PROLOGUE —
( Summer of '83 )

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LOVERS LAKE was a hideaway that Tiana Bassett appreciated very much. After a brisk walk for twenty minutes from her home, she'd find herself at the lake's edge with nobody in sight. Occasionally, she'd see the lights on from the few homes people owned along the lake, but that was mainly during summertime or warmer weather when men tended to go away on fishing trips together. Those were the times when Tiana knew she shouldn't venture down to the lake. But the lake meant a great deal to her, especially because her mother and two younger siblings would never think twice about venturing down to the lake.  

It was mainly nighttime when the lake would greet Tiana. The moon emits a soft glow onto the lake, the stars are high above the sky, and there is a soft breeze, which is the perfect time for Tiana to roll out her blanket and snuggle into it. Lovers Lake was her home away from home. 

After dedicating an entire summer day to babysitting her two energetic younger siblings, Tiana found herself yearning for a break from the relentless responsibilities that accompanied her role as a full-time caretaker for the spirited twelve-year-olds. While her friends splashed and laughed at the pool, she longed to join their carefree fun.

Tiana's mother, Kamala, had been clocking in extra shifts at the hospital, her stethoscope becoming a constant companion ever since the sudden passing of Tiana's father, Phillip, a year ago. His unexpected departure turned their world upside down, leaving Tiana juggling her studies and the demands of family life. Burdened by her duties, she felt the weight of adult life press upon her shoulders, stealing away the simple joys and carefree moments meant to define her Freshman year in high school.

While her two friends began to find themselves and figure out where they sat in the pecking order that was high school, Tiana was too busy having to spend almost every moment outside of school looking after her two seventh-grade siblings. She couldn't wait until they reached the age where their mother would begin to trust the children a little more so that Tiana could finally work on herself. One more year, Tiana predicted. But as she'd watched her siblings make a mess around the house with no remorse for the repercussions of their actions, part of her felt that perhaps she'd be spending more than a year looking after the twins.

That's when Lovers Lake came in handy. The tranquillity and silence always welcomed her when she approached the lake. There was no soul in sight or sound of her siblings arguing over something so small. But the only time of day when she found herself available to visit the lake was always during the night. Her mother would either be asleep or working, and the twins would always be passed out until the morning light seeped through their windows. She had visited the lake so often that the darkness no longer scared her, and she always used a flashlight to make sure she wouldn't walk into the lake or accidentally approach a couple enjoying themselves.

Tiana had been so lost in her daydreams about the person she envisioned becoming as her siblings grew older that she failed to notice the crunch of footsteps on the leaves, drawing closer to her.

"Tiana?" a voice suddenly broke through the serenity of the woods, startling her out of her reverie. In a reflexive panic, she swung her flashlight around, the beam hitting the stranger squarely in the legs with a dull thud. "Ow! What the hell?" he exclaimed, the surprise lacing his tone.

Her heart was racing, and Tiana squinted through the dazzling light. The strain on her eyes revealed an unmistakable silhouette. "Harrington?" she asked, recognising the familiar teenage voice that often echoed through the hallways of Hawkins High—full of laughter, teasing some unfortunate soul, or cracking ridiculous jokes with his friends, Tommy Hagan and Carol Perkins.

As the glow of his flashlight moved away from her eyes, Tiana could clearly see his tousled hair and the exasperated expression on his face. "I have basketball season coming up," he groaned, the frustration evident in his voice.

Tiana couldn't help but smirk. "Don't worry, you still have another month until school starts again," she replied, the playful teasing returning to her tone, the tension of the moment dissolving into the night air.

Steve scanned the empty surroundings, the quiet night wrapping around him like a soft blanket. He furrowed his brow at the stillness. "So, why are you out here?"

Tiana tilted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Could say the same to you."

"Just trying to escape my parents for a bit," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

Tiana, surprised, sat up slightly. "I figured you'd be at Angie's party tonight."

"Yeah, well, my parents grounded me. You? Isn't she your best friend?"

"Yeah," Tiana said as she settled back down, her gaze drifting up to the twinkling stars in the dark sky. "But I'm stuck babysitting my younger siblings tonight."

Steve turned his attention to the shimmering lake before them, its surface reflecting the moon's glow. "Are they...in the lake?"

