Mary had arrived at Billy's with a sour attitude. However, upon entering she tried to smile and be kind towards his parents that greeted her into their home — his father seemed surprised whilst his step-mother seemed relieved and happy for him. Billy's redheaded step-mother had introduced herself as Susan and his father said his name was Neil; Mary wondered how long it would take before she would forget their names.

        She had been brought into the dining room where Susan went to retrieve the homemade lasagna from the oven, "Maxine, it's time for dinner!" She called over her shoulder and Faye looked over her shoulder as she sat down with Billy across from her.

       His father eyed the boy up that slouched in his seat, "Aren't you going to be a gentleman and pull the seat out for your guest?" He asked, to which Billy straightened himself out a bit, a hard look washing over his features.

       Mary offered a smile, "Oh no, it's alright. I'm already sitting —"

       "Billy, be a gentleman to your friend." Neil spoke over her, looking down the table and meeting Billy's eyes who's whole presence seemed to have changed. He seemed stiff and alert, unlike his usual loose and carefree attitude.

      Billy pushed his chair back and got up even though it was clear he didn't want to. Mary looked up at him with a 'is he serious?' look before she slipped out of her chair and waited for Billy to pull it back in which he did. She hesitantly sat back down, offering an awkward smile, "Thank you, Billy." She said, suddenly feeling incredibly uneasy in his father's presence. Mary often thought she was a good judge of character and she didn't get good vibes from Neil Hargrove.

      She exchanged a seemingly mutual nervous look with Billy as he sat back down again. Someone else joined the table at Mary's side and she looked to her left. Seeing the girl with red hair she smiled, "You must be Max," Mary said as she extended her hand towards the girl that stared back at her. She was more confused about why someone would willingly come to her house, "I'm Mary Hopper." She pushed her hand closer to the girl and she took it, shaking it hesitantly.

     Mary wasn't anything like the girl's Billy usually pursued. She didn't have perfectly permed blonde or red hair and she didn't have that air-head look to her. In fact, she seemed very comfortable with herself and not stupid at all. Though, Max had to question that since she was at their dinner table of a problematic family.

       "Max," She replied, almost looking shy as she offered a smile. Max wasn't entirely used to the company of girls since she got along with boys better — something she and Mary already had in common. Her mother was looking at her expectantly as she served the lasagna and she perked up, "I like that top you're wearing." She quickly said to Mary that looked down with a smile.

       Susan smiled in relief that her daughter was mingling. Mary looked to Max, "I got it during the summer at this cute little boutique in the middle of nowhere. My boyfriend bought it for me after I eyed it up for a good while." She said with a grin and Max chuckled whilst Neil glanced over at the girl, his fork already in his lasagna his wife had served.

       "Boyfriend?" He asked and Billy sighed, putting his own fork down. Mary nodded, "You have a boyfriend but you're here having dinner with my son?" He pressed and the smile on Mary's face dropped as she exchanged looks with Billy whilst Maxine avoided all eye contact.

       Mary shrugged, "Its a very polygamous relationship," She cringed when no one made a move to find her joke funny, asides from Max that shoved a mouthful of lasagna in her mouth so she wouldn't laugh. Mary looked around awkwardly, "Yeah, uh that was a joke. Your son and I are just —"

       "Friends dad, we're good friends." Billy interjected, sharing a look with Mary who frowned. She could see Billy's knee jittering nervously from under the table and how his face was incredibly serious, nothing like she had seen yet. And suddenly, Mary was wondering if Billy had an even bigger act than she did.

       "So, Mary," Susana spoke up as she sat across from her husband, "You said your name was Hopper? Like the Chief?" She asked curiously as Mary took a bite of the lasagna which was the greatest meal she had eaten since being at Joyce's a few weeks back.

       She nodded, "Yeah. I wanna be just like him someday —"

       "Chief?" Neil questioned with an amused look on his face, "Shouldn't a young girl like yourself want to do something less dangerous?" He asked her, as if he were trying to belittle her.

        "Dad." Billy pleaded, giving him a look of warning whilst Mary narrowed her eyes.

