PLEASE READ IN DARK MODE

Nighttime was upon them when they all decided to take the infamous Demogorgon down with their bare hands. Their hands and weapons, of course. 

Sneaking into the police station was a piece of cake considering how there was only a single officer there holding the fort down. They stole back the surprise box of guns and tools for the plan they had created prior that day. Before everything went even more chaotic.

Coming back to the Byers', they were determined to summon the beast by preparing traps for them. The goal was to burn it alive which was why Jonathan poured a shitload of gasoline all over the floor. Nancy and Monica set up the Christmas lights that were plastered across the whole house like a sea of jungle vines. They also set in the bear trap just so the monster had nowhere to go but scream in agonizing pain as it burns to the ground.

Nancy then rummages for a pair of kitchen knives for the three of them to draw blood. According to Monica, the closest friend to Nancy, it was the last thing she'd expect her to say. The look on Nancy's face was hauntingly beautiful when she was deeply vengeful. The flushed face, the eyebags that were clearly visible when staring at the knife that was now directly on her palm. It was as if she was a different person. A person who was sick of this bullshit. They placed their knives on their palms, about to slit it open.

"On three." Jonathan announced as they all nodded. "One..."

"Two..." Monica says next. She was about to ask if Nancy was okay but Nancy was too quick to respond. "Three!"

After they drew blood and bandaged up their wounds, they all sat around the living room waiting for the time to come. Monica and Nancy were both sitting on the couch while Jonathan looked off the doors and walls, all highly alert. Well, mostly if fear was included.

Monica finally spoke to Jonathan first after minutes of silence. "You see anything yet?"

"Not yet." He replied. "You?"

"No." Monica whispers. "You know... if we... when we make it out... I can't wait for this nightmare to end. You think this will be something we laugh ten years from now?"

"Well, we'll probably need more than ten years... but I don't know..."

Monica nodded off an okay before looking toward Nancy. She notices how lost in rage Nancy looked. She then reached out to caress her hand. "Nancy?"

Nancy immediately reacts by turning her head to Monica's brown eyes. Without speaking verbally, their eyes spoke a million. Lost in the moment, all they could think about was how soft their lips were. How desirable they were to touch... to kiss again... after that night...

Someone loudly started to bang on the door which caught them off guard. Monica grabbed her shotgun which was to the right of her, after hearing the loud banging. She gripped it as she stood even tighter after finding out who it was.

"Jonathan? Are you there, man? It's Steve!" Monica cursed under her breath. "Listen, I just want to talk!"

"Are you serious right now?" Nancy whispers right before she proceeds to answer the door to push Steve out of the way. He then blindly ignored her request and started apologizing for acting like a "total dick" at that alley. Again.

It didn't surprise Monica. He was the classic heartthrob that people fawn over despite how many times he fucks it up. She was simply disgusted by the sound of his voice. Disgust then turns into a slight fear over what he had said, what he knows. All she wanted was for him to be out of the door. Not because he would be killed in seconds but because of his constant pestering.

But Steve didn't after seeing Nancy's bandaged-up hand, clearly concerned for her safety. Instead, he barged in and saw the chaos that surrounded him. First, seeing Jonathan and Monica standing, fully armed, the Christmas lights, the black paint on the walls... It was looking at a visible crime scene.

My God, he's like a cockroach. Always crawling back..., she thought to herself, wanting to go off on him. Jonathan beat him to it. "You can't be here, genius!" Monica told Steve as Jonathan tries to make him leave. Nancy even tried to pull out a gun to make him leave which didn't work but probably scared him shitless. While they all argue, Monica noticed how the lights began to flicker which was a warning sign that bad shit is about to happen. Aka if Steve valued his life in any way, he should leave.

After a couple of times that Monica tries to get their attention, Nancy and Jonathan both turn around. "It's here!"

"Wait, what's here?" Steve stammered as the trio got into the position, too busy to see when the monster was going to strike.

