~*****~

Juliet sat on the kitchen counters, peering at Dustin with an amused grin as he cleared the fridge out of all food and drinks before turning to Steve, who looked exasperated at him. In his arms, he held the dead Demo-Dog wrapped in blanket. "All right, it should fit now," Dustin chirped.

"Is this really necessary?" Steve asked irritably.

"Yes, it is, okay? This is a ground-breaking scientific discovery!" Dustin explained. "We can't just bury it like some common mammal, okay? It's not a dog!"

"Babysitters sure have it rough," Juliet mentioned as she kicked up her leg and braced her arm against her knee.

"Shut it," Steve warned her before approaching the fridge with the dead creature. "But you're explaining this to Mrs. Byers, all right?" He snapped at Dustin. He started shoving it in before glancing back at Dustin. "Help me out." Steve ordered as Dustin stood there, just staring at Steve struggle.

"What am I supposed to do?" Dustin retorted irritably.

"Get the door, man! The door!" Steve snapped. Juliet snickered loudly and hid into her knee as she couldn't contain the giddy look on her face. The two finally snapped the fridge door closed after a moment or two of struggling. "What're you laughin' at?" Steve asked as he wiped his hands on his jeans.

"Just a doting babysitter tending to the baby's needs," Juliet teased.

Steve rolled his eyes as he ambled towards Juliet, lips pursed as he peered down at her. "Does it make me look cute at least?" He asked, lips tilting up into a boyish grin.

Juliet peered up at him and hummed in thought. "Not nearly as cute as Mark Hamil, but you're getting there, Harrington. Keep it up, and I might start thinking you're downright adorable," She chirped before leaping off the counter, leaving Steve beaming at the statement.

"Dude," Dustin hissed as his sister walked out of the kitchen. "Stop flirting with my sister!"

"I'm not!" Steve complained loudly.

Juliet stopped in her tracks as she spots Mike pacing around in the livingroom. "Stop pacing, all that worrying is gonna get you nowhere." Juliet mentioned as she watched him walk back and forth worriedly.

"You weren't in there, okay, Julie?" Mike snapped immediately.

"Watch your attitude, kid." Juliet warned.

He sucked in a deep breath and grunted loudly. "Right. I'm sorry. But that lab is swarming with hundreds of those dogs."

"Demo-Dogs!" Dustin reminded him irritably as he and Steve stepped into the livingroom.

"The chief will take care of her," Juliet expressed.

"Like she needs protection," Max snorts.

"Listen, dude, a coach calls a play in a game, bottom line, you execute it, all right?" Steve explains.

Juliet scrunched her nose up at the analogy. "Okay, first of all, this isn't some stupid sports game," Mike retorted. "And second, we're not even in the game. We're on the bench."

"Ri-- so my point is..." Steve trails off as everyone stares at him in silence. "Right, yeah, we're on the bench, so, uh, there's nothing we can do." Steve admitted.

"That's... not entirely true," Juliet drawled out. "Demo-Dogs are part of the hive mind, remember? When they ran away from the bus, they were called away."

"So, if we get their attention," Lucas gasped.

"Maybe we can draw them away from the lab!" Max added.

"Clear a path to the gate," Mike nods.

"Yeah, and then we all die!" Steve exclaims.

"Where's the fun in sitting on the bench?" Juliet asks irritably. 

"The fun is we don't die!" Steve retorted.

Juliet rolled her eyes at Steve's less than reckless attitude. "I got it," Mike suddenly snapped, moving through the house. "This is where the chief dug his hole," He points to a spot in the map that had been made all over the interior of the house. "This is our way into the tunnel, so... Here, right here. This is like a hub!" Mike explains as he returns to the largest spot in the house. "So, you got all the tunnels feeding in here, maybe if we set this on fire--"

"Oh yeah, that's a no--" Steve tried.

"The Mind Flayer would call away his army," Dustin hummed.

"They'd all come to stop us," Juliet added.

"We circle back to the exit." Mike states as everyone continuously ignores Steve's protests. "By the time they realize we're gone--"

"El would be at the gate," Max added.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! This is not happening!" Steve clapped his hands, getting their attention.

"Steve--" Juliet sighed.

"No, no, no! No buts! I promised I'd keep these shitheads safe, and that's exactly what I plan on!" Steve explained loudly, hands braced on his hips. Juliet's brows quirked up at the sudden dominant tone he took on. "We're staying here and we're waiting for the starting team to do their job! Does everybody understand!"

