CHAPTER FIVE
SAMANTHA BAKER AND JOEL GOODSEN GO ROLLERBLADING

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ATHENA'S FINGERS LIGHTLY drummed the steering wheel out of pure discomfort as she briefly glanced at Steve in the passenger's seat before shifting her eyes back to the road. The only sound that was filling the silence that arose when neither of them spoke was 'I Would Die 4 U' by Prince faintly playing in the background. "So..."

"We don't have to talk." Steve immediately deadpanned, eyes heavily set on the window beside him and thoughts revolving only around Nancy.

"Jeez, okay," Athena widened her eyes for a brief moment as she continued to drive. "Just trying to fill the awkward silence, but whatever."

"Yeah, well, don't." Steve snapped, gaze still set firmly on the window.

Athena fought the strong urge to roll her eyes and she bit her tongue as she knew Steve was in an incredibly vulnerable emotional state, and arguing with him would only make both of their lives hell in this particular moment.

A silence, once again, fell between the pair until an idea popped into Athena's head, and she couldn't prevent the excited smile from tugging at the corners of her lips, the girl entirely proud of her own idea. "Hey, have you ever rollerbladed?"

Finally peeling his eyes away from Athena's passenger side window, Steve's puzzled expression now focused on the girl, a frown etching his eyebrows inwards as he tried to mentally piece together the relevance of the conversation. "What?"

Athena nonchalantly shrugged, still watching the road as she felt Steve's bewildered eyes drill into the side of her face. "It's a simple question, Harrington. Yes or no?"

Steve's voice was filled with utter suspicion, and his dumbfounded eyes—which were now scanning her face—were trying to decipher exactly what she was planning. "When would I have ever gone 'rollerblading' before?"

"So, that's a no, then. Got it." Athena smirked, then abruptly turning into a nearby street and fighting the strong desire to just drop Steve off at his house and ignore the nagging feeling of guilt she would, consequently, feel if she did so.

She may hate the boy, but she couldn't ignore that a distraction was well needed. She knew exactly how it felt to be in his position, particularly after her breakup with her ex-boyfriend, in which nobody helped her. She would've killed for someone to drag her into some spontaneous activity to take her mind off the situation. So, putting aside her distasteful feelings about Steve Harrington, Athena chose kindness—a rare occurrence when it came to him.

"Where are we going?" Steve furrowed his eyebrows deeper as his eyes confusedly flickered between the road and Athena. "Pierce, where the hell are you taking me?"

"You need to get your mind off this whole thing, and there's no better way to do it than by partaking in a fun activity," Athena simply grinned as she pulled up to a small roller rink just at the end of the street and parked the car, the entire parking lot empty and the lights off inside. "And you repeatedly falling on your ass will be very entertaining for me, so it's a win-win."

Steve just slowly raised his eyebrows in disbelief, refusing to believe that he was in this current predicament. "Oh, you are actually nuts."

"Crazy or not, rollerblading is fun." Athena simply shrugged and stepped out of the car, Steve's widened eyes following her in pure incredulity and watching as she just waved him out of the car.

He had never seen her this casual. It was odd.

"Am I in an alternate universe or something?" Steve slowly whispered to himself as he just shook his head cluelessly and got out of the car.

"Trust me, it'll be worth it." Athena cheekily grinned as she approached the front doors, which were heavily padlocked.

Meanwhile, Steve was internally trying to make sense of her seemingly new attitude—was this how she was with other people?

The farthest thing that he wanted to do was spend more time with Athena Pierce than he had to, but for some reason—which he never thought he would admit—, he knew she had a point. This would distract him from what had happened at Tina's party, even for just a few hours.

"Uh, it's locked, Pierce," Steve gestured to the locks on the doors with a frown. "I thought you were supposed to be smart."

Athena shot him an exasperated look—which Steve was actually relieved at experiencing, due to the momentary glimpse of the Athena that he was used to—, before shaking her head and returning to face the doors, taking out a pin from her hair and begging to jimmy the lock undone.

Steve just sighed and placed his hands on his hips, scoffing as he watched Athena continue her illegal task. "If we get caught breaking and entering, we could get arrested."

"How'd you figure that one out, detective?" Athena's tone was incredibly sarcastic as she finally unlocked the doors, the girl grinning in satisfaction and pushing them open as she turned to face him. "No one will catch us. If they do, my mom used to date the owner, so..."

Steve raised his eyebrows in pure surprise, not expecting her answer or her sudden rebellious behaviour at all. "Wow."

"What? Didn't expect me to actually be fun?" Athena just scoffed as she began to walk into the roller rink, Steve frowning and following after her.