Tiana let out a soft laugh. "No, they're at home, probably having the time of their lives."

He chuckled, shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation. "Excellent babysitting."

Tiana beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Thank you."

Steve settled onto the sprawling, checkered blanket where Tiana lay. "How's your summer been?" he asked a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Tiana let out a soft chuckle, her voice teasing. "You wanna make small talk?"

"Why not?" He shrugged, leaning back slightly as if inviting a conversation. After a moment of silence, he continued, "Fine, I'll go first. My summer's been alright. I haven't done much besides lounging by the pool and hanging out in town with Tommy and Carol."

Tiana usually spent her summers by the serene lake, basking in solitude, so the prospect of small talk felt unfamiliar. Propping herself up on her elbows, she took a moment to observe Steve. His hair was styled with a hefty amount of hairspray, creating a fluffy aura that perfectly matched his persona as Steve 'the Hair' Harrington.

"Uneventful," she finally replied, her voice softer now. "My younger siblings are twelve and about to start the seventh grade, and my mom thinks they're still too young to be left alone."

Steve raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why doesn't your mum look after them?" he inquired, genuine concern lacing his tone.

"She's busy working," Tiana explained, her gaze drifting toward the shimmering lake in the distance, a flicker of longing crossing her features.

A thick silence hung in the air as Steve lifted a dusty bottle of what appeared to be aged scotch. "I was planning to drink alone tonight," he said, looking intently at Tiana, "but since you're here, would you like a drink?"

Tiana turned her head, her expression twisted in mild distaste. "Not much of a scotch fan, but go ahead—enjoy yourself," she replied.

With a swift movement, Steve unscrewed the cap, the cork popping audibly by the quiet lake. "I intend to." He took the bottle, raised it to his lips, and tilted his head back, gulping down a generous swig. When he finally pulled the bottle away, his expression morphed into one of discomfort, his features scrunching up as the harshness of the alcohol hit him. "Not exactly my top pick, but it's the only one my dad wouldn't miss from his hidden stash."

Tiana arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "My mum doesn't drink, and I've never really been into alcohol myself. So I've never actually tasted it before."

Steve's surprise was evident, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. "Really? I've seen you at parties...Angie's always stumbling around, completely hammered, and needing a ride home."

Tiana let out a soft laugh, shaking her head at the memory. "Yeah, and I'm usually her ride, making sure she gets home safe."

Steve extended the bottle toward Tiana. "You know," he said with a teasing smile, "there's no need for you to play babysitter for any rowdy teenagers tonight. Besides, it's clear your siblings are in good hands with you keeping a watchful eye on them."

Tiana examined the bottle, her nose wrinkling as the acrid scent wafted from Steve's breath. After a moment of hesitation, she exhaled a resigned sigh, snatched the bottle from his hand, and tilted it to her lips. As the bitter liquid slid past her tongue, her face contorted in distaste, and she quickly pulled back. "Ew, how can you drink this stuff all the time?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with both disbelief and disgust.

Steve chuckled. "I still remember my first drink. Tommy slipped me a bottle during seventh grade and told me that if I didn't take a sip, he'd call me a sissy."

Tiana raised an eyebrow, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she passed the bottle back to him. "You were just twelve years old?" He nodded. "I was too engrossed in watching Star Trek to even entertain the idea of drinking or partying back then."

"Star Trek?" Steve's forehead creased in confusion. "Isn't that the one with the guy in the mask and all those flashing sticks they fight with?"

Tiana's laughter rang out, light and carefree. "That's Star Wars you're thinking of."

Steve shrugged, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his tone. "It all blurs together to me. I've never been much of a movie or show person."

"Well, you're missing out," she replied. Tiana gazed thoughtfully at the shimmering lake, its surface rippling gently under the soft evening breeze, before shifting her attention back to Steve, whose grip on his bottle was tight. "You still haven't answered my question," she pressed, her voice steady but curious.

"What question?" he asked, momentarily lost in the reflections dancing on the water.

"Why do you keep drinking that nasty liquid?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow as she glanced down at the bottle in his hands.