Mike grasped onto Juliet's arm. "You can knock him out, right?" Mike asked eagerly.

"Hey--" Steve complained.

Juliet stammered. "I mean, yeah, but--"

"We're not leaving! Does everybody understand that!" Steve barked, interrupting her. "I need a yes!"

"Julie, get 'im!" Dustin quipped quickly, gingerly shoving at her back.

Juliet sucked in a tight breath, catching her upper lip on her teeth before rounding on Dustin. "Who're you ordering around like a dog?" She asked in a calm tone.

"N-No one, I'm sorry--" Dustin squeaked. Lucas snorted into his hand and tried to contain his giggles as Juliet turned back to Steve.

"I get your hesitation," Juliet tried to reason. "But they might need our help."

"I said no, and that's--"

Juliet stopped Steve as the light of someone's car flashed through the window. "Who the hell is that?" She murmured.

Steve whirled around as the kids crowded near the window. "It's my brother--" Max gasped. "He-- He can't know I'm here. He'll kill me. He'll kill us!" She squeaked to Lucas.

Juliet stormed to the door; hand reached out to grasp the doorknob. "He's not doing shit while I'm here."

Steve grasped her arm tightly and tugged her back. "Stay with them. I'll handle this." Steve murmured as he moved around her.

"But--" Juliet retorted irritably, only to be silenced by Steve cupping her face.

"I got it." He hummed with a soft smile.

Juliet's brows furrowed at the sudden onslaught of emotions welling inside of her. She shook her head and tucked a lock of wild hair behind her ear before waving her hands at the kids still smooshing their faces against the window. "Move away from the window. Now!" She hissed.

She pushed the curtain open just a bit to listen in on the conversation. "Am I dreaming, or is that you, Harrington?" Billy called out as he stepped out of the car.

"Yeah, it's me, don't cream your pants." Steve retorted casually.

"What are you doing here, amigo?" Billy asked, slinging his jacket off. Juliet crinkled her nose. And to think she thought this douche bag was attractive.

"I could ask you the same thing," Steve hummed as he approached slowly. "Amigo."

"Looking for my stepsister. A little birdie told me she was here," Billy hummed.

"That's weird," Steve shrugged. "I don't know her."

"Small? Redhead? Bit of a bitch?" Billy listed off, adding some fuel to the fire as Juliet grasped tighter onto the curtains, teeth grinding together.

"Doesn't ring a bell, sorry, buddy." Steve snorts.

Billy nods slowly, taking a deep drag of his cigarette. "You know, I don't know, this... this whole situation, Harrington, I don't know. It's giving me the heebie-jeebies."

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Steve asked.

"My thirteen-year-old sister goes missing all day. And then I find her with you in a strangers house." Billy explained. "And you lie to me about it."

Steve snorts and chuckles. "Man, we're you dropped too much as a child, or what? I don't know what you don't understand about what I just said. She's not here."

"Then who's is that?" Billy hums, pointing over Steve's shoulder and at the window.

Juliet peered over at the kids, who sat on the couch, peering out curiously, and barked out a warning. "Move--" She hissed as she turns her gaze back around, and Billy gives Steve one good hook to the cheek. Steve hit the ground with a thud. She urges them to the corner just as the door slams open. She whirls around, gaze flickering to the rebar sitting near the door, along with the needle filled with drugs to sedate Will.

"Well, well, well," Billy chirps as he steps inward. "Lucas Sinclair and Bitchy Juliet, huh?"

"Back off, psycho." Juliet snapped.

"I don't think so," Billy retorted, getting into her face. He snatched his hand up, grasping at her chin roughly. "You know, you'd be fun to break. After this, I plan on making good on seeing just how loud you--" Juliet slammed her head forward, catching him in the nose. Blood spurt out immediately, causing Billy to stumble backwards, grasping his nose with a loud groan. He whipped his head upward. "You're dead, Henderson! Dead!"

"Oh yeah?" Juliet taunted, raising her fists expertly, waving her hands in a taunt. "Come on! Hit me, you pussy!" Billy swung first, catching Juliet across the jaw before she retaliated and cracked her fist across his cheek bone. The kids were shouting loudly as the two teens swung at each other, drawing blood and creating dark bruising. Billy caught her hair and gripped tightly, and snatched her arm as it swung out to hit him. He swung his other fist into her side, colliding with her ribs. Juliet threw her head back and caught him in the face again before she's whirled around with her fist, throwing her weight into it as it smacked him across the face again. Billy retorted with the back of his hand, rings catching against her soft cheek and splitting it open. Steve charged into the house, watching with wide eyes as blood began seeping from the wound on Juliet's face. He saw red.

