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˚⋆ ┊ ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING ┊ ⋆˚
☆⋅⋆ ─ act i. don't you want me, baby?

CHAPTER THREE - the anniversary effect
( episode one ; madmax )

❀

⠀ ⠀ THERE WAS NO ENJOYMENT FOUND IN LEAVING HER little brother behind, but Peyton had warned him enough times she'd leave without him if he was any later than they discussed. And, it wasn't until she was more than halfway home that the guilt of returning without Parker, seeing the disappointed look on her dad's face, that she finally decided to turn around.

There were a few places Parker could have gone. House of Sinclair, Henderson or Wheeler were high on that list, but closest to their home was the arcade.

Spotting the boys was easy enough. Minus Wheeler and Byers, Peyton spotted the party hiding behind a car to watch the entrance of the arcade. Carefully, Peyton walked on the toes of her combat boots to silence the sound of her footsteps as she crept up on the boys. Arms folded across her chest as she debated waiting any longer or revealing herself before she truly scared the crap out of them, Peyton opted against clearing her first and simply went for the loud, judgmental tone of voice to make them jolt as she asked

"What are you doing, weirdos?" whirling around suddenly, the boys all yelped in shock and fear, relief not yet set in upon seeing their friend's older sister. Brows to the sky, Peyton shifted on her heels, letting her eyes scan over the embarrassed looks on each of their faces, "Are you spying on her?"

"Wh-"

"No!"

"That's-"

"No!" words became nonsense as they scrambled for any kind of plausible excuse, all talking over one another until Peyton waved them for silence like a shitty music conductor in front of the three most annoying instruments in the world

"You realize stalking is not how you get a girlfriend, right?" eyes landing on Lucas's hand, Peyton squinted in disbelief as she did nothing to hide her amused smirk, "Seriously, Sinclair? Binoculars?" at a loss for words, the boys only looked down in shame, but nervous teen sighs were drowned out by the loud roar of Billy's Camaro

Henderson whirled around with wide eyes, grabbing Lucas and forcing him to turn as Parker's guilty gaze lingered on his sister a moment longer, "Ten o'clock,"

"What?"

"Ten o'clock!" deciding to turn when he saw his sister's face drop, Parker's mix of relief and dread was evident by his lopsided expression.

His sister, however, was confidently perturbed. If she was perfectly honest, Peyton would much rather go unnoticed by the Hargrove boy, especially after his shitty attitude toward her the entire rest of the day post-closet-makeout, "Crap!"

Mocking his sister as they pressed their backs against the car they'd hidden behind, "Don't wanna see your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend!" harshly, she grabbed her brother by the ear, squeezing tight enough to hurt but not so tight it would do any kind of damage.

"OW!" shoving his sister away in a half-assed shove.

Their usual yelp and slap-filled bickering continued until a harsh, "SHHH!" from Dustin had them frozen with more amused than agitated expressions

"They're arguing, they're arguing," Lucas stated, binoculars glued back to his eyes as Dustin and Parker exchanged exasperated glances

"Oh, my God,"

"I see that! I don't even know why you need those," Peyton couldn't help but smile, hugging her knees as she listened in to Dustin's complaints "God, you're so stupid," Henderson squinted, waiting as Parker slowly stood in time to see Max flipping Billy the bird as he aggressively drove away. Looking to his side to where Peyton's smirk had become a nervous grimace, Dustin looked more sympathetic than annoyed as he nudged her side lightly with the edge of his shoe, "Alright, Evans, coast is clear," relief washed over the blonde as she finally got to her feet. But their impromptu trip to the arcade was, unfortunately, far from over.

Eyes rolling into the back of her skull, Peyton exhaled as though it would allow the exasperation to expel from her body, "Leave the poor girl alone," the blonde begged, shaking her head when the boys ignored her completely to run toward the transparent glass door separating them from the dig dug champion. The blond had a much more casual saunter toward the door, instead choosing to lean against the brick wall beside the glass.

They stared on with shock and fondness, "She's incredible," awed Lucas as Dustin nodded in agreement

"She's..."

