The front door slowly opens as Laurie walks in with Dustin behind her. Closing the door softly behind them, the sibling duo tries to sneakily make their way to Dustin's room without being caught by their mother. "Dusty! La!" Their mom calls out, causing them to freeze.

She walks over in her cat costume with a big smile, and Mews follows behind her. "Dusty, how was it?" He stammers while looking at her, confused, as his sister quietly sighs in frustration. "How was what?" The greatest night of the year, of course." Her smile is warm as it clicks in his head. "Oh. Oh, yeah, it was...it was, uh, tubular."

"Tubular?" Laurie mutters to herself. "What's wrong with you? La, did something happen?" She looks at her mom calmly, "No, he's probably just tired. It's been a very long but fun day." Her mom almost seems to buy it until a thudding comes from the trap making everyone jump. Dustin starts laughing nervously as Mews hisses at the trap.

"I rigged the trap with a motor to make it look like I caught a ghost. Just like the movie." He explains, trying his best to push away the subject of the now moving trap. "He's so innovative, isn't he, mom?" Laurie asks with a slightly nervous laugh which her mother. "Oh, Dusty. So-so smart." All three laugh nervously before the siblings walk away and to Dustin's room.

Laurie closes and locks the door behind her as Dustin walks over to his tank, which is currently the housing for his turtle, Yertle. "I told you to keep quiet. All you had to do was stay still for one minute. One minute." He scolds the thing in the trap as she walks over to him and looks at the sweet turtle. Then, he takes off the top of the tank as he reaches in to grab Yertle.

"Sorry, Yertle. Temporary eviction, buddy." He hands him to her, and she looks at the reptile, confused, "Why did you hand him to me? I don't have a tank or anything for him to live in while we figure out what the fuck that thing is." Dustin ignores her as he opens the trap and drops the unknown creature into the tank.

She sets the turtle on the floor as she bends down to get a better look at the creature. The creature makes noises as it looks at Dustin and Laurie, "What are you, little guy?" He smiles broadly at the lizard as she raises an eyebrow. "What were you doing in our trash?" He asks, keeping his eyes on the creature as it moves under the log.

Pouring out his candy on his bed, Dustin looks through for a second before grabbing a three musketeers bar. "Don't you think we should try fruits or veggies? It's a reptile, right?" Dustin shrugs as he puts little pieces of candy into the tank. She wraps an arm around his shoulders as they wait for a reaction from the reptile.

Dustin comfortably lays his head on her side as the creature moves from under the log and investigates the food. "Nougat. Go on, eat." She smiles at her brother and thanks him as he gives her a chunk from the bar. The creature screeches as it gets under the light; Laurie draws her brows together. "Are you hot, little guy?" She questions as she turns the heat lamp off.

It quickly crawls out and starts eating the candy. "You like nougat too, huh?" Dustin continues to be in awe of his newfound creature, but Laurie can't shake the weird feeling she gets from it. Maybe it's because she's never seen one before or because it's a reptile that doesn't like the heat, or because it eats nougat. Whatever it is, she can't help but feel that Dustin is going in a little too fast into taking it in as a pet.

"D'Artagnan. I'm gonna call you D'Artagnan." He says, naming the animal, and she sighs. "I'm headed to bed, don't stay up too late." She says before kissing his head, unlocking his door, and walking out. She closes it and then quickly walks across the hall to her room.

Her mind runs through the night's events before she shakes them out as her head starts to hurt. Finally, choosing to deal with it all in the morning, Laurie takes a deep breath before flopping down on her bed and closing her eyes, praying for a goodnight's sleep.

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Laurie drove herself and Dustin to school. She didn't want to deal with Billy nor Steve, so she left with Dustin earlier than they usually would. She promised to buy Dustin breakfast on the way so he would get up. Now, she's sitting in her car with her wool cardigan wrapped around her as she eats her breakfast sandwich while working on the homework she didn't do last night.

A knock sounds on her window, making her jump. Looking over, she sighs when her eyes meet the icy blue ones of Billy Hargrove. Rolling down her window, the calm wind of Hawkins flows in as he rests his arm on her car, "Can I help you, Hargrove?" She questions with a blank expression.

