"Billy!" Goldie calls with excitement quickly running up to and hugging the high schooler who was stood by his car, waiting for Max.

He embarrassedly throws his cigarette aside as she tightens her arms around his waist.

The high school girls beside his car giggle, and he winks at them, realizing how he must look more appealing when younger people love him.

"Hey, Goldie," he mumbles.

She glances up at him without letting go of his waist.

"Do you think it'd be ok if I got a ride home with Steve Harrington today? It'll only be this once—" she begins, only to have him quickly interrupt.

"You get rides with him in the morning, and then with me in the afternoon. That's the deal, Goldie. You know the deal," he mutters, staring back down at her with a stern look.

Jeez

She thinks to herself.

I swear these two are like my divorced parents. 'You go with me in the morning and him in the afternoon, blah blah blah.'

"Yeah, I know. I know that, but," she pulls away from him, finally, looking up at him properly, "please, Billy. I have to go check on a friend. And plus, I know you're dropping Max off at the arcade today, and my friend lives really far—"

"Fine," he grumbles. "This once. Got it?"

Goldie smiles happily, "Got it!"

She begins to run off, but stops in the middle of the parking lot before she can get too far. She turns back around and runs back towards Billy.

He looks at her confused.

As she gets to him, she wraps her arms around his neck, causing him to lean down at her amount of force. As he does so, she places a soft kiss onto his cheek.

"Thank you, Billy."

Without that, she let's go and runs across the parking lot to Steve's car.

Billy blushes red, slightly from embarrassment at the fact that everyone saw her actions, and slightly out of feeling flattered. No one, especially not kids, ever treated him like someone who was worth thanking.

"Is that your sister?" One of the high school girls asks, holding her books to her chest and giggling. "You two have such a cute relationship!"

"No," he shakes his head, lighting another cigarette. "She's my friend. Best friend."

He grins lightly before turning his attention back to the middle school to wait for Max.

Meanwhile, Steve is barely walking out of the high school, angrily stomping to his car, and not noticing Marigolds presence at all. He's muttering to himself when he finally glances up to catch her stare.

"Are you ok?" She questions, hopping off the hood of his car. "You seem a little...mad".

"I'm peachy!" He sarcastically replies throwing his hands up and climbing into the drivers seat. "What's up kid? I thought you got rides after school from that...that preppy asshole, Billy."

Marigold climbs into the passenger seat and turns to Steve with a frown.

"He isn't an asshole," she defends. "He's just...mad."

Steve shakes his head starts back out of the parking lot.

"He was ok with you coming with me today?" He mumbles softly, calming his tone down. "That sure doesn't sound like him."

"He was fine with it, Steve," she states. "Oh, yeah, could you take me to Will Byers house?"

"Will Byers?" He questions, turning to look at her, seeming a bit frantic. "Since when are you friends with him?"

She giggles, "Steve, calm down! I've been friends with him for a while now."

"I find it very comical that you somehow manage to befriend the family members of the two people in this high school that piss me off the most," he mutters, turning towards the Byers residence.

"Oh, Steve," she chuckles, "your brain is small and everyone pisses you off."

"Ha. Ha. Ha, funny," he chuckles.

The two sit in practical silence before they finally arrive at the house.

"Alright, kiddo," Steve watches as Goldie begins to climb out of the car, "Are you sure you'll be alright here on your own?"

"Um," she nervously glances towards the house and then back at Steve, "Do you think you could wait here until I get inside?"

"Sure," he agrees, noticing her nerves.

She grins, then runs to go knock on the the front door of the house. As she stands and waits for an answer, she wonders what exactly she plans to ask.

Before she can back down, a women answers the door and gives her a confused look.

"I'm not very interested in buying any Girl Scout cookies at the moment, sweetie," she states, beginning to close the door.

"Oh no," Marigold stops, "I'm actually here to see Will..."

The women seems even more confused, but opens her door a bit more and steps out. She glances towards the car still waiting in the drive way, and she sees Steve.

"What's your name again, sweetie?"

"Marigold. But I'm also called-"

"Goldie?" A voice cause the two to spin towards the inside of the house.

Will is stood there looking rather pal. He's sick, that much Goldie can tell, and her instincts immediately kick in. Next thing she knows, she's letting herself into the house and rushing to Will.

"Will! Are you ok? I know we aren't the closest of friends, but you weren't at school so I was worried," she rambles, hugging him lightly.

Will grins, cheering up at her company and hugging her back.

"Thank you for checking on me," he smiles. "And...I consider you a close friend."

With that reassurance, she smiles wildly. Then, she begins to notice the strange drawings hanging up all around the house. The sight of it all sends a shiver down her spine.

"Woah," she softly states. "What is all this?"

Joyce closes the door and comes back into the house.

"Mom," Will glances behind Marigold. "We have to tell her."

"Sweetie," she trails off, not looking to be ok with telling a stranger the truth. "How long have you known this girl?"

Marigold looks between the two, "not very long. But, if you're planning on telling me what really happened, I highly suggest you do. I'm not believing the whole 'lost in the woods' story."

"Well," Joyce glances to her, "you sure aren't like any of the friends Will currently has."

"Glad to hear it," Goldie grins. "I like to be one of a kind. I'm sorry to intrude by the way. I just saw Will, and well, he looks so sick."

Joyce nods, "you have no idea. Will, why don't we go back to your room and explain. Ok?"

The younger boy nods before leading Goldie down the hallway and into the room.

"You really came to check on me?" He questions. "I mean, was Mike ok with that?"

"Mike doesn't control me," she grins, making herself comfortable on his his bed. "I wanted to make sure you were ok, so here I am."

"You're really cool, Goldie."

"You are too."