"Wrong move--" Steve snapped as he charged Billy, sweeping Billy's arm from striking again and putting himself between the two. Juliet snapped her gaze up to the back of his head, brows furrowed in frustration.

"Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh?" Billy exclaimed as he swiped at the blood running down his face. "I've been waiting to meet this King Steve everybody's been telling me so much about!"

"Get out." Steve says in a calm tone, arm braced in front of Juliet to keep her behind him.

She ducked out of the way and scrambled to the door as the two began to fight. Snatching the rebar and the needle, Juliet turned around to Billy getting Steve good across the face that sent him tumbling to the ground. Clutching the plastic between her teeth, she rears the bar back as she approaches Billy kneeling over Steve. She cracks it across his face, hard, sending him tumbling backwards. Discarding the rebar, she whips the cover off of the needle and jams it into Billy's neck as his eyes uncross from the savage blow.

"C'mere, Max," Juliet orders as she snatches Billy's shirt tight and hauls his sluggish body upwards. Max steps forward hesitantly. Juliet slaps at Billy's face, garnering his attention. "You're to leave Max alone from now on. Do you hear me? Pay attention, shit head." Juliet snapped her fingers in his face and pointed to the red head behind her. "Max is to be left alone. And so are anyone she calls her friends, got it? And if I have to repeat myself, it's gonna be a lot worse for you." She threatens as she kneels down close, her nose barely brushing against his cheek. "Now, be a good boy, and say you understand."

Billy spits blood up at her, lips pursed in anger. "Go to hell."

Juliet wipes the blood from her face and stands up, dropping him like a sack of garbage, and stalks between his legs, setting her boot directly on his crotch. Billy's head immediately lifts, despite the drug in his system. "Say you understand, or... you get the picture." She drawls out, pressing down with some of her body weight. Billy gives a loud groan, his head falling back as the blood rushes from his face, giving him a pale, ashen look. Juliet just grins down at him. "Say it." She urges him with a tone filled with delight.

"I understand..." He murmurs softly.

She presses down harder. "Louder for the people in the back." She orders.

"I understand!" He shouts pathetically.

Juliet lifts her boot and leans down, patting at his side before fishing out his keys. "Good doggie." She chirps before turning to Max. "Wanna go for a joy ride?"

Max just peered up at Juliet with wide eyes. She nods wildly after a moment. "Hell yes!" She chirps excitedly. Juliet plopped the keys into her hands and stomped over Billy's body.

"What about Steve?" Dustin asked cautiously. He gave a loud gasp as Juliet stoops down and hauls Steve up by the arm and wraps it around her neck, her hands grasping his wrist and waist tightly.

"Dude, your sister's so cool..." Mike and Lucas coo as Juliet easily lugs Steve out of the house.

"I know," Dustin beams.

~*****~

Steve moaned lazily as he came to, subtle vibrations ringing through his legs and the constant jostling making his head ache something awful. He peered over, the hazy figure of someone familiar appearing as his vision cleared. "Julie?" He drawled lightly, hand reaching out to brush her cheek. Only for Dustin's confused face to appear. Steve groaned again, brows drawing together as he reached up to cup his nose.

"No, don't touch it," Dustin chirped, pulling his hand away. Juliet peered over the front seat; brows furrowed. "Hey, buddy... it's okay, you put up a good fight. He kicked your ass, but you put up a good fight, you're okay."

"Okay, you're gonna keep straight for a half a mile, then make a left on Mount Sinai," Lucas recited to Max.

"What's going on?" Steve wondered, peering around. Max peered back him, and panic immediately surged through his body as he realizes that she's driving. "Oh my god!"

Juliet rolled her eyes, and with a restrained growl of pain, she slipped over the seats and patted at his chest. "Hey, hey-- Relax, she's driven before," Juliet reassured him.

"Yeah, in a parking lot, why didn't you drive?" Mike complained.

Juliet gave a loud grunt as she's literally pulled into Steve's lap, his face burying into her neck as the car picks up speed. "Can't see straight, Wheeler." She retorts irritably, gritting her teeth at the sudden embrace. "You wanna switch places?"

"No, no, you got it," Mike retorts quickly.

The car swerves and Steve lets out another cry, arms tightening just a bit too much on Juliet's bruised ribs. "Watch it, Harrington, or I'll kick the shit out of you!" She barks after giving a shout of pain, hand wrapping into his luxurious hair and pulling violently.

