"HERE'S YOUR chocolate cone." Bailey passed the ice cream to a teenage girl, around her age, across the counter. She added, "Have a nice day."

The girl scoffed at her, turning to her group of friends who laughed and gave her judgmental looks. She put on a fake smile, at the girl's silent reply. Bailey said sarcastically, "You're welcome!"

Bailey turned around, perching on the counter as she took a frustrated breath. She had only worked here for two days, yet had already mentally planned an excuse to quit to tell her dad— she got in a fight, the boss didn't want anymore workers, someone stalked her, the boss fired her, Scoops Ahoy shut down.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Robin reassured, "I can't remember when a customer last thanked me."

Bailey sighed, "This job is shit, no offence."

"None taken." Robin smiled. She asked, "Why are you working here, if you don't want to?"

"My dad's making me." Bailey explained, "He found out about the parties I had been, secretly, going to so decided I need to be put on the right path. The right path being an ice cream store." She paused, "You?"

Robin hesitated, before shrugging awkwardly, "I'm poor."

"Oh." Bailey frowned sympathetically. She didn't know what else to say... hope you get better? Bailey smiled, "At least we'll have the company of each other, huh?"

The bell on the counter dinged, and Bailey met eyes with Dustin— Eleven's friend, who she fought evil forces with. Their friendship was very unexpected, but Bailey was happy around him. He had that affect on people.

"Hi, Bailey." The boy grinned.

Bailey smiled, "Hi, Dustin. What can I get you?"

"I'll have vanilla and chocolate, please." He replied, before asking, "Is he here?"

"Steve?" Bailey guessed, "He's out the back—"

Suddenly, the door behind the counter swung open, as Steve Harrington rushed out. He cheered excitedly, "Henderson! You're back. He's back!"

"I'm back!" The boy cheered, "You got the job!"

Bailey chuckled at their weird handshake, which looked like a sort of sword fight which ended in guts and gore. She glanced at Robin, who frowned in curiosity at the boys' behaviour.

Robin questioned, "How many children are you friends with?"

Bailey let out a laugh, before handing Dustin a small tub of ice cream, with extra wafers, and sitting down at a table with him and Steve. Dustin proceeded to tell the couple about his love life, like he normally did, and how he met a girl at his science camp— which Bailey was happy to hear.

Steve scoffed, "She's hotter than Pheobe Cates? No."

"She's brilliant." Dustin corrected, "And she doesn't even care that my real pearls are still coming in. She says kissing is better without teeth."

Bailey shared a confused look with Steve, as they both spluttered for words. Bailey tried to be enthusiastic, "Wow, Dustin. She sounds like a keeper."

"Yeah! I'm proud of you, man." Steve added, "That sounds— that sounds kinda romantic."

Dustin nodded, before motioning to the ice cream, "So, do you really get to eat as much of this as you want?"

"Yeah. I mean, sure. It's not really for me, though." Steve replied, motioning to Bailey with a flirtatious wink, "I have to keep in shape for Bails."

Steve's hand, underneath the table, traveled to Bailey's upper thigh. He gently placed his hand on her lap, smoothing his thumb over her skin, as Dustin agreed and nodded. The boy admired Steve, and took every bit of advice he had given him.

Bailey cleared her throat, changing the subject away from their relationship quickly. She was worried about what Robin would think— Bailey didn't want to seem like a slut, especially as she liked the company of Robin.

She asked curiously, "Where are all the other knuckle-heads?"

Bailey hoped the change in topic would hint to Steve to remove his hand. Though his hand stayed on her upper thigh, causing Bailey to feel uncomfortable.

It's not Steve's fault, it's not like he was doing it on purpose. They were in a relationship, which was meant to be physical— Bailey didn't know why she felt so uncomfortable.

"They ditched me yesterday." Dustin exclaimed, "My first day back. Can you believe that shit?"

Steve frowned, "Whoa, seriously?"

"Why?" Bailey questioned, "El told me they were surprising you."

"It only lasted a couple hours." Dustin replied, "They're gonna regret it, though, big time, when they don't get to share in my glory."

"Glory?" Steve asked, "What glory?"

"So, last night, we were trying to get in contact with Suzie." Dustin explained eagerly, "And, uh, I intercepted a secret Russian communication."

"Really?" Bailey asked in disbelief, "How?"

"Wait." Steve frowned, "What does that mean?"

"It means, we could be heroes." Dustin exclaimed, "True American heroes. All three of us."

Bailey questioned, "What's the catch?"

"There's no catch." The boy replied, "I just need your help."

✩

Bailey and Robin were serving ice cream at the front counter, whilst Dustin and Steve attempted to translate the Russian communication on Dustin's radio— very loudly.

Erica Sinclair, the little sister of Lucas Sinclair, stood indecisively opposite her. She licked a spoon of mint ice cream, before asking, "Mm. Can I try the peppermint stick?"

"Haven't you already tried the peppermint stick?" Robin retorted.

"Yes." Erica frowned sassily, "And I'd like to try it again."

Bailey glanced at Robin, who was visibly frustrated by the free samples which resulted in no money. Robin called out behind her, "Steve!"

Robin stormed into the back room, as Bailey fought the urge to follow after her. She attempted, "Robin, wait."

Erica pointed to the ice cream in front of her, repeating, "Peppermint stick."

Bailey scooped out a small spoon of ice cream, passing it to the girl, as she stated with a smile, "I like you, Erica, but you've gotta stop with the samples. You're running us into the ground here, alright?"

The girl shrugged, unbothered, before leaving with her small group of friends. Bailey turned around, sliding open the small window which connected her to the back room, where she met with Robin helping Dustin and Steve with the Russian code.

Bailey questioned curiously, "You got anything?"

"Our first sentence." Robin replied, before imitating a Russian accent, "The week is long."

Bailey raised her eyebrows sarcastically, "Oh, that's thrilling."

"I know, but progress." The girl chirped, before closing the sliding window shut.

Bailey smiled to herself.

She turned around, unexpectedly meeting eyes with Eleven and her friend, Max, on the other side of the counter. Bailey smiled, "Hi, Max. Curly."

"Hi." Max replied, "Can I have the vanilla with sprinkles." She looked at Eleven, who was dressed in a new outfit she had just brought herself. She asked, "What flavour do you want?"

"How do I know which one... I like?" The girl asked curiously.

"You like strawberry. Remember when Hopper brought home the pink tub?" Bailey suggested.

Eleven nodded, "Strawberry."

"I like the outfit." Bailey complimented, as she scooped their ice cream, "Are you not seeing Mike today?"

"He's being a total douchebag." Max exclaimed frustratedly, "He's lying about his Nan being sick so he doesn't have to see El."

"Shit, really?" Bailey frowned, "That's low." She saw Eleven's doubtful expression. She reassured her, as she passed them their ice creams, "I'm sure he has a reason, Curls. Have fun with Max, yeah?"

"We're having a sleepover." Eleven exclaimed.

"Cool, I'll see you both tonight. Dad's on a date, so it'll just be us, okay?" Bailey nodded, before frowning, "Wait, did dad say you're allowed to be here?"

The two girls ran off, giggling.

"Okay." Bailey muttered to herself, as she turned around to meet with her boyfriend. She smiled, "Hi."

Steve smirked, "I heard your dad's not home. So..."

"Get your head out the gutter, Harrington." She chuckled, as he unexpectedly pulled her in for a kiss.

a/n:
living off robley CRUMBS