"Where is it? Where is it?" Nancy pleads to Jonathan and Monica, completely ignoring Steve's useless questions.

"I don't know. I don't see it." Jonathan answers while Monica was too focused on looking in every corner. She was about to meet the very thing that caused many nightmares and will continue to do so on the line. The only thing that was stopping her from having another panic attack was adrenaline.

Steve snaps after being ignored for a few seconds. "Hello? Will someone please explain to me what the hell is going—"

The Demogorgon burst through the wall like a fetus was being born. In an unpleasant way, of course. By the time, that ferocious monster roars, they all sprint straight to Will's room. There, the smell of gasoline was pungent, to say the least. They closed the door as fast as possible with a panicking Steve Harrington.

"Jesus! Jesus! What the hell was that? What the hell was that?"

"Shut up!" Nancy ordered as well as Jonathan and Monica. Speaking of Monica, she held up her red lighter that she still carried around to prepare to put up the fire so the monster would finally die.

Time passed and they didn't hear a sound.

"You hear anything?" Nancy asks Monica.

"No."

Once they made their way back to the living room to look around where the Demogorgon disappeared to. Steve wasn't able to calm down. Understandingly so but the sight was slightly amusing to Monica at least.

"This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy!" Steve sprinted to the telephone, speeding through the dial to call the police. Nancy rolled her eyes and ran up to stop him. "What are you do— What are you doing? Are you insane?"

"It's going to come back! So you need to leave. Right now." She orders sternly, glaring right up at his bruised face. And this time, he listened.

The lights soon started to flicker again once Steve was gone. Nancy stood with her pistol, standing close to Jonathan's back. Jonathan has his bat while Monica has her shotgun. They search every corner for it to appear again. Monica took deep breaths, staying silent as she grip her gun. She had reloaded it and wished it was as strong as she thought it was.

Then, there it was. The Demogorgon once again burst through the ceiling, causing further mass destruction to the house. Her worst nightmares. Right in front of her. Slimy, starfish-shaped, and all.

It was standing right behind Jonathan which Monica and Nancy caught quickly. "JONATHAN!" The monster pushes him to the ground as its flesh-eating mouth creeps closer and closer to his face.

Welling up with tears, Monica aimed her shotgun at the beast and called out. Losing Jonathan was not and will not be on her bingo card if she had anything to do about it. She growls. "HEY, YOU! SON OF A BITCH!"

The Demogorgon immediately turns at the sound of Monica's voice. This was the first time seeing the creature again in real-time after... Barb's death. Last time its mouth had blood slobbering all over and seemed hungry. She or any one of her friends wasn't going to be next.

She shot the wicked beast which threw it off a bit. Her short smile faded however when the monster rose again but more agitated. As if they are wasting its precious, juicy time. Her eyes widened.

"Shit! Stupid fucking gun!" Monica says as she reloads and shoots again. No difference was made.

Nancy started to shoot a round of bullets which did hardly anything until it ran empty. Her face said it all as she backed away with Monica, thinking the end was near. She was about to die with her best friend without telling... her family that she loved her. What could be worse than that?

A similar face came back swinging the monster away from the girl. It was none other than Steve Harrington. He had the nail-infested bat in his hand as he swats it away in their direction. 

Somehow, he swung so hard that the Demogorgon got stuck into the bear trap. Monica was not only impressed but grateful. Two things that Monica would say about him.

"He's in the trap!" Jonathan, who was in the near distance, loudly informed as Monica grabbed the lighter from her bomber jacket. "He's stuck!" Steve adds on.

"Monica, now!" Nancy shouts as Monica sprints towards the hallway, passing them. She then sets the hallway on fire, causing the Demogorgon to burn and rot in hell. Because of the spread of it, Monica immediately backs away to avoid any scarring wounds. Together, they watch.

Once the fire was finally out and the smoke cleared, the monster was gone. Like everyone else, Monica believed that it had to be dead. But there was a thought in the back of her traumatized mind... that it was still alive.

