"BYE, MARISSA!" CARLA CALLED TO THE WOMAN WHO WAS PLACING BOOKS BACK IN THEIR RIGHTFUL SPOTS.

"See you, honey!" Marissa, the woman shelving books, yelled back.  Normally, she'd be against yelling in the library, but who was there to care? Her and Carla were the only two people left in the place. 

After making sure her boss knew of her departure, Carla exited the library keys jangling in her pocket.  As she opened the doors, the humid, summer, air was quick to hit her, making her wish she could spend a few more minutes within the air conditioned building.  Despite being past eight o'clock, the air still decided against growing cold.  That was summer in Hawkins for you; always hot and always humid.

Strolling towards her car—which was the only one, other than Marissa's, in the lot—Carla took in the emptiness that the night gave.  While Hawkins library was never a crowded place to begin with, after closing gave it an even more empty aspect.  There was no teenage chatter, or music blasting from speakers. It was quiet.

The quietness that the library offered was one of the reasons Carla decided to take a job interview for a position there.  After everything she'd gone through, Carla needed a peaceful area to work in, somewhere that didn't remind her of the past and allowed her to restart.

Turns out, the library was perfect for just that.  It gave her a chance to help people, one of her best traits, as well as interact with new faces. Faces who knew her as the nice girl at the front desk and nothing more about her.

The library was somewhere that she could escape the chaos that was Hawkins. It gave her the best chance at fulfilling her goal of having the most normal summer possible. In 1983, with Will's disappearance, her life had been flipped upside down, and she hadn't been able to get it back...until now.

With the monsters dead, and the Upside Down gone from their lives, Carla was finally able to try and get her normal life back. With a secure job, she was able to keep the past out of her mind, and start filling it with the future instead. She could worry about whether or not she restocked the newspapers instead of worrying about demo-dogs and the scars on her wrists.

It felt good to finally know she'd no longer have to worry about monsters to say the least.

Tossing the keys to the library into her cup holder, Carla took a seat and started up her car, eyes flashing to the walkie talkie that was sitting in her passenger seat.  Ever since she started working later, she'd been put on baby sitter duty—more or less.  

The kids weren't really kids anymore—they were officially teens—and the parents seemed to have noticed this, and gave them a new level of freedom and longer curfews.   With the new Starcourt Mall catching their eyes, you could imagine their faces when they realized Carla worked later hours at a place not too far away.

Mike had been the one to beg Carla to become their carpool system, promising to pay her back—how, Carla wasn't exactly sure yet—and being the sister she was, the Wheeler agreed.  This 'carpool system' involved her driving any of the five that needed it to the mall and taking them back when they'd finished doing whatever was necessary that day. 

Carla truly didn't mind driving them back and forth almost every day, as long as Mike eventually ended up paying her back somehow.  Plus, she had nothing better to do after her shift, so there wasn't an excuse to say no anyway—they deserved to explore the new found world that was being a teenager.

 So, here she was, picking up her own personal walkie—which the party had all pitched in to buy her—to make sure they were all ready for the daily routine of her picking them up.  To make sure everyone was ready, and so Carla knew where she'd have to go, Lucas had decided they all got her a walkie.  It was sweet, and made it easier on everyone.

Flipping it on, Carla placed the item closer to her face, "Okay, my shift's done. Who need's a ride?"

Max's voice was the first to come through, "I call shot-gun this time!"

Lucas was next, "Didn't you get shot-gun last time?"

"I need a ride, please." Will was last to come through. Though he was the only one to answer the question, she knew all three of them needed a ride—as per usual.  Though Mike had been the one to beg for the whole car pool system, he was the one who didn't use it.  Right when summer break started, Mike had taken his new found freedom, and biked every day to Hopper's cabin, spending all his hours with his new found girlfriend, Eleven.  

"See you soon, over and out." Carla set the walkie down, and pulled out of the library parking lot.  The roads weren't too busy—which was surprising for a summer night—but Carla knew exactly why.  Ever since opening mere weeks ago, Starcourt Mall was the hit of the summer.  It was taking small jobs and businesses all over the town, and attracting the eyes of all young life in Hawkins, including Max, Lucas, Mike and Will. 

Instead of driving around town, most teens found themselves at the mall, leaving streets empty and quiet. To those who hadn't experienced the Upside Down creatures, Hawkins was a boring town.  But, Starcourt refreshed the town by giving them something new to enjoy, which they did.

The empty roads made it easy for Carla to get to houses, and within a few minutes of driving, she'd pulled up in the Mayfield-Hargrove houses driveway.  Her finger tapped against the wheel as she awaited the girls arrival.  The door soon opened, but instead of Max, she was met with her older brother.

