metal head. 

"Munson," She seethed and Eddie turned with a shit-eating grin that would have made her palms sweat had she not been seeing so much red, "You're really making the boys miss their friends' game for some stupid campaign?" Her words were laced with venom. Dustin's jaw went slack as he stared over at her; horror and shock swam in his brown eyes. Had Eddie not been so struck by her reactionary interrogation he would have made a comment that he knew was sure to turn her cheeks red.

He was quick to level with her, "It's not stupid and anyways it's not like they were dying to go. Sinclair made his bed and he happily lies in it. Henderson agrees, right?" He motioned his head toward the teen who was staring at him with eyes as wide as saucers. He gave Eddie a small head shake as if trying to warn him that he was swimming in uncharted waters and the wrath of Irene Vasquez was not something you escaped from unscathed.

"You're a jerk. I can't believe I actually thought you were different. You're just as much of a self-righteous prick as Jason Carver. You sit on your throne and dictate your little sheep wherever you want them to go. You don't care about those kids — all guys like you care about is themselves and saving their own asses." Dustin gulped, feeling light headed as he stood beside the two.

Eddie stepped forward with a challenging glare, "Yeah well at least I stick to my word and I'm not afraid to say how I feel." Dustin could sense the implications behind the response and wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up beneath his feet and swallow him whole. He liked Eddie, but he appreciated Irene's friendship on a greater scale. Sure, Eddie was the senior who took him in, and he was admittedly intimidated by him, however, Irene put herself in the face of danger for him and his friends; far and few people were like that in Hawkins. 

"Grow up." She spat with disappointment etched into her features. Without another word, she shoved past him toward the double doors of the schools' entrance.

Dustin watched her go before looking frantically over at Eddie who was also walking away, "Why?!" He wanted to scream at both of them. He was in deep shit now; all he could do was pray that Mike had more luck finding a sub.

It was clear that despite his mentor's vast knowledge about the inner workings of Hawkins High and survival inside of the institution, Dustin Henderson had acquired another role model who knew nothing about women. 

— — — —

"You know I did not expect to see you here, Vasquez." Steve beamed as he met Irene at the top of the gym's stands. She rolled her eyes playfully as he leaned in to give her a short hug. She sent a small wave and smile to his date that stood beside him.

"I'm Sinclair's number one fan. Of course I'd be here!" She yelled over the rowdy crowd.

Everyone was instructed to rise for the national anthem and a former Hawkins High alumni, Tammy Thompson, walked out toward the center of the court. She was dressed clearly to imitate Madonna and Irene figured she had to have been a big deal at the school and left to go 'make it big' in a more populated city.

She began to sing her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner and just as Steve leaned behind the brunette beside him to signal Robin he watched her grimace, "Oh...my..." Irene trailed with wide eyes. It wasn't that Tammy was bad, she just needed to work on her pitch...but then again, what the hell did Irene know about singing? Her brother always used to complain that anytime she'd belt out in song it was almost always off-key.

"Sounds like a muppet, right?" He whispered and she snorted, shaking her head vigorously causing a few of the people standing below them to look up in distaste.

"Totally, it's uncanny."

"Wow, she sounds amazing doesn't she?" Steve's date whispered to the both of them and the two shared knowing looks.

The game had begun shortly after and Irene was bouncing on the balls of her feet as she watched. Back and forth. Back and forth. The score board taunted the Tigers as they fought to uphold a winning record. Despite knowing fairly little about the sport, Irene was surprisingly entranced by the game that unfolded in front of her – she also had Steve to thank for breaking down certain play's and keeping her on her toes with all of his terminology.

The entire crowd groaned as one of the players got shoved knocked down and had to be picked up by his teammates. Both Steve and Irene practically leaped out of their seats as they watched Lucas run onto the court in place of the hurt player. They cupped their hands around their mouths, cheering as loud as they could for the teen.

The freshman was doing really well for not getting any playing time the majority of the season, but the opposing school continued to nip at the back of Hawkin's heels and Irene could feel the bubbling anticipation fill the entire room. Jason called for a timeout and both teams quietly strategized their final moves. The game was close to being over and both schools could taste the championship victory – it was within arm's reach. The question on everyone's mind as they watched the two teams run back onto the court was who'd make the winning shot.