It didn't matter at that moment. That night, they finally won.

They killed the son of a bitch once and for all.

—

Will was finally saved, being in the arms of Joyce and Jonathan Byers in the hospital. The mere fact that he was even alive for that long was a pure miracle. Currently, in the hospital, everyone from Hopper and Steve to Nancy and Monica to Mike, Lucas, and Dustin who were sleeping like babies were waiting anxiously in the now-packed waiting room. Even the Wheelers were there. From seeing them there, Monica then realized that she hadn't seen her mother for hours and could've died without telling her that she loved her. The last words she had said to her were confessing to weapon hoarding. It wouldn't have been a good ending if those words were truly her last. Just like the Demogorgon, Eleven was gone, disappearing from the face of the earth. No one knew where she'd gone to if she was even alive. But she wasn't here. Mike, however, was more focused on seeing Will again, his best friend.

Monica was still in shock over what happened as if life flew right past her. Her body felt cold yet sweaty as she still felt her heart racing too fast. Seeing that Demogorgon wasn't something she had hoped for before but the job was done. None of this was what she hoped for.

The silence somehow made her anxiety worse. Her eyes constantly looked everywhere from left to right like some other monster was going to crawl up to kill her. She taps her right leg repeatedly. The adrenaline started to wear thin as well as her confidence.

Nancy was next to her as always. She places her hand softly towards her to get her attention. Apparently, she was actually calling her name as Monica zoned out into a panic frenzy.

"Monica?" She murmured to her for the third time. "Monica, you okay?"

"No." Monica admits. "I don't think I am... Maybe less now."

"You're welcome." Nancy simply said in response.

The boys were called over by Jonathan to see Will. Nancy's hand was glued to Monica the whole time they were there. Monica could stay that way forever and feel less and less anxious. Nancy just had that effect on her.

Time goes by and Jonathan was seen, walking back to the waiting room. He was standing right at the door, looking straight to Monica. "Monica? You can see Will now."

Monica was startled by the sound of his voice. Then the wave of nerves kicked in when she realized she was about to see Will Byers for the first time this week. The same week that felt like thousands.

She walked with him to the room, pulling at her bomber jacket that was covered in soot from the smoke. Jonathan stops at the door to open it while Monica watches being right behind him. He had said something but Monica was too nervous to hear a single word. Maybe I will die of my heart exploding.

Mike, Dustin, and Lucas were there like a pack of energetic puppies, recounting the wild ride that they had been on while Will was gone. The pity in Monica's stomach grew larger and larger. She had seen his dead, fake body being carried out and buried. And right now, there he was, hooked up to tubes but nonetheless giving a big, familiar smile Monica missed seeing.

"Monica?" Will spoke, excited to see his favorite babysitter again.

Her vision was blurred by watering eyes from holding it all back. I have to be strong... you're okay... this is real... this is all very real...

Monica clears her throat as she blinks. "H-hi, Will. Long time no see."

"Are you okay? You look awful." Will says honestly with a chuckle.

Monica breaks character to let out a laugh. A laugh full of tears. "You're finding that out now? That's my whole schtick. Like your amazing drawings, for example."

"Thanks... wait a minute..." Will squinted his eyes toward the clock across them. 12:35 am. "I remember. Happy birthday. I'm sorry for not getting you a present."

"What? You're worried about–" Monica giggled in disbelief. "You know what... I'll forgive you if you make me one of your creative masterpieces. Or admit cats are better than dogs in writing."

"Ha. Never! I can draw for you. I promise. It'll be my greatest work yet."

"Yeah, I bet."

Will also noticed something off about Monica. "Your hair seems shorter than normal."

"What?" Monica reached out with her hand to feel some of her ponytail burnt off from the fire. Her eyes widened from feeling the difference. No wonder I was nervous. "Oh my God. You're right."

Jonathan smirks like an old brother wanting to tease their siblings. "I knew I smelt something burning."

