HAWKINS, INDIANA — 1984.

STEVE HAD A HEAD FULL OF THOUGHTS, while Theresa had none.

It was ironic since it was usually the other way around, but in the moment Tess was taking her counselor's advice and distracting herself.

In a way, she knew she was using Steve to her advantage. She knew that he would do basically anything she asked, and without hesitation.

Steve gripped Theresa's waist, deepening their kiss by sliding his tongue into her mouth. She softly moaned, pressing her hands against his abdomen. He finally pulled away to catch his breath, blindly reaching for the door handle of the backseat.

"I missed you," he mumbled hazily, opening the door and guiding Tess inside.

She nodded absentmindedly as he crawled on top of her, pulling him down to kiss him again. Steve nearly fell over by the force of it, Theresa making it clear how much she wanted this. He began to move his hands over her breasts, kneading them while he moved his lips away from her mouth and to her neck. Theresa's eyes rolled to the back of her head, giving him much satisfaction with the way she was moaning. Steve did not want to ever move from the exact position he was in at this moment.

He knew he was leaving bruises on her neck from how hard he was sucking on it, which with her brown skin were not too noticeable– but Steve had a thing for leaving marks. Her skin tasted sweet, Steve becoming intoxicated with her scent of expensive perfume. He was convinced that nothing could have been more perfect than Theresa Sinclair.

Steve already had a hard on, which of course only grew as Tess squirmed under him and ran her fingers through his hair. He began to move his right hand lower down her body, sliding underneath her skirt.

"Wait."

He immediately stopped, pulling away from Theresa as she spoke. She caught her breath, meeting his eyes as she licked her swollen lips.

"Before we do this... we have to agree that there's not gonna be any feelings involved. This is just a one time thing, right?"

Steve hesitated, searching her eyes. He ignored the way his heart sank a little, finally bringing himself to nod his head.

"Y-Yeah, absolutely. No feelings."

She nodded back, then the stoic expression began to fade as Theresa slowly smirked.

"So, you were saying how much you missed me?"

Steve was internally screaming, but he played it cool.

"Someone's a little cocky tonight," he remarked, roughly grabbing hold of her legs with no warning and lowering himself between them.

Tess raised an eyebrow, not having been expecting that. He looked up her with dark, lustful eyes, Theresa leaning her head back against the window.

"Do your worst, Harrington."

Steve began to smirk, his fingers curling around the waistband of Theresa's underwear and getting them off of her with visible impatience. He took her legs over his shoulders, planting slow, hot kisses on her inner thighs leading up to her core. Tess's eyes fluttered closed, letting out the smallest whimper that antagonized Steve. She knew how to make his knees weak just by doing the simplest things.

Arms hooked around her legs, Steve pressed a kiss to her clit and a moan escaped her lips. Theresa's back arched, hips moving upward as Steve lightly sucked at her bud. The sensation was almost unbearable, one of her hands traveling down to his hair and running through it. Normally Steve might have been annoyed if a girl touched his hair, but Theresa was obviously an exception. The way she massaged his scalp as he flicked his tongue in her pussy sent chills down his spine. Steve could feel his bulge pressing against his jeans, groaning into her core. He kept an arm around her thigh to keep her from moving, becoming rougher with his motions as he moved his fingers and slid one inside of her. Tess let out a loud moan, his name falling out of her mouth over and over while Steve pushed another finger into her. Her hips were grinding against his tongue licking her clit steadily, two fingers curling inside of her and hitting the spot that made her eyes roll to the back of her head.

"Steve," Theresa choked out, "d-don't stop." He had no intention to, sucking fervently on her bud until she could feel the knot in her stomach tightening. She did not know what she had been expecting, but it certainly was not this. Tess had no idea Steve would be so damn good at eating a girl out. But she did know that she was not going to last much longer with the way he was fucking her with his mouth and his fingers.

Steve kept a steady pace, Theresa pulling his hair involuntarily as her other hand frantically searched for something to hold onto. Her breaths quickened and he knew she was close, so Steve kept hitting her spot and sucking her clit.

"Cum for me, baby," he said, the vibrations of his voice sending Tess over the edge. Her thighs clenched around his head as she let go, releasing all over his fingers. Her pretty little moans were like music to Steve's ears, working her through the orgasm as he kissed her clit and licked at her folds to taste her.

Theresa panted, trying to catch her breath. "Holy shit," she muttered, sitting there in shock for a moment.

Steve sat up, crawling over her to kiss her. Tess moved a hand down to his bulge to feel how hard he was. He pulled back quickly, meeting her eyes.

"Hey, just relax, Tess," he whispered reassuringly, giving a nod.

"Just relax."

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     IT WAS THE DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN, and Theresa had yet to find a costume.

