"What do you want to eat today, kiddo?" Steve chimes, peaking out of the kitchen to look at Frankie.

She simply shrugs.

He lets out a groan, "Why do girls always have to be so indecisive?"

"I want spaghetti," she laughs, rolling her eyes. "You're the one dishing out options, and giving me the opportunity to be indecisive."

"So you're saying I shouldn't ask what you want anymore?"

"I'm saying shut up," she hums.

Steve lets out a small laugh before diving back into the kitchen of Frankie's house.

While she was at the school with Will and the gang, he had used the time to go to the grocery and buy food to stock up Frankie's pantry. (With his dad's money).

While there, he noticed that most of the shoppers were female. Parents to be more specific; and they all looked at him as if he were unusual for being there in general. It made him think about societies standards— he doesn't like the way women are forced to live. He doesn't want Frankie to think her only option is to become a stay at home mom who shops for groceries and does nothing else.

It was then, in that woman-filled grocery store, when he realized how much he truly cared about Frankie Prynne.

"Steve!" Frankie calls, "there's a car pulling up to the house!"

Snapping out of his thoughts, the teen rushes away from his boiling pot of water, and towards the living room. When he steps in, he sees Frankie peering out the front window.

His feet take him towards her to look over her shoulder.

Sure enough, a car is parking beside his own. A very familiar car, one he knew all too well.

Nancy Wheeler steps out of the 1972 Ford LTD in all her glory. Her younger brother, Mike, and Jonathan Byers follow soon after. The three of them hold determined looks, and don't seem to notice Steve's car at all.

"Shit," he mumbles.

"Do you think Mike told them?" She questions worriedly, fidgeting nervously as they approach the front door.

"Probably. Go hide in the piano room while I talk to them," he commands, pushing her behind him.

"Why do I have to hide? They won't hurt me, right?"

"Yeah, but they might be intimidating..." Steve frowns. "I don't want you to feel scared."

Rather than arguing that she can hold her own, she complies, and quickly runs to hide in the piano room. Locking the door just in case.

Steve rushes to the door and swings it open before his girlfriend even has a chance to knock. Nancy, clearly not expecting him to be here, throws him a confused look.

"Steve? What are you doing here?" She asks.

Mike knew that Frankie was associated with Steve, but he didn't think they were close enough to be seen in the same house. Jonathan, on the other hand, should've seen this coming. After all, he recalls sending his younger brother with him that one day, not too long ago.

In fact, that's the only reason they knew where to find Frankie.

"What're you doing here?" He responds.

"We asked first," Mike interrupts, impatiently looking around for the younger girl, questions still swarming his mind.

Steve glances at the younger boy, then back up at Nancy. "Is this about Frankie?"

"Yes. How do you know her?" She stammers.

"She's my sister," he mumbles.

Jonathan nervously bounces his leg, trying to avoid the awkward tension forming between everyone.

"Mike said she k-knows about what happened to Will," the Byers brother hums.

"Yeah, of course she does. He's her boyfriend, and they're young. Which means he trusted her with a big secret," Steve replies. "Is that it?"

"I didn't know you had a sister..." Nancy trails, still seeming shocked by the new found information.

"That's besides the point, Nancy! We all know that isn't the real reason we came here. Who cares if she knows what happened to Will! We need to know about her. I can't believe Will hid this from me, we're best friends!" Mike shouts, attempting to push past Steve into the house. "Where is she? I just wanna talk—"

"No, Mike! She's upset. Plus, talking about this will only put her in danger," Steve tries.

"So you know?" Nancy chimes, giving Steve a suspicious look. "She isn't really your sister then, is she?"

"She's like a sister—"

"—like a sister, isn't the same as an actual sister, Steve! Listen, maybe it isn't that important to you, but things are happening right now. Weird things. If she knows something, we have to know to. W-What if she can help with Barb?"

Before the boy has a chance to argue, he's interrupted.

"Steve, you know what's happening in Hawkins isn't normal. What they did ruined us, and we have to get the truth out if we want it to stop," Jonathan softly says.

Steve is looking more annoyed by the second. Maybe it's because what they're saying makes sense, or maybe it's because his girlfriend always seems to be caught up with Jonathan Byers. He's caught between giving his girlfriend what she wants and protecting Frankie.

"S-Steve?"

A small voice erupts behind the boy, causing all heads to turn their attention.

Steve sighs, "I told you to stay in the piano room."

"I-I know, but...you left the water boiling," she responds shyly.

His eyes widen largely, and suddenly, his feet are carrying him towards the kitchen. The teens left behind are left to stare at the young girl with a sense of shock, and slight guilt.

From Mike's description, Nancy was expecting to find a girl who would annoy her at first sight. However, she now realizes that she's been misinformed— Frankie looks sweet.

"Y-You guys can come in," She softly invites. "We've got a lot to discuss."

Jonathan shares a look with Nancy before they all step in.

Mike takes a deep breath, preparing to ask all the questions on his mind.