Billy Hargrove in all his glory stepped outside, eyes set on her car.  Of course, Carla had made it her mission to stay as far away as Billy this summer—after all, he'd threatened to shoot her and had almost killed her boyfriend—but she couldn't really walk away, or drive off.  She had to take Max.

So, she took in a sigh and rolled down her window, watching as he appeared right beside her car.  Taking a drag from his cigarette, Billy stopped right in front of her window, "Carla,"

"Billy." Carla's voice didn't have the level of nicety in her tone. If Billy wanted to try playing his games, so be it, but the Wheeler wasn't about to fall for them.  Not again.

"What brings you to my doorstep? Finally realize that I'm better than Harrington? Or does he have you under the illusion that he's as good as it gets?" Billy's eyes were set directly on her, cigarette in between two fingers.

Carla gave a fake smile, starting towards the front door, hoping Max would hurry up. "No, I'm pretty happy in our relationship, thanks for asking.  You might as well drop the fantasy you have of me running to you now because it clearly isn't going to happen.  I thought you were smart enough to realize that, but I guess not."

Billy's 'nice guy' persona finally fell, and he gave an unimpressed look. "I see you're a loyal girlfriend."

"Well, even if I wasn't, I sure wouldn't be leaving Steve for you, so..." Carla snapped back, causing the boy to let out a small huff.  Clearly, he'd gotten pissed off at her words, but the Wheeler could care less.

"You just—"

Billy's words were stopped as the front door opened, his step-sister running out from it. Max's eyes glanced between the two as she came to the passenger side, hand on the door handle. "Is everything good here?"

"Yeah, we're fine." Carla replied, eyes dead set on the blonde boy.  He stayed quiet, not wanting to make a scene in front of his younger sister—he knew she wasn't afraid to speak up, and he didn't need anyone hearing the commotion.

The Wheeler nodded for the girl to get in, which she did, and she quickly pulled out of the driveway, Billy taking a drag of his cigarette as his eyes stayed locked on the girl.  As if Billy wasn't a creep in general, the fact that his eyes stayed on her made it worse.

On the drive to Lucas', Maxine spoke up, having felt the tension between the two, "Did he do anything, or say something to you?"

"No, he just started talking about how he's the better option." Carla replied, pursing her lips in an annoyed fashion.  Out of anything he could have spoken on, he decided to act as if he still stood a chance.  Steve was the obvious answer, she wasn't about to leave him for Billy Hargrove.

"God, he acts as if he isn't an insufferable asshole." Max sighs, rolling her eyes at her brother's antics.  The most asshole thing an asshole could do was act as if they weren't a terrible person, which is what Billy did on a daily basis.  He strutted around like everyone liked him, and wanted him, including Carla—as if.  The least he could do was apologize for his past actions and try and be a better person to her, though it wouldn't change her feelings.

"Let's not think about it." Carla didn't really feel like having her night ruined even more by Billy, and decided to change the topic.  "What are you guys planning tonight?"

Max looked outside the window at the familiar houses, "We're gonna go see that new horror movie, Day of the Dead, I think it's called. I don't know, it was Mike's idea."

Pulling into Lucas' driveway, Carla nodded, "Sounds fun."

Max shrugged, "Horror movies aren't my all time favorite, but I guess it'll be worth my time to see Lucas piss himself."

"I am not going to piss myself!" Lucas' voice came through as he opened the back door to Carla's car, sending a small look towards Max.  He hopped in the car, and Carla was quick to head off towards the Byers' boys house.

Max sent the same look back at him, "You did last time, baby boy."

"No I did not—would you please stop calling me that!" Ever since the Snowball, the Mayfield had been keen on calling her boyfriend—yes, her and Lucas had begun dating—the ever so famous nickname.  The way they picked on each other was so innocent, so pure.  Carla was glad that Max was in a relationship that made her happy.  Lucas was perfect for her.

"Never, it's cute."

"It's for Carla and Carla's use only, and I don't even like it coming from her." Lucas states.

"Whatever, baby boy."

"I'm gonna smother you in your sleep—"

Will's voice came through, the car door clicking open as he entered the vehicle, "Gosh, you guys fight like an old married couple—Hi, Carla."  Being the only single one in the group—other than Dustin, who'd been gone most of the summer—he'd gotten used to the bickering between the couples, and had learned to make fun of it.