All Steve can register is that a kid is driving like a madman, not the pained grunts of Juliet as he continues to squeeze and hide. When the car finally skids to a halt, Juliet slings herself away from Steve and coughs. "I told you. Zoomer." Max huffs.

"That's it--" Juliet gasps, sucking in hurried breaths. "I'm teaching you how to drive like a sane person as soon as this is all over."

"Deal." Max giggled.

Steve groans loudly as he collapses out of the car, absently listening to the others rummage through the trunk. "Guys--" He slurs, propping himself on the door. "Oh, no, guys. Hey, where do you think you're going?" Steve asks in a suddenly clear tone. "What are you, deaf? Hello!"

"Julie, will you do something?" Max complained to the older girl.

Juliet sighed and hissed at the flash of pain running through her chest. "Yeah, I got it." She panted. "Steve, listen to me--" Juliet urged as Steve stumbled to his feet.

"No! We're not going down there right now! I made myself clear!" Steve interrupted her while charging around the car as if to stop everyone. "Hey, there is no chance we're going in that hole, all right? This ends right now!"

Steve's eyes stopped hazing out of focus after a moment and finally got a good look at Juliet. Her jaw was blotched with a deep, purple bruise. A large gash was sitting on her perfectly rounded cheek, and by the way she was wheezing, he was sure her ribs were fractured, if not broken. Guilt swarmed into his gut, making his gaze drop suddenly. "Steve," Juliet started in a soft tone. He gazed back up at her, brows tight in frustration. "I get you're upset, but the bottom line is, El and Hopper are gonna need assistance. And it's our job to provide that assistance." She explained and pulled a bandana out of the trunk. "Now, you promised Nancy that you'd keep the kids safe." She held it up and smiled. "So, keep 'em safe."

Dustin appeared at her side, holding up the baseball bat with nails. Steve sighed in defeat and slowly took the items. "Fine." He groaned.

That respect in her eyes lit up again and he couldn't help but soak up the look as much as he could. The group jumped into the hole, and Steve didn't miss the hunched over form of Juliet as she took in several deep breaths to stop herself from crying out in pain. "I'm pretty sure it's this way!" Mike announced.

"You're pretty sure, or you're certain?" Dustin asked.

"I'm one hundred percent sure. Just follow me and you'll know!" Mike retorted angrily.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, hey! I don't think so!" Steve barked, snapping his gaze away from Juliet.

"What?" Mike asked.

"Any of you little shits die down here, I'm getting the blame. Got it, dipshit?" Steve expressed as he snatched the map out of Mike's hands. "From here on out, I'm leading the way. Come on, let's go!"

"He's so cool," Dustin hummed.

Juliet hummed in response, once again floored by how her thoughts were trailing to agree with her brother. "Hey, a little hustle!" Steve called again; eyes trained on Juliet as she followed behind Dustin. "Julie, you're up with me."

Juliet's brows furrowed before he discretely rubbed at his side. Her brows rose in appreciation and bound to his side, to which he set a moderate pace that had her sides feeling better. Yeah, she was okay with the feelings she was developing for him.

~*****~

The tunnels seemed to twist and turn no matter where they looked. "God," Mike complained.

"What is this place?" Max asked.

"Guys, come on. Keep moving," Steve urged, patting Juliet's shoulder lightly as she hunched over again. She nodded and grasped onto his hand he'd offered to help her move forward. Her insides lock up at the sound of Dustin's frantic screaming.

"Shit! Help! Help! Help!" Dustin cried. Juliet wheeled around, stumbling on her feet as she sees Dustin on the ground, mask off and coughing wildly.

"Holy shit, Dustin!" Juliet roared, surging to her brother despite the pain in her body. She grasped his shoulders tightly.

"It's in my mouth! Some got in my mouth! Shit!" Dustin shrieked over and over again. Juliet gave a startled shout as he started hacking and coughing loudly. She pounded on his back to help clear it out, but he just sat back up, panting. "I'm okay."

Juliet stared at Dustin for a long time. She closed her eyes tight and swatted at his arms angrily. "You shit head, I'm going to kill myself!" She hissed angrily. Steve helped her stand and grimaced as she fought from hacking herself.

"Come on," Steve urged softly.

The group resumed their trek through the tunnels. "All right, Wheeler," Steve hummed, peering around at the large open space they'd found. "I think we found your hub."