        "Hardly anything happens here in Hawkins, Mr Hargrove. I'm sure I'll be perfectly fine." She said through a tight smile and Billy let out a breath of almost relief that she could handle herself against his father — not that he hadn't doubted she couldn't. She was tough as nails and that's why he had invited her over.

        Max grinned, "I think a girl Chief would be super cool." She said supportively, giving her smile towards Mary that returned it. She was suddenly glad she had agreed to go over to Billy's because she found that Max was actually a pretty nice kid — and she deserved to be cut some slack.

        Mary slipped a piece of the lasagna in her mouth, savouring the taste. After that, there were a few more words exchanged between the group. Billy's father continued to say very sexist comments and snide remarks towards his son. However, Mary had a retort each time that would have made Jim Hopper incredibly proud.

      Max was feeling incredibly smug each time Mary would bite back, because she herself rarely had the guts to and when she did it wasn't a pretty result — it usually ended in screaming matches between everyone. Billy despite not admitting it, was also relieved Mary had agreed to his suggestion. He had done it to wind her up, but a little part of him really wanted someone like her on his side — especially when it came to his father.

       Once Mary had finished eating the apple pie Susan had served after dinner she smiled hugely, "Thank you so much, Mrs Hargrove. That was the best dinner I've tasted in a while." She said as she stood up, Billy following her move.

       "What, does your father not cook for you?" Neil asked snidely.

      Mary looked over her shoulder as she moved to the hallway, "Hasn't got the time," She chirped back, making both Max and Billy smile a little whilst Neil bit his tongue. Mary looked to Max, "It was lovely meeting you, Max — next time I'm near that little boutique I'll be sure to grab you something." She said and Max grinned widely.

      "Awesome." She said and Mary offered a salute as Mary moved towards the door.

     Billy got in her way though and looked through to the dining room, "We're just gonna go up to my room for a bit." He said and Mary looked up at him, ready to refuse before she noticed the look on his face. He were still stiff looking.

     She pursed her lips and nodded before following Billy to his room, "Keep the door open!" Susan called after them but Billy did the opposite and closed the door behind him, leaning his forehead against it for the longest time whilst Mary looked around his bedroom that was a little smaller than her own.

       She glanced at the posters of women in bikinis and some of the same bands she listened to. She glanced over her shoulder at the boy that was still resting against the door, "You're the biggest bad boy cliché I have ever met — and that includes Steve, who by the way, was a pretty big cliché himself." She teased, settling her hands on her hips as she stood centre of his room.

      Billy didn't reply, instead he just turned around with his eyes closed, his back against the door. Mary rose an eyebrow, "Earth to Hargrove, are you alright in there?" She called over to him, eying him up.

       The boy sighed deeply, as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. His eyes opened and they met hers, "How did you stay so calm that entire time?" He asked her and she pulled a questionable face. He sighed again, "How did you not just wanna lunge across the table and beat the shit out of him?" He elaborated and Mary let out a low laugh.

       "Your dads a — well, in all honesty he's a bit of a dickhead," Billy scoffed, "However, dickheads seem to be me by speciality and I guess once you've become completely accustomed to them, they don't phase you anymore." She said with a careless shrug as she sat down on the edge of Billy's bed, crossing one leg over the other.

       Billy shook his head, "He ain't just a dickhead though, Hopper. He's..." He trailed off, as if not quite knowing how to explain what he thought. Mary frowned as she watched him, even with his rugged appearance Mary wasn't seeing him the way she had all this time. There was something unsettling about how he acted around his father.

       She tilted her head, "Look, me and my dad had a pretty rough relationship —"

      "It ain't that," Billy snapped, his head turning to face her and she sealed her lips shut. The boy ran his hand over his mullet, beginning to look frustrated, "It's — it's like he hates me or something." He threw his hands up, his words being the first time he had spoken what he thought aloud. Which was in fact that his own father hated him.   