"I went to pick you up today, and you weren't there. I thought we got over everything last night." She sighs as she closes her book, "We did, but Dustin wanted to grab some food on the way to school. So we left early to make sure we had plenty of time." He raises an eyebrow, not believing her. Then, as she starts getting out, he moves back from the car, "Billy, I don't know what you want me to say. I told you I don't hate you, but you tried to hurt my brother. I can't trust you again so quickly. He means everything to me." She leans against the car with her books for her first period held tightly to her chest.

"Then why did you let me-"

"Because I was in the moment. You're hot, Billy. You know this, and guys like you don't usually look at me like you have. It was a heat of the moment thing." His gaze goes to the pavement below him as her words flow out. She lifts his chin to make him look at her, "I like you. Maybe not the way you want me to just yet. I need time to get over this and for you to prove that you won't pull some shit like that again." The warning bell rings in the distance, which is her escape.

"I'll see you in class, Billy." She walks away quickly to get inside before he can think of trying to stop her.

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About mid-day, Laurie walks into the gym since she has a free period and wants to talk to Steve. She spots him immediately because he's on the court with Billy guarding him. She sighs as she walks over to the closed stands and leans on them. It's the classic shirts vs. skins. Steve is a shirt, and Billy is a skin, not surprising. The two are talking, but she can't hear them and would rather not.

Her jaw drops as Billy knocks Steve to the ground, stealing the ball, and does an elaborate under-the-knee jump shot. He notices her leaning on the bleachers and winks, but she rolls her eyes before looking at Steve, catching his breath. "Steve?" He and Laurie look over to see Nancy standing by the bleachers, pissed.

He starts walking over to the girl when he notices Laurie. He stops for a second, looking at her before Nancy calls his name out again. She looks to the ground, and he follows Nancy outside. With Steve gone, Billy steps up his game to try and impress Laurie, but she's not even looking at the court anymore. She's off in her world, looking anywhere but the court.

One of Steve's teammates runs out to find him, and a minute later, Harrington is back inside and on the court. She decides at that moment to leave. It was a stupid idea to try and talk to him anyways, especially when Nancy was involved.

As she leaves, the coach calls for the boys to head for the showers as class is about to end. He doesn't move as he watches her go with her head hung low. Once she's out of his sight, he heads for the showers trying to figure out what to do.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Closing her locker after grabbing her bag, she jumps when she sees Nancy waiting behind the locker. "Damn it, Nancy! Don't scare me like that, chick." She says while gasping for breath, covering her heart. "We fought an interdimensional monster, and me waiting on you scared you more than that?" She whispered, her brows drawn together, "I knew that thing was coming. I didn't know you were." Nancy laughs while pushing herself off the locker next to Laurie's.

"I have a question." Laurie gives her all her attention as they start their walk down the hallway. "What can I do for ya?" Nancy's quiet for a moment like she's trying to find a way to word everything. "You were at the party last night. Do you know what happened with Steve?" She stops suddenly as the words ring in her ears. "Laur?" Nancy's voice is muffled as the eldest Henderson stays frozen in one spot. She gives her a little shove which breaks her out of her trance, "Sorry, what?" Laurie tries to ignore the concern she sees in Nancy's eyes.

"I was asking if you knew anything about what happened to Steve after he left the bathroom?" Her eyes go to the floor as she thinks her options over before finally answering. "I saw him head to the backyard, and I think he wanted somewhere quiet to think."

"Then you followed him and kissed him." Laurie looks at Nancy with wide eyes. How the fuck did she know? She was so fucking drunk. "How-how'd you?"

"Jonathan saw and told me today at lunch. How could you?"

"Hang on a second. You are not going to blame me. You told him that your whole relationship was bullshit and you didn't love him. Nancy, he was heartbroken. He needed comfort, and the kiss meant nothing."

"Except it meant everything to you. I know you like him, Laur. Don't try to deny it. This was your big chance to steal him away." Laurie's jaw drops as the words come out of Nancy's mouth. "I was nothing but supportive of you two. Plus, he kissed me. I tried to get him to give you time and talk about it, but he was done. He knew you meant those words, Nance."

"I was drunk! Those words meant nothing!"

