~*****~

It felt Juliet only had seconds to react, sprinting across the mall floor and swinging a metal rod as hard as she could against the creatures overly large head, causing a big enough distraction for the others to light it up with fireworks. "Flay this, you ugly piece of shit!" Lucas' shouted. Juliet flipped her metal rod and cracked it against one of it's legs, a sickening squelching noise erupting from the sharp edges of the rod. It began to thrash, confused by the sharp serrated pipe and the fireworks hitting its body.

Juliet attempted to make a break for Eleven, grasping onto her tightly as she attempted to pull her away while Billy was writhing on the ground.

Juliet felt her foot slip out from underneath her as she pulls Eleven, and hits the ground, hard. Her head knocked into the tile and she groaned for a moment before she snaps out of it and slugs Billy in the face as he nearly manages to pull Eleven back. Juliet keeps slinging her fists forward, trying to shove him off of her.

Billy tackles her to the ground, grasping at her neck and tightening his grip. Juliet coughs and feels her eyes cross at the lack of air. Nails rake at his face and arms, trying to get some sort of grip on him to push him off.

Eleven gives a scream and kicks at his face as best as she could, given the injury she still had, rocking him off of Juliet just enough for her to hike her legs up and kick him off. Juliet snaps her arms around his neck, squeezing tight. Billy groans angrily, trying to break free, but all of her weight is pinning her to him.

"Seven feet-" Eleven gasps, stopping the struggle. Billy freezes against Juliet, hands still clawing at her arms as they remain tight. "You told her," Eleven sobbed. "The wave was seven feet. You ran to her, on the beach. There were seagulls. She wore a hat... with a blue ribbon. A long dress... with a blue and red flower. Yell-Yellow sandals, covered in sand. She was pretty. She was really pretty." Juliet feels Billy relax against her hold. "And you... You were happy." Eleven palms at his face tenderly.

The fireworks stop and the three snap their gazes over to the monster. Juliet doesn't know what compels to her to release Billy. Maybe it's the giant monster looming over them, or maybe it's the shift in his posture. Juliet shuffles back, shoving herself in front of Eleven, arms spread out. A long tentacle starts spilling from the monsters' mouth, and just as it snaps forward, Billy snatches it tight, stopping it from reaching the girls. "NO!" He bellows, holding it away from them, screaming out in frustration. Then, before anyone could react, four horrifying tentacles snapped out, stabbing into his torso. More and more start stabbing into him, draining the fight he had in him.

Billy sinks to his knees, still screaming at the monster before it spears his heart, completely silencing him. Juliet vaguely hears Max scream out from somewhere behind them. Rearing her arms up, Juliet braces for the attack. Just as it launches, the creature gives an awful wail, stumbling around before it falls dead.

Juliet felt her heart spin wildly as she still lay against Eleven, as if it were going to spring back up and attack them. Max rushes past them, shaking at Billy's body and crying loudly, calling his name out. Mike hugs onto Eleven as Juliet stares at the creature. All she can hear is her heartbeat in her ears and the ringing following after. Juliet lays back on the floor, palming at her face, adrenaline fading from the ordeal.

Government officials appear as if out of nowhere, seemingly aware of what had transpired in the mall. They swarmed every nook and cranny of the mall and the underground Russian laboratory. What happened that today, would be swept under the rug, once again, just as it had been during the Hawkins' Lab incident. Juliet sat with Steve and Robin in an ambulance, getting checked over for injuries and being administered medical care. It was heart wrenching to learn Hopper gave his life to save everyone. It hurt even more when Eleven began to wail in agony over the loss of her father.

It seemed like the nightmare was over. Three months pass, and Juliet sits in her old job as a record store clerk. The old owner was glad to have her back on board, and to be honest, Juliet was glad to be back. She scribbled down her signature on a delivery of new cds. Juliet smirked at the thought. The owner was reluctant to buy cassette tapes, but it seems the booming business of the music store at the mall seemed to have opened his eyes. He could afford two employees' now, and even though Munson applied, a girl from the high school got the job. Chrissy was a sweet girl, Juliet thought as she peered at the fluffy looking girl sorting through cassette tapes.

A familiar Cadillac pulled into the Family Video parking lot and Juliet just snorted. Keith would totally reem Steve for his not so vast knowledge of movies. All she knew was he liked the Ewoks. Juliet snorted in amusement before scribbling onto the order clipboard.

Then, out of nowhere, Steve burst out of the video store, beaming and acting as if he won the lottery with Robin behind him, shaking her head in amusement. He spots Juliet's truck in the opposite parking lot and barrels across the street, much to the annoyance of the passing cars as he dodges them. The bell rings loudly as he bursts in, holding up his arms in victory. "I assume you got the job?" Juliet asked impishly as she leaned against the counter.

"You are looking at the newest employee of the Family Video," Steve preened, gesturing to himself. Juliet rolled her eyes and chuckled under her breath as she went back to cataloguing. "So, as a way to celebrate, how about you and I go to Enzo's and fill up on breadsticks." Steve suggested confidently.