       Mary blinked and stood from the bed. She walked towards him with softness to her step and gentleness in her eyes, "I'm sure he doesn't hate you," She assured him but he shook his head, chewing on his thumbnail, "Maybe he just doesn't like the things you do or, or maybe he —"

        "You think I've always been like this?" Billy spoke over her, his voice rough. Mary swallowed and diverted her gaze, "Dammit, you really think I've been this way my whole life? He's hated me since before I even got this way!" He exclaimed, but not loudly enough for anyone to hear.

        Mary looked up through her pretty brown gaze, "Billy look," She started, "You're a bit of an asshat — but if your father hates you then that's his business. Like you said, you haven't always been this way so why would you have been deserving of his hate?" Billy's eyes met hers and she sighed.

       "You drive me crazy and sometimes I hate you — especially for wrecking my car," Billy scoffed, "But after tonight, after seeing what you deal with from your dad... I — I think I understand — why you're so full of hate all the time. It's because you haven't learned anything other than it from him." Billy stared at her as she spoke, thinking that Mary was much wiser than she let on.

         Billy's eyes briefly flickered to Mary's lips. But before she could say anymore, he reached for the back of her head and pulled her face towards his. Their lips met in the middle and a small gasp escaped hers. Billy's hand was embedded in the back of her hair, his brows pulled together as he kissed her only once.

      Mary's heart was racing in her chest, her arms stiff at her side before she finally found she could move them. She stepped out of Billy's grip, pulling their lips apart, "Billy, I..." She trailed off, not quite knowing what to say as he stared at her.

       His chest that was exposed from his top four buttons being undone was rising up and down. He stared at her for the longest of time and Mary was sure the look on his face was disappointment before it shifted to annoyance, "You know what, maybe you should just go, huh?" He snapped at her, covering up his hurt with spite — which he was all too used to; something he and Mary had in common whether they liked it or not.

       Mary blinked back in surprise, "Billy —"

       "Just go, Hopper!" He yelled, throwing his hand out. He then pointed at her, "And don't go round thinking you're something special. I just figured you'd be a good bang!" Mary's lips were parted, her nostrils flaring.

       She stared at him with tears of rage in her eyes. She stormed right up to him then stopped before she passed him. She looked up, her eyes burning as he stared straight ahead, "I really hope you learn something other than hate and anger from him." She said before pulling his door open and storming out.

       "Yeah, don't count on it!" Billy yelled after her before slamming his door shut. Mary moved through the house quickly, trying to get outside before she could cry.

      Susan tried exchanging goodbyes but Mary walked right by her and out the door. She rushed down the steps before stopping at the end of their path, realising that Billy had drove her and she had no form of transport, "Dammit!" She exclaimed, kicking at an empty can of coke that rested on the sidewalk.

        "Yeah, Billy kinda makes you feel that way." Mary turned around to face Max that was standing behind her, holding her skateboard in her hands which Mary realised had been broken in half then put back together.

        Mary exhaled a shaky angry breath, brushing her short hair out of her face that blew in the wind, "Shouldn't you be inside? It's late." She said, wiping her thumbs under her eyes to rid herself from the tears as if they meant nothing to begin with.

        Max shrugged, "Neil and Billy are arguing." Mary looked to the house that was in darkness asides from the living room light. She heard yelling and banging and closed her eye, breathing out. Though she refused to feel sympathy for Billy.

        "I hope that's not through me." She said, looking to Max who shook her head.

        "Nah, those two don't need reasons to fight." Mary frowned at that, wondering what exactly it was like for the girl to live in that kind of house. Sure Mary and Jim had their issues, but she didn't think they were as bad as Billy and his father.

        Mary looked at the streetlights before sighing, "Well, you can tell Dustin and Lucas that the mission is complete," She said and Max gave her a confused look, "I agreed to come here because Billy said he'd back off you a little if I did." She explained and Max blinked back.

       "But you don't even know me. Why would you do that?" She asked in surprise.

        "Dustin and Lucas asked me."

       "They did?"

       "Yep," Mary chirped as she turned on her heels. She looked over at the girl with a knowing smile, "They must really like you."

     _______________________

      For the fact I don't like Billy as a character I literally ship Mary with eVeRyOnE, including him. S.O.S!!!

      Also a few more chapters and Mary will be getting more involved in the shows plot!