↣ 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘌𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩

Bailey opened his eyes, enveloped by warmth as light illuminated the room.  He sensed the arms encircle his waist firmly, accompanied by a faint snoring sound from behind.

He grinned faintly and attempted to turn in the boy's hold, but a single whimper caused him to sigh. "Steve."  He murmured while pivoting his head.

"Mhm." He muttered while burying his face in the back of Bailey's hair.

"We better get up; Robin will be waiting for us."  He states while attempting to extricate the boy's arms, which only constricted further.  "Steve."  He exhaled audibly.

"Robin can wait "  After hearing Steve mutter something, Bailey retreated to the warmth of his body and buried herself in the blanket once more.  Bailey hesitated for a few minutes before deciding it was time to get out of bed.

"Time to get up."  As Bailey ascended from bed, Steve murmured something inaudibly before finally rising as well.  Bailey realized it would not be long before Robin began to call, inquiring about their whereabouts.

Steve hesitantly rose from the bed, and the two navigated the room until they were adequately prepared—Bailey for school and Steve for work. "She will likely be anxious about Vickie when we encounter her," Steve remarked, kissing Bailey's forehead.

"Being in love with someone the world believes you shouldn't be in love with changes everything."  Bailey remarks as he fixes Steve's vest.

"Let's go pick her up then." Bailey only grinned into Steve's before he planted a kiss on the lads' lips, so separating the two.

His family must be out and about already as the two headed down the stairs.  Their path out the front revealed Steve's automobile already waiting for them.  Bailey took front seat while Steve entered the driver's side.

He backed out of the driveway and onto the road, as Bailey rested his head against the window during the journey.  They collected Robin, who was in a state of disarray.  Bailey observed the exchange between Steve and herself as they engaged in a discussion that he found somewhat uninteresting.

𐬽𐬼𐬽

They finally arrived at Hawkins High, and Robing exited the car, brimming with enthusiasm.  Bailey faced Steve, as they were alone together.  "I shall see you at the game this evening," he states gently.  Steve merely gazed at him with a smile.

"I'll see you the baby."  The nickname invariably softened Bailey's heart; Bailey merely nodded and exited the vehicle.  He gestured farewell to Steve as the boy departed.

He felt arms encircling his waist. He turned and beheld Chrissy Cunningham standing there, appearing utterly lovely. Bailey enveloped her back.  "Hello, Chrissy."  He remarks while she merely smiles at him.

"Hey Bailey, I've got the most incredible news in the entire universe."  As they began to make their way to the school, she exclaimed with joy.  While she went, her hair swayed and her skirt fluttered.  Bailey did nothing but observe her with patience.

"The other night, Jason came clean about his love for me."As she looks away in a dreamy manner, she says with a smile.  While he was pleased for her, Bailey couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. Neither of him or Steve has confessed their love for the other just yet.

"That is excellent, Chrissy."  He spoke these words as they entered the hall.  As the girl approached the other cheerleaders, Bailey stepped aside.  With Max seated beside  him, Bailey rose to sit on the bench.

"Hey, Max,"  She lifted her head and offered him a half-smile in response to his soft words.  She was going through a trying time, and he wished he could ease her burden.

As soon as the school band began to play, the cheerleaders began their routine.  Without a doubt, Chrissy Cunningham was in the spotlight. Bailey joined in the cheers as he waved at Chrissy, who returned the gesture.  At long last, their act came to a close as the music ceased.  The cheerleaders positioned themselves on the gym floor after waving their pom-poms.

"And let's hear it for your Tigers!"

The Hawkins High School basketball team, coached by Jason Carver, swung through a banner all at once.  Once again, the audience went absolutely bonkers, and Bailey's clapping got even louder as he locked eyes with Lucas.

"Good morning, Hawkins High!" Over the microphone, Jason greeted.  With him, the audience erupted in cheers and ovation.  After then, Jason removed the microphone from its stand and proceeded on. "First off... Hey. First off, I'd like to thank each and every one of you. Without your support, we wouldn't be here. Give yourselves a big hand."

Once Jason spoke, everyone stood up and applauded. ""And, of course, of course, I have to give a special shout-out to the best and the prettiest fans of all time, the Tiger Cheer Squad!"

A cheerleader was the object of Jason's intense gaze. "Chrissy..." He tapped his chest, exactly where his heart was located, with his knuckles.  "Chrissy, I love you, babe." As the onlookers gasped in amazement, she blew him a kiss.

"You know... I think I can speak for all of us when I say it's been a tough year for Hawkins," Jason continued. Bailey folded his arms across his chest, disapproving of the trajectory Jason was pursuing. "So, last night,
when we were down by ten points at half to Christian Academy, I looked at my team,and I said, Think of Jack. Think of Melissa. Think of Heather. Think of Billy. Think about our heroic police chief, Jim Hopper. Think about every one of our friends who perished in that fire. What did they die for? For us to lose to
some... some crap school?"

Bailey clenched his fist fiercely; this imbecile was essentially equating the incident at Starcourt Mall to a basketball game.  All those innocent individuals were deceased; Billy was gone, as was Hopper.  Their lives held greater significance than being commemorated by a basketball game.

"Let's win this game for them. And that's exactly what we did! We embarrassed those candy-asses in their own house, and now tonight, tonight, we're gonna bring home the championship trophy!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, while Mike and Dustin began to voice their grievances, but he was unable to discern their words amidst the cacophony.  He clapped in rhythm, although a tinge of wrath permeated his being as Jason's words profoundly resonated within him.

𐬽𐬼𐬽

Chrissy approached Bailey as he stood at his locker; Bailey spun around to see that the normally bubbly girl appeared withdrawn and distressed.  "How was your conversation with Ms. Kelly? Are you alright?" As he glanced at her, a small sniffle escaped her lips.

"It went as well as you would expect." She seemed utterly absorbed in her surroundings as she spoke.  Bailey observed her while she surveyed her surroundings.

Bailey held her hands to help her concentrate; she stared at him, overcome with an overwhelming want to cry. "Hey, are you absolutely certain that you want to visit him this afternoon? I have faith that he will fully understand."  She stroked her nose as he spoke.

"Oh, have no fear. He'll be more than happy to lend a hand."  A grin returned to her face, and she stood up straight, saying.  "I am really hungry, so let's go."  As she brought their arms together in a loop, she spoke.  Bailey felt a pang of concern for her．

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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀

- welcome to the beginning of act four, Bailey and Steve are just adorable and I love them. Chrissy...oh Chrissy.

To all the people that have supported me closely- Tags: @norasnetflix @wrensofvizla @KleeAlise11 @kiesluverr

𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵e