Chapter Seven
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Junkyard Shenanigans

ﾟ❁ུ۪ °ₒ 𓂂 ˚ 𓂂 ₒ ° ₒ 𓂂 ˚˖⋆

            Steve scanned the old junkyard that was mostly consisted of broken down cars and odds and ends of things. Right in the middle of the yard was an aged and rusty school bus that looked like it had no more life in it. "Oh yeah, this will do just fine. Good call, dude." Steve complimented. Dustin grinned from ear to ear as if he had received the highest of compliments. They needed a place where they could trap Dart, and according to Dustin the slightly spooky junkyard was the perfect place. The trio walked in comfortable silence and continued to throw more meat behind them. Suddenly, Olivia heard a faint voice calling them ahead. Looking up, she smiled at the familiar faces: it was Lucas and Max.

            "Who's that?" Steve asked cluelessly. Noticing Dustin's sudden distraught expression, Olivia gave a pointed look to Steve. She ran towards Max and Lucas and gave the two a hug, relieved to see them. One way she was similar to Joyce was that she was a constant worrier. She had not heard from Nancy or Jonathan, Will was getting worse, Hopper was M.I.A, and now Dart was added to the list. So she was just relieved to know that those two were okay.

            "So, what's the plan?" Lucas asked once everyone was gathered together in the middle of the junkyard.

            Olivia grabbed her purple hoodie that was wrapped around her small waist and put it on. She walked closer to the bus and put her hands on her hips. "I guess we just find anything that looks, you know, monster proof and use them as sort of like shields on the bus." She tried to explain. "This bus is our safe spot, we need to cover this bus to make sure that it's impossible for the Demogorgan to get through."

            The two girls decided to team up together, and they were able to find pieces of tin and metal. Olivia enjoyed Max's company. She could tell why Dustin took a liking to her. Despite not even knowing the young girl for barely a few days, she already thought of her like a little sister.

            "So," The red head started to say, carrying another piece of tin to the bus. "Who is that?" She pointed over to Steve, who seemed to quickly look away from her when she looked at him.

            "Oh, that's Steve. Steve Harrington," Olivia answered.

            "He's cute," Max said with a giggle, which made Olivia smile. There was really no doubt that Steve was handsome, just about every girl at Hawkins High had thought that, including her self. "Is he your boyfriend?"

            The question threw Olivia off guard. She wondered what made Max think that her and Steve were together. "Oh, no. Steve and I are just friends. We don't even really know each other that well," Olivia admitted.

            "Really?" Max asked dumbfounded as she helped Olivia carry more large pieces of metal and tin. "I may have only just met Steve, but from the way he looks at you, I just assumed you two were together is all." 

            "No," Olivia sighed. "He's with someone else. And even if I did like him, which I don't, it's not like he would ever like me."

            "Liv, you can't be serious." Max huffed.

            "What do you mean?" Olivia asked, confused as to what she was talking about.

            "I know I'm to young to know what love is, but all I'm saying is Steve looks at you like... like you hung the stars in the sky." She explained. Olivia was taken aback by Max's answer. Olivia knew there wasn't any chance of someone like Steve Harrington liking someone as geeky and awkward as her. She wasn't beautiful like Nancy, she didn't come from a rich family, and it wasn't like she had a whole lot of friends. She wasn't anybody special, at least that's what she thought. She was always convinced that she was invisible, so Steve couldn't have possibly noticed her. Before Olivia had the chance to reply, she noticed a mop of brown curls peeking from over the battered red car.

            "Hey dickheads!" Steve shouted after spotting Dustin and Lucas. "How come the only ones helping me out are Olivia and this random girl? We lose light in 40 minutes. Let's go. Let's go I said!" He ordered at the two boys, causing the two girls to giggle.

"Alright, asshole." Dustin and Lucas scoffed, trotting begrudgingly behind him.

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Night had now fallen, and it was dark outside with only the glow of the moon reflecting down upon them. They were gathered in the dingy school bus, with Lucas at the top as the lookout. Olivia sat down next to Steve as he played with the lighter, turning it on and off. Max sat down across from Olivia and Steve and folded her arms. "So you really fought one of these things before?" She questioned, not sounding totally convinced. Olivia simply nodded in response. She didn't blame Max for not believing them. Before last year, Olivia thought that monsters and dimensions only happened in the movies. But she couldn't have been more wrong. "And you're like, totally 100% sure it wasn't a bear?"