Steve paused, his brow furrowing as he searched for the right words. "Well," he began, his voice low and contemplative, "it helps loosen me up a bit, takes the edge off everything. It makes the weight of my troubles at home feel lighter, even if just for a little while. And once I've had enough, it's like I'm invincible—like I can conquer anything, be with anyone I want, and even stand up to my father without a single worry." His eyes glazed over momentarily, revealing the temptation of that momentary escape.

Silence hung in the air as Tiana processed Steve's words. He quickly took another sip of his scotch, the amber liquid swirling in the bottle, trying to erase the vulnerability he had just revealed to her. As he pulled the bottle away, Tiana seized it and tilted it back, taking a generous chug that made Steve chuckle, a mix of amusement and concern.

"I don't want to be responsible for driving a tipsy Tiana back home when you're supposed to be looking after your siblings," he remarked with a teasing grin. "I can only imagine how furious your mum would be."

Tiana lowered the bottle, her expression shifting. "Right now, I honestly don't care what my mother thinks. For the past year, I've felt like a second mother to my siblings—waking them up, getting them to school, cooking dinner, and making sure they finish their homework," she explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "I understand that my mother has to work to keep food on the table, but it all falls on me to be the responsible one. I'm just about to start my sophomore year! I want to experience the chaos and freedom of being a teenager before diving headfirst into adulthood, not be forced into it ahead of schedule."

Steve raised the bottle, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Well, let's toast to our rebellious teenage years and defying our parents."

A smile broke across Tiana's face, the tension momentarily lifting as she watched him take a long sip. She took the bottle from him and lifted it. "Cheers." With that, she took a hearty gulp of the drink, the warmth spreading through her, momentarily easing the weight on her shoulders.

As minutes drifted by, Steve and Tiana exchanged light banter, the moon glowing onthe surface of the lake as they passed a bottle back and forth. The cool breeze carried the sounds of distant laughter and chatter as the pair talked about whatever came to their minds in the moment, and the conversation topics definitely became much easier as more and more liquor was consumed.

"Do you remember when I was in seventh grade when I accidentally knocked you over on the cement while we were playing basketball?" Steve recalled a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Tiana let out a chuckle. "Oh, you mean when I was left with those gash marks all over my legs? That wasn't an accident, Steve. You were furious because a girl was beating you at your own game."

Steve frowned, a playful pout forming on his lips. "I wasn't angry. It was a game!"

With a teasing smirk, Tiana looked at him, her expression both playful and challenging. "Yeah, right."

"Honestly, I don't think we've talked like this since then," he said, breaking the tension with a soft sigh, his gaze drifting to the tranquil water.

Tiana hummed thoughtfully. "Didn't we used to hate each other back then?"

"I always thought it was you who hated me," he replied.

She scoffed lightly, shaking her head as if dismissing a long-forgotten rivalry. "No way. I wouldn't waste my energy hating a boy who was just jealous of me."

Steve raised his eyebrows, a feigned look of shock on his face. "For the last time, I wasn't jealous!"

With a narrowed gaze, she leaned closer, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Are you sure about that?"

Steve gently nudged Tiana with a playful chuckle, their laughter mingling in the air. "Seriously! I wasn't!"

Tiana's smile widened, a warm glow of company enveloping them as she relented, "Okay, okay."

Steve inhaled sharply, his eyes widening in surprise. "So, you don't hate me then?"

Tiana shrugged casually, a playful glint in her eye. "No, not really. Honestly, I hadn't given you much thought since then."

A hint of nostalgia washed over Steve. "I have—like, the moment you stepped into freshman year. You looked so different; I barely recognised you."

Tiana narrowed her eyes, curiosity piquing. "Is that a compliment or an insult?"

"Definitely a compliment! You looked amazing," Steve replied, his voice brightening. "Nothing like the girl I remember from way back when—the one I, uh, pushed to the ground when I was twelve."

Tiana's jaw dropped in mock disbelief, and she pointed an accusing finger at him. "You admit it! You just said you pushed me, not that you bumped into me!"

Steve rolled his eyes, unable to suppress a grin. "Alright, alright. I might have been a tad annoyed that a girl was getting the better of me."

"I knew it!" Tiana exclaimed, laughter bubbling up between them. She took a moment to study Steve, recalling the awkward, skinny boy from their middle school days. A rush of confidence surged through her. "You've really changed since then, also."