"You're just being very...'un-Pierce'..." Steve drew out cautiously.

"Call it empathy." Athena hummed as she approached the lights, specifically for the centre of the rink, and turned them on, the lightbulbs flickering and eventually lighting the space after a few seconds.

Grinning as she successfully accomplished her goal, Athena approached the desk, pushing open the swinging door and beginning to take out a pair of roller skates in her size, Steve just raising his eyebrows in pure surprise as he watched her.

Athena momentarily glanced at Steve before returning her gaze to her skates. "Are you just going to stand there forever?"

Steve seemed to have snapped out of his puzzled state as he scoffed and approached the desk, plastering on his usual 'cool-guy' attitude, consequently mirroring Athena's previous movements and grabbing a pair of skates in his size.

Approaching the rink, Athena sat down to the side and put the rollerblades on, tying them so they were now securely on her feet.

Once she had done this, Athena stood up, entering the rink, and by the time she had done so, Steve already had his rollerblades on, the boy now tightly holding onto the protective edge around the rink as he used it to hold himself up.

Athena, not noticing how Steve was completely filled with unbridled fear at the whole idea of rollerblading, took off, beginning to effortlessly rollerblade around the spacious rink.

Steve's eyes widened as he watched her smooth movements, still holding onto the edge for dear life and wondering how she was doing it with so much ease.

Before he could prevent himself from verbally expressing his surprise, Steve suddenly blurted out, "How the hell are you doing that?!"

At his incredulity, Athena laughed, spinning around to face Steve and beginning to slowly approach him as she replied. "I've been coming here for years. You kinda pick it up after a few weeks."

Steve's eyebrows flew upwards, his grip tightening on the edge of the rink. "Weeks? Why would you ever come here, of all places? Do you have a death wish or something?"

When there was a fair distance between herself and Steve, Athena slowly came to a stop, crossing her arms over her chest and shrugging as her eyes darted away from him. "When things start to get a bit overwhelming, I don't know...I mean, I'd rather do this for a few hours..."

When she realised that she unintentionally opened up to Steve about her feelings, Athena cleared her throat and shifted her gaze back up to meet Steve's, who was just staring at her. Athena chalked it up to the influence of the alcohol she consumed earlier. "Mabel loves it here too, so I don't mind bringing her..."

Steve just raised his eyebrows, nodding slowly as the dinner he had with her family a year ago evidently flashed through his mind.

A brief moment passed before Athena shifted her attitude, placing her hands on her hips and gesturing towards Steve with a nod of her head. "You good over there, Harrington?"

"Mhm," Steve nodded quickly, and unconvincingly. "All good."

Athena's eyebrows lifted in amusement as she decided to prod further. "Are you going to push off the ledge at some point?"

Steve looked at the ledge he was holding on to and back at Athena, nodding eventually. "Yeah."

Athena rolled her lips inwards, trying to contain the teasing smirk that threatened to take over her expression as she just gestured to him with a nod of her head, signifying that she was ready for him to push off the ledge.

Steve just stared at her blankly, blinking as he mentally prepared himself for the embarrassment he knew he would inevitably experience.

Don't think about Nancy. Don't think about Nancy. Don't think about Nancy. Rang through Steve's mind, and he knew he had to suck it up and distract himself.

Steve, swallowing his nerves, shakily pushed off the ledge, widening his eyes as he tried to stabilise himself while his legs wobbled.

Athena let out an amused snort, covering her mouth with a slap of her hand quickly as Steve shot her an exasperated glare.

Athena, regaining her composure, rolled her lips inwards once more and removed her hand from her mouth, skating around him to lean against the edge of the rink with her elbows and admittedly enjoying the sight of Steve struggling.

As if on cue, Steve stumbled, falling to the ground and groaning a little. At the action, Athena let out a laugh, Steve shooting her another firm glare at the sound.

As Steve tried to stand up, he took one step and stumbled, falling straight back down, Athena laughing louder and speaking up between amused chuckles. "I was right, this is super entertaining."

If looks could kill, Athena would be far gone.

"Yeah, yeah, just help me up." Steve deadpanned, ignoring her amusement as he blew out a deep breath.

Athena, although finding the sight entertaining, decided to approach him, and for some reason, she didn't want to make him suffer. Holding her hands out, she simply sent Steve a 'go on' look.

Steve looked up at her and met her gaze, shaking his head out of irritation directed towards himself and reluctantly grabbing her hands, fighting back the desire to immediately pull away from her when she tightened her grip to soon help him up.

Before she did, however, she stopped momentarily, raising her eyebrows as her tone fell serious. "Use more of your strength in your legs when I pull you up, okay? You won't fall as easily if you rely more on your legs to keep you up, rather than your arms."