"Hey, Will." Carla sent a soft smile to the Byers boy before glancing out the window at his mother who was sending a wave her way. She'd been doing good after Bob's death, though he would always have a spot in her heart.  He was the first guy to treat her right, show her what love really felt like.  

"Will, tell Max that she can't keep calling me that." the Sinclair boy asked the moment that Carla started driving towards the mall.  The Byers boy gave a shrug but stayed quiet, causing Lucas to roll his eyes.  

Carla was rather used to the bickering, and didn't tell them to stop at all.  They were fresh teenagers, and it was only going to get worse from here on out.  Might as well grow custom to their attitudes and unnecessary arguments.

Pulling into Starcourt, it took a moment to find a parking spot—like Carla had said, the mall had become the main source of attraction for people of all ages—but once she did, the kids were quick to get out of her car.  Clearly, they were ready to get to the movie.

But, of course, they couldn't go in until Mike made an appearance.  Which, after a good ten minutes of waiting, he finally did.

Lucas was quick to reprimand him, arms crossed, "You're late."

"Sorry!"

"Again."

Will was next, "We're gonna miss the opening."

"Yeah, if you guys keep whining about it." Mike countered, rolling his bike into the bike rack, "Let's go!"

"'If you guys keep whining about it, nyeh-nyeh-nyeh-nyeh."" Lucas mocked.

"Just please stop taking, dude."

"Let me guess." Lucas ignored his friend, walking into the mall, "You were busy." 

Carla followed behind the four teens, rolling her eyes as the Sinclair boy began to make kissing noises in her brother's direction.  Lucas had spent most of the summer making fun of Mike for making out with Eleven, and it was almost a necessity at this point.

"Oh, yeah, real mature, Lucas."

"Oh, El, I wish we could make out forever, and never hang out with any of our friends." Lucas continued, causing the redheaded girl behind him to narrow her eyes in his direction.

"Lucas, stop."

"Will thinks it's funny."

Will smiled, "Cause it is."

Mike gave an annoyed look, "Yeah, it's so funny that I want to spend romantic time with my girlfriend."

Lucas wrapped an arm around Max, defending himself. "I'm spending romantic time with my girlfriend."

As it usually was, the mall was packed.  There were clumps of teens of all cliques in every corner, chatting, kissing, and shopping.  Lines to shops and to the food court wrapped around, causing an even less space for the group of five to fit through.  The escalators had to be the worse of all,  the group having to "excuse me" through, Carla sending apologetic smiles to the annoyed and protesting crowd as the four teens ahead of her shoved right through.

Mike the ran straight into a girl, quickly moving out of the way as her and her friends gave him an annoyed look, "Watch it!"

A familiar voice rang through next, "Yeah! Watch it, nerd!"

Carla sent a small wave towards the young girl who'd spoken, Erica Sinclair.  She'd gotten to know the younger Sinclair girl from her time babysitting Lucas, and admired her "I don't give a shit" persona. For a ten year old, she sure had some attitude towards people and wasn't afraid to snap at you.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Lucas called back to the girl eating ice cream with her friends, a daily routine for her. 

"Isn't it time you died?" Erica retorted, her friends all laughing in unison.

"Pyscho!"

"Butthead!"

"Mall rat!"

"Fart face!"

Lucas blew a raspberry at his sister, causing his girlfriend to tightly grab a hold of his arm, pulling him into the ice cream parlor they'd entered on a weekly basis, "Oh, now that was mature."

Carla walked into Scoops Ahoy with a smile on her face, already excited to see her boyfriend.  His father had practically forced him to get a summer job, since he wasn't going to be attending college.  Though being one of the more popular spots at the mall, it was still relatively calm.  With the bright lights, flashy store fronts and blasting music, Starcourt could be a lot.  But, Scoops—with it's calmer color scheme, and less flashy lights—was a spot where the Wheeler could feel calm.....or maybe that was because Steve was there.

Mike was quick to rush to the counter, ringing the bell as if the teenager behind it couldn't see him.  Robin Buckley, Steve's co-worker, gave an un-amused expression before calling for the very boy they were here to see, "Hey, dingus, your children are here.  As well as your girlfriend."

The glass window behind Robin flew open, and Steve came into view, looking rather annoyed as he stared at the familiar group of kids.  Ever since they found out Steve worked at the mall, they'd forced him to sneak them into things—more specifically, the movie theater—using passage ways only he could get into.  He'd let it slide, the kids claiming this was the only time, but once turned into twice, turned into thrice, and now, it was a weekly habit. "Again? Seriously?" 

