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THE BATHTUB

"turn back!" Valerie shouted as they forced her into Steve's car to outrun the cops "what? no way!" Tommy H. replied.

"well i didn't think i was asking you tommy" she said, she turned to steve. "let me go." she said threateningly "y'know if i didn't grab you back there, you would've been being held in a jail cell right now!" steve yelled back.

"yeah, well rather rather that then leave with you guys!" she yelled back " hey we saved your ass back there, i would be more grateful" Carol replied "saved my ass?! i don't know carol but all i remember is you running like a scared little bitch" steve made a sharp turn in the parking lot of a convenient store.

"get out." he said "happily" she said grabbing her bag and walking out.

she walked right to the side of the store too a pay phone.

after searching her bags for a quarter she didn't have one.

resting her face in her hands she heard foot steps.

"here" steve said handing her a quarter "thanks" she said, she didn't care that this quarter came from steve "the hair" harrington. she just needed to get in touch with nancy.

after dialing the number she heard ringing, until someone spoke on the other line.

"hawkins police department, how may i help you" a lady could be heard on the other line.

"hi there, um is nancy wheeler there by any chance?" she questioned as steve leaned on the side of the booth.

"who are you?" the lady asked.

"Valerie... benson" she said warily as she knew they were probably looking for her since she ran from cops after her friend assaulted once.

"Valerie? the chief is looking for you." she said catching hoppers attention.

" i don't care if satan it's self is searching for me... can you please, just get nancy on the line"

"one moment" she said as she put Valerie on hold.

Valerie sighed looking up.

steve gave her a questionable look "hold" Valerie mouthed to him.

"Hello?" could be heard on the other line.

"nancy? omg im so sorry, i didn't wanna leave you guys, steve he-" she started rambling but nancy cut her off.

"it's ok, val. i know" nancy replied trying to calm her down, Valerie closed her eyes in relief.

"a-are you guys ok?" Valerie asked.

"yeah, yeah where fine"

"ok, ok good-"

"but listen, val- the boys. we think they might be in trouble"

"the boys as in your little brother and his friends" she asked.

"yeah"

"and who is we?" suddenly the voice changed

"hey, kid meet us at the byers before dark. it's urgent" he said.

"but-" before she could say another word they hanged up.

she slammed the phone down storming towards the car.

"Valerie! Val!" steve called after her.

"i need a ride" she said urgently just as Tommy and carol came out of the convenience store.

"hey, you owe me $1.20" Tommy said passing steve some aspirin and a freezing cold coke can.

steve downed 3 and put the coke on his face to try and stop the bruising.

"don't worry, he'll need more than aspirin when we're done with him" Tommy said.

"done with him? you're not gonna do shit to him" Valerie said, suddenly protective over the little creep.

"what? like he doesn't deserve it? don't start getting protective over him now, val" he said with a smirk.

"don't call me that" Valerie said

"like he'll get out in the first place, i mean did you see the look on his face" Carol said imitating Jonathan punching steve.

"he probably had that same look whenever he killed his brother, right?" Tommy said jokingly.

Valerie rolled her eyes just wanting to leave.

"oh, god, i just got an image of him making that face when him and nancy are screwing" Carol joked.

Before Valerie could say something steve said something.

"carol, for once in your goddamn life, shut your damn mouth!"

Valerie was suprised that he said anything, let alone to assult his friend.

"what?" Carol asked shoked "hey, what's your problem man?" Tommy asked.

Steve looked at them "your both assholes, that's my problem."

"are you serios right now man?" "yeah, i'm serious. you shouldn't have done that"

"done what?" "you know what."

"what? calling her our for what she really is? That's funny, cause i don't remember you telling me to stop."Tommy said

"i should've put that spray paint right down your throat"

"what the hell steve?" Carol said

"you know, neither of you ever cared for her, or her friends. You never even really liked them, because unlike some people. They're not miserable. Like you two. She actually cares about people." Steve continued

"The slut, with a heart of gold!" Carol said "oh shut up Carol!" Valerie butted in.

Steve forgot she was even there. Even if she wasn't he still would've defended her.

"i'm tired of hearing your voice" Tommy yelled at Valerie.

steve shoved him, earning a shove back from tommy. Valerie started walking closer to them.

"hey! i don't know what's gotten into you man, but don't lay hands on me" Tommy said

"get out of my face" Steve responded

suddenly tommy grabbed him by the collar shoving him against the car "or what? you gonna fight me now too? Huh? Because you couldn't take jonathan byers... so i wouldn't reccomend that."

when tommy dropped steve's colour he suddenly earned a knee to the groin. Making him double over.

"get in" Steve said, rushing.

Valerie listened, jogging to get into the passenger side of the door as they drived off.

"run away, stevie boy! run away" Tommy yelled

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They have been driving in the car in silence, Driving into the byer's house about to turn the corner.

"Thanks" Valerie started to speak up

"for what?" Steve looked at her, then turned back to the road.

"for standing up for me. I don't remember the last time that's happened" Steve looked again "I mean it was more towards nancy but still. Thanks"

"yeah, yeah, no problem" He said quietly

Once they pulled up to the byer's house they sat for a second

"you could come in you know?" Valerie said looking at him.

He looked back. Shaking his head, sighing loudly.

"I doubt that Jonathan wants to see me, after what i said"

"Well it's better than not saying anything else at all"

Steve still diasgreed.

"not tonight." He simply said.

she gave him a reasuring smile "okay." She got out of the car "thanks for the ride, steve." He smiled at her.

He watched as she walked through the door, not looking back. And he drove off.

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It has been a hot MINUTE. But i was looking at this wasted potential of a story and thought i would try and pick it up again. Also are Valerie and steve finally starting to like eachother as people????????