Monica lightly pushes him while keeping a smile. "Screw you, Jonathan."

Joyce rolls her eyes playfully as she taps Jonathan's shoulder. "Jonathan, stop it. Monica, it's not something to worry about. You're a beautiful girl. I'm sure you can pull off shorter hair. Maybe we could have matching haircuts?"

"Maybe. I'll consider it. It does suit you." Monica nods, feeling the hair strains.

"You would look like such a badass." Dustin stated. "Yeah. What Dustin said." Will agrees.

"You sorta looked boring with longer hair anyways." Mike adds. Monica was living in a universe where Mike was actually being nice to her. Life is really strange.

"But short hair... you'll pop. It can be your birthday present to yourself. " Lucas smiles.

Monica laughs, seeing everyone speculate about her hair and what to do with it. She never had this many people analyze her beauty but she wasn't mad at it. Maybe it was time for a change. "Wow. I didn't know you guys have strong opinions on my hair... I'll see what I do..."

"Ms– Joyce, can I step out for a sec? I need air." Monica asks politely, not wanting to cause a scene.

"Sweetie, you don't need to ask. You go ahead. Go home. Birthday girls need their beauty sleep too."

Monica leaves the room to take a breather. She immediately started sobbing, joyfully. It was like a massive weight lifted off her shoulders. The nightmares, Barbara's painful death, the chaos... All of this was worth it after seeing Will's precious smile again. To see him alive again. She constantly sniffles through her sobs, wiping her tears with the bomber jacket. She felt like a tall child.

She took deep breaths to slow down her sobs so she doesn't look any crazier when she was supposed to be walking herself home. Until she looked across the cold hospital hallway, she saw her mother, clearly seeing how the twisted series of unfortunate events took a toll on her. They stare a few seconds before Monica sprints right over to Linda's warm arms. At that moment, she broke down again. "I'm sorry."

"I know. I'm sorry too."



Christmas was upon Hawkins, Indiana with its holiday spirit: decks halling, snowy days, decorations that were displayed in front of people's houses, and the presence of family and friends sharing the love, oh my. It was a joyous time of the year full of cheer, hot chocolate, and of course, gifts. Even the weather, as brutal and cold as it is, is glorious to watch, especially when the coat of snow twinkles like a star. The many trees that were now bare were covered in snow. But most of all, there was the big family feast. The chicken, Mac n Cheese, the yams, sweet potato pie... if cooked right, it was a blessing. Every Christmas previous to this year, the Suzuki family's way of spending the holidays is... simply not celebrating. 

Monica was always invited over to the Wheelers or the Byers to feast and have a decent holiday time while her mother was backed up with work or too tired to cook anything. She felt embarrassed, constantly having to tell Mike why Linda couldn't just make dinner as every regular family does as Christmas tradition. Every time he accused her mother of not loving her, she wanted to strangle the living crap out of him. But this Christmas, things were different. Joyce invited them over for dinner. This was the first time both Monica and Linda had a big dinner like those families. Like the Wheeler family.

Monica was, however, nervous. Not what to wear since she was forced into her mother's old clothes for that special occasion. A black knitted cardigan sweater with a white turtleneck underneath and a long, white flowery skirt which was a surprisingly comfortable combo. Her hair was the real issue. 

After her hair was melted off from the fire that killed the Demogorgon, she, unfortunately, let her mom with the hair scissors to "make it even". Linda did that and made it shorter than Monica was expecting. It looks like a short wolf cut (neck length specifically) with soft bangs. Monica didn't hate it nor thought it look bad... it was just... something that she needed to get used to. It was the first time that her hair was cut this drastically. She hoped that no one would laugh at her.

Before driving up to see the Byers, Monica made a plan to stop by the Wheelers to give Nancy her present. With the last of her money, she went out, searched, and found a replica of the 1957 board game of Nancy Drew. It felt like fate with the right timing. She remembered when they were little, walking around the toy shop, fawning over the game to be played. It was a dark day when it was out of stock a year later. But this time, her prayers were answered when seeing the game in that antique store. Even if her appearance was a bit wonky, her present makes up for it.