"To fill up on breadsticks, or fill up on the endless spaghetti special, that's the real question," Juliet retorted. "But tonight's a no go," Juliet stated. "The Byers are moving out to California, and I promised I'd go see them before they left. I've got like, ten minutes left on my shift before Chrissy starts on the register."

Steve beamed and angled his thumb to his car. "I'll meet you back at your place, then. We can watch a movie and pig out on jiffy pop. But I get to play with the pack this time."

Juliet laughed. "Sure thing, Stevie," Juliet shot back. "Robin looks like she's tired of waiting, so I'll let you go get yelled at by her." Juliet mentioned with a gesture to the girl leaning against his Cadillac.

Steve smiled again before ambling out, kissing his palms and swinging them out as if to send her kisses through the air. Juliet shook her head and angled her head down to hide the flush creeping on her face. To say the least, they hadn't started to date. Not yet, as Steve mentioned once to Dustin at a dinner her mom invited him to. No, Juliet was still far too shy to put any sort of label on what they were. For now.

Once Chrissy bounced to the register, Juliet made her way to the Byers', smiling at Jonathan and Nancy as she passed by them trying to shove a mattress off of the porch. She could vaguely hear Max and Lucas singing the theme to Never Ending Story as she stepped in. Dustin just stared at them in offence.

"Hey," Juliet called out. "Leave Dusty-Bun alone," Juliet ordered. Max and Lucas guffawed as Dustin groaned in annoyance. "Sorry, baby brother, but I just can't get the sound of your beautiful voice singing Suzie into sweet serenity." Juliet chirped, causing Dustin to hiss and swat at her. Eleven surged out of a room when she'd heard Juliet's voice and barreled into her arms, sighing happily as Juliet returned the hug. There was a soft sniffle, but Juliet peeled her off. "Hey, don't start crying now," Juliet smirked. "You're going to California, babe," Juliet commented as she looped and arm around her shoulders and led her outside. "Full of sun, sand, and nearly naked men walking everywhere." Eleven gave a horrified laugh as the others guffawed. "And don't you worry, I'll promise to write, as long as you promise to send me some awesome pictures of everything you find neat."

"I will," Eleven nodded with a sweet smile.

Juliet smiled down at her and pulled her into another hug, kissing the top of her head. The day was drawing to a close as the group unloaded the Byers' house into a large U-Haul, stuffing nearly two decades of life inside. Juliet was tearful, watching them leave with Joyce's car hitched to the back, her arm around Dustin's shoulders.

Later that night, Dustin was finally laughing, watching Steve play with the jiffy pop in the kitchen. Juliet rubbed her fingers against Tews' head, sighing in content as the little cat rumbled with loud purrs. It almost felt too personal. Her brother laughing with the boy she was trying to open up to, her mother commenting on how childish he was and how refreshing it was at the same time.

Dustin drifted off to sleep on the couch, popcorn stuck to his lip as he snored throughout the credits of the Star Wars movie they'd put on. Juliet's mother was already in her room with Tews, also snoring up a storm, leaving Steve and Juliet to tidy up before she saw him out.

There was a subtle nip in the air, despite it only being September. School was starting for Dustin in a few days, and even if Juliet were worried about his first year in high school, she knew he'd be fine. After all, he took after her in some ways. Although, she longed to return to the mundane days of going to school, not having to worry about college, or bills. It was simpler to avoid everyone, and with a suddenly wide circle of friends, Juliet didn't want to change it, even if she did somehow go back.

"You okay?" Steve asked, breaking her train of thought.

Juliet hummed and took a seat on her front step. "Just thinking how much has changed." Juliet mentioned.

Steve sat besides her, so close that Juliet could feel his warmth radiate into her clothes. "This time last year, you were threatening to kick my ass."

Juliet snorted. "Yeah, and avoiding everyone like they were diseased little gremlins." Juliet added.

"You know, I think I prefer the way you are now," Steve mentioned. Juliet's brow set irritably as she peered back at him. "You're smiling a hell of a lot more. You're happier. It's nice."

Juliet felt a flush crawl up her neck and she smiled meekly. "Got more reasons to smile. Dustin's dating some girl that seems to have a good head on her shoulders, the Byers' are starting a new chapter with Eleven, you and Robin are probably my closest friends now, so that's something, too." Juliet shrugged.

"Just friends?" Steve questioned as he leaned forward on his knees, smiling affectionately at Juliet. "I think we might be a bit more than that."

"W-Well," Juliet trailed off, picking at the frayed ends of her sweater sleeves. "I dunno, I've never done this kinda thing before... the whole dating thing..." Juliet mentioned softly.

"I know," Steve hummed as he leaned against her shoulder. "I'm not going to rush you, or make you feel uncomfortable."

Juliet smiled and peered up at him, lashes fluttering at how amazing it felt to be near him like this. Leaning forward, Steve seemed to catch onto the gesture and gingerly kissed her. It was only for a moment, but enough to send Steve reeling in awe. Juliet smiled bashfully, her cheeks still flushed and her eyes soft. She was a dream, Steve thought, and he absently pinched at his leg, relishing in the sharp sting it caused. "I'll see you tomorrow, Stevie," Juliet promised before standing up and stepping back to her door.