In unison, all three boys realized, "Mad Max,"

❀

⠀ ⠀ EVEN IF SHE INSISTED UPON DENYING IT OUT LOUD, Peyton rather enjoyed movie night at the Byers. Much like the aforementioned family, such domestic occasions were very much absent from their childhoods. It was nice, getting to make up for it together.

Will and Parker had little left to do in bonding; they'd been friends since forever, and were rather enjoying the extra company with one a other.

Jonathan and Peyton, however, had a friendship that was rather newfound and alternate-dimensionally based. But they didn't hesitate in trying. They were the type of kids who knew their parents had been putting their own happiness last for too long.

Expanding foil over the stove, the smell of popped corn wafted through the air as Bob used his video camera to document the perfectly ordinary act

"Stop," Joyce chuckled, hand waving in dismissal, "Stop!"

Bob innocently shrugged, watching her through the lens with his left eye tightly closed, "What?" he smiled. "Come on, you gotta get used to it. This is the future,"

"Well, put the future down and get me a clean bowl," Joyce fondly chuckled, but before setting the camera down he panned toward Peyton, who was idly fiddling with the table cloth as she sat as close to a corner as she possibly could. It didn't take long for her to sense the camera focused on her, smile quickly fading

"Dad!" protested Peyton, hiding her face behind the placemat set in front of her at the table. Despite her father's love of technology and documenting their lives, Peyton absolutely hated being on camera. In the mirror, she could choose how to pose. How she saw herself, what light she was in. But on film, it was candid. Her true face, her real smile. It scared her to know what other people saw when they looked at her. Even if nobody but her father, and maybe Joyce, would ever see them anyway

But her father only smiled, lowering the camera while still looking pleased to have some glimpse of his daughter on film. Something to add to the countless home videos and memories he'd made

"Bob, leave the poor girl alone," joked Joyce, earning a thankful glance when Peyton lowered the placemat enough to peer her eyes over the top. Whirling around with the hot pan, Bob finally placed the clean bowl she had asked for as the Byers' mother looked at her step-daughter, "Peyton, sweetie, could you please get me a clean bowl?"

With a soft smile, Peyton lowered the mat back onto the table as she stood, arms folded over the Ramones t-shirt she glued to her slender figure, "Sure," crossing paths with her father as they traded places, Bob made his way out of the kitchen toward the bathroom

Shirt riding up as she stretched to grab a rather large bowl, Peyton noticed Joyce's distant and concerned expression. And she didn't need to ask why. The blonde knew little, but enough, about Will Byers' visits to Hawkins Lab. His episodes of ─ that place ─ becoming more frequent, and realistic, "How is he?"

Shocked at the suddenness and lack of context to her question, Joyce didn't have enough pieces of the puzzle to put an answer together yet,

"Hmm?" questioned the Byers' mother. And Peyton soon realized her mistake, plastic bowl leaving her hand to rest on the marble sticker counter-top

"Will," explained the concerned step-sister, "He went to see the doc today, right?" glancing away uncomfortably, Peyton almost got the words out to explain that Joyce had no obligation to talk to her about it. But Sadness turned to a soft smile with the knowledge that the teen truly cared for her son

"He's gonna be ok," reassured Joyce, foil bubble over the popcorn deflating, "They called it... the anniversary effect," Peyton frowned in recognition, head tilting as she leaned against the counter beside the bowl, "Apparently it's normal for him to... re-experience those things that happened. We're coming up on a year, so," noticing how emotional Joyce had become, Peyton didn't want to further upset her when they were having such a nice night. She reached out, hand meeting Joyce's arm in a gentle and comforting grip

"We'll be here," nodded Peyton, "Help him through it," leaning down slightly so that she was properly in Joyce's vision, the blonde continued, "And you," thankful tears threatened to spill but were soon wiped away upon hearing the footsteps upon Bob's return. Joyce smiled, genuine and grateful as she placed her hand upon Peyton's

"Hey, why don't you go see what's taking so long for the boys to pick a movie?" both releasing their grip, Peyton decided only to nod, lips pursed when she was gently patted on the shoulder by her father

Once she'd crossed the living room, Peyton froze for a moment at the end of the corridor.

