HOLLY JOLLY!

June watched with confusion as Dustin rummaged through their cabinets, filling his book bag up with snacks June didn't even know they had.

He was moving quickly, more so then she had seen him move in probably a year. June had also never seen her brother so focused— his brows furrowed as he tried his best to fit all of the food together.

June stood up from the couch, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest, waiting for Dustin to notice her.

After about thirty seconds June had given up waiting, never really having been the most patient person. "What the hell are you doing?" She questioned, Dustin dropping the apple he had just grabbed back into the bowl.

The boy glares at his sister, resuming his ransacking, "None of your business," he snarked back.

June didn't budge, her stare remaining on the preteen.

"Fine!" He surrendered, "Jesus! I'm staying over Mike's again. I'm on snack duty."

June rolled her eyes, snatching the black book bag from Dustin's grip and rummaging through it. Dustin reached for the bag only to be met with the air when June moved away.

She pulled her hand out when she found what she was looking for— the pack of Oreos. "These stay with me," she informed the boy, handing him his bag back and walking back to the couch.

Her plan had been to get ready for school early as usual, but it felt like the motivation had been drained out of her. June ignored Dustin's grumbling, only sending him a wave over her shoulder when he informed her that he was leaving.

June was met at her locker by Amber and Jessie as usual, the two girls sharing a look when they spotted their friend.

She was clad in a sweater, jeans, and flats— something the duo never thought they'd ever see. Usually June was dressed to the nines, complete with accessories and everything. The girl loved the stand out. Instead, she blended into the dull walls of Hawkins high, the bright pink lipstick being the only thing that was normal. Even her hair was brushed into a simple ponytail.

"Are you sick?" Jessie questioned abruptly, placing a hand over June's forehead to check the girl for a fever.

June slapped her friend's hand away with a frown that was almost comedic, straightening her muted blue sweater. It was something her mother had bought for her ages ago.

"Of you? Yes." June hissed, digging the books from her locker with much difficulty.

"Seriously," Jessie questioned in a quiet voice, leaning down to her friend's level, "you're dressed like Amber— no offense."

"None taken," Amber shrugged, "I would totally wear that sweater."

June sighed, leaning her head against the cold metal of her locker, "I just wasn't feeling it. That's all— I promise."

So maybe June was lying just a little bit. But how was she supposed to tell her friends that she just had a bad feeling. Not about anything in particular— just in general. Everyone thought she was dumb enough as is. They would just give her the usual okay? look and change topics. It didn't matter anyways, June decided. She was just being irrational.

So what some stupid kid decided it would be funny to prank call her in the middle of the night. Hell, it was probably Tommy and Carol with a weak attempt to get back at her for not going to Steve's that night.

Jessie and Amber's mindless chit chat was interrupted by Nancy Wheeler who came bounding their way, her wide eyes focused on June.

June raised an eyebrow at the girl, not really understanding why she was there. Sure June and Steve were kinda friends— that didn't mean her and Nancy were by association. Something about the sheepish girl got under June's skin.

"Have you seen Barb?" Nancy questioned, skipping formalities.

June just shook her head, confusion obvious on all of their faces.

Nancy sighed, running a hand over her face in what appeared to be exhaustion. "I haven't seen her since last night at Steve's. We got into a fight and I wanted to apologize."

"No offense or anything," Jessie butted in, her back leaning against the lockers, "—but I doubt Barb would come rushing to us. Doesn't she like— hate us and everything we stand for or something?"

June snickered quietly, ignoring Amber's elbow which the blonde buried in her friend's stomach.

Bright pink bloomed on Nancy's cheeks, dancing  down her neck and across her chest. She rubbed at the back of her neck, taking a few steps backwards. "Hate is a strong word. But thanks anyways."

June had never seen anyone flee a situation so quickly.

"Jesus, Jess," Amber muttered, shaking her head slightly, though she wore a small smile.

The idea of "opposites attract" perfectly explained the group's friendship.

June stood around her car with her friends after school, the trio gossiping mindlessly as Amber waited for her mom to pick her up.

June had been let off the hook in terms of waiting for Dustin, the boy claiming that he was going home with Mike. The entire thing put a weird taste in the girl's mouth. Sure Dustin had always been close with his friend's— but since Will's disappearance, virtually all of his time had been spent with them.

The last thing June wanted was for something to happen to her brother. She couldn't even begin to imagine what Jonathan and his mom were going through.

June's attention was shifted to Steve's car which was parked directly across from hers. Carol, Tommy, and some random redhead crowed around Jonathan Byers with some papers in their hands.

"I wonder what that's all about," Jessie hummed, popping her gum in her mouth.

They were close enough to hear, but just barely. June couldn't make out any of the words being exchanged. She knew whatever it was, it couldn't have been good.

June's eyes widened as she watched Steve snatch Jonathan's camera, the shorter boy reaching for it with obvious concern on his face. That thing was probably expensive as hell.

She could hear Amber let out a quiet gasp. June reached out for her friend, latching a gentle hand around the blonde's elbow. "That's not something you wanna get involved in," June whispered.

Jessie nodded in agreement.

They all waited with bated breathe as Steve held the camera out to Jonathan, waiting for the boy to move forward and take it.

Apparently the whole not being able to look away from the train-wreck thing was completely true, because all of their eyes were frozen on the group.

June winced at the sound of glass shattering against the concrete, cursing softly under her breathe. What could Jonathan have possibly done to warrant that? Sure June could be a bitch, but she did have a heart. The boy's brother was missing— Jonathan Byers could kill a man and she'd still feel slightly sorry for him.

"Damn," Jessie hummed, finally looking away, "that really sucks."

"Yeah," June laughed softly in agreement— though the laugh was more out of shock then actual humor.

Amber shook her head, staring after Nancy as she ran to catch up with Steve, "They're kinda awful."

Maybe good girl Nancy Wheeler wasn't as much of a priss as June had chalked her up to be.