Lunchtime was over, however Mary had a free track — one of the good qualities of being a senior. And so, she decided to put Lucas and Dustin's plan in motion and give Billy a piece of her mind. It was therapeutic she was sure, being able to unload on someone after all the drama she had went through recently; and Billy Hargrove was the perfect target.

       Since Steve and Billy had the same classes, she knew they would be in P.E. Most likely training for basketball season — like most athletic guys. The others just lifted a few light weights or laid out mats just to sit on. Mary was sure she could probably give them a good showing up; she was aware she was quite strong.

       She stormed into the gym-hall, already narrowing her eyes at the bunch of sweaty boys trying way too hard to play basketball. She scoped them out, spotting Billy in a second — only because he and Steve were in a intense match of well, whatever the hell they were doing.

       Mary folded her arms, watching as Billy decked Steve before getting the ball in the hoop. He then proceeded to pretend to help Steve up, in which he whispered something and then moved away, leaving the boy on the floor with a glare on his face.

       Mary clapped her hands, grinning sarcastically as she walked forward. Like most of the boys, Billy turned and his presence perked up at the sight of her, "Wow, just when I thought you couldn't possibly get anymore stereotypical." She said through a bitter smile in Billy's direction as Steve got to his feet, a scowl on his face as he watched the interaction.

      Billy advanced towards her, his shirt disposed off, showing his sweaty abs and Mary's eyes lingered for a moment, "How stereotypical does that make you then?" He fired back at her and she rose her eyebrows, rolling her shoulders back. Billy lowered his face to hers, "Good girl gone bad gone good again — or at least, she's trying to be." Mary scoffed, looking away.

      Billy inched closer to her, making her look up and meet his eyes, "You and I both know you're gonna break, Hopper. You love trouble. Can't keep yourself away from it — hence why you're here right now." He spoke lowly, his face inches from hers and eyes on her lips.

       She blinked slowly, tipping her head back, "Actually, I just wanted to have a word with you — if you don't mind." She smiled sweetly, but her tone of voice and look on her face said otherwise; Billy didn't really have a choice in the matter.

       Billy glanced by Mary and to Steve who was on the other side of the gym, dribbling the Ball and pretending he wasn't watching them. Billy grinned, meeting her eyes, "Alright fine, you've captured my curiosity," He said, "But not here. You tend to bring wandering eyes." Mary looked around, seeing that the majority of the boys were in fact staring — however, she didn't realise Steve was.

      She grinned profoundly, "Whatever. This'll only take a moment." Billy offered her his hand, in which Steve's eye twitched. Mary scoffed, pushing right by him and taking lead, leaving him with his hand hanging mid air

     Billy glanced back at his rival and met his eyes. Steve chuckled at Mary's coldness and Billy clenched his jaw before jogging after Mary, grabbing a fresh towel as he went, "So, what exactly are you wanting to talk about, Hopper?" He called after her, wrapping the towel around his neck.

       Mary stopped outside the boys locker room, settling her hands on her hips, "I hear you have a little sister." She said.

       "Step-sister." Billy corrected.

       Mary eyed him up, "Same thing," She fired back at him. Before he could retaliate, she went on, "See, she has these friends that are pretty worried — so worried, they came to even me for help." She said in a cooing like voice and Billy tilted his head, an amused grin on his lips.

       "Is that so?"

       She hummed in agreement, "The kids say you're awful to her. Maybe you should give her a break, she's like what? Ten years old —"

       "Thirteen or something," Billy corrected, although he himself wasn't entirely sure. His arms crossed at his chest carelessly, "Old enough to take care of herself." He pointed out and Mary held his gaze that didn't falter under her intimidating stare. 

       "Either way, she's just a kid—"

      "We're all just kids," Billy spoke over her and she narrowed her eyes. He shrugged, pulling a face, "She's just an annoying whiny little shit."

       "She's thirteen years old!"   

       Billy held his hands up, silencing her as he muttered 'okay' repeatedly. She folded her arms and stared at him as he pulled a thoughtful face, "Alright, fine. I have an idea." He said, looking rather proud of himself.

       Mary scoffed, looking away, "This should be good."

       "My dad and idiot step-mom have been hounding my ass to invite some friends over — Tommy and Carol ain't an option. But my old man insists, wants me to prove I'm making friends," Mary stared at him with an arched eyebrow, wondering what his point was. He grinned at her, liking the sound of his own plan, "Come by my place for dinner and I'll back off Maxine a little."

      Mary's mouth flew open, letting out a scoff before she erupted into laughter, "I'm sorry, what? Are you serious?!" She laughed, putting her hand over her mouth, "You want me to come over your place? For dinner? Do you even eat anything other than steroids—"

       Billy edged closer to her, making the smile leave her lips as her back hit the changing room door. He rested his arm against the spot above her head, "Don't lie, Hopper. You're curious," He whispered, his face close to hers, lips inches away from her own. He breathed out, "You put on a good show but I can tell you like being around me. Otherwise, you wouldn't keep coming back for more."