Walking up the porch, she carried the wrapped present with her right arm. The wrapper paper was simply red with a bunch of reindeer all over. She even had a red bow on top which rose her confidence, knowing that her present at least looked good on the outside. She reached the door and stopped herself from falling into nervousness. You are fine. You may look like a crazy grandma but at least we have a cool looking gift... that's... something... I'm doomed.

She rang the door and waited, gripping the gift close to herself. Seeing Nancy in her yellow sweater and brown, brassy hair done up, Monica's heart skips a beat. She always was beautiful during the holidays. To be frank, Monica couldn't find a time when she wasn't pretty even if she tried. This was certainly not those times.

"Monica! Hi. You're late." Nancy smirks as Monica walks in. Monica smelt Mrs. Karen Wheeler's Christmas sugar cookies from miles away. She had to stop herself from drooling in front of Nancy, keeping her cool.

Monica scoffs playfully. "Well, for your information, I've actually been invited to dinner. At the Byers. So... ha!"

"Wow. Ditching your friends on Christmas, I see? That's low even for you."

"Would someone who would ditch you give you... this?" Monica then had brought out the gift she was holding onto with a smirk. A piece of hair was in her face so she blew it away. That was another thing she was annoyed with her hair: it was a pain in the ass.

Nancy smiles with her teeth, gleefully while taking the wrapped box. "I'll open it later. But may I ask... what it is?"

"It's whatever you want to be." Monica smirks whilst teasing her. "Unless you open it now, I'm not telling you."

"Of course you would." Nancy chuckles before realizing that she, herself, had a surprise for her. "Oh shit! I forgot I had something for you. I'll be right back. Steve!"

Now Monica felt slightly better not being around the Wheelers with Steve Harrington. Although he did save her and Nancy's lives, the one thing that will stick with her... is how much of an asshole he was.

As Nancy jogs upstairs, Steve slowly approaches Monica. It was as if he knew that what he did to her was uncalled for but refused to hold himself accountable. His ego is what mattered to him the most. But love prevailed over that ego in this scenario from what Steve thought it was.

They were giving each other eye contact with each other, awkwardly standing. "Hey, Monica. How's your Christmas going?"

"Cut to the chase, Danny Zuko. I know you're about to do so make it quick and good."

"Okay... Um... F-f-for what I said in that alley... I wanted to say sorry. I was... hurt about Nancy and I was scared of losing her but that's no excuse for—"

Monica interrupts his awkward, rough apology before it gets any worse. It took every fiber of her being to keep her composure from not ripping his greasy hair out. "What did you say?"

"What?"

"What you called me. You know what I'm talking about." Monica started to smile seeing how his brain was malfunctioning in front of her eyes. "If you say it again, then I'll forgive you."

"No. I'm not saying it again. It's vile. I should've never said it in the first place." he sighed out of frustration before lowering his voice so they only could hear each other. "Look, you can be whatever you want. Gay, straight, whatever you want... I'll keep your secret... just... you know... just not my girlfriend."

Monica didn't really expect anything from Steve but that... took the cake. He was blinded in love or whatever he thought love was. "You really don't have a clue in the world, do you?"

Steve just stares at her before she continues to talk. "Fine, I'll forgive you... but she has and will continue to be my best friend. Not anyone, especially you, can change that. You don't own her for shit. And by the way... whatever you saw that night... you might want to reimagine what you think you saw or what you like to tell to yourself to make yourself feel better... it might shock you."

She was irritated by the look on his face. His puppy-dog expression of squeezing each ounce of empathy for his benefit didn't fool her. He liked to think he was innocent and charming but she clearly saw his flaws. Like with many patterns in young men, it was, of course, possession. Like Monica had thought before, it was only a matter of time but his time was up.

