𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑬

❛ Tell me you didn't know! ❜

❦

As soon as she climbed through her bedroom window and reached her bathroom, Malia Gracia sobbed. She cried for what felt like hours while she dealt with her cuts, washing them under the tap before wrapping them in bandages that she found in a cabinet she hadn't even realised existed until now. There's no doubt that there's going to be scars, but her largest worry is explaining them. How the fuck do you tell people a monster dragged you around a forest floor of parallel dimension?

Facing Thomas and Steve was going to be a hard task, to say the least.

So, as another option, she threw on her brothers baggy sweater, balling the ends of the sleeves into her fists before curling into a ball in the middle of her bed, her headphones placed over her ears and loud music leaking into them from her cassette.

But, at the other side of Hawkins, down Nancy Wheeler's street, Steve's driving toward his girlfriend's house, his fingers trapping on the steering wheel while a song blasted from the radio.

In disgust, Carol leans forward from the backseat, resting her arm on the headrest of her boyfriend's seat, "I just don't understand why we're coming out here," She grumbles while chewing her gum so aggressively her jaw could snap any second, "She obviously doesn't wanna talk to you."

Steve shakes his head in denial, "That's— that's not it."

"Oh, really?" She rolls her eyes, "Because no girl would ever blow off King Steve."

"She was acting weird," Steve rolls his jaw, refraining from shouting at the girl over his shoulder, "I mean, something was wrong."

"So, what?" Carol scoffs, "Like, you're worried about her?"

"What?" Steve snaps quickly.

"Aw," She smirks, "You are. Aw, Steve has a heart."

Tommy laughs from the passenger seat, clapping his hands together to tease Steve further, "Ohh, Stevey's in love!"

Steve raises his voice, "Shut up!"

His two friends immediately fall silent, sharing a shocked expression before chuckling quietly. Steve bites his lip, now understanding Malia's hatred for the pair.

The car rolls to a stop and Tommy leans forward to look up at the massive house they're parked outside of, "So this is it, huh? Princess' castle."

Without saying a word, Steve steps out of the car, slamming the door shut to prove his anger before flicking his collar and jogging over the lawn towards his girlfriend's window.

Like usual, he struggles for a bit before finally reaching the garage roof and he smoothly runs his hands through his hair and pats his clothes down in preparation. After taking a deep breath, he moves closer to the window and his eyes flick through the panes, but his excited expression immediately drops at the sight.

Nancy and Jonathan hugging, on her bed.

His jaw ticks and his eyes harden while he stares for a few moments longer, secretly hoping they'd both turn around so that way he'd have an excuse to enter and beat the shit out of Jonathan, but they never did, just remained huddled together.

Muttering curse words laced with anger, he jumps off the garage roof, kicking the dirt below in the process before running back to the car. He slides back into the drivers seat, ignoring his friend's questions and annoying jokes while staring the car.

"Steve!" Tommy smacks his arm, "What happened, man? She break up with you?"

Steve shakes his head but continues to stay silent, his eyes on the road and his knuckles start to turn white from how hard he's squeezing the wheel. Finally, he speaks, but in a sharp tone, "I'm dropping you both off at the diner."

Carol's mouth falls open, "What?"

"I'm dropping you both off at the diner," He repeats sternly, "I need to go see Malia."

With a grunt, Tommy smacks his head back against the headrest in annoyance, "Glaring Garcia? I thought she was pissed at you as well. What is it with you and her?"

Somehow, Steve's jaw clenches harder and he swallows thickly, but doesn't say a word, just makes a right turn down to the diner. It's closed, but there's no way in hell that he's going to spend an hour driving around Hawkins just to drop them both off at opposite sides when they can easily get there themselves. It's selfish, but he has places to be.

After a few more minutes arguing, Carol and Tommy finally slink out of the car before opening their mouths to say one last word but Steve's already gone, his car roaring down the street of Hawkin's straight to Malia's house.

Malia hasn't moved an inch and her eyelids are squeezed shut. She's terrified. Terrified that when she opens them, that the monster is going to staring right back at her just like in the forest. She wants to go to sleep, but the images flashing through her mind refrain her from doing so.