Irene mindlessly clutched onto Steve's forearm as Jason got a hold of the ball, tossing it toward the basket and missing as it bounced off the rim. And then it was in Lucas' hands. She held her breath.

The clock was seconds away from hitting zero when Lucas turned, planted his feet, and jumped with an effortless toss. The fluidity of his move had everyone standing in hope. Just as the ball flew in the air the blare of the timer sounded and everyone froze as it swirled against the rim, tapped the backboard, and then swished through the net.

The crowd erupted in cheerful bellows full of pride. Their school had just won the championship title. Steve looked at his date excitedly as the two high fived and then he turned to a beaming Irene who clutched onto his shoulders and let out a long-awaited, "Holy shit!"

"Congrats kid!" She exclaimed once she met Lucas in the parking lot and brought him into a tight embrace. His face was bright as the older girl held him – on cloud nine and still coming off of the winning high.

"It feels like a dream." He breathed as they let go.

"You looked so cool."

"Thanks for coming, Rena."

"Always." She smiled softly and slung an arm around his shoulder as they walked away from the rambunctious team, toward the school. "Even when I'm ancient and gray I'll be there in the front row of every game, right beside Harrington." Lucas chuckled. Something in the distance caught his eye and his face slowly fell. Irene followed his gaze and sighed when she saw the infamous Hellfire Club laughing near the schools' entrance. What made the whole thing ten times harder to watch was that Erica had been with them too – clearly filling as her brothers' replacement. 

"Hey," She chirped. "You go have fun and celebrate this win because you should be so proud of yourself right now. I'll handle those laser brains." A chuckle rumbled in the teen's chest and she gently pushed him toward his team.

Her smile instantly fell when she stood in front of Dustin and Mike.

"Henderson...Wheeler." She began with a tsk and the boy's knew they were in for it, they stood in front of her – feeling almost deserving of the words that were going to accompany her stern look.

"Erica really?! I mean, she's a badass for sure, but you clearly didn't bother to take into consideration anything I said to you earlier. I know this campaign was a really big deal, but so was this game to Lucas." She sighed as she looked at the two boys.

"He hasn't gotten any support from you two and I don't think it's cool that you get to have your things while he doesn't. And I know fitting in and all that other stuff is bullshit to you and the other guys, but not to him. His entire life he's had to work extra hard to feel seen and I don't think it's fair that when he's finally reached some kind of normalcy all of his friends aren't even there to celebrate that with him. Max, I understand, but you two?" She shook her head. "When you really wanted to surprise Suzie with something super special for her birthday, who helped you Dustin?"

The curly-headed teen bowed his head, "Lucas."

"And you Michael – who was there for you when you and El were having your little lover's quarrel over the summer?"

"Lucas." He muttered.

She sighed again, "I know things have been tough; Will and El are gone and things are weird – I know that – but this is a time when you guys should be looking after each other the most. You need him and he needs you. You're best friends."

The two avoided the piercing gaze of the older teen. They knew what she was saying was true, they weren't even there for him when he broke up with Max. They were far too swirled up in the glittering world of Hellfire to notice.

Mike was the first to speak up, "We're sorry."

"You should be." Her tone was firm and motherly before it softened along with her features. "Just find a way to make it up to him somehow. Okay?" The boys' faces brightened as they nodded and the agreement had been made between them.

The sound of a distant car horn made Irene whip her head around and Steve was fuming as he locked eyes with her — his date in the passenger seat clearly annoyed. She held her hand up to signal five more minutes and took the roll of his eyes as he slouched into his seat as confirmation.

"You guys got rides?" She questioned the boys who motioned their head toward Nancy as she sat patiently in her mothers' car. She gave Irene a small wave to which she mirrored the gesture. A breeze brushed between the three and a shiver ran down her spine as her stomach twisted with uncertainty. She shook the feeling off and said her goodbyes to the two before jogging to her friends car.

