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"The sky is so tragically beautiful.
A graveyard of stars."
~Unkown
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"Bye, Jonathan!" Scarlett waved at the Byers boy and he returned the gesture before driving off. The two of them had gone to watch a movie earlier and Jonathan had been kind enough to drive both of them. The brunette bounded up her driveway and swung open the front door.

Her natural curls were put up in a wild bun. A lot can happen due to the reaction of one person, tears, laughter, marriages, wars and fights. In this situation, Steve's enthusiasm about Scarlett's natural curls had led her to wear her hair naturally more often.

"Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch!"

Scarlett quirked a brow at her brother, who was throwing up couch cushions like a mad man. "Hi?" Scarlett greeted, the door closing behind her. "Hello, dear. How was the movie?" Claudia asked, she looked away from the tv while cuddling Mews, who upon seeing Scarlett, hopped off of Claudia's lap and walked over to Scarlett. Mews immediately started to purring and wrapping herself around Scarlett's ankles.

The Henderson's had gotten the cat just after Bill's death and Mews had immediately taken to Scarlett. It didn't matter who else was in the room, if Scarlett was there, Mews would be near or on Scarlett. Claudia and Dustin had tried to get more of Mews' attention by giving her treats to no avail, no matter how much fish the other Hendersons gave, Scarlett remained the favourite.

A couch pillow came barrelling at Scarlett, who was too occupied with Mews to see it coming. The pillow smacked into the oblivious young woman and made her fall onto her butt. Mews screeched and jumped in fright, her fur raised and nails out.

"Dusty!" Said boy grimaced. "Sorry!" And without missing a beat he continued. "Anyway, do you have any quarters?"

For a second Scarlett just stared at her little brother before nodding. "Uh...yeah." The brunette reached into her jacket and took out her wallet before dropping three quarters in Dustin's hand. His lips pulled up so far that his cheeks shit his eyes, showing off his new teeth. "You're the best sister!" He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Scarlett's waist. Dustin was stronger than he looked, and the sudden embrace knocked the air out of Scarlett's lungs, leaving her grateful but gasping for air.

The sudden force had also caused her to drop her wallet, which fell onto poor Mews' head. Mews cried and jumped back, twisting her body in the air in a blind panic before landing on the floor by the window. She hyperventilated, green eyes scanning the room for any more danger.

Dustin let go of Scarlett and flailed his limbs around while running up the stairs to his toom. "Love you, Scar, Mom." The door slammed closed and silence returned to the Henderson residence. Until Dustin sprinted out of the house, bidding his mother and sister goodbye.

At the Arcade, the party got together and after Will was allowed to leave Joyce's car, they entered the arcade. And beelined for Dragon's Lair.

"To slay the dragon, use the magic sword," Princess Daphne, a character on the game, gushed. "Oh, Jesus! I'm in unchartered territory here, guys!" Dustin exclaimed while playing, trying to keep his character alive.

His friends stood around him and shouted instructions. "Down! Down! Down!"

"I'm going! I'm going! I'm going! I'm going! I'm going!"

All the boys clamoured, which sadly had a negative effect on Dustin. "Okay. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!" Just as the words left Dustin's lips, he died in the game. "No. No. No! No! No! No! I hate this overpriced bullshit! Son of a bitch! Piece of shit!" He slammed his palm into the machine.

Lucas grinned. "You're not nimble enough. But you'll get there one day. But until then, Princess Daphne is still mine." Dustin shook his head. "Whatever. I'm still tops on Centipede and Dig Dug."

Just then, Keith, a young man who worked at the arcade, walked past. "You sure about that?" He asked, munching on his snack. The boys turned to look at him. "Sure about what?" Dustin demanded. There was no answer, Kevin just continued to eat his crisps with a smug look.

Immediately the boys sprinted over the colourful arcade ground. "You're kidding me. No, no, no. Move!" Dustin pushed various people aside. "Move! No, no, no, no, no. Hey, no! No! No!" Floyd and Will were at the rear of the group and Floyd busied himself by calling out some half apologies for his cousin.

The machine chimed to reveal the scores, leaving the boys flabbergasted. "51,300 points!" Will breathed out in amazement. "That's impossible," Mike muttered.

Dustin spun around on his heel and glared up at Keith. "Who is Mad Max?" The young man snorted in return and swallowed his crisp "Better than you."

"Is it you?" Will asked. "Pshh," Floyd scoffed loudly. "He could never, he's not that good."

"Yes I am! I just despise Dig Dug," Keith fired back. "Then who is it?" Lucas questioned. "Yeah, spill it, Keith."

There fell a short silence, filled only by Keith's obnoxious chewing. "You want information, then I need something in return..." His gaze fixated on Mike with a perverted smile. "No, no, no. No way. You're not getting a date with her!" Mike could feel the bile rise in his throat at the thought of Nancy with Keith. KEITH!

Lucas punched Mike's shoulder. "Mike, come on. Just get him the date." Mike turned to his fried, face hot with fury. "I'm not prostituting my sister!" Mike belted into his friend's face. "But it's for a good cause!" Lucas fired back, Mike shook his head firmly. Lucas didn't want to give up and turned to Dustin. "Prostitute your sister!"