"Is that why you talked to him during gym? That's why he was so pissed coming back inside? Because you two made up and you told him that you loved him? Nancy, you need to get your head out of your ass. You never loved him. You two argued more in the past six months than having a good conversation. Ever since Jonathan came into the picture, you have been going crazy over him. Admit it, you're in love with Jonathan and strung Steve along because you couldn't admit to yourself that you love Byers."

Nancy's jaw tightens, knowing that Laurie is right. The two constantly fought. She doesn't know why the thought of Steve moving on with Laurie made her mad, but it does. She knows who she wants, but something keeps nagging her about the idea of the couple. "Whatever, I'll see you later."

Laurie sighs as the bobbed-haired girl walks away. She lets the tears that she was secretly building up escape. Running out the door when Nancy leaves her sight, she quickly gets to her car and then drives up to the middle school. She just wants to go home and forget about everything.

She doesn't even notice Billy leaning on his car, watching her. He can't tell if she's crying or not when a girl comes up to him. He watches her car drive away before turning his attention to the curly-haired girl beside him.

She also didn't notice Steve on the hood of his car, watching the school doors, waiting to talk to her. She was closer to his car, so he could clearly see her crying. She's a quick one, though, because she's already driving away before he can even get off his hood. Knowing where she's going, he quickly follows behind in his BMW and pulls into the parking spot next to her at the middle school.

He knocks on her window, which makes her jump. His heart breaks as her usually bright and happy face are contorted in sadness and pain. Quickly, he gets out of his car and walks to her passenger side. The doors are unlocked, so he lets himself in as he slides into the seat. "Laur, what happened?" He caresses her cheek, which makes his hand a little wet as her tears continue.

"Nancy knows about what happened at the party. She's pissed, but she has the right to but also doesn't. She kept saying what she told you didn't matter because she was drunk but damn it." So she explains to him as the fresh memories run through her head. Her best friend hates her, and it's all her fault. She kissed her fucking boyfriend, and she broke the girl code in multiple fucking ways.

"Hey, hey, hey. Don't let her get to you."

"She's my best friend, Steve. What she says kind of matters."

"No, it doesn't. All that matters is that you know this isn't your fault. I shouldn't have kissed you, but I don't regret it." She looks at him with a slight pout on her lips which makes him want to kiss her again, but he restrains. "I don't either, but I think that's the problem," she whispers before looking down.

"Hey, sweetheart, look at me." His voice is soft; he knows she's in a vulnerable place. She shakes her head, "Please?" She slowly looks up then her cheeks turn red as he looks at her with kind eyes. "You'll get through this. It's a bump in the road, and I'll be right by your side." His words give her comfort as she shows him a sad smile, and he brushes a tear away with his thumb. He strokes her cheek reassuringly as she leans into his touch. She wants to stay in that moment; it's perfect. Just her and the boy she's always wanted, but she knows it won't last.

She checks the time drawing her brows together, "Dustin should have already been out here." She whispers, looking around for her little brother with slight sniffles. "I should go look for him; thank you, Steve." He smiles and starts to get out of the car, but she stops him.

She leans over and gives him a peck on the cheek, "You're something else, Harrington." She whispers with a dumb grin on her face. He bumps his nose with hers, and they laugh at the cute action, "I hate to do this, but I have to go. I'll call you later?" She nods as he kisses her nose; it scrunches in response. "Like a little bunny." He whispers to himself before leaning back and getting out of the car.

Watching him drive away a moment later, a dumb grin appears on her face as she leans back in her seat. Getting out of her car, she heads inside and towards the first place she knows to look for the boys—the AV room.

It's a quick walk to the room, but she jumps when she sees the door closed and Max trying to unlock it. "Max, what are you doing?" The redhead jumps when she hears Laurie's voice and then sighs. "Good, someone who's actually responsible. Maybe you can talk some sense into those four when I open this door." Her boots click on the tile floor as she walks over to the girl.

"Did they lock you out? They keep complaining about no girls wanting to join the AV club but now that one wants to, they shut you out."

"No, apparently Dustin brought something to school, and it's dangerous for me to know about." Racking her brain, it takes only a second for her to realize what's happening. "That little-" She bangs on the door, "Dustin Lenard Henderson! I know you did not bring what I think you brought with you today! Because if you did, you are so dead!" She screams, making sure they can hear her loud and clear. Max opens the door, and Dart runs out, "What the...." Max says, looking at the animal, confused, and Laurie is terrified. That thing didn't look like that last night.