Raising his eyebrows in a playful challenge, Steve replied, "Oh, really?"

"Absolutely! You're not just popular now; you're actually really attractive," she blurted out without thinking, her words hanging in the air. "And you've ditched those braces!"

Steve smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Really attractive, huh?"

Tiana felt warmth creeping into her cheeks but shrugged it off nonchalantly. "Well, it was just an observation."

With a warm and easy smile, Steve nodded in agreement. "Fair enough," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "And I must admit, you've changed a lot too—and it's definitely for the better." His teasing tone prompted a light laugh from Tiana, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Leaning slightly, he added, "And just so we're clear, I think you're really attractive as well." 

Tiana smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia as she gazed into Steve's deep, expressive eyes. Their gazes intertwined, a silent connection that transported them back to the laughter and innocence of their childhood. They reflected on how much they had grown and changed over the years, the weight of memories hanging between them. A gentle breeze swept through, playfully tousling Tiana's hair and sending a few loose strands dancing around her face, adding an ethereal quality to the moment. The tranquil world around them dimmed into insignificance as they gazed deeply into each other's eyes, the only sounds breaking the stillness being the gentle whisper of leaves swaying in the night breeze and the soft lapping of the lake's waters against the grass. The air was thick with an electric tension and a palpable sense of anticipation. As if drawn by an invisible force, they leaned in closer, their bodies barely apart, and without a single word, their lips met, igniting a spark that seemed to light up the night.

The kiss sparked a fire within Tiana that she had never experienced before. She had shared kisses with others in the past, each one a fleeting moment, but this one stirred something deeper. Perhaps it was the warmth of the alcohol coursing through her veins or the unexpected intimacy that blossomed between them after years of silence, but she felt a rush of exhilaration. As their lips met, a wave of nostalgia and connection washed over her, enveloping her in a sweet sense of longing and joy that left her craving more. It didn't take long for Steve to reach for Tiana's body while Tiana reached out to tangle her fingers in his remarkably soft hair. His hands roamed her body, exploring every curve, contour, and inch of skin. As they kissed, Steve moved to push Tiana onto her back while he hovered over her. The soft blanket beneath them quietened the gentle crunch of grass and leaves, their bodies entwined.

Steve's hands glided over Tiana's body, his fingertips exploring the delicate curves and soft contours with a gentle yet vibrant touch. Each caress sent shivers of exhilaration racing through him, igniting a fire deep within his veins. Tiana responded in kind, her fingers trailing across his chest, tracing the definition of his form, the warmth of her skin against the cool breeze of the night causing his heart to race. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, electric and longing, as they lost themselves in the moment. Their bodies swayed together like a dance, perfectly in tune, each movement intensifying the heat between them. Around them, the world faded into a blur, leaving only the sound of their hurried breaths and the soothing whisper of the wind, blending harmoniously with the rhythm of their heartbeats as they surrendered completely to the embrace of each other.

Finally, Steve's hands came to a halt, their warmth fading as he met Tiana's gaze with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. He leaned back just enough to create a breathless space between them, his voice a low murmur, rough around the edges yet filled with anticipation. "Are you sure you want to?" he whispered, the words almost drowned out by the thunderous rhythm of their hearts echoing in the charged silence.

Tiana's chocolate-brown eyes met Steve's hazel ones with an intensity that sent a jolt of electricity between them. The light of the flashlight that was still on illuminated the determination in her gaze. "Yeah, sure, why not?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, as a hint of a smile played at the corners of her lips.

Steve's grin widened, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. With a sudden, electrifying intensity, his lips met Tiana's, enveloping her in a passionate kiss. The warmth of their bodies intertwined beneath the vast expanse of the starry sky, a cosmic backdrop to their private world. Every movement felt instinctive and fluid, as if they were breathing the same air, surrendering entirely to the intoxicating rhythm of their shared passion.

AUTHORS NOTE
Shout out to queens-hope for this amazing sign off gif!!! Thank you darling!!! Also, I hope you enjoyed the beginning of this book. I normally struggle writing kissing scenes because I don't want it to be too smutty but I also don't want it to be too cringy so please let me know how I did!
Don't forget to like and comment your thoughts.
Thank you all for reading <3

Pheebs/-rosepetal