𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑾𝑶

❛ Hello, ladies! ❜

❦

Steve's eyes land on Malia's face first even though his new girlfriend is a few steps in front of her.

"Malia!" He calls, perking the ears of some of the teenagers around, each of them staring over at the girl.

Her jaw sets and she glares through her eyelashes before making her way down the school corridor and over to his shitty friend group.

Finally, Steve notices his girlfriend's slightly offended face and his eyes widen for a split-second before snatching the revision cards from her hand to distract her.

"I think you've studied enough, Nance." He grumbles, flicking over the flash cards, "I'm telling you, you know, you got this. Don't worry." He slips the pieces of paper into his back pocket, "Now, on to more important matters." His eyes flick over to Malia, silently telling her to actually listen to what he's about to say, "My dad has left town on a conference and my mum's gone with him, 'cause, you know, she doesn't trust him. So are you two in?" He points between his best friend and his girlfriend, head tilted slightly.

"No." Malia deadpans, earning a stern glare.

Nancy glances over at her in confusion, before turning to face Steve again, eyebrows furrowed. She hasn't caught onto his idea.

"In for what?"

Carol sighs heavily, leaning against the wall behind her, "No parents? Big house?"

Nancy purses her lips, "A party? It's Tuesday."

Even though she knows Nancy doesn't like her, Malia leans forward slightly so her lips are just by her ear, "That's exactly why you shouldn't go. Don't let these dickheads make you do something you don't wanna do." She whispers, only looks enough for Nancy to hear.

"Malia, will you stop?" Steve snaps, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her away from his girlfriend in annoyance, "It'll be low-key. It'll just be us. What do you say? Are you in or are you out?"

"It's okay to say no." Malia mouths, roughly pushing Steve's arm off of her.

Carol straightens slightly, her face pulling up into a grimace, "Ugh. Look."

The whole group turns around, their eyes landing on Jonathan Byers while he pins flyers to a board, completely unaware of the teenagers judging him.

Malia's eyes soften slightly while she looks at him. Her heartbreaking for the poor boy. Last night, while Steve and her were watching Robin Hood, Will Byers had gone missing, causing his brother to worry, for obvious reasons.

"Should we say something?" Nancy enquires.

Carol shakes her head, "I don't think he speaks."

"How much you wanna bet he killed him?" Tommy Hagan chuckles.

Malia's jaw clenches, and she peers around Steve to glare at him angrily, "Shut the fuck up, Tommy. No one, not even Carol, finds you funny." She scoffs quietly before trudging towards Jonathan, ignoring Steve calling her name.

Gently, she taps on his shoulder, trying her hardest to ignore the extremely sad poster he was pinning.

"Hey." She gives him a genuine smile, which not many people had reviewed off the Malia Garcia.

Jonathan seems visually shocked by her kindness but still proceeds to take a small step back, which is understandable. He presses his lips into a line, and the corners lift slightly, "Hi."

"I'm sorry about everything." Malia swallows, "It's a horrible situation, and I, uh, hope that he comes home safe."

His eyes wander over her shoulder, at the group of teenagers she had previously been standing with. She follows his gaze, watching as Steve motions roughly for her to return but she shakes her head sternly before turning again.

Nancy appears by her side, a much brighter smile on her face than the one on Malia's and the darker haired girl takes that as her cue to leave.

Instead of returning to the group, she turns down the corridor, causing Steve Harrington to rush after her immediately, calling her name.

He slips by her side, "So. . . the party?"

"What about it, Steve?" She grumbles, "Why do I need to come? Nancy's gonna go because she doesn't want to disappoint you and your shitty friends always go. You don't need me, who hates everyone going and vice versa."

"First off, Tommy and Carol don't hate you. You've just damaged their ego slightly," He rolls his eyes, grabbing her worst firmly and pulling them to a stop, "Plus, you're my best friend, Mal. That's why you should come." He smirks, "Just come to mine tonight, okay? Pleaseeeee." He presses his palms together and waves them in front of her face, begging her.

She stares at him for a moment, hoping he'll change his mind on wanting her to be the there and when he pleads again she sighs, throwing her head back, "I fucking hate you, Steve."

He claps his hands and starts to walk back down the corridor towards Nancy who was watching their conversation from afar, "You know you love me!" He shouts, sending her one last smirk before dragging his girlfriend around the corner.

❦

Malia slides roughly into the back seat of Barbara Holland's car. Pure disgust spread across both of the brunette's faces, neither of them wanting to be remotely close to the other.

But, a bright smile beams across Barb's cheeks and her eyes flick up to the rear view mirror so she can see Malia's grumpy face, "So, how long have you and Steve known each other?" She questions, kindness lacing her tone.

Apparently, it was the ginger girl's idea for them to pick up Malia for Steve's party. When she first picked up the call offering her a car ride, she was extremely confused and then when she heard Nancy's rude and obnoxious muttering in the back ride, she immediately accepted, just to spite the girl.