On good news, Nancy finally comes back with a simple small cardboard box with holes on the top. Three holes in a roll to be exact. She giggled as she placed the box in the middle of the floor. "Open it!"

Monica smirks at the request and proceeds to remove the top of the box. A small, white Burmese kitten like her late pet, was sleeping in their small furry ball inside. Was, keyword. 

Now, it was meowing at Monica, looking directly at her with its clear gray eyes. The kitty had gray fur spots on the right eye, the tip of the tail, and the paws. Monica was over the moon at the cutie.

She gasps as she picks up the tiny cat into her hands. It was a few weeks old, for sure. In her eyes, this cat was her child now. "Oh my God. Who's this cutie pie? So tiny."

Nancy smiles, loving to see how happy Monica was. "Well, Steve was the one who found him in his backyard, wandering but I made the idea to give him to you. It's also a gift for your birthday since I couldn't get you anything."

Monica was too busy, trying to play with his claws that weren't fully in yet. She had never been so excited... "Thank you, Nancy... Steve."

In the background, Jonathan had come by to pick up Will from his D&D campaign for dinner. He was now walking past Mrs. Wheeler who was still in the kitchen, cooking while Mr. Wheeler sits in for watching tv. 

He then sees Monica fawning over the adorable, new bundle of joy that she had in her life. With his brother Will on his side, Jonathan walks towards her to get a better look. Once he saw the kitten, he playfully rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm.

"Found you a new friend, huh?" He raised a brow while maintaining a smile.

"Don't ruin this for me." Monica quickly states while petting her new pet. "It's so small." Will comment.

"Well, he's a kitten." Nancy informs Will. "He needs to grow more."

Will nods at Nancy's explanation as Jonathan leans to Monica to ask her something. "Want me to walk you out? Once you're done obsessing over a cat?"

Monica nudged him as soon as possible right away. "Fine. I'll walk with you. Bye, kitty!" She places the kitty back inside the cardboard box, closing the lid.

Nancy chuckles nervously, wanting her to stay over more. "Wait, you're leaving? So soon?"

"I told you... I have plans. Plus, I don't want my new baby to suffer any longer due to Steve's hairspray." Monica smiles. She wanted to kill Steve more than she ever imagined. It was a bit concerning.

Nancy giggles at Monica's joke as Monica makes her way to the door with Jonathan and Will Byers. "We're hanging out tomorrow, right?"

"Won't miss it for the world." Monica turns to her with a sparkle in her eye. She wanted to tell her everything from Steve knowing their dirty secret to how much she loved her and her cute dimples. But fear has been a thing that ruins everything. She was hoping that Nancy would come to her senses and ditch Harrington. That's the most she expected. She didn't know how much more she could expect given the circumstances. Who knows? Maybe the universe had a few tricks on its sleeves... the world loves to prove people wrong.

Monica walks out holding the kitten box by the sides into the cold. Jonathan had asked her if it was okay that he took her over to their house, to which she reluctantly answered yes, hoping their dog wouldn't rip her kitty to shreds. 

She could see Jonathan's car parked right in front of the house so it wasn't a long trip. The ground wasn't that icy so they weren't planning to trip on themselves but the snow was falling.

As they all walked to the car, Will asked Monica if he could pet it when we were in the car. "Sure. Just be gentle."

Monica had placed the kitty box in the backseat where Will was going to be sitting while Monica sat in the front with Jonathan driving.

She had closed the door, not realizing that Jonathan was right behind her. He startles her with the sound of his voice. "You know, you look good with short hair."

"Shit, Jonathan! You know when you do things like that, it's obvious that people will call you a creep, right? What's with the smile too?"

"Oh nothing. I just... I was just thinking about how amazing you and Nancy are at being partners." Jonathan shrugs.

Monica's eyes widened. "Not funny."

"I wasn't joking. I saw the look in her eye, Monica. And yours. Whether or not she'll admit it or not... it's pretty damn obvious that she likes you. And you like her. It's kinda sweet."