It looked just the same as the night she'd almost lost her life. And it troubled her, trying to understand how the Byers could still live in this house, after everything that had happened last year. Joyce's words began to echo in her mind, over and over like a broken record

Coming up on a year...

The worst of it hadn't even happened to Peyton, and yet every time she found herself invited into their home memories flooded her mind. It was like she could see it all in front of her. The carpet beneath her feet, the same carpet that had burned beneath the wailing demogorgon. Metal welded from the bear trap used to capture the beast, mixing with the smell of blood and gasoline and burning flesh. Nails dug into the pale palms of her trembling hands as her heart began to race so fast that it was all she could hear.

It was all so real.

It was night again.

That night again.

Christmas lights flickered above their heads as the wall melted away to allow the monster to hunt them. It growled and clicked, hungry for blood. For her blood.

It was there.

Behind her.

Waiting.

Cold touch on her shoulder, Peyton was pulled back to reality, but that didn't stop her from jumping to defend herself, "Woah!" a familiar voice reminded her she was safe, Peyton's brows knitted in confusion as she found Jonathan attempting to get into her line of vision, "Are you okay?" there was no use in lying. It wasn't as if Jonathan couldn't make a damn good guess at the thoughts crossing her mind. But the fact that it was useless wasn't going to stop her from trying.

Painting on her false, yet perfected and extremely convincing smile, the blonde nodded quickly, "Yeah, just got a little dizzy for a sec," ─ Byers not buying it! ─ "Must've... stood up too fast," never more eager to move on in her life, Peyton headed toward Wills's room where she could hear her brother discussing something about the Dig Dug Queen he'd totally not been stalking with Dustin and Lucas, "How many choices we got?"

"A few," smiled Jonathan, waiting as Peyton lightly knocked on the youngest Byers' door

"Housekeeping," joked Peyton, looking satisfied at the eye-rolls and smiles when she slowly pushed the door open

"I didn't know what you'd like, so I got a variety," the eldest Byers explained, placing the tapes all clearly marked PG atop the bedside counter, "Take your pick,"

Parker paused, exchanging a look with his sister before Glancing at Will to make the final decision. But the boy only shrugged, "Whatever you want,"

Look of concern shared between older siblings, the silent conversation in their minds spoke louder than words ever could as they cross further, "All right," Jonathan took a seat in front Will as Peyton perched on the edge of the bed beside him

"What are you working on?" paper gently between her fingertips, Peyton peered over his shoulder to look at his artwork. Will had always been a talented kid when it came to his art. But with all he'd been through, there was bound to be some crossover of real-life and imagination. Eyes scanning the drawing Peyton's heart began to sink. It was a boy, withered and rotten in the woods, ribs showing and blood pouring from his mouth.

Beneath him was written, Zombie Boy.

A name that wouldn't be concerning if Peyton didn't know that was what the cruel kids at school had nicknamed him.

"Zombie Boy?" Jonathan read aloud, remaining optimistic that it was just a character despite Peyton's saddened expression, "Who's Zombie Boy?"

Will looked up for a moment, avoiding eye contact before staring back at his hand coloring the page, "Me," concern growing, Jonathan's eyes flashed back and forth between the page and his brother

"Did someone call you that?" Although, the question seemed more directed at Parker than Will, with the former nodding silently all while waiting for the youngest Byers to respond. But he just continued to scrape paper with crayon, filling the silence that settled in the room

"Hey," shifting in his seat, Jonathan continued to try and get through to his brother, "You can talk to me. You know that, right? Whatever happened..." but Will remained silent, anger increased evidently by the way he scribbled grew harsher and harsher, "Will," pressed Jonathan "Will, come on, talk to me-"

"Stop treating me like that!" he suddenly snapped, dropping his pencil and paper onto the bed in anger

"What?"

"Like what?" the elder teens questioned in confusion, genuine concern about how they offended Will had become

"Like everyone else! Like there's something wrong with me," the boy listed off sadly, anger growing at the cluelessness of his family

"What are you talking about?"

