JUST DEALING WITH MY TRAUMA !

☀︎

A MONTH HAD PASSED SINCE ELEVEN HAD CLOSED THE GATE. The chilly autumn air was soon replaced with a cold winter and the Snowball Dance had just as quickly arrived. The middle schoolers of Hawkins had been the most excited as they had all prepped for a night of fun. It was something completely normal and it meant that everything was back to how it used to be— only a few things changed since Halloween.

Alex Henderson had told herself that everything had been perfectly fine in her world. But just as any traumatic event would, it left a scar. Nightmares had still followed and the fear of the Mind Flayer lurking around had been consistently present. It was as if she had been stuck in her own nightmare while everyone else had seemed back to normal.

Now with the Snowball tonight, she had another distraction. Dustin made sure she knew that he didn't want or need her help. All he needed was Steve Harrington and as far as he was concerned, it was not fair if Alex got to keep him all to herself.

But there was always one person in the party that would take Alex over anyone else and that's exactly where Alex had ended up.

In Steve Harrington's car, Alex had went to let herself out when they had pulled up to Max's house, but he had just as quickly called her back. Dropping her hand from the handle, she looked to him in question.

"Just don't..." he hesitated as he adjusted himself in his seat. "Max'll kick his ass if he talks to you, right?"

"Oh, definitely," Alex reassured with a laugh. Taking his hand in hers, she made sure he had met her eyes. "Don't worry about me. Just go help Dustin and I'll help Max and we'll meet at the middle school. Her mom's dropping us off there as soon as we're done."

Steve had let out a deep sigh as he gave in and nodded along. It wasn't that he didn't trust Alex, it was the fact that he couldn't trust Billy. Whether he had fed her lies as he had done before or if he hurt her all over again. "All right, all right, get out of here."

Leaning over quickly, she had kissed his cheek before he could react and got out of the car. Rolling down the window, Steve had called out another goodbye as she had waved him off. He couldn't bring himself to pull away until he had seen she was perfectly fine inside the house.

When Alex had made it to the front step, she had rang the doorbell before turning back to Steve and giving him a quick thumbs up and smile. She had seemed at ease to him, but inside, she had a pit in her stomach and her fingers crossed that Max would make it to the door before her step brother.

But Alex Henderson didn't always have the best luck. Opening the door, Billy had stood there with a cigarette dangling from his lips as he looked her up and down. Soon his eyes had traveled back to Steve's car, taking notice that she was being watched carefully.

"I'm just here to get Max ready for he dance," she said with what sounded as confidence.

"She's in her room," he stated plainly. He wasn't sure what there was to say. He had wanted to apologize but the act he had always put on was unbearable for him to pass up. He enjoyed being the guy that had cared so little and after everything that had happened and a failed date had only made him want to show how much he didn't like Alex Henderson.

"Can I come in?" Alex asked him nervously.

Taking the cigarette from his mouth, he had pointed to Steve's car. "Harrington can't."

Alex looked over her shoulder at Steve before turning back to Billy. "He's just dropping me off."

Billy had went to open his mouth, most likely to give a rude remark that would have Steve get out of the car or have Alex heading right back home. Yet, Max Mayfield knew Billy all too well and pushed him out of her way before he could create any more drama. While he had sulked back to the living room, Max had waved over to Steve before looking to Alex. "It's about time! I'm going to kill my mom." Taking her hand, Max had pulled her through her house and all the way to her room.

Slamming the door shut, Max had stood before Alex to show her how ready she was. In return, Alex had given a worried look as she had looked over her hair and overdone makeup. "You look..."

"Awful," Max finished for her. "My mom made me look so stupid." Making her way over to her desk, Max had taken in her appearance before it really dawned on her how much she hated how she looked.

Making her way over, Alex had snatched up a wipe and reassured Max everything would be fine. Cleaning her face free from makeup, Alex couldn't help but laugh. "What decade does your mom think this is? You don't even like to wear makeup."

"I tried telling her that," she scoffed.

Finishing off cleaning her face, Alex was wide eyed in wonder on how to handle her hair. It was definitely too extravagant for Max and needed to tone it down quite a lot to better suit her style. Brushing out the curls, Alex met Max's eyes with a small smile. "Well, are you gonna dance with Lucas tonight?"

"Shut up," Max groaned, her eyes shut tight. However, the pink cheeks and inability to stop herself from smiling had told another story. "I don't even know if he would ask me."

"I had to babysit his sister last night, and she was going on and on about how nerdy Lucas is for practicing how to ask you."