The boys run out of the room and tumble into the girls. Dustin lands on Laurie while Lucas lands on Max, "Why would you bring that thing to school? You're supposed to be smart." She scolds Dustin while helping him up. "You let him escape," Mike says, looking over at Max. "What is that thing?" She questions, looking over to Laurie, "I don't exactly know, but his name is Dart, and he is currently on the run." She explains as Mike, Will, and Lucas run off to find Dart.

"Don't hurt him. Don't you hurt him!" Dustin squeaks.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The Henderson siblings walk through the west side of the school. They both stop as they see Mr. Clarke. Dustin salutes him, and he does it back before continuing his walk as Laurie gives him a wave goodbye. "West is clear, too. Will?" Dustin says over the walkie-talkie as they continue their hunt for Dart.

"You never told me why you brought Dart to school. Do you know how dangerous that is, right? I thought you were supposed to be the smart one of us." He rolls his eyes at her words, choosing to ignore her while continuing to look for his pet. "Dustin, I need an answer." No response, "Dustin." Nothing.

Grabbing the hood of his jacket, she pulls him back to her roughly, which causes a squeal from him. "Laurie, what the hell-" He shuts up when he sees the look in her eyes. She's pissed, majorly pissed. "I get that your body is changing, and you're trying to become your own person or whatever shit they're telling you right now, but you listen to me, Dustin Henderson." She gets down to his eye level.

"I am responsible for you all day, every day. I am with you more than anyone else, and it is my job as your older sister to make sure that you get home in one piece, or it is my head on the chopping block, and I get mad at myself for allowing you to get hurt. We have been through some crazy shit together, but I don't need you tuning me out. I am not here to ridicule you; I want to ensure you are safe and can't do that when you're in danger. Now answer my damn question." Her voice never raised. It stayed at a calm and firm tone which scared him more than if she had raised her voice. He's only seen her this way twice, and it was because of bullies; needless to say, when she was done with them, they never bothered him or his friends again.

"I wanted to show him to the guys and Mr. Clarke. Get their opinions on what it is and possibly be confirmed it's a scientific discovery." She sighs as he smiles nervously at him. "You and all your attempts of making a scientific discovery." She laughs softly at the many attempts he's made in his life to make a name for himself already in the science world. Pulling him in by his shoulder, she hugs him tightly, and he wraps his arms around her waist to keep her close with a tight grip.

"You make my head hurt a lot of the time, but I love you, butthead." She kisses the top of his head, which is covered by his baseball hat. She smiles when she feels him smile against her waist; how could anyone stay mad at him for long? They can't!

"Guys...I found him." Will's voice says over the walkie-talkie feed, and Dustin quickly lets go of his sister before asking where Dart is. "In the bathroom by Mr. Salerno's." Will's voice is quiet, almost too soft for Laurie to hear, but the boy sounds terrified. "Copy that," Mike says, and the siblings take off in that direction.

They arrive first and quickly walk into the bathroom. Dustin busts the stall doors open until he comes to the last one, and there's Dart.

"He's...evolved? Since last night." Dustin chuckles at Laurie's statement before bending down to get the creature. "Hey, buddy. Come here. You know I won't hurt you." She shivers as the animal runs over to her brother. It jumps in his hands, she continues to watch the animal, and something seems so off about it.

The sound of the others can be heard from the bathroom, and Dustin quickly hides Dart under his cap, "Dustin!"

"Don't tell anyone. This is part of the sibling code. You know this." She glares at him as the others run in but quickly fixes her expression to look normal.

"Where's Dart?" Mike asks, "I don't know. Not here." Dustin answers a bit too quickly. "What?" Mike looks over at Laurie. "I don't know, Mike. We looked all in here, and he's not here." She pinches the back of her thigh while the words come out of her mouth; she hates lying to the kids.

"He said by Salerno's, right?" Max asks, making sure they all heard the same thing Will said. "Yeah, maybe Will has him," Dustin explains as Mike checks each stall himself. She doesn't blame him; her brother is scarily protective of this strange thing.

"Where is Will?" Mike asks as the missing boy comes to his mind. When she notices that the Byers boy is missing, Laurie wastes no time running out of the bathroom. He is not going missing again, not if she can help it.