She had no idea what she could go as that she had not already done before, something that was cute and a little slutty and original.

The bell rang for first period to end, Tess gathering her things and leaving the class. She was walking to her locker when Jonathan came out of nowhere, appearing beside her.

"You look like you're in a good mood," he remarked, scaring her a little with his sudden presence.

Theresa sighed, but then returned to a smile.

"Yeah, I guess so."

She stopped at her locker, turning the combination. Jonathan eyed her narrowly.

"That's strange."

Tess rolled her eyes, shooting him a look. "What, am I not allowed to be happy now?"

He raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Hey, I didn't say that. I was just saying that it's... unusual. But in a good way. It's nice to see you not– sulking."

Tess placed her books in her locker, frowning.

"Sulking? I do not sulk–"

"Eh..."

She shut her locker, rolling her eyes again as she turned around. Theresa crossed her arms, clenching her jaw.

"I don't sulk."

"I believe you!" he replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Theresa was about to tell him off when she stopped, something across the hall catching her eye. She noticed Steve first, talking with someone she could not see. Then he moved slightly, and Tess suddenly felt nauseous. He was smiling as he talked to the girl, sharing a laugh with her. With Nancy Wheeler.

"Tess?" Jonathan called her name, snapping her out of her trance.

She broke her gaze away, clearing her throat. "Hm?"

Jonathan frowned. "Are you good?"

Theresa quickly nodded. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

He slightly shook his head, dismissing it. Tess looked back over to where Steve was, unable to explain the heat rising in her stomach.

Then she told herself to stop, realizing what was happening. She was boiling with jealousy, when she didn't even have the right to be jealous. Tess rarely ever got that feeling.

But she did know that she did not like it. And she did not like Steve talking to Nancy Wheeler. Any other girl, she might not have really cared about, but with Nancy it was different. She had despised Nancy for a very long time.

Theresa looked around the hall, a completely unhinged idea forming in her mind. It was a very dangerous game that she was about to play, but she knew what she was doing.

After the next period was over, Theresa beelined for the classroom exit. She stepped into the hallway and walked down to her locker, keeping her eyes peeled for a certain someone.

She waited at her locker, preparing for the right moment. And then she saw him coming down the hall, pushing off of the lockers and approaching him.

"Hi Billy," Tess greeted him with a saccharine smile, the Hargrove boy looking over with some surprise. He slowed up, stopping and leaning against the locker.

"Sinclair." Billy gave a nod, practically fucking her with his eyes. Theresa held his gaze with confidence, not breaking under a stare that anyone else might find intimidating.

"I think we can be on a first name basis," she responded, folding her arms behind her and rocking on her heels. "So, I'm sure you've heard about the party tomorrow night, right?"

Billy rubbed his chin. "Yeah, everybody and their mother's going."

Tess gave a fake laugh, her dimples creasing into her smile. Billy licked his lips, his mouth slightly agape.

"So I can count on you being there?"

Just as she asked the question, Theresa noticed Steve out of the corner of her eye. He was watching them like a hawk from further down the hall, fists clenched tightly.

"If you're there, I'm there," Billy flirted, the smirk on his face only growing.

Tess beamed, tilting her head and clasping her hands together.

"Can't wait."

With one last look, she continued walking down the hall. Billy turned and watched her, his mind racing. But Tess was more focused on who was ahead of her: Steve. He was glaring sharply, and as she was passing by he reached out and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her into the library which was right beside them.

Theresa jerked her arm away, throwing her hands up.

"What the hell are you doing–"

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, visibly worked up. Steve set his jaw, staring furiously.

Theresa fought the urge not to smile. "I was literally just minding my fucking business, and then you yanked me in here like I'm a doll or something."

"Yeah, because I just saw you talking up that asshole Hargrove," he spat, placing his hands on his hips.

"Oh, right, and you weren't talking to Nancy Wheeler earlier," Tess drawled, giving him an eye roll. "And what does it matter, anyway? We're not together."

Steve laughed without a smile. "Yeah, you're right, we're not. And this is why we never will be again."

The icy words sort of came as a shock to Tess, who visibly flinched at his statement. She had never seen him so angry.

Theresa's expression turned to a scowl, clenching her jaw. She tightened her fists, her chest rising and falling rapidly. There was a lot of tension between them in that moment, and they both could feel it.

But Tess only scoffed, pushing past him to exit the library. Steve turned, suddenly feeling like a huge asshole.

Theresa walked down the hall once more, her heels clicking furiously along the tiles. She went back to her locker, unlocking it and grabbing her purse. She slammed it shut and turned, storming toward the exit of the school. The gears in her brain were turning in an ominous way.

Nothing good was going to come out of this Halloween party.