What he had said in the forest to both of them that day rang in her mind. "I saw a girl, you know, trying to be someone else while the other girl held all of her true emotions inside. But for that moment... it was like you two were alone, or you thought you were... and you both, you know, could be yourselves."

Monica's heart stopped. Was their attraction blatantly obvious? And he's not... disgusted by her existence like she thought he would? Steve couldn't even look at me in the eye anymore after what he saw... but this... Jonathan was different. "You're... you're not..."

"Monica. If you think I would care, then you haven't been paying attention. Hell, my brother... I have David Bowie on cassette tape... you're worried about me hating you for who you like? You're sadly mistaken." For himself, he wasn't really interested in the thought of just marrying a blonde, blue-eyed beauty queen and anything that deemed him as "masculine". He wanted just to be. Living in the moment without any worries. If he did find the right person, he was going to be attracted to them regardless of their gender. Well, when he was out of Hawkins for college, for sure.

Monica was floored with tears. Like seeing Will again, this felt a massive weight lifted off her crumbling shoulders. She held off her feelings for everyone, her mother, her best friend... it was finally nice to see someone to talk to about what she felt exploding on the inside.

Jonathan playfully pouts as he hugs her, rubbing her back. "Big baby."

"Fuck you... Thank you, Jonathan." Monica sniffles, pulling away to wipe away her tears.

"Merry Christmas, Mon. You're like my sister. My best friend. I always got your back, okay?" He reminds her, his hand on his shoulder. She nodded. "Okay. Let's go."

Once Monica got into the passenger seat, still drying her eyes, she looked in the rearview mirror to see Will gently petting the kitty that was placed on his lap. Maybe this season he'll finally be a cat person. It's a long shot but a girl can dream.

"You two are bonding already? Jeez." Monica smiles.

"You should name him Frankie. He totally looks like Frankie."

"Oh my gosh. I think I finally turn your brother into a cat person." Monica jokingly states to Jonathan Who rolled his eyes.

"It's only one cat. Let's not get crazy here."

"Only one cat for now." Monica teases. "Will, I can bring Frankie over if tonight goes well with Chester."

"Chester won't bite. They'll be the best of friends."

Monica giggles at the boy's innocence and Jonathan's rolling of the eyes. This was what she missed the most. Moments like these actually make her feel so grateful to have the Demogorgon and the Upside Down out of her life. 

Well, at least not physically. They were always in her mind, haunting her dreams.

—

Back in Wheelers' house after dinner, everyone was either passed out on the couch or up in the rooms. However, Nancy was sitting dangerously close to Steve watching some blockbuster movie on TV. She allowed his hand, and only his hand to caress her shoulder as she leaned into him.

Steve was preoccupied with his thoughts to pay attention to the movie. He couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she had with Monica. What did she mean when she said, "it might shock you"? Was Nancy really the innocent girl that Steve fell in love with or was that what he wanted to see in her? Maybe he loved the idea of Nancy but not who she really was. Who she is.

The anticipation was killing him so he spoke. "Hey Nancy?"

"What is it?" Nancy sounded concerned it was out of the blue.

"Don't you think... don't you think giving your FRIEND a cat is a bit extreme? I mean, I probably wouldn't for any of my friends."

"Yeah, well they were clearly assholes so that's not really the same thing." Nancy was taken aback by his statement and how serious he looked when he said that. Then she realizes his issue, smirking. "Steve Harrington... you aren't jealous are you?"

"What? No, I'm not. I'm saying—"

"Steve..." Nancy gave him a look. "Quit worrying. I'm not going to leave you in dust. Me and Monica always are always... extravagant with gifts. We practically lived together for years, side by side. But I won't leave you. I... l... love... I love you."

Telling Steve that she loved him felt really something off. Like the whole relationship. Compared to saying it to Monica, it felt like cat claws against a chalkboard. But she couldn't admit it... that fact it is...

Nancy Wheeler was in love with her best friend.

THE END?