"Let's drench it," Mike orders.

Everyone got to work, dumping out their kerosene and spraying the walls down with it to make sure every inch was covered up to let it burn. Juliet and Steve stood at the mouth of their exit tunnel. "I am in such deep shit," Steve sighs, lighting his lighter and setting the room ablaze. "Go! Let's go! Let's go!" Steve shouted, urging the group back.

Juliet heaved out painful gasps as she lagged behind, but still within arm's reach.  Her breath was knocked out of her chest as she hits the ground. Her eyes crossed at the pain vibrating in her body before she felt something slither up her legs. "Shit--" She barked, peering over her shoulder at the vines curling around her legs. "Little help here!" She shouted, digging into her pocket and producing a switch blade. She hunched over and started stabbing at the vine as the group rushed back.

"Everybody back! Everybody back!" Steve ordered. "Julie, move!" Juliet slung her arms up as Steve brought the bat down on the vine, severing it almost immediately.

Juliet scrambled backwards as her legs are released from the vines and pulls herself upwards, gasping loudly before everyone stops and silences at the deep growl echoing out behind them. Whirling around, they peered at the Demo-Dog in horror. "Dart." Dustin murmured softly.

Juliet tried snatching her brother's arm to stop him, but he swatted her off. "Just trust me, please." He said softly, approaching Dart. "Hey, it's me. It's me. It's just your friend, it's Dustin." Dustin cooed softly, removing his bandana and goggles. "It's Dustin, all right? You remember me?" Juliet's hands grasped onto someone's hand tightly, teeth grinding anxiously as her brother inches towards the Demo-Dog. "Will you let us pass?" Dart let out a snarl in response, face opening. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the storm cellar. That was a pretty douchey thing to do. You hungry? Yeah?" Dustin cooed again, reaching into his pockets and pulling out a candy bar.

"He's insane." Lucas murmured.

"Shh-- Shut up!" The others hissed.

"I've got our favorite. See? Nougat." Dustin beamed, holding up the candy bar. Juliet's brows flew into her hairline as Dart angled his head to the candy bar. "Here, eat up, buddy. Come on, come on." Dustin hummed, setting the bar onto the ground. Dart dove for it, scarfing it up happily. Dustin waved his hand to the group, urging them to sneak past while Dart was busy. "Goodbye, buddy." Dustin murmured as he followed after the group.

"Dustin, come on," Juliet whispered, grasping his hand tightly.

"Let's go, let's go!" Steve urged as they pressed on. The ground shook, echoing shrieks filling the tunnel. Steve and Juliet began helping the kids up the rope as the growls and shrieks got louder. With Dustin finally out of the tunnel, Juliet gave a harsh gasp as her midsection seized up. "Julie, go!" Steve ordered as Juliet collapsed against the wall, grasping her sides.

"Can't--" She whimpered. "Won't make it up the rope. Just go! I'll make a break for it!" Juliet expressed, struggling to keep upright.

"Jesus--" Steve gasped, his gaze flickering down the hall as several Demo-Dogs surged into view. It was like his lungs had stopped when he gazed back at Juliet, her wide-eyed gaze stuck on the horde of Demo-Dogs. He surged towards her, hauling Juliet into his arms, face burying into her neck. If he was going out, then he'd go out with someone he loved. The realization hit him harder than it should've. Tears sprung to his eyes as he tugged his head back, staring down at Juliet. Her gaze wasn't on him. It was on the horde of Demo-Dogs, running around them as if they were just rocks in a stream. Steve pulled away a bit, cheeks burning when she finally snapped her gaze up to him. His hands trailed down unconsciously, resting atop the generous curve of her--

"Steve, stop groping my sister," Dustin called out as the tunnel cleared.

"I'm not--" Steve quipped quickly, head snapping up.

"Your hands are on my ass, Steve," Juliet hissed, her brows furrowed in fury. There was never another time in Steve's life that he remembered being both aroused and terrified all at the same moment.

~*****~

The following moth, the military finally closed off Hawkins Lab after someone-- the Journalist Murray that Nancy and Jonathan went to-- released information about the nature of Barbara's death.  On a happier note, Dr. Owens managed to get official paperwork for Eleven to be known as Jane Hopper. She could live a normal life without someone questioning just who she was and going after her.

Before anyone knew it, it was the night of the Snow Ball and Juliet couldn't help but grin as Dustin ran all over the house lookin for his own can of Farrah Fawcett spray. "Just use mine, Dustin," Juliet offered with a laugh.