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     TESS HAD A HALLOWEEN COSTUME now, and she was beyond ready for the party.

She had not mentioned her conversation with Steve to anyone, not even Jonathan. Usually if she were to have problems, she would at least tell him. But this matter was something she preferred to take into her own hands.

Physics class was extremely awkward for Theresa and Steve, who sat right beside each other but did not speak a word. She would look up at Billy every now and then, Steve fighting the urge to get up and punch him in his stupid face.

But Tess was so pissed at Steve. She was sick of seeing the glare on his face when she passed him in the hall. He was so arrogant, even more so than her. But Theresa also knew what was making him that way, and it was all because of Billy Hargrove.

Tess thought he was a disgusting man whore, obviously, but that didn't mean she couldn't use him to her advantage. Theresa knew perfectly well how to make Steve Harrington jealous.

She had everything planned for the Halloween party later in the evening. She was going to be a nun– only, a much sluttier version. Theresa enjoyed the irony in it, since she was quite literally the furthest thing from holy on this side of Hawkins.

"Can't wait to see you tonight, Tess."

Theresa was drawn from her thoughts as she walked down the hall, looking over to see Billy gazing at her from the opposite side with a cocky smirk on his face.

Just then, coming down the other side of the hall, was Steve.

Theresa paused, glancing between the two boys. She turned her head to Billy with a coy smirk.

"And I can't wait for you to see my costume," she seamlessly flirted back with Billy, watching Steve out of the corner of her eye. He was stopped at his locker, but was clearly watching Theresa yet again.

Billy started toward her, Tess leaning against the lockers with her books in her arms. Billy drew his gaze from head to toe and back again, smiling to himself.

"What kind of costume?" he questioned quietly, leaning a bit closer to Theresa.

She batted her eyes up at him, licking her lips. "I guess you'll have to wait and see," Tess replied in a low voice, giving him one last smile before pushing off of the lockers and walking away.

Billy chuckled under his breath, watching her walk away. Steve stood there, not realizing how tightly he was squeezing his fists. Nancy was no longer so much as a fraction of a thought in his mind. When Billy turned toward him, Steve shut his locker and cleared his throat, walking away.

He knew what kind of game Theresa was playing.

Toward the end of the school day, Tess found Jonathan waiting for her at her car.

"Oh good, I'm glad you're here," she stated as she unlocked her car and opened the backseat to place her books in there. "We need to discuss what time you're picking me up for the party."

Jonathan blinked a few times. "Excuse me?"

Tess smiled sweetly. "You heard me. I know you don't have a costume, so you'll just have to make do without. It'll be fine, no one's gonna notice anyway."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the side of her car while Jonathan stood there. He was completely taken aback.

"I... I never agreed to this."

"Yeah, I decided for you. Remember?" She flashed another smile, angling her head. "So. I say you can pick me up around... six o'clock or so? I can show you the way to Tina's house."

Jonathan still stood there, unsure of how to respond.

"Why do I have to drive, exactly?" he questioned.

She pushed off of her car, her keys jingling in her hand.

"Because I'm gonna get shitfaced drunk, obviously."

He watched her get in her car without another word, sighing to himself. Jonathan was going to go now, regardless, because he did not want Tess to get drunk and not have anyone at the party to take care of her. She was smart.

"Dammit Theresa," he muttered, walking to his own car.

As the sun faded and the sky turned dark, Tess finished getting ready by applying the last of her deep red lipstick and adjusting the cross necklace she had on.

Pulling down the hem of her dress a bit, Theresa closed her lipstick and left her room, making her way downstairs.

Mrs. Sinclair was out trick-or-treating with Erica and Mr. Sinclair was dozing in his recliner in the living room, so Tess slipped out of the house with ease.

Jonathan's car was awaiting her, Tess scurrying to get in.

He gave her a look as she got in the car, raising an eyebrow.

"That's your Halloween costume?" he asked with some disbelief.

Theresa furrowed her eyebrows. "Yeah. Got a problem with it?"

He started to laugh after a pause of silence, shaking his head.

"It's very ironic."

She nodded, buckling her seatbelt.

"Amen."

notes.
slutty nun tess era, my favorite era 🤞

i will FINALLY be giving y'all the halloween party in the next chapter, about to start writing it as we speak 😍 what did y'all think about the beginning of this chapter though 😏 had me kicking my feet and giggling bro

let me reiterate that i don't like or support billy at all 😭 tess is going to END that mf in the last few chapters of season 2, y'all just wait!!

but more importantly, are y'all ready to see all the tension between theresa and steve at this party??? i can't y'all omg 🤭 exes to enemies to lovers may be my new favorite trope

i <3 hate sex oops who said that

y'all ready to see tess fight some demodogs later in the season though?