Unlike Malia, Barb is slightly worried about the whole 'Will is missing' situation, and wants to make sure no one else disappears.

"Since we were about four," Malia shrugs.

She hums in understanding, "Was he always so. . ."

"Annoying? Such a dickhead?"

"No," She chuckles gently, "just. . . douchey."

Malia smirks, sitting up slightly straighter in the back seat, "I like you Barb, why aren't we friends?"

"Because you're rude." Nancy snaps from the passenger's seat, "And just as annoying as Steve. Barb, pull over here."

After rolling her eyes and refraining from shooting insults back at Nancy, Malia glances around at the cars surrounding, her eyebrows slowly furrowing.

"You do realise his house is three blocks further down, right?" She says, watching as Nancy nods and fumbles while pulling a handbag over her head, "So, why are we here?"

Despite Hawkins being a shitty town, it was surprisingly large. It could take you hours just to walk across town. Something Malia hates, hence why she used Steve as her chauffeur.

"We can't park in the driveway," Nancy mutters, applying lipstick onto her lips, "The neighbours might see."

Malia's mouth falls open in astonishment and confusion before she slumps
back into her seat, her hand running through her hair while she tries to grasp onto why Nancy is so worried.

"This is so stupid. I'm dropping you both off at his house." Barb lowers her hand to the gear stick but it's smacked roughly away by her best friend.

"Barb, come on. You promised that you'd go. You're coming." She shoots a large smile over to the girl, "We're gonna have a great time."

Malia snorts, grabbing both their attention immediately, "You've clearly never been to a 'party' at Steve Harrington's house then. I told you that you shouldn't have came. It's gonna be shit."

"Thank you!" Barb squeals, "Nance, he just wants to get in your pants!"

The brown haired girl in the back purses her lips, leaning forward slightly, "That part I kinda disagree with. Steve actually likes you, for what reason. . . I don't know but he does." She shrugs, "Though he probably is expecting to have sex with you tonight."

"Malia, shut up." Nancy snaps, "You shouldn't even be here in the first place so don't start getting involved in our conversations."

"If you're gonna bicker in front of me, expect me to join." She spits.

Nancy groans, "Plus, Tommy H and Carol are gonna be there."

Barb tilts her head, "Tommy and Carol have been having sex since, like, seventh grade. It'll probably just be, like, a big orgy."

"Gross." Nancy sighs, "Alright, look, you can be, like, my guardian, okay? Make sure I don't get drunk and do anything stupid."

Malia blows air into her cheeks in boredom before clapping her hands together and pushing open the car door, following after the two other girls.

She throws her head back in annoyance when they start to trek up the hill, "I don't understand why we can't just drive up there!"

Rudely, she gets ignored but she can see Barb chuckling quietly before receiving a harsh elbow into her side from Nancy, who clearly doesn't appreciate her best friend laughing at her 'enemy'.

When they finally reach his house, Malia pushes past the arguing best friend and knocks her knuckles against the Harrington household's massive door. The two girls behind her were fighting over who was to knock, pissing off the darker haired one.

Suddenly, the door swings open and she breaths a sigh or relief, knowing that she's finally able to escape the harsh wrath of Nancy Wheeler glaring holes into her head.

Steve Harrington stands in front of them, a large smirk on his face and his hand resting on his hip. His gaze flicks between the three girls, causing his lips to lift even further up at the genuine disgust spread across his best friend's face.

"Hello, ladies."

Malia cusses him out before shoving her shoulder against his to enter his large home, slinging off her small coat and hanging it on the usual hanger.

He rolls his eyes at her, watching as she trudges down the hallway and into the kitchen as if she owns the place. Once she's out of his eyesight, he turns back towards Nancy and Barb, stepping aside to let them in.

"Ignore Mal," He chuckles, "She's been annoyingly grumpy lately," He lowers his voice slightly, "She was fired."

"I heard that! And no one was supposed to know about that!" She shouts while getting herself a can of beer from the fridge before slamming it shut to prove her annoyance.

He laughs, stepping into the kitchen with Nancy and Barb at either side of him, "Jeez, Nance what did you do?" He teases.

"Me?" She gasps, "I— I didn't—"

He lets out a laugh, holding his hand out to stop her rambling, "Don't worry. I was joking."

The group of noisy teenagers make their way into the back garden, where the pool is situated. Malia, Nancy and Barb sit down on a few deck chairs while Tommy and Carol continue to mess around with each other.

A few moments later, Steve steps out, a beer can in one hand and a cigarette balancing behind his eat while he pulls out a pen knife, pressing the tip of it into the side of the beer.

He brings the can up to his lips and let's the alcohol flow down his throat in a quick moment, causing Nancy to blush and Malia to grimace.

"Show off," She grumbles as he sits on the chair between the two girls.

Nancy smirks, sitting up slightly, "Are you trying to impress me?"

He places the cigarette between his lips and stares at her for a moment, eyebrows furrowed, "You're not?" He mumbles.

"You're a cliché, you do realise that?" She smiles.