"No, yours is almost empty!" Dustin cried; his tone muffled from the walls. Their mother gave a cute laugh and tugged their new cat higher up on her chest.

"I think he learned his dramatics from you," Mrs. Henderson chirped.

Juliet rolled her eyes. "Please, that's all him." Juliet retorted as the door rattled with a series of knocks. "I'll get it," Juliet hummed as she hopped up. Steve gave a boyish grin as the door swung open, hair mused from his own frantic attempt to fix it before showing up. "Dustin! The Fawcett King is here!" She called out.

"Oh, ha, ha-- does that make you the Fawcett Queen?" Steve retorted haughtily.

Juliet rolled her eyes. "You wish." She chirped. Steve desperately did. He peered down at her attire as she turned her gaze back over her shoulder, shouting again for her brother.

Dustin shouted his farewells to his mother and sister before bounding into Steve's car. "You sure you don't wanna come?" Steve asked hopefully.

Juliet scrunched her nose. "No way. The Snow Ball was like, the corniest dance I'd ever been to. I'm glad to be away from it. You comin' back later?"

Steve smiled. "Yeah, of course. You said you wanted to watch that new Christmas Carol movie." Steve reminded her.

Juliet's lips split into a giddy grin. "Cool! Don't forget--"

"I know, pack of Twizzlers and some Snickers. Yeah, I got it." Steve laughed, staring adoringly at Juliet as she peered down at her watch. "See you in a bit." Juliet nodded eagerly and walked towards the livingroom and plopped onto the sofa, leaving the door open for his return later. Steve stared at her longingly before turning to leave, his lips quirked up in a fond smile. Once the two arrived at Hawkins' Middle School, Steve peered at Dustin as the younger boy rubbed at his pants nervously. "All right, buddy, here we are. So, remember, once you get in there..."

"Pretend like I don't care," Dustin nodded.

"You don't care," Steve echoed.

"I don't care," Dustin repeated.

"There you go, you're learning my friend. You're learning." Steve hummed. Dustin reached up and fiddled with the rearview mirror to stare at his hair. "Hey, come on, you look great, okay? You look... You look great. Okay? Now, you're gonna go in there--"

"Yeah," Dustin nodded.

"Look like a million bucks." Steve continued.

"Yeah!" Dustin agreed.

"And you're gonna slay 'em dead!" Steve explained.

"Like a lion," Dustin chirped, making a purring noise.

Steve grimaced and hesitated. "Don't do that, okay?" Steve mentions.

"Right," Dustin nods.

Steve held his hand out. "Good luck."

Dustin beamed and grasped it tightly before exiting the car. Steve leaned back, arm resting on the seat to watch him enter. Steve's brows furrowed as Dustin stopped in his tracks and backtracked to the car. Before Steve can ask what's wrong, Dustin spoke. "Just do you know; I think you'd be good for my sister." Dustin admitted suddenly. Steve began stammering, face flushing in response. "She smiles a lot more now. Ever since Dad left, she's had a hard time just relaxing and being happy. I think she's getting used to relaxing around you now."

Steve smiled lightly and leaned against his fist. "She doesn't want a boyfriend right now."

"Did she tell you that?" Dustin asked, brow raised.

"Well, no, but--"

"Then don't assume you know what my sister wants." Dustin retorted. "Thanks for the ride, buddy!" Dustin beamed and bound into the gymnasium.

Steve smiled after Dustin, shaking his head with fondness in his eyes. He returned to the Henderson house, peering in cautiously as Juliet busied herself with making popcorn in the kitchen. With the sound of the screen door opening, Juliet turned her gaze over her shoulder, a wide smile on her face. "Just in time! Show's about to start!" She mentioned. Steve couldn't help feeling this way for Juliet Henderson. She was warm and caring, even when she tried to put on that tough mask. She was someone Steve could count on that wouldn't lie to him, yet still make him feel comfort about it. "Park it, Harrington, popcorns just about done. You lost your opportunity to play with the jiffy pop pack."

"That's not fair--" Steve laughed as he kicked off his sneakers and collapsed onto the couch, arm spread wide over the back of the couch. "You said I could do it."

"Yeah, well," Juliet snorted as she plopped onto the couch besides him, brandishing the large bowl of popcorn in front of him. "You took too long teaching my brother dumb tricks to get girls."

Steve just chuckled and leaned his head against his fist. He didn't know if Juliet liked him back, or if she just thought of him as a friend, but he was happy to be by her side regardless.