Like most other people, she has had major nightmares before, the one where you're always looking over your shoulder for days after, but this was different. She was literally face-to-face with the creature that had murdered Barb, and most likely Will Byers.

"Please tell me you didn't know," A voice cracks from the corner of her room.

Malia shoots up, letting out a quiet yelp while throwing off her headphones in a hurry and crawling backwards on her bed until she hits the headboard. Her wide eyes land on Steve Harrington, his hands shoved into his pockets and his eyes fighting back tears.

He doesn't even bother to take notice to how scared she was at his entrance, and continues what he was saying, "Tell me you didn't know, Malia, please."

"Know what?" She swallows thickly, trying her hardest not to stutter.

"About Nancy and Jonathan." He says, taking a step forward, his nostrils flared with fury, "Tell me you didn't know!"

Malia flinches at his loud and harsh voice, and she prays that her brother or mum didn't hear, otherwise even more attention would be drawn to her. She stares at her best friend through the dim light of her room, a look on her face of complete shock.

Steve bites his lip, noticing the look. Usually, her gaze was gentle or moody, but never shocked or pained, but now it was. Once again though, he ignores it.

"Malia!" He hisses, "Tell me you didn't know."

Her lip quivers and she pushes the tears down, tightening her fists around her sleeves and pulling her duvet over her legs. Then finally, she shakes her head, "No." She whispers.

"You— you must've," He insists, beginning to pace her room while a single tear falls down his cheek, "I mean, is— is that why you two are friends now? Because she's cheating on me?"

Malia's mouth falls open, "Steve, you know I wouldn't do that to you."

"Do I?" He tilts his head, stopping and snapping his head in her direction, "You've been lying to me, Mal. Out of all my friends, I never thought you would be the one to lie to me." He watches as her face contorts into confusion, "You didn't have to help your brother with some shitty bio project today, did you? What were you doing instead?"

"I— I don't see how that's any of your concern," Malia snaps, "I am not your fucking girlfriend, Steve. You don't get to know every little detail about my life just because you want to." She scoffs, "You're literally never bothered about me, unless you want something or if Nancy's already rejected you." She grits her teeth, "Malia Garcia, always Steve Harrington's second choice."

He stares at her in shock, before profusely shaking his head, "No, Mal." His gaze softens slightly, "That's not true, like, at all. I'm just trying make sure you're okay because I care about you."

She raises an eyebrow, laughing in disbelief, "Well, you're doing shit job at caring." She licks her lips, eyes trailing down to her bedsheets, "Steve, just go. As seen as you came here to talk about Nancy, like always."

"She's my girlfriend." He states, "And you're my best friend. I want your input."

"My input? Steve, it's your relationship. I have nothing to do with it, and I don't care about it. If you're a shit boyfriend, that's your problem. You can't expect me to fix you, that's what Nancy should be doing."

He runs his hands through his hair, barely acknowledging a single word she said, "Yeah, well, I doubt we're going to be together for much longer."

"And you're telling me this why?" She purses her lips, "For the millionth time, I do not give a single fuck about your cliché relationship with Wheeler, Steve." She nods her head to her window, that he's rudely left open, "Now, leave."

"Malia?" He whispers, "What's going on with you."

"Oh," She scoffs, "Now you ask. Now that I'm telling you to piss off, you try and whoo me with your unexpected kindness so you can stay," She rolls her eyes, "Well, Steven, I've know you long enough to not fall for it. So . . . leave."

He stares at her in silence, his eyes wide and hands fiddling before he moves towards the window, realising she's not going to change her mind. He swallows thickly, looking over his shoulder at the last moment, "Sorry." He mumbles before climbing out.

With a groan, Malia falls onto her back and the tears start to spill at an accelerated speed and she doesn't even bother to stop them. They drip past her ears and onto her covers, most likely creating patches but she remains motionless and eventually she begins to fall asleep, water still sliding down her cheeks.

❥

Malia trudges down the street, her walkman blasting music into her ears like usual while she wears her brothers jumper and the longest pair of trousers she could possibly find. Her eyes stay trained on the sidewalk, only every raising to make sure she hasn't accidentally walked onto the road.

Nancy and Jonathan had requested for her to meet them outside the convenience store because they were going shopping for more monster hunting surprise. It took Malia a while to agree, especially after her last account with the creature, but none the less she agreed because whether she liked it or not she's officially involved.