"Wait, really?" Max wondered quietly. She tried her best to hide her smile from Alex but it was no use. It wasn't like her to be caught up in a boy, but Lucas Sinclair was one that actually managed to keep her interested. Alex had bit her lip to hide her excitement as she nodded her head in response.

A knock had came to the door as Alex had begun to braid a strand of Max's hair that caught their attention. Cracking open the door, a head had poked in with a small smile before pushing open the door

Max's mom stood there, trying to put in earrings in a hurry, "Hey you two! So turns out we're gonna miss our reservations if we don't leave now so Billy's going to have to drive you to the dance," her mom said quickly.

"Mom, no! Why can't we let Alex drive his car! I don't want Billy to come," Max complained.

"No, Maxine," her mom said sternly, "There's no debating. He's driving you two." Quickly forming her mouth into a smile, she had gestured over to Alex with a laugh. "Come on, Maxine. I'm sure Alex and Billy get along fine at school and wouldn't mind hanging out with someone their own age. You can't keep her all to yourself."

"Alex is my friend, not Billy's," Max corrected. However, her mom didn't bother listening as she had shut the door and left the conversation as is. There was no debating it as she had seen it as a perfect solution to their problem.

There was a moment of silence in the room as Max and Alex met each other's eyes through the mirror in disappointment. Alex attempted a smile as she pinned the rest of Max's hair and placed her hands on her shoulders. "It'll be fine. I doubt he'll even talk to us. He still seems mad about what happened last month."

"He shouldn't even be mad. He's the one that attacked first. Billy should be glad we didn't crash his car."

"Maybe he's mad that you're a better driver than him," Alex laughed. Pulling her hands up off of Max, she stepped back. "Go get dressed. I'll wait out in the hall for you." Heading towards the door, Alex had pointed over to where the dress had laid on the bed. "Hurry, you know I'm going to want pictures of all you guys together."

Stepping out into the hall, she had shut the door behind her. The music in Max's room had turned up as she had went to finish getting ready. Rubbing her hands together nervously, Alex had made her way towards the kitchen. From the sound of it, no one had seemed to be around leaving up the possibility that Max's parents seemed to have left all ready.

Taking a seat at their table, Alex had looked around the house as she had waited. It had seemed like a normal, small house just the same as hers. It was comfortable but chilly enough to have Alex wrap her arms around herself.

The goosebumps had only rose as the sound of footsteps approached. Alex kept her head down, but when they had stopped she had held her breath, listening as Billy cracked open another beer.

"Hey," he said plainly before taking a sip. Alex had chosen to keep her eyes focused on the table rather than him and keep her mouth shut. She didn't want to give him a reason to start a fight or make any comments.

Pulling his beer down from his lips, he had seen right away this was going to be a one sided conversation. He had quite a lot to say and even if she wouldn't talk, he knew she would listen. "Listen, I get it. You're not talking to me. I don't know if Harrington put you up to it..." He had cut himself short as he realized that he was steering himself in the wrong direction. "I'm sorry, okay, I just— I couldn't control myself."

Alex turned and looked over to him with her brows furrowed and a small frown. "My mom thought Steve hit me at first. She knew I was with him that night. Telling me you couldn't control yourself doesn't make it all better."

"Shit, Henderson," he whispered. "I shouldn't have hit you. I... I didn't want..."

"But you did," she said softly. "I get that you didn't know what was happening and I hurt you on accident. But what gave you the right to attack the kids? Steve had a reason to throw a punch— he was protecting all of them."

"I was there to get my step-sister."

She shook her head, not accepting his answer. "Getting Max had nothing to do with hurting Lucas. Be mad at me all you want for blowing off a date. I'm sorry I didn't realize I agreed to it. A lot of crap was going on— the same crap you kept blaming Steve for not seeing— and Lucas, Max, Steve— everyone there that night helped me, not you. So I'm sorry, sorry I got the help you kept telling me I should get instead of going on a stupid date."

Alex had stood up from her seat when Max had walked in to the kitchen. The tension in the room didn't even have Max open her mouth as she quietly stood beside Alex. "Thanks for giving us a ride to the middle school. Just, please, don't say anything else," Alex said flatly.

Billy placed down his beer on the counter behind him and scooped up his keys in return. Nothing came out of his mouth as he headed towards the front door. Her words were what he needed to hear to finally realize the mistake he had made. He was awful and he didn't deserve her time.

