Mary had got home rather quickly. And so, she began prepping her outfit, taking small breaks to call the Williams' every now and again — but the call rang out each time.

       She was dressed head to toe in her Pink Ladies costume from the movie Grease that she loved. From what she could remember, it had been her mother's favourite movie right from the moment she first watched it.

       For once she wasn't wearing shorts, instead a pair of tight high waisted black pants that showed off her figure and a black button up blouse made of the same sheer material as the pants. She had tied the ends of the shirt, cutting it off just above her ribs, showing of her stomach.

       And of course, she sported the iconic pink jacket which Joyce had so kindly spent weeks sewing 'Pink Ladies' on the back in cursive. All that Mary was missing was the hairstyle — which was where she came in at being hopeless; hair wasn't really a thing she was good at.

       And so, after she tied a pink handkerchief around her neck, put on her red sunglasses that were only for show and painted her lips a matching red she was out the door and driving to the Byers residence — hoping Joyce could do her one last favour.

       She arrived ten minutes later and rang the doorbell. Within a few seconds, the door clicked open and she was met with a hissing vampire. Mary chucked at Joyce's boyfriend, "Hi, Bob." She greeted, gesturing in a hello motion with her hand, smiling in amusement.

       The man beamed at her, showing his false vampire teeth, "You looking for Jonathan? He's in his room right now, helping Will out with his —"

        "No, no. Actually, I'm here to see Joyce."

       "Is that Mary?" Joyce's voice suddenly spoke up and Mary heard her faint footsteps before the woman was at the door too. She smiled widely, "You look lovely, Mary! But where's your T-Bird?" Joyce looked down to the red sports car, thinking maybe Charlie was still inside.

       The brunette pursed her lips, "Not sure, haven't been able to get ahold of him." She admitted, making Joyce frown — she knew that dressing up and going to a party with her boyfriend was something the girl had been excited about; she had spoke about it nonstop each time she and her father would stop by.

       "But um, I was just wondering if you could maybe help me out with my hair? I mean, you don't have to! It's just, I'm hopeless and I kind of think my flat hair doesn't really do the costume any justice but if you don't have the time or anything that's totally fine! You know what? I'll actually just go, it's —"

      Joyce grasped onto the rambling girls shoulders whilst Bob chuckled, "Mary Hopper! You know I've always wanted another girl around the house — I'd never turn down the chance to have you over for a while!" Mary sighed in relief, flashing s toothy smile, "Come on in, I'll get started right away!" She ushered the girl inside that was both relived and happy Joyce decided to help.

        Mary supposed she was so hopeless over things like perming her hair because she had been brought up by her father — a man that had no clue about girl necessities. And she hadn't really had that female figure in her life to teach her those things, which was what made her so nervous over asking Joyce. In a way, it was terribly sad and to Mary, a little pathetic that she couldn't do her own hair.

      Upon entering the house, Mary could hear Jonathan's music blasting from his bedroom and Will and himself laughing loudly as they no doubt had brotherly banter. It made Mary smile; how homely the Byers were.

       Mary had been over to their home many times in the past year with her father or sometimes alone. Joyce would invite them over for dinner or to join in on their movie night. Jim would usually get a call out halfway through and have to go to work, but Mary usually stayed for a while and she found she enjoyed it.

       An hour passed and finally, Joyce was finished with Mary's hair but still, Will and Jonathan hadn't yet emerged from the bedroom once — having too much fun and Mary assumed they didn't even know she was there.

       Joyce pinned one last clasp before smiling, resting her hands on Mary's shoulders who had her back to her, standing in front of the mirror in the living room, "You look great, sweetie. Like a real Pink Lady." She complimented, framing the now curled hair around her face.

        Mary smiled, tilting her head and watching how her hair stayed the same. It was the first time her hair had ever really been properly done and Joyce was right, she definitely looked like she could fit in with the fellow Pino Ladies.

       Just then, Will and Jonathan finally emerged from the room and Will came running into the living room. He noticed Mary after a moment and a large smile worked onto his lips, "Mary!" He exclaimed happily, jogging over to her and she smiled down at him as he gave her a high-five.

      Mary rose one eyebrow and squinted down at him as Jonathan lingered in the hallway, looking over at her with his lips parted. Mary settled her hands on her hips, "What're you supposed to be? A paper bag? Exterminator?" She teased the young boy who laughed whilst Joyce smiled as Bob hugged her under his arm.

        Will laughed through his words, "No! I'm a Ghostbuster!" He corrected her, much to her amusement and she laughed through a smile.

        She laughed and ruffled his hair, "Course you are. You're little Spengler, right?" Will grinned and nodded, happy that she even knew the name of the Ghostbuster — which honestly, Mary preferred that movie over Grease, she just assumed her Pink Ladies costume was low maintenance.