"Mom, Dustin, Lucas," frowned Will, "Everyone. They all treat me like I'm gonna break. Like I'm a baby. Like I can't handle things on my own!" he paused, taking a breath as sadness grew stronger than his anger "It doesn't help. It just makes me feel like more of a freak,"

Wanting nothing more than to make his friend feel better, Parker wheeled himself closer to the bed, spinning on the office chair Will had in his room, "You're not a freak, Will-"

"Yeah, I am!" he emphasized, looking him in the eye for a long moment before averting his gaze to his brother, "I am,"

Unable to handle his sadness any longer, Peyton let her smirk grow, leaning against the bed frame, "Maybe you're right," the sudden confession confused Will, trying not to look offended as the unexpected (seeming) insult

"What?"

"Seriously. Maybe you're as freaky as they come," sensing where she was going, Jonathan began to nod, allowing her to continue, "But, who cares? Come on," she nudged him playfully, "Do you really wanna be normal? Just like everyone else?"

"Being a freak is the best," agreed Jonathan, "Okay? Peyton's a freak," the blonde nodded, shooting a joking wink Will's way, "And Parker," Will's smile slowly began to present itself, "I'm a freak,"

Usuall sarcasm coming back, Will raised a brow as he asked his brother, "Is that why you don't have any friends?" to which Jonathan only laughed in amusement

"I have friends, Will,"

"Then why are you always hanging out with me?" the boy asked, this time more genuine. Jonathan sighed, hand patting his brother's leg

"Because you're my best friend, all right? And I would rather be best friends with Zombie Boy than with a boring nobody,"

"You really mean it?" pondered Will, still seemingly unconvinced no matter how hard the older siblings tried.

Glancing to Peyton for reassurance, the blonde simply nodded, "Oh yeah," teasing smirk growing, Peyton rested against the headboard with fondness, "I'd take Zombie boy over those mouth breathers any day," and yet still, Will looked away somberly, like a kid whose parent did a shitty job and guessing their drawing

"Okay, look..." began Parker, leaning forwards as the wheels of the office chair squeaked in protest, "Who would you rather be friends with? Bowie or Kenny Rogers?"

Now they were speaking his language

"Ugh," groaned Will, eye-roll matching his step-sister's already perfected as Parker grinned proudly

"Exactly. It's no contest,"

Clicking his finger, Jonathan pointed at Parker with an enthusiastic nod as he extended, "The thing is, nobody normal ever accomplished anything meaningful in this world," You got it?"

Smile finally fully returned, Will paused to ponder for a moment, head tilted slightly as he concluded, "Well... some people like Kenny Rogers,"

And, brows knitted, just about to say something about her father, Peyton was quickly interrupted by none other than the man himself, stepping into the doorway as if summoned by the mention of Kenny Rogers

"Kenny Rogers," repeated Bob with a chuckle, "I love Kenny Rogers," Amused stares were exchanged between the four, before it all became too much to hold in, gleeful laughter filling the room much to Bob's confusion, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," reluctant to share, not through fear of offense but wanting to keep something just between the newfound siblings. Sifting through the movies Jonathan had placed on the drawers, Bob's face lit up upon finding one of his son's favorites, "Mr. Mom! Whoo!" he cheered, Peyton jolting slightly at the loud noise but quickly laughing it off, "Perfect!" leaving the teens to it, Bob headed back to Joyce, missing Peyton gave Will one last reassuring pat before she followed close behind.

Moving to the living room after that was rather easy. Laughter and television buzz filled the room as the unlikely family watched peacefully.

And even when anxiety ran through both Joyce and Peyton's bones at the sound of the ringing phone, Bob was there to comfort, patting his partner gently from where his arm draped over her shoulders, "Hey,"

"It's okay. Let it go," smiled Bob, eyes flickering between the girls and the TV, "Probably just a crank call,"

Deciding to just nod, Jonathan and Peyton exchanged nervous glances as the ringing continued. As if it was only there, only chiming, as a reminder that nothing would ever be the same again.

no steve today but lots of character development cause i just wanna show some nice peyton w kids before we get bitchy peyton w teens lmao

also once again apologizing for spelling mistakes lmao

i seem to have a pretty good system for writing so far so let's see if i can continue this every other day thing!

halloween party next so yay drama, and pretty soon we'll be onto the supernatural side of stranger things hehe

ty for reading and voting
and commenting it really does make my day!

<3