『••☀︎••』

IN THE CAR TO HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL, MAX AND ALEX HAD SAT WITH ONE ANOTHER IN THE BACK SEAT OF BILLY'S CAR. Billy had kept his silence just as Alex had asked him, occasionally biting his tongue each and every time he had to fight the urge to make a comment.

Checking the rearview mirror, he had watched Alex leaned back and snapped another picture of Max. It was the happiest Max had been-- Alex Henderson was the sibling she had always wanted. Taking the camera from her, Max had instructed Alex to smile, only to in return get a face she had not expected. Scoffing, Max had pulled the camera down as a smile broke out. "Oh my god, you honestly look like a demo-dog when you make that face." Holding the camera back up to snap a picture, she had taken notice as Alex's smile dropped down and her shoulders slacked.

Lowering the camera, Max had shaken her head in disbelief with herself. "Sorry, Alex. That was stupid of me to say. I know it's hard and..." Her voice had trailed off as she couldn't even bring herself to meet Alex's eyes. Max had passed back the camera as her guilt had overtaken her.

Slowly taking the camera back, Alex had tried to replace her frown with an attempted laugh. "I mean, where do you think Dart got his looks from?" Her eyes had shined as she looked to Max, watching as the corners of her lips had turned up. "Max, it's fine. I-I'm fine." Leaning over, Alex had shared a bit of information that no one else knew, and Max was trusting enough that she was willing to open up. "I mean, I hear stuff sometimes-- like I'm back there. You know, the growling, the occasional whisper. But it's all in my head. You know, just dealing with my trauma. Just don't tell the boys. They worry too much."

Adjusting himself in his seat, Billy had looked back to the rearview mirror as the girls dived into conversation that seemed anything but real. Another world that lived within this one had been unrealistic but the way they had discussed had seemed as if they had experienced it first hand. In the end, all he could assume was that it was just a game they had played. Because thinking that what they talked about was real was something that would eat him up inside to try and understand and believe.

As they continued to talk to one another and occasionally laugh between themselves, Billy had pulled up to the curb outside the school. Clearing his throat, he kept his eyes out the windshield rather than look their way. "We're here," he mumbled. "Do you need a ride home, Alex?"

Looking over to Max, Alex was surprised to see him offering. Only, before she could politely decline his offer, Max had thrown the door open and answered for her. "Steve's picking her up when he drops her brother off."

"Thanks, anyways," Alex said with a forced tight-lipped smile. Both the girls had climbed out of the car and began walking towards the entrance. Holding her camera close to her, Alex narrowed her eyes at Max, "Remember, no kissing boys. Dance with them all you want, but if I find out you kissed Lucas Sinclair, you're disowned. And when you dance, make sure there's some space between you two. I don't need him thinking he can make a move on you."

"Yeah, sure, okay, dad," Max scoffed. "Don't act like you and Steve aren't going to be making out the second you guys leave."

Alex ignored Max as they stood at the entrance. "Just have fun, okay?" Raising a hand, she had watched as Lucas had waved off his mom and raced out of the car. Making his way over, he hid his embarrassment well.

"Wow, Sinclair, you don't look half bad," Alex said as she looked him over. "I'm actually impressed."

"You look bad all the time," he shot back. His eyes had slowly traveled over to Max as he felt his face grow red. "You look... nice, Max."

She smoothed out her dress as she hid her pink cheeks and thanked him quietly. Knowing best to break the awkwardness between the two, Alex had pushed them together as she took a step back. "All right, come on, I want a picture of you both."

"Ah, shit, Henderson. You're just like my mom," Lucas scoffed, but he did not seem to fight the idea as he draped his arm over Max's shoulder. Surprised to see him so willing, Alex had smiled as she snapped pictures of them. However, the moment didn't last long as the sound of two other arrivals had taken over. Hearing Mike and Will call out to them, Lucas immediately pulled his arm off of Max as he cleared his throat. "How many pictures are we taking tonight?"

"I just want a few so no complaining," Alex stated as she forced Will and Mike to stand with the others. "Now smile like you actually like me."

Every single one of the kids had forced a smile besides Will, who had genuinely been smiling bright beside his friends. Whether or not Alex demanded some smiles, he was just glad to be back with his friends and feel some sense of normal.

However, pulling up to Hawkins Middle School had been the last member of the party. As Dustin had reached for the handle, his nerves had began to settle in as he realized time was drawing near to ask a girl to dance with him.

Looking over to Dustin, Steve had gave him a single nod of encouragement. "Remember, once you get in there..."

"Pretend like I don't care," Dustin finished for him in a single breath.