      Mary swallowed, her chest heaving as she held his blue dominant gaze, "You're crazy." She breathed out, but yet she couldn't deny the pull she did feel towards him — maybe not so much Billy, but the trouble and danger that oozed from him. A while ago, danger was something Mary thrived off of.

       Billy grinned, "Come on, Hopper. I'm not asking you over for some scandalous hook up," The corner of his lip twitched up at his own words, grinning manically, "Unless of course, you want to." He whispered and she exhaled deeply, blinking her half-shut eyes.

         "What time will you pick me up at?" She asked, never the one to stand down from a challenge.

       Billy smirked with victory, standing back and taking the warmth of his body with him, making Mary feel like she could breath again, "Seven," He said before looking her up and down, "Make sure you mention your old man's the Chief. My dad will love that."

      Mary stared him down, their eyes never once wavering, "And you'll back off Max?"

      Billy saluted lazily, "Scouts honour." He swore.

      Mary watched him carefully before straightening herself out. Her hands found their way to her hips, resting on them and Billy watched them, "Alright, Hargrove. You've got yourself a deal," She agreed. She rose an eyebrow, "Don't be late though. I'm impatient." She pointed out.

       "Wouldn't dream of it." He assured before advancing towards her slowly but this time Mary stood her ground and didn't move — not even when Billy's lips pressed against her cheek, lingering for the longest moment.

       He pulled back, his face in front of hers, "See you at seven." Mary gave a sarcastic smile and a flick of her eyebrows before Billy headed back to the gym and finally, she blew out the breath she hadn't realised she had been holding.

      Mary suddenly scrunched her face up, rubbing her temple, "What the hell am I doing?" She groaned, shaking her head in disbelief at her own decision making — horrible decision making was more like it.

       Steve suddenly came jogging around the corner, the neck of his top drenched in sweat and his hair looser than usual. He took in her expression as she face palmed, "Everything alright?" He asked in concern, stopping in front of her and catching his breath.

       "I'm having dinner with Billy Hargrove."

       "Billy Hargrove?"

       "Billy Hargrove," She agreed, moving her hand away from her face. She threw her hand up, "I thought I had a handle on the situation but clearly I didn't and I —"

        "Whoa, whoa, whoa," Steve spoke over her, raising his hands and widening his eyes, "What're you talking about? Mary, tell me this guy isn't actually getting to you. He's —"

       "I know, I know!"

      "And you have a boyfriend." Mary didn't want to point out the fact that she had a boyfriend when Steve had tried to kiss her. Or that said boyfriend hadn't contacted her in days and the last person he had been with was Corina Hayes. Frankly, there was a lot Mary wanted to say but kept it to herself.

       "I know," Mary said a little sharper this time. She sighed, "But I haven't even heard from Charlie — and he was with Corina days ago, alone by the way in his room and I —"

       "Mare, you don't really think there's anything going on with them, do you?" He asked her in disbelief and she held his eyes, her mouth open as she shrugged. Steve sighed, "Look, I cant think of any reason why they'd be together but I'm sure it's not what you're thinking." He assured her.

      Mary sighed deeply, "And if it is?" She challenged, making Steve take a double-take, "It's not completely out of the question, Steve! Anything can happen and have you seen Corina, she's a legit sex goddess and I —"

      Steve's hands landed on her shoulders, "Mary Louise Hopper, you're acting like a crazy person," He pointed out and she sighed, "Corina's hot, yeah. But she tries way too hard, why would anyone want that when they could have you?" He rhetorically asked and she scoffed, diverting her gaze.

        "It doesn't matter anyway. I'm still going to Billy's—"

       "The hell you are. You're out of your mind if you think I'm letting you go to that shitheads house alone—"

        "His parents are going to be there—"

        Steve threw his hands up in exasperation, "I don't care if Jesus Christ is going to be there!" He exclaimed, making Mary frown softly. He scratched the nape of his neck, "Mare, he's a weird guy — weird even for you. I mean, you were pushing it with me, Carol and Tommy. But him?"

        "It's not for me," She said, though she wasn't sure if she actually believed her own words, "I made a promise to Dustin and Lucas that I'd get Billy to back off their friend Max — who happens to be Billy's stepsister. He agreed he'd leave her alone if I went tonight." She exclaimed, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jeans.

      Steve stared at her before sighing, "Alright fine. But if anything happens —"

       "I know. I'll be straight over."

      ______________________

      Billy is such an asshole but he's so hot so I legit feel Mary's struggle! But he's for real trying so hard to wind her up and I'm loving it!

       Also yes I'm dragging this story out before it gets to the actual monster fighting because I want there to be a story other than just that, hence why there's a kinda longer timeline in this book! But don't worry, it should all be coming soon!

        But what are your predictions for this book later on?