The ride was exceptionally silent and she sat in the back feeling like the biggest third wheel as Steve tried to make small-talk with his date. When they dropped her at her house, Irene plopped into the front seat and things felt more comfortable than before. The car was warm and an oldies station played quietly between them, the soothing voice of Al Green's Let's Stay Together almost lulled her to sleep.

"Hey," Steve nudged her, trying to keep her awake so they could actually make it to her house because he had forgotten which street she lived on. She stirred and met his weary gaze, "You alright?"

Her eyebrows pinched together curiously, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" She questioned, sitting up straighter and positioning her body so he could see that she was sincere despite the fact that both of them knew she'd die before telling her friends' how she actually felt. That was her fatal flaw and even though the group never gave her pushback because of it, there was one person that did and that person ended up getting practically shunned because of it.

He nodded and quickly changed the subject, turning his eyes back to the road, "How's everything with..." He trailed as they turned the corner and she pointed to her house toward the end of the block.

She looked at him with a raised brow, "You can say his name you know -- why the sudden interest? It's not like you were thrilled about our friendship anyways. Robin told me that you practically grew a second head when you found out he took me on a date." A snort erupted from her and Steve rolled his eyes, putting the car in park and getting out.

He opened the passenger door, "Well sorry for caring about you. You know someone's gotta look after–"

"I can take care of myself, Steve. I'm not a baby." She interjected. 

"That's not what I meant. We just worry–"

"I'm fine." She dragged stubbornly but her voice was light and she wondered if he could see past her crackling exterior. Had he picked up on the things giving her away? How she tugged at her earring for the millionth time since they dropped his date off or how her hands kept fixing her denim jacket even though it looked perfect?

He sighed, "Just promise you'll let Robin and I know if things get bad again."

She gave his shoulders a light squeeze and then whispered, "cross my heart," with one last smile before turning to walk up the steps to her house.

A sudden chime – like a clock striking twelve – caught her attention. She stopped and looked back at Steve who was rounding the front of his BMW, "Did you hear that?" Her voice slightly waived amidst the silence and he gave her a weird look.

She laughed dryly and dismissed the feelings of terror that nipped at her skin, "Nevermind."

"Get some rest, Vasquez. I'll be here tomorrow morning to pick you up." She nodded and he drove off, leaving her to suffocate in the echoes of her thoughts. As she tucked into bed, stomach full on her mothers empanada's and leftover asado, across town Eddie Munson was fleeing from his trailer after witnessing the death of a fellow classmate.

A storm was on the rise and Irene could sense the disaster from a mile away. They had never left the Tower and she was afraid that this time around the repercussions were going to be far more calamitous than before. Nevertheless, there was hope. Destruction carved a home in their youth and forced them to deal with the pain and discomfort, that was sure. But perhaps this would be their final reckoning.

Only time will tell. 

AUTHORS NOTE!

well well well, the wait is over my friends and the first chapter to kick off season four is here! how are we feeling???? nervous? excited? this one isn't too bad and I like the way it flows. can we just take a moment to appreciate mama irene coming in clutch for our boy lucas???? i was pissed that the duffers didn't elaborate at all on how divided the boys had became and how no one said anything to dustin or mike when they were clearly being total jerks about the game. i got where lucas was coming from — as a poc in high school, acceptance is like a goldmine and when you find it you don't want to let it go. and the fact that he was doing it and thinking of the safety blanket he could create for his friends - to hopefully make high school easier for them - made me even more mad that it wasn't touched on at all. if will was there those boys would have all been at that game, I don't care, that is a hill I will die on. 

anywho, the eddie + rena + dustin scene had me cringing at the tension but also cackling at how dustin was literally just like 😟 as he watched the interaction - truly a child of divorce </3  

oh lord, the chrissy & rena scene too???? my heart was so full but knowing the fate that follows chrissy right after just immediately crushed it. 

what was your favorite part of this chapter? let me know! seriously comments are what keep this ship sailing, yes this is me begging for more reader interaction. pls <3 

do you think you're ready for what's about to unfold?

until next time!

rose x