Steve had paused as he remembered that his once believable advice had been the entirely wrong thing to do. All he ever did was care for Alex Henderson and her wise words had stood out to him— all she ever wanted was a guy who actually cared. It really wasn't until he had been inside the tunnels that every moment the back of his hand had grazed hers, only for them to eventually find their fingers intertwined moments later, or how he would take on monsters from the Upside Down with a baseball bat that he realized that he always showed he cared in the simplest and not-so-simplest ways. And now he had her.

"Scratch that, man. That advice— total crap. You like a girl, you show her you care. You know, it might be super embarrassing and your friends might make fun of you for it, but it'll be worth it. Trust me."

"Okay, pretend I care," Dustin responded back, but he hadn't quite got a grasp on what Steve was trying to tell him.

"No, no, man, come on, listen up. You do care. Super simple, you care."

"I care," Dustin said with a little less confidence. "Yeah, I-I care."

"There you go. You're learning, my friend," Steve smiled. It seemed like he was on the right path with Dustin with some much needed girl advice. Though, he wouldn't admit that Dustin had actually been the one to give Steve the advice he had needed this entire time.

As Dustin pulled down the visor to take a peek in the mirror one last time at his hair, Steve was quick to fold it back up. Scolding him for losing his confidence, Steve gave him extra reassurance. "You look great, okay? You look... you look great. Now, you're gonna go in there, look like a million bucks, and you're gonna slay 'em dead."

"Like a lion," Dustin grinned. Purring like a lion he claimed he was going to be, he had raised his brows at Steve to get in on it. However, Steve only frowned before he shook his head, "Don't do that."

Stopping instantly, Dustin had recollected himself to prove he was ready. After all, Steve Harrington was his newest and coolest friend and he was not ready to disappoint so soon. Steve was the older brother he never had. It was a bond he couldn't have with Alex— they already had such a special bond, that it was incomparable. But Steve Harrington saw something in Dustin he felt no one else could see— a real ladies man.

Straightening out his jacket, Dustin felt like just that. And just like that, the confidence to leave the car had filled him up as he pushed open his door. Straight away, his friends had greeted him in excitement because their night of fun was right through the door behind him.

"What the hell happened to you?" Alex called out I surprise. Reaching out, she had grabbed Dustin by his head to get a good (and dramatic) look at his hair and he fought terribly against her. "Holy shit, it's like Steve's hair had a baby and it landed on your head!"

"I look good," Dustin called out as he tore back away from her. Straightening the bits that fell out of place, he couldn't help but grin. "I look really good, huh? I worked hard."

"Yeah, man, it looks awesome," Alex said with a laugh. Pushing him towards the group, she had called out to them to get ready for one last picture. Only this time, all of them were too busy laughing and messing with one another to give her a second look, but it had been the best picture Alex could have asked for.

Waiting in the car, Steve had leaned down for a better look out the passenger window. A smile had came to his face as he watched as Alex tried to rally the group together for at least a bit of focus. He couldn't understand how it had taken life and death and a giant monster looming over them to learn to wise up and see who he had really loved.

Alex Henderson taught him he wasn't bullshit and that he had actually mattered. Steve was more than just a shitty boyfriend and just some kick ass babysitter— he was a part of the team and whenever Alex needed him, he would be there.

As the kids had raced one another inside, Alex had lowered her camera as she turned to Steve's car with a smile that he saw as unforgettable. The moment she got to his car, she had stuck her head in the window as she held on to the car. "Are you going to ask me to the dance or just stalk me all night?"

"I don't know how to dance."

Laughing, Alex had pulled open the car door and climbed in. Leaning over, she gave a quick kiss to her cheek before settling back down. "You're in luck, because honestly, I'm kinda a shit dancer."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Let's just hope your brother isn't because I gave him some pretty solid advice."

"Last advice you gave him was probably the worst thing you could have told him," she laughed. Reaching out, she took his hand in hers as he fought back on that statement, though, now he realized how misguided he was. As he had intertwined his fingers with her, he pulled away from the curb and away from Hawkins Middle School.

Alex Henderson had kept her eyes out the window as they had drove, listening as Steve had retold the plan for tonight. All she could have hoped for was the rest of her night to be just the same as this— sitting beside Steve Harrington and knowing that there was no one else that would compare.

Hawkins, Indiana had others plans though. After all, not everything was as simple and easy as it all seemed to be now. Looming over their heads and waiting for the perfect time to rebuild himself was the Mind Flayer. Without a proper host and a means of taking control, he waited and watched until the summer days would roll around for the people of Hawkins.

SEASON THREE—

COMING SOON !