"You are a cliché," He flicks on his lighter, "What with your. . . your grades and your band practice."

Nancy laughs awkwardly, shaking her head in denial, "I'm so not in band."

Steve rolls his eyes, throwing his pack of cigarettes and lighter into Malia's lap after noticing her bored face before facing his girlfriend again.

"Okay, party girl. Why don't you just, uh, show us how it's done then?" He tilts his head, holding out a can of beer and pocket knife.

Malia sighs heavily, a freshly lit cigarette now between her fingers, while Nancy takes the items and slowly stands up, inspecting the things in her hands.

"You gotta make a little hole right in—" Steve begins, but is immediately cut short.

"I got it." She purses her lips.

Tommy pulls Carol into his chest, laughing, "Yeah, she's smart, you douche!"

As the group start to chant while Nancy attempts to chug the beer, Malia realises why she's never been friends with Tommy and Carol. Even though they seem like they're cheering for Nancy, in reality, they're snickering behind her back.

Nancy throws the can to ground carelessly, letting out a quiet cough before glancing over at her best friend.

"Barb, you wanna try?" She offers.

Barb's eyes go wide, "What? No." Her head shakes when Nancy starts to pick up another can, "No, I don't want to. Thanks."

"Come on. . ." Nancy smirks, holding the beer out to her, "It's fun."

"Yeah, come on!" Steve sits up, nodding enthusiastically.

Malia smacks his back harshly, causing him to whirl round and hiss at her in annoyance. She sends him a warning glance and he nods slowly, turning around again.

"Just— just give it a shot." Nancy curls Barb's fingers around the beer before pulling her up.

The ginger girl sighs heavily, "Okay."

Malia purses her lips and moves onto Steve's decking chair to sit beside him and be closer to the daring girl. He glances over at her and they both share a look of shock before blowing out the smoke from their cigs.

"So, you just. . ." The knife jolts in Barb's hand and it skims across the metal, instead cutting into her palm, "Ow."

Nancy jumps forward, "Are you okay? Barb, you're bleeding."

"I'm fine," She snaps, averting her gaze to Steve, "Where's your bathroom?"

He stands up, "Oh, it's— it's, uh, down past the kitchen, to the left."

Malia pats his shoulder before stepping closer to Barb and nodding for her to follow, "I'll show you and help clean your hand up."

The two girl's reach the large bathroom and Malia pulls open the cabinets below the sink, pulling out a box of wipes and laying them on the counter, allowing Barb to get the required amount.

"You and Nancy been friends for long?" Malia breaks the awkward silence, leaning on the door frame and wanting the ginger girl clean her wound.

"Most of our lives." She hums quietly.

As the pair break off into a more interesting conversation, back at the pool, Tommy is harshly pushing Carol into the water, causing Nancy's eyes to widen in surprise and a series of laughs to pass Steve's lips.

Tommy dives in after his girlfriend, wrapping an arm around her waist before beckoning his best friend in.

Steve smirks, pressing a single hand against Nancy's back and sending her flying into the water, a shrill shriek flowing out of  her mouth.

His head whips back to the house after noticing the absence of Malia.

"Mal!" He calls loudly, "MAL! Get out here!"

While his friends squeal in the pool, he waits for a few more moments for his best friend but Nancy calls his name and he sighs heavily before diving in beside her.

"Whoo!"

❦

Malia's and Barb's laughing is cut short when the group of teenagers they were previously with, jog past the open bathroom door and up the stairs.

"Nance," Barb jogs out of the room, "Nancy!"

Her best friend comes to a stop on the stairs, hugging the towel tighter around her body, indicating that they'd been in the pool fully clothed.

"Where are you going?" Barb questions.

"Nowhere," Nancy nods her head behind her, "Just. . . upstairs. To change." She opens the towel slightly, revealing her soaked clothes, "I. . . fell in the pool."

Barb nods and her eyes wander sadly to the floor, causing Malia's eyebrows to furrow while she leans against the stair's banister, watching their interaction.

"Why don't you go ahead and go home." Nancy nods, noticing her best friend's sad face, "I'll just— I'll get a ride or something."

"Nance. . ."

"Barb. . ." She bites her lip, "I'm fine."

"This isn't you."

Nancy sighs, "I'm fine." She repeats, "Just. . . go ahead and go home, okay?" She hops up the remaining stairs, leaving her best friend in silence.

Barb scoffs quietly, throwing her arms up in the air. Malia steps forward.

"Don't worry about her," She says, a gently smile against her lips, "Steve has her wrapped around his pinky finger. She's right, though. It'd probably best if you just drive yourself home, stay outta trouble."

Barb nods, "And you? You need a ride home?"

She shakes her head, "It's a bad idea for me to go home at this time. I'm supposed to be grounded." She grits her teeth, "I'll just sleep on the couch."

"You sure?"

She nods firmly before turning on her heels and heading to the living room, "I'm sure! I'll just have to plug my ears and hope that they aren't too loud." She smiles over her shoulder, "Bye, Barb. Hopefully, we'll talk again."