Mike didn't answer, instead hitting the bell.  The older Wheeler smacked his shoulder for being annoying, and ushered them to follow after Steve, who'd opened the door for them to get to the break room of Scoops, which would lead them into the back tunnels—used for workers to easily access other stores—which would then get them into the theaters without any sort of ticket.

It was a smart idea, Carla could admit.

Steve held the door open, "I swear, if anybody hears about this—"

The four teens finished in unison, "We're dead!"

"You know where to find me!" Carla called to the group of four, who were quickly walking through the passage ways which they knew like the back of their hands—they'd done it that many times.

Steve let out a sigh, "I don't know why I keep letting them do this shit."

Carla shrugged, "It's because you love them."

"Not as much as I love you." Steve replied, causing his girlfriend to give a small laugh at his words.  The Wheeler wrapped her arms around his neck, the Harrington sliding his fingers through the belt loops of her jean shorts, both in an attempt to pull the other closer.  They met their goal as their lips finally connected.

Since both Steve and Carla now had jobs taking up their summers, they tried to spend as much time as they could together when possible.  That also meant cherishing every moment they did get together, including every kiss.

It had been a year and a half since they officially got together, and Carla couldn't be happier.  This was their first summer together, and even if they were both busy working, she was still set on spending it with him. That was another reason she'd accepted becoming the kid's car pooler; she could get more time with her boyfriend.

Whenever the kids would run off, she'd make her way to Scoops to visit him.  It usually gave them an hour or two of more time together, and she'd take that any day over no time at all.  If it were up to Carla, she'd spend all her time with the Harrington, but that's not how life worked.  She had a job, and so did he.

So this would have to make do for the time being.

Carla was the first to pull away—not that she truly wanted to. She just knew that Robin would start getting annoyed if Steve didn't return sooner or later.  "As much as I want to stay here, you have to get back to work, sailor."

"Not you too." Steve rolled his eyes fondly at the nickname she'd used, causing the girl to slightly laugh again.  Working at Scoops was already a chore, but the fact that he had to wear a stupid uniform made it all the worse.  He hated the costume. "I swear, Robin is rubbing off on you in the wrong ways."

"Robin's not that bad." Carla replied. Though she hadn't truly spent enough time with the girl to really get to know her, from the few conversations they'd shared, Carla had come to the conclusion that Robin was pretty alright and definitely not as unbearable as Steve made her out to be.  "I'm sure if you really put in the effort, you could be friends."

"Sure." Steve replied, before grabbing her hand, "What do you say about some chocolate ice cream?"

"Sounds great." Carla smiled fondly at the boy, allowing him to lead her back to the main area of Scoops.  As per usual, she pushed herself on to the small counter behind where Robin was, leaning against the foggy window paneling.

Steve was quick to grab a cone and began to scoop chocolate ice cream, Robin attending to the customers in front of the counter when all of a sudden, the lights went out.  Carla's brows furrowed together as she stared up at the lights.  Odd.

Steve stated the obvious, "That's weird."  

He then walked over to the light switch, flicking it up and down in the hopes that the lights would return at his touch.  Robin gave a 'I can't believe you're dating this idiot', sort of glance towards the Wheeler girl, taking a stance in front of her. "That isn't gonna work, dingus."

"Oh, really?" Steve countered, proceeding to rapidly flick the light switch up and down.  Carla watched with an unsure expression as the brunette boy continued to make an attempt.  Just when it seemed like Steve would have to admit to looking like a total dumb ass, he flipped the switch to on and as if nothing had happened, the lights switched back on.

"Let there be light." the Harrington eyed his co-worker down with a smug expression as he spoke, who sent back the usual eye roll his way.  As the Buckley returned to the customers at hand, Steve crossed back to his girlfriend, handing over her cone, "It's on me, as always."

"Steve, I'm gonna end up robbing you blind." Carla slightly laughed, her boyfriend pressing a quick kiss to her cheek with a shrug.  He then went back to attending to customers, the Wheeler sitting at the counter watching like she had been doing.

This is how she'd been spending her summer.  Work, car-pool, ice cream and repeat.  Carla didn't mind how repetitive it was at all.  She liked the simplicity of it, really.  Everything was what she wanted it to be; normal.

Little did she know, her summer was just about to be flipped upside down—literally.

mara's misc!

and that's chapter one for you!

i'm already loving the season three vibes, but it feels so funky to be writing for starcourt.  i'm still in the 'i can't believe i'm writing for s3' phase so...

that's actually the only chapter for episode one (💀)......

enjoy carla's final moments of peace bc the mind flayer is about to pull the rug...

anyway, hope you enjoyed <3 see you back for chapter two!