Both Dustin and Floyd looked at Lucas like he had just said he was a communist. "No!" Dustin eyed Keith again. "No, we're not getting him any dates. Know what? He's gonna spread his nasty-ass rash to our whole families."

Keith scowled down at the kid. "Acne isn't a rash and it isn't contagious, you prepubescent wastoid."

"Oh, I'm a wastoid? She wouldn't go on a date with you. You make, like, what? $2.50 an hour?"

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Green eyes were trained on the Starry Night painting as Scarlett sat on her bed cross legged.

The walls of the room were a baby blue and were covered in paintings, drawings and lots of posters. There were three shelves with boxes that sere filled to the brim with cassettes. A metal framed double bed stood in the middle of the room and to the right there was a dresser that also served as Scarlett's vanity, and on the left of the bed stood a closet. A chair had been shoved into a corner of the room and held various boxes, articles of clothing and accessories. Under the bed there were multiple milk crates that held art supplies, books, her axe and a pair of roller skates Scarlett couldn't use.

Mews trotted into the room and hopped onto Scarlett's bed and started pressing her palms into Scarlett's thighs. The orange cat walked around in some circles before curling up on Scarlett's lap. Now, Mews had a habit of endlessly flicking her tail to get what she wanted. So when, Mews' tail started to repeatedly flick her tail against Scarlett's hands like a toddler, the young woman started to whisper sweet nothings and pet her cat.

Tick.

Tick.

The noise came from the window. Scarlett skipped over to the window after peeling Mews off of her lap. With a bit of effort, Scarlett opened her window and was greeted by Steve, who practically shoved Scarlett aside.

"Hello?" Scarlett closed the window behind Steve. He rested his hands on his hips, chest heaving slightly from having climbed the wall of the Henderson house. "Hey," He heaved. "Told you I was sneaky like a ninja."

A warm laugh spilled from Scarlett's lips, making Steve look at her offended. "I am!" He protested. Scarlett smiled up at him and nodded her head assuringly. "Sure."

Seeing Steve open his mouth to protest, Scarlett quickly started talking. "Why are you here anyway?" Steve frowned at her question and threw himself back, landing on the bed. Poor Mews, summersaulted into the air with a terrified shriek. "Oh sorry, Mews," Steve whispered as he looked at the hyperventilating cat.

Steve reached over blindly and grabbed the tin of cat treats he knew Scarlett kept in her room. He pulled out a treat and put it down in front of Mews, who's panic washed away as she pounced forward and scarfed the treat down. Within seconds, Mews jumped onto Steve and started to butt him with her head to gain attention.

"My folks got home today," Steve said suddenly while he petted Mews. No more words were needed for Scarlett to understand. Steve's dad was a cold man, the one time Scarlett had met him had been quite unpleasant to say the least. His blunt comments that thrived in the comfort of ignorance, had made Scarlett bite her tongue multiple times.

Mr Harrington was audible about his disappointment in his son, especially when Steve started to grow out of mr Harrington's shadow. Mrs Harrington didn't speak much, she was a clear shell of a woman who had married a man for his money and now lived out her days as a trophy wife.

Scarlett silently walked to her closet and pulled out some blankets and arranged them on the floor.

Some time passed and Steve was close to falling asleep when he noticed that Scarlett was still wide awake. While he didn't know why Scarlett slept too little, he had his suspicions.

The bed dipped beside Scarlett and she looked over to see Steve crawling under her blankets. "What are you doing?" She questioned, while putting down her sketchpad. "I need cuddles and you," He waved a finger in her face. "Need sleep."

"Are you trying to seduce me into a healthy sleeping pattern?"

Steve scoffed at Scarlett's answer. "No! Seducing makes it sound romantic."

With an eye roll, Scarlett flicked off the light on her nightstand and pulled the blankets over her shoulder.

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Steve, Nancy, Blake and Scarlett sat on the steps in front of the school. Their bags skewed over the stairs with the teenagers sitting on different steps. The girls were all reading over Steve's collage essay. Scarlett had already prepared an essay with her art portfolio for an art collage that was a one hour drive from Hawkins, Steve on the contrary still had to finish his essay.

Anxiously, Steve tried to read the expression of his friends. Nancy's brow was slightly furrowed and her lips ajar. Scarlett was taking a long draw from her cigarette, eyes moving over the page. Blake was the easiest to read, her face was contorted and ever so often she would let out a dry laugh.

"It's crap, I know," Steve groaned, he leaned back and nestled his head in his hands. "No, it's not crap," Nancy answered, trying to reassure Steve. "It's not good," He huffed.

He leaned his head onto Scarlett's forearm after she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. The action itself didn't hold any romantic innuendos, but it was the chemistry between the two that made Nancy and Blake exchange a quick glance.

Ever since Scarlett and Steve had shared a fleeting drunk kiss, their dynamic had shifted ever so slightly. They had laughed it off and blamed the alcohol and Steve had waved off Scarlett's apology. Yet, the small touches and looks that were once obviously platonic had evolved. They stood to close to each other in public, laughed just a little too loud and gazed just too long to just be friends. What had once been a look they shared at their stupid friends, morphed into a fond smile.