            Olivia was about to answer her saying that the monster's face that opened up like a flower was definitely was not a bear, but she was cut off by her brother. "Shit, don't be an idiot, okay." Dustin scoffed. "It wasn't a bear. Why are you even here if you don't believe us? Just go home."

            Olivia shot a glare at her brother before shifting her eyes towards Max, giving her an apologetic look. Olivia understood that her brother was a little heart broken. After all, she knew from her own personal experience. But still, that didn't mean that Max should be treated horribly. "Geesh, someone's cranky. Past your bedtime?" The redhead remarked before climbing up the latter where Lucas was.

            "That's good. Just show her you don't care." Steve said slyly with a wink.

            "I don't. Why are you winking Steve? Stop." Dustin said with annoyance.

            "Steve," Olivia warned him, crinkling her nose. She swatted him on the shoulder lightly. "No offense, but for being a heartthrob and all, you give terrible dating advice." Olivia wished her brother hadn't taken Steve's advise, as it clearly wasn't working. It seemed to only drive the Mayfield girl further away from him. In fact, one of the reasons why Olivia was in love with Jonathan was because of how caring he was. If he acted like he didn't care, Olivia probably wouldn't have fallen for him like she already had. She thought about saying that out loud to prove her point to Dustin, but she didn't want to reveal her secret, especially in front of Steve.

            "Oh yeah?" Steve said, turning his head to look at the older Henderson. "Says the girl who makes googly eyes at Jonathan Byers but does nothing about it. Not really sure why your wasting your time on that creep though when you could literally have any guy you wanted."

            Olivia went silent, she didn't know her feelings were that obvious. If so, could that mean that Jonathan knew about her feelings?

            "He's not a creep," She defended her best friend. "And what do you mean? It's not like guys are lining up to date me." She stated and cocked her head at him, almost looking like a confused puppy.

            "You really don't know, do you?" Steve asked, baffled. Olivia just shook her head.

            "You're more noticeable than you think, Henderson." Steve sighed.

            "You're lying." Olivia scoffed, not believing what he was saying.

            "If I were lying, then how do I know that your favorite book is Little Women? You get so caught up in the books you read that you don't realize what's going on around you. I also happen to know that you love art, and you walk the hallways shyly, completely unaware of other guys staring at you. It's like you don't realize you're beautiful, Olivia Henderson." Steve said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. The girl sat there in complete shock, not quite believing what he was saying. She looked up at him with her doe-like eyes, unsure of what to say. Steve looked back at her, with a look in his eyes that she couldn't quite read.

            "Um she also likes The Hobbit, Steve." Dustin butted in, making Olivia snap out of her trance and softly giggle.

            "Yeah, yeah. Okay, The Hobbit. What is that?" Steve asked.

            Both Dustin and Olivia widened their eyes in disbelief. "You've never read the Hobbit?" Olivia asked.

            "No...?" Steve responded, almost sounding ashamed of himself.

            "Okay, when this is all over, I'm lending you my copy and you're going to read it, Steve. I promise you'll love it." She told him with a small smile.

            "Okay," Steve smiled fondly at her. She was surprised at how easy it was for her to talk with him. Usually when it came to talking to people, it took her a while to open up to them, but with Steve he just made her feel comfortable and safe. Just for a second, she had almost forgotten why they were there in the first place when she suddenly heard a blood-curdling growl, almost more like a squeal, making her jump out of fear.

            Olivia, Steve, and Dustin all headed towards the tiny window they made where they could still see outside of the bus.

            "You see him?" Steve asked, peeking through the window.

            "No," Olivia responded, her voice laced with fear.

            Steve noticed her hand trembling, and took a hold of it, hoping the small gesture would calm her down. "Hey, it's going to be okay," He assured her gently.

            "Lucas, what's going on?" Dustin shouted.

            "Hold on!" Lucas yelled. Olivia heard another blood-curdling growl. "I've got eyes, Ten O' Clock!"

            "There," Steve pointed. Olivia looked closer through the window. It was harder to see with the fog, but she spotted Dart.

            "What's he doing?" Dustin asked.

            Steve held Olivia's hand tighter. "I don't know."

            "He's not taking the bait. Why is he not taking the bait?" Olivia asked nervously.

            "Maybe he's not hungry?" Dustin suggested.

            "Maybe he's sick of cow." Steve stated. Letting go of Olivia's hand unwillingly, he hesitantly started walking towards the exit of the bus.

            "Steve? Steve, what are you doing? Steve?" Olivia shuddered at the thought of Steve going out there alone. She could feel that they were starting to become close friends, and the last thing she wanted Steve to do was to foolishly sacrifice himself for them. "At least let me come with you!"

            "No, Liv!" Dustin cried, not being able to handle just the thought of loosing his sister, his best friend.

            Without thinking, Steve kissed Olivia softly on the forehead. "You stay here with Dustin where it's safe. I have to do this, okay? I'll be back, I promise." He held her hand one last time and threw the lighter to Dustin before exiting the bus. Olivia couldn't just stand there and watch him fight Dart alone. As soon she started walking out of the bus, Dustin tugged her arm.

            "Don't go," He cried. "I can't loose you, Liv."

             A tear started to roll down the boys cheeks, but Olivia knew that she had to this. She had to go out there and help Steve. She pulled her brother into a tight hug. "I love you, Dusty." She pulled out of the hug, and ran out of the bus before Dustin could stop her.

            "Olivia, what are you doing? I told you to stay in the bus." Steve told her, almost with anger.

            "No!" Olivia insisted. "We're in this together, Steve."

            Steve gaze softened at the girl who he quickly became fond of. "Okay," He said, knowing that if he kept trying to get her to go back to the bus, it would be of no use. However, that didn't stop him from standing protectively in front of her. "Come on, buddy. Dinner time." Steve held his bat as the two of them moved closer towards Dart. "Human tastes better than cat, I promise."

            "Liv! Steve! Watch out!" Lucas shrieked.

            "A little busy here," Steve responded sarcastically.

            "Three o' clock! Three o' clock!"

            Olivia glanced to her right, only to see more Darts. She could hear Dustin crying out her name repeatedly. Steve tumbled over the car as one of the Demogorgans got on on top of Olivia, causing her to fall to the ground. Just as she thought this was how she was going to die, Steve swung Dart with his bat causing Dart to fly across the yard. Steve quickly grabbed Olivia's hand to pull her up. "You okay?" He asked, holding her shoulders to steady her. Instead of answering, she pulled Steve into a quick hug.

            "Olivia! Olivia! Steve! Abort! Abort!" Dustin shouted. Steve hit Dart again just before grabbing Olivia's hand and running back into the bus.

            "Holy shit! Olivia, your insane! I thought I lost you for a minute." Dustin said, pulling her into another hug.

            "Oh my God, Olivia," Max said. "Don't ever do that to me again."

            "You can't get rid of me that easily," Olivia joked, trying to lighten the mood. Just as she said that, the bus started to shake and rattle. The kids began to scream, and Olivia held onto all of them tightly. Dustin tried to reach the others through the walkie talkie again, but had no luck. Dart continuously screeched, then suddenly appeared over the top of the bus. Olivia screamed, never having been so frightened before.

            "Out of the way! Out of the way! You want some? Come get this!" Steve stood in front of Olivia and the kids protectively. Olivia didn't realize it, but she was clinging on to his shoulders. When Dart surprisingly creeped away, Steve stumbled back and he turned his head towards Olivia. There faces were merely inches apart causing a blush to creep on the girl's already rosy cheeks. She was thankful that it was dark enough that her blush wasn't noticeable. Dustin coughed a little too loudly, which made Olivia pull away from Steve quickly. She tucked a piece of her light brown hair behind her ear and looked at anywhere else but Steve. Once they were sure Dart and the others were gone, they walked slowly out of the bus.

            "What happened?" Lucas asked.

            "I don't know," Max responded shakily.

            "Steve scared them off?"  Dustin wondered.

            "No. No way," Steve stated. "They're going somewhere."