Steve's eyebrows immediately lifted, the boy not expecting her to offer him any assistance or advice. Muttering out the following words in surprise, Steve just nodded. "Yeah, okay."

Nodding in affirmation, Athena raised her eyebrows, asking him a "ready?" before acknowledging Steve's nod, planting her feet, and hoisting him up.

As soon as he was back on his feet, Steve stumbled again, this time, instinctively grabbing onto Athena's forearms tightly to secure himself.

Athena slightly recoiled, the girl stopping briefly as she did not expect him to immediately grab onto her. "Okay, Harrington, we're not there yet."

"As much as I wish that you, of all people, weren't here with me, I honestly don't think I'll be able to do this without help." Steve blew out a stressed breath as his eyes panically darted between his skates and Athena.

"And he's back," Athena rolled her eyes, fighting the urge to push him off her as she slightly leaned her head back and further away from Steve. "I know it'll be difficult for you to manage, but try not to be an asshole for one night, okay?"

Steve's face fell in pure vexation. "Fine. Can we just get this over with now?"

"Gladly." Athena deadpanned, then slowly began to rollerblade away from Steve.

As she did so, Steve widened his eyes, gripping onto her arms tighter and eliciting a deep frown from her in response.

"Stop- what are you doing?" Athena scoffed out an involuntarily humoured chuckle.

"Trying not to fall and break my ass, what does it look like?!" Steve exclaimed, widening his eyes in frustration as they flickered between the girl and his own skates again.

"You won't break your ass, just- let me do my thing, relax," Athena shook her head, backing away slowly once more and ignoring Steve's hesitancy as she shifted the position of her hands to now hold onto both of his, cringing at the feeling of Steve's sweaty palms pressed on hers. "Ew."

Steve stopped, irritatedly staring at her as he fired back a sarcastic quip at her revulsion. "Oh, I'm sorry Pierce, do you want me to just stop nervously sweating?"

"Preferably, yes," Athena sent him a briefly abhorrent look before adjusting their hands so Steve's fingers were holding onto hers. "Okay, so I'm going to start off by guiding you around, and then I'll eventually let go, and you can try it for yourself."

"I feel like I'm learning how to ride a bike all over again," Steve embarrassingly mumbled under his breath before inhaling a deep breath and shooting Athena a tight-lipped smile. "Great."

Athena bit back a chuckle as she just nodded, the girl gradually beginning to skate backwards and initiating the plan, Steve inching forwards, legs slightly shaking in trepidation.

The boy began to mumble in irritation as he regretted every decision that led him to this moment. "This is so stupid, why the hell did I get out of the ca-"

"Shut up or I'll let go." Athena steadfastly deadpanned, Steve's head snapping up to frown at her as a result of her blunt words.

Before Steve could answer with an equally terse comeback, Athena began to explain the process, watching Steve's skates to assess his technique as she quickly changed the subject. "Just start to move your feet, like you're walking, in longer steps."

Steve's, now simultaneously apprehensive and panicked, eyes were rapidly darting between Athena's concentrated face and his own skates, very unhurriedly beginning to follow her instructions.

Athena nodded slowly, continuing to observe Steve's technique as she spoke again, still rollerblading backwards. "Try and move your legs just a little bit wider- not too much."

Steve widened his eyes in brief dread as he felt himself almost lose control of his own legs, slowing his movements so he was back in control.

"That's it, perfect." Athena smiled at the accomplishment, not realising that she slipped in a generous compliment.

Admittedly, for the briefest of moments, Athena seemingly forgot that Steve Harrington was the one she was helping.

Steve huffed out a relieved chuckle, smirking as he eventually found a rhythm.

Athena, suddenly snapping back to reality with a few blinks at the sound of Steve's laugh, began to rollerblade a little bit faster, eyes on Steve's face as she waited for him to realise.

She quickened her pace just a little bit, and once Steve noticed, his eyes widened, then snapped up to meet Athena's gaze. "Pierce, what are you doing?"

"Relax," Athena widened her eyes, not being able to contain her entertained smirk as she went a little faster. "If you just keep up that same movement, you'll be fine."

"No. I won't be," Steve scoffed, holding onto her hands tighter. "Stop- Pierce!"

Athena prevented herself from laughing as she rolled her lips inwards and widened her eyes, the girl shaking her head as she spoke up after a moment. "You'll be fine, Harrington, it's not the end of the world."

Steve quickly shook his head. "I swear to god, if you let me go right now-"

"Just remember to keep up that same movement!" Athena exclaimed over Steve's protests as she let go of his hands without further warning, still rollerblading and dismissing Steve's attempt at gripping onto her hands tighter.