Steve followed her, brushing his hand across hers before pulling her back in, kissing her deeper. There was a soft sigh, the awkward tangle of limbs before her hands wound into his hair, tugging just briefly to cause a heady groan to escape his throat. The two broke apart and smiled softly, parting ways with a lingering look of adoration before the door shut between them. Juliet smiled to herself as she pressed against the door, then ambled to her room, as if walking on air.

~*****~

Juliet peered at Dustin worriedly on his first day of high school, watching anxiously as he joined Lucas and Mike in the parking lot, grasping the straps of his bag tightly before he turned his gaze over his shoulder to his sister. Juliet gave him a salute, raising her brows and mouthing good luck before she turned back to her steering wheel. Her knuckles her pale, clutched against the leather with a grip unlike her usual. Juliet sighed again in annoyance before peering around slowly, looking for anyone she could ask to watch over him. When, low and behold, Eddie Munson appeared, hopping out of his dingy van and hiking his jeans up a bit.

Juliet felt a grin slip over her face before leaning out her window. "Hey, Munson," She called out. He gave a dramatic flair before whirling around, cigarette dangling from his lips. "Didja fail?"

Eddie's face flushed in response as he ambled to her, hands shoved deep into his pockets. "What are you doing here?" He asked with a hint of irritation.

"Sending my baby brother off." Juliet retorted. "Say, remember how you said you owed me when I bought you that banana boat at Scoops over the summer?"

Eddie snorted. "Yeah, then the mall burned down, so I don't have the funds to pay you back yet," Eddie retorted.

Juliet waved him off. "It's not cash I have in mind. My brother's not like me. He's softer and I'm a bit worried he might get targeted in high school like he did in middle." Juliet admitted.

"There's not much I can do if he gets picked on, they go at me just as hard," Eddie commented irritably. "And I don't exactly got you to scare 'em away this year."

Juliet snorted. "Just... take him under your wing. He's a bit of a whiz at that DnD stuff, you know." Juliet offered. "My brother is Dustin Henderson. His friends, Mike Wheeler and Lucas Sinclair are also into the DnD scene, so you'd get three fresh players."

"I don't know, my club prides itself on experience." Eddie hummed.

Juliet thought back to the many monsters they faced. "Trust me, you'll want these guys." Juliet exclaimed. "Come on, man, you do this for me, I'll forget about the banana boat and even try to get Mr. Garcia to hire you at the record store."

Eddie's face lit up and a boyish grin appeared. "Hell yeah," He chirped excitedly. "Yeah, that would be- that would be great."

Juliet spat in her hand and stuck her hand out, oblivious to the shocked stare from Eddie. "Swear on it." She ordered. Eddie grimaced at her wet hand before gripping it tightly, shuddering at the squish of her spit on his palm. It dawned on Juliet and she grimaced herself before pulling her hand away. "I am... so sorry... It's- My brother likes- oh my god, I'm just gonna leave." Juliet stammered as she rubbed her hand on her jeans.

Eddie laughed. "You know, I think I prefer this new Juliet Henderson," Eddie commented. "I'll see you around."

"Yeah, at work," Juliet hummed. "See ya, Munson."

She watched as he ambled off, still rubbing his palm on his leg to wipe off the spit. Juliet grimaced and palmed her face in embarrassment.

Steve, however, found the situation hilarious. He held his stomach as he laughed with his whole body, flapping his arms as he tried to stop. Juliet grimaced and pushed her straw around in her milkshake, wondering if she could get away with dumping it on him. "Sorry-" Steve wheezed. "You spit swore with Eddie 'The Freak' Munson?"

"Hey, don't call him that," Juliet urged. "He's a bit weird, but Munson's nicer than what people assume."

"Careful, if you keep talking up, I might start getting jealous," Steve teased as he dipped his fry into Juliet's milkshake. A flush crawled up her neck as she looked down. "Hey, I was teasing." He offered softly, grasping her hand in a firm, yet gentle grip. "I know you're not interested in Munson."

Juliet hummed. "It's just... I want Dustin to be able to have more people at his back. It'll make the whole high school experience go by a lot easier if he does. And most people avoid the Hellfire club, so I assumed Dustin gets to play DnD, and he gets some new friends he can vent to. Not everything needs to be vented at the big sister, you know what I mean? I can't go beating up high schoolers anymore." Juliet explained.

Steve smiled and propped his head on his hand. "Yeah, I know. It's one of the things I like most about you." Juliet raised a brow in confusion. "You care. A lot." Steve clarified with a laugh. "And it's cute."

"Cute?" Juliet wondered in disbelief. "I'm anything, but cute."

Steve made a gesture to his face, as if he were using his fingers to shrink his nose. "You do that thing with your nose still, when you're irritated or angry. I'm telling you, it's the cutest thing ever." Steve complimented.

"I do not do that thing with my nose!" Juliet snapped, unaware of her nose scrunching. Steve just beamed at her, still leaning on his palm. She scoffed and tossed a wadded-up tissue at him. "Oh, shut up."