       Feeling Jonathan's gaze lingering on her, she looked over with a risen eyebrow. Realising he was staring but thought he hadn't been caught yet, she settled her hands on her hips which were even more defined with the black shiny fabric, "You think anyone will get it?" Jonathan's head perked up, his lips parting and eye widening.

        "Wha — What?" He asked, gulping and Mary smiled in amusement; she couldn't blame Jonathan's lingering eyes; she knew she looked good in the costume.

       She gestured up and down her chest with her hand, "The costume. You think anyone will get it?" She repeated, smiling and both Bob and Joyce exchanged hidden smiles.

      Jonathan's mouth opened and closed as he tried to find words. He scratched the nape of his neck, "Yeah — Yeah, totally. Everyone's saw that movie by now..." He trailed off and Mary held his gaze, smiling into his eyes.

       Will looked between the pair, a few feet below them. He looked to Mary, "Are you coming with us? Moms making Jonathan come with me whilst I go trick or treating." The younger boy asked, almost hopefully. He liked Mary, he found that she was caring and pretty damn funny; she had the boy in fits of laughter many of times during dinners.

       Mary screwed up her face, "That sounds like a fun and mature idea but no, I'm going to an old friends party — your brother was supposed to as well, but hey, I think trick or treating sounds much better." She said with a smile although it didn't meet her eyes. Now Jonathan wasn't going it kind of took the fun out of it; especially since she couldn't get ahold of Charlie either.

      Mary cleared her throat and looked to Joyce, "Is there any chance I could use your phone? I want to try and ring Charlie one last time before I go." She asked and the woman smiled and nodded, obliging without persuasion, "Thanks." Mary chirped before moving to the kitchen where the phone sat.

      She leaned against the wall and dialled her desired number. She twirled the phone cord around her finger as she waited. This time, there was an answer, "Charlie? Charlie is that you? It's Mary." She instantly spoke, perking up and letting go of the wire.

      There was silence for what felt like the longest time before finally that was a reply, "Yeah, it's me," Charlie sounded so far away, "Look, I know you were really looking forward to tonight but —"

       "You're not coming," She realised, "Are you?" She pressed, learning against the wall with a sigh, not knowing that everyone from the living room was listening with frowns on their faces.

      Charlie was suddenly speaking louder, getting defensive as he tried to spurt out excuses, "I — I've got more important things to do, Mary! It's just a party, there'll be plenty more. I just," He sighed deeply and Mary knew he was already probably pinching the bridge of his nose, "I just can't right now."

      Mary listened to the sound of his breathing and her own mixed with the static of the phone. She pushed her forehead against the wall, ready to give in and tell him it was alright before she heard another voice instead, "Charles, have you got rid of her yet?" Mary's lips parted as she pushed herself away from the wall.

      Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head and Charlie exhaled deeply, "Is there someone with you? Charlie, are you with someone?" She asked, her heart suddenly beating faster and from the living room, Jonathan glanced over at the sound of her worried words.

      More static was heard before Charlie sighed, "Just get her off the phone already. I'm getting bored waiting." Finally, Mary recognised that voice even if it was sounding far away — it was the voice of god damn Corina Hayes and Mary had no idea why she'd be with her boyfriend at 8pm in his home.

       Mary's eyes narrowed as she suddenly laughed nervously, "You better have a good explanation for this." She told him, her tone turning cold.

       "I do. You just wouldn't understand —"

       "You're right, Charlie. I don't understand," She interrupted, "I don't understand how instead of me, your girlfriend you're with her — it doesn't make any sense to me!" She exclaimed before sighing and leaning her back against the wall.

        She closed her eyes, breathing in as she clutched the phone to her ear. She inhaled deeply, "Just tell me it's not what I think it is." She begged him, her eyes still shut and Charlie breathed on the other end of the line.

        "It's not what you think," He assured her, but his voice didn't have her convinced, "But I gotta go, she's getting impatient. Enjoy yourself tonight, Mare." Mary didn't reply, instead just put the phone down and stayed where she stood.

       She stared straight ahead. Many possibilities ran through her mind and none of them were good. Grunting, she pushed herself away from the wall and began walking through to the living room, her steps heavy. Everyone was already watching her as she headed straight for the front door.

      "Thanks for the hair, Joyce. Bob, it was nice seeing you again. Have fun trick or treating, Will — Jonathan, hopefully I'll see you later." She rushed out, not glancing at one of them and Jonathan took one step forward but she was already out the door and clambering inside her car. As she revved the engine, she had every intention of getting as drunk as she used to.

                             ———

      Long time no post! I forgot I even had chapters drafted because they were on the notes of my phone, oops!

      But why do you all think Charlie is with Corina?

       Also Mary's relationship with the Byers is the cutest thing ever!