"Pierce!" Steve was too busy worrying about Athena not assisting him anymore that he didn't realise that he was actually rollerblading. Very slowly, albeit, but he was staying upright, which was a vast improvement.

Athena, not wanting to jinx it, just watched him, smirking in amusement as she continued her movements and essentially made a trail for Steve to follow as he continued to rollerblade towards her.

Steve widened his eyes, glancing down at his legs and releasing an involuntary chuckle as he continued to follow Athena's previous instructions, not believing that he was actually getting good at this relatively quickly.

His eyes widened as he almost stumbled, the boy quickly adjusting his movements and releasing out a relieved breath as he, very slowly, continued to rollerblade.

"You got it!" Athena happily exclaimed between chuckles, gesturing to the boy in front of her as she observed him smile at his own accomplishment.

As if on cue, Steve stumbled again, falling straight to the ground, the boy releasing an exasperated sigh and shaking his head at how Athena loudly laughed at his misstep.

The girl rollerbladed over to him, still laughing, and released an amused sigh once she stopped a fair distance in front of him.

Leaning down to untie the rollerblades on her feet, Athena spoke up. "Okay, okay, I think you've embarrassed yourself long enough, Harrington. We're done."

"Thank god." Steve blew out a relieved breath as he began to untie the rollerblades on his feet quickly.

"Samantha Baker and Joel Goodsen go rollerblading..." Athena quipped, eyebrows furrowing as she huffed out a breath that resembled a chuckle.

•

Once the two finished with their rollerblades, they both put them away, making themselves comfortable in one of the booths just beside the rink, the two sitting opposite one another and eating from their own small packets of potato chips that they stole from the counter earlier.

"Your costume isn't that bad. I haven't seen that movie, but from what I've heard, it's kinda accurate." Steve suddenly broke the silence between them, speaking up between chews as he gestured to her pink dress.

Before Athena could pop another chip in her mouth, her jaw dropped, the girl blinking for a second before she found her voice. "Did you just compliment me? Also, hang on, I'm expected to believe the fact that you haven't seen 'Sixteen Candles'? Come on, Harrington, you're not fooling anyone."

Steve just cluelessly raised his eyebrows, slightly shaking his head and wordlessly signifying that he truly hadn't seen the film.

Athena just shook her head, placing the bag of chips on the table as she scoffed. "My god, you really are helpless."

Steve shot her an offended frown. "If I'm helpless, what are you?"

"Capable of acknowledging fundamental movies in all of human history." Athena looked at Steve in a judging manner, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Steve blinked. "And you wonder why I think you're a nerd."

"I have literally never wondered that in my entire life, but whatever helps you sleep at night, Harrington," Athena shrugged taking a sip of the glass of water she poured herself earlier. "At least I have impeccable taste in movies."

"Mm, debatable." Steve taunted.

Athena rolled her eyes, not bothering to continue arguing with him, purely out of the desire to save her breath.

Eyes floating around the centre, Athena's gaze finally landed on one of the clocks on the wall, realising it was now three a.m. She had left the house at nine p.m. to show up to Tina's party, and finally coming to the realisation that she had spent two whole hours rollerblading with Steve Harrington, Athena had seemed to have snapped back to the reality she was used to.

Widening her eyes, Athena knew that her sister would be worried sick about her—not that she cared much about her mother, even less about Dave—, and, purely thinking only about her younger sister, the girl jumped up from her seat and scrambled to hurry to the front door, deserting the half-empty packet of chips and her glass of water. "Shit, shit, shit, shit!"

"Whoa, what is wrong with you?" Steve widened his eyes, standing up quickly and following after her in utter perplexity.

"My sister- she's probably freaking out right now." The words quickly stumbled out of Athena's mouth as she turned the lights off and pushed open the front doors, then breaking out into a sprint towards her car, Steve trialing behind her and mirroring her speed.

"Your sister?" Steve repeated, the boy still baffled at her sudden shift in attitude.

"Yeah, my sister, Harrington," Athena felt herself grow frustrated and impatient as she approached her car. "Unlike you, some of us actually care about other people."

Steve raised his eyebrows, mind immediately reverting back to the party as he scoffed out an offended response. "I care about people."

"Sure you do," Athena didn't realise the impact of her, seemingly harmless, words, the girl widening her eyes as she made a 'hurry up' gesture and unlocked her car, opening the drivers seat door and sitting inside. "Get in the car."

Steve scoffed again, shaking his head before reluctantly opening the passenger's side door and sitting in it before slamming the car door shut behind him.

•

AUTHOR'S NOTE
steve and athena ☹️

© voidvaleska