Daphne groaned softly as she awoke, her head pounding like a jackhammer inside her skull. The room was dimly lit, the early morning sun barely peeking through the curtains.

She blinked a few times, trying to gather her thoughts, but everything was hazy. Her mouth felt dry, and her body ached in that way that only a night of too much drinking could induce.

She winced as she moved, feeling a dull pressure on her hip. Confused, she reached down, her fingers brushing against something—or someone. Daphne's heart skipped a beat as she turned her head to the side, and her breath caught in her throat.

Billy Hargrove was lying next to her, his arm draped lazily over her hip. His chest rose and fell with the rhythm of sleep, his face relaxed and peaceful, a stark contrast to the sharp edges of his usual demeanor.

For a moment, Daphne just stared at him, trying to piece together how exactly she had ended up in bed with Billy Hargrove of all people.

The memories from the night before started to trickle back, slowly at first. The party, the drinks, Steve leaving, asking Tina to find Billy, and then the ride home.

Her cheeks flushed with heat as she recalled what she'd said to him in the car. About how he was the first guy to really challenge her, to make her feel something more than just the casual flirtations she was used to.

She cringed inwardly at the thought, wondering how much of it had been just drunken rambling and how much had been the truth.

Billy stirred beside her, his arm tightening slightly around her waist as he started to wake up. Daphne's heart raced as she quickly turned her head back, pretending to still be asleep. But it was too late; she felt him shift and heard the soft rustle of the sheets as he stretched.

"Mornin'," Billy's voice was rough with sleep, and Daphne felt a shiver run down her spine at the sound of it. She couldn't avoid it any longer. She had to face him.

Slowly, she turned back to him, her eyes meeting his. Billy's usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced with something softer, more genuine. "Morning," she mumbled, feeling incredibly self-conscious.

Billy gave her a lazy grin, his hand still resting on her hip. "You look like you had a rough night."

Daphne rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. "You're not exactly fresh as a daisy yourself," she shot back, her voice teasing but laced with nerves.

Billy chuckled, shifting slightly so that he was propped up on one elbow, his gaze fixed on her. "So... you remember much from last night?"

Daphne bit her lip, her mind replaying bits and pieces of their conversation. "Enough," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "I remember what I said to you."

Billy's grin widened, and he leaned a little closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Yeah? And you meant all of it?"

Daphne hesitated for a moment, but then she nodded. "Yeah... I meant it. I don't know what it is about you, but you're different from anyone I've met before."

Billy's expression softened, his usual bravado slipping away as he looked at her with a newfound respect. "You're not like the other girls either, you know. You've got a fire in you. And I really like that."

Daphne couldn't help but smile at that, feeling a strange sense of relief that he understood what she'd been trying to say. "Guess we're both a little different, then," she said softly, her fingers playing with the edge of the sheet.

Billy opened his mouth to reply, but before he could say anything, the door to Daphne's room swung open.

"Daph, honey, you need to—" Joyce's voice trailed off abruptly as her eyes landed on the scene before her: her daughter lying in bed with a boy she barely recognized. Her face went pale, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

For a moment, the room was frozen in shock. Then, as if on cue, Daphne and Billy both started laughing, the absurdity of the situation breaking through the tension.

Joyce quickly backed out of the room, stammering, "I'm so sorry, I—uh—didn't mean to... I'll just... I'll come back later!"

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Daphne and Billy alone once again, still chuckling at the look on her mom's face.

"Your mom seems nice," Billy said, grinning as he settled back onto the pillow.

"She's going to kill me," Daphne groaned, covering her face with her hands. "I can't believe she just saw that."

Billy shrugged, his hand finding its way back to her waist. "Could be worse, at least we weren't naked. Plus she didn't throw me out the window."

Daphne peeked at him through her fingers, her lips twitching with amusement. "She might still. You're not out of the woods yet."

Billy laughed, and for a moment, everything felt easy and light. The awkwardness of waking up together was fading, replaced by a surprising sense of comfort.

Daphne never thought she'd be in this position, but now that she was, it didn't feel as strange as she would have imagined.

"So," Billy said after a moment, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "What now? You gonna pretend this never happened?"

Daphne thought about it for a moment, her fingers tracing the edge of the blanket. "I don't know," she admitted honestly. "But I don't think I want to pretend. I meant what I said, Hargrove. You challenge me, and I like that."

Billy's gaze softened, and he nodded. "Good," he said simply. "Because I like that about you too."

They lay there for a little while longer, talking in hushed tones as the morning light grew brighter outside. Eventually, though, Daphne knew they couldn't stay like that forever, and with a reluctant sigh, she sat up, pulling the blanket around her shoulders.

"I guess we should get up before my mom really does throw you out," she said, half-joking but also half-serious.

Billy stretched, a satisfied smile on his face. "Yeah, probably a good idea."

As they both got out of bed, Daphne glanced at him, a question lingering on her lips. "Hey... So, are we okay? After last night?"

Billy met her gaze, and there was something earnest in his eyes. "Yeah, Byers. We're more than okay."

For the first time that morning, Daphne felt a sense of calm wash over her. Maybe things wouldn't be as complicated as she feared. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new, something that could be more than just a one-night thing.

And as they left the room together, Daphne couldn't help but feel that whatever happened next, she was ready for it.