"It's not good is still an understatement, Mr-Former-Stereotype," Blake commented, smoke escaping her lips before she passed the cigarette back to Scarlett. A disgruntled whine came from Steve. "You'll be fine. Look, me and Nancy will help," Scarlett said. She produced a red pen from her bag and handed it to Nancy.

Nancy took it as her queue to give feedback. "So, in the first paragraph, you used the basketball game versus Northern as a metaphor for your life, which is great," She marked the beginning and ending of the paragraph and put a note in the sideline that read 'great'. "But then, around here," She pointed at the second paragraph. "You start talking about your granddad's experiences in the war. And I... I don't see how they're connected."

Steve smiled and began his explanation. "It connects because..." He trailed off and his smile faltered. Suddenly his explanation wasn't good. "Because, you know, we both won."

"In that theory I should become a great poet because me and Sapho like women." Steve raised a brow at Blake. "Who the hell is Sapho?"

Before Blake could comment or Scarlett could explain, Nancy jumped in. "Steve," Said boy tore his eyes away from Blake and to Nancy. "When's the deadline?"

"Tomorrow for early application... Scara, can you help me tonight?" The new nickname had come to be when Steve started to refuse to use such a common nickname as 'Scar'. "I would," Scarlett sounded apologetic. "But I have dinner with Barb's parents and Nancy."

When Steve looked defeated, Blake groaned internally, already hating herself for what she was about to do. "I'll go for you. Then you two can work on your essays and portfolio together."

"No, no, I... I can't cancel last minute." Scarlett bit her lip. "It's okay, I get it," Steve whispered.

"Scar, it's fine. They'd want you to finish your art portfolio and help Steve. Blake and I'll go," Nancy assured, she squeezed Scarlett's knee comfortingly to add weight to her words. "Alright," Scarlett twisted around on the steps to look at Blake and pass the redhead the cigarette. "Thanks."

A loud engine roared across the parking lot. Tires screeched and smoked as the driver came to a sudden stop at the elementary school. A young redhead got out of the car, she must have been around Dustin's age. Already she looked mad and tomboyish, with her big jacket and wild hair as she flipped off the driver.

The driver had to be around Scarlett's age. if not a year younger. He had a curly mullet and wore basic jeans and a jean jacket. However he carried himself with arrogance, he was attractive and cool, and he knew it. He started walking to the high school, swaying as he walked.

The stupid girls who were standing by a mercedes and had compost for a brain, giggled and gushed at the new boy
"Who is that?" Nicole squealed, she leaned back, popping out her chest to try and get the boy's attention. Her friend, who was twirling her hair. "I have no idea. But would you check out that ass? Just look at it go."

The driver heard, and grinned before sending the girls a wink. He arrived at the steps of the high school and started to climb them. When he neared the group of teenagers he smirked at Blake, Nancy and Scarlett, his eyes wondering down their bodies. And while Scarlett wore overalls and a teal sweater, she felt bare under his gaze and curled into herself to hide from his gaze.

Steve however was payed no mind.

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Walking out of another philosophy class —that should really be a Russian class— Scarlett was greeted by Tina shoving a flyer in her face. The dark haired girl gave Scarlett no time to respond before she bounded off, moving like a cheerleader through the crowd and handing out flyers. "Hey. Be there. Be there. John, please come! Mary! Oh, hii."

Scarlett scanned the folder before folding it and wiggling it into the tiny pocket of her overalls that were oh so common in women's clothing. She made her way towards the art classroom where she was greeted by ms Lahiff Cheng.

"Oh, Scarlett dear, there you are!" The woman greeted Scarlett, who replied with a simple good morning. The young woman was planning on applying to an art school near Hawkins and had left most of her portfolio with ms Lahiff Cheng for feedback.

The teacher took a seat and Scarlett sat down across from her. Scarlett's portfolio was spread out on the table between them. "I have to say I'm very impressed. This gives you a very good shot at getting in."

Scarlett's green eyes lit up. "Are you serious?"

Ms Lahiff Cheng nodded with a big smile. "Yes. Yes I am, now go and enjoy your free period," Scarlett said a thank you as she got up and gathered her portfolio and bag. "Now keep those hands safe, they're artist hands. I don't want to see any damage to them you hear me?" Ms Lahiff Cheng called, pointing a finger at Scarlett.

Scarlett laughed and opened the door of the classroom. She turned to look at her teacher over her shoulder. "I won't break anything in my hands, I promise!"

a/n:
finally an update! school just started like two weeks
ago and already i want to cry and give up on life. oh i also
quit my job today, so yeah... anywayyyyy, scarlett and steve are so soft
and perfect for each other!! i can't wait to write them as a couple. also,
i did make nancy and steve stay friends after their break up, i find it fitting for them.
oh, did you catch the foreshadowing in this chapter?

AND AANSBSH THE TEASER TRAILER FOR S4— I CAN'T!!!

funny post

date published:5 september 2021
word count:2979