She's late, but to be honest, she doesn't care. If what Steve said last night is true, Nancy and Jonathan are probably have the best time to together without her third wheeling.

"Nancy, wait!"

Malia's head shoots up at the Jonathan Byer's startled shout and she notices the pair running down the street towards the movie theatre, pure horror spread over Wheeler's face.

In confusion, Malia follows her gaze, her eyes landing on a horribly spray painted sign and she flicks her walkman off just to make sure the music isn't making her hallucinate.

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES —
starring Nancy THE SLUT Wheeler and Malia THE BACK STABBER Garcia

In seconds, Malia is at Nancy's side, still staring up at the writing with wide eyes and clenched fists, "Steve," Malia whispers in fury, realising exactly who's behind the horrific words.

Nancy glances at her for a second, before turning in circles to meet all the gazes of everyone walking by, their eyes all staring at the two brown haired girls in astonishment while they hiss words to their friends.

The shaking of a spray can causes Malia's eyes to prick up and she storms in the direction of the sound. She comes to an alley and she stops for a moment, her eyes resting on her best friend while he laughs and Tommy sprays more words on the side wall of the theatre. She hears Nancy right behind her and she starts to make her way over, her fingernails now digging into her palms, most definitely drawing blood.

"STEVEN FUCKING HARRINGTON!" She roars, causing their heads to snap in her direction instantly, "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Steve stares at her while she practically runs over with Nancy right on her heels, but he keeps his eyes on Malia's angry face. For some reason, he expected tears but all he can see is a feeling of pure betrayal and that's the last thing he wanted. He never agreed to Tommy's plan to make Malia hate him, he did for stupid revenge.

"Aw, hey, Garcia!" Carol calls, smirking.

In a second, Malia's fist has met Carol's cheek and the ginger girl is on the floor, screaming and crying while cradling the side of her face. Tommy jumps to her side, and he starts to shout. every insult under the sun but Malia takes no notice, just stares at Steve, who's eyes are wide in disbelief.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" She repeats, much quieter than previously.

He stays silent, just shoves his hands into his jacket pockets and his lip wobbles slightly.

She scoffs, "What, Harrington? Cat got your tongue? Usually you have so much shit to say, so why not now, huh?" She takes a step closer, but Nancy steps in first, taking over the interrogation.

Malia happily steps back, a smirk on her face when Nancy smacks Steve across his face. Carol continues to cry, but Tommy averts his gaze to the scene in front of him instead of helping his girlfriend up off the floor.

"What is wrong with you?" Nancy seethes.

"What is wrong with me?" Steve snaps, finally speaking up, "What is wrong with you? I was worried about you. I can't believe that I was actually worried about you."

Nancy stares at him for a moment in astonishment, her eyebrows furrowing, "What are you talking about?"

"I wouldn't lie if I were you." Another unknown girl steps forward, "You don't want to be known at the lying slut now, do you?"

Malia rolls her jaw and takes a step closer to the girl, who almost instantly moves back, swallowing thickly with eyes wide in fear.

"Speak of the devil," Tommy mumbles, nodding his head towards Jonathan, who's stood awkwardly behind Malia.

Nancy begins to piece the parts together, sighing in realisation, "You came by last night?" At the silence, she moves forward slightly, "Look, I don't know what you think you saw, but it wasn't like that."

"What, you just let him into your room to. . . study?" Steve grunts.

Tommy nods, ignoring his sobbing girlfriend once again, "Or for another pervy photo session?"

"Shut the fuck up." Malia snaps in his direction, her palms smacking against his chest and sending him flying backwards into a pile of trash and he lets out a few groans but doesn't speak another word.

"Look, Steve, we were just—"

"You were just what? Finish that sentence." He slows his words and lowers his tone, "Finish the sentence."

Nancy's breathing picks up and her eyes flick over to Malia who's still glaring at Tommy with a harmful glare and her fists balled at her sides. Nancy swallows thickly, shaking her head gently.

Steve scoffs, "Go to hell, Nancy."

Jonathan grabs Malia and Nancy's arms, beginning to drag them back down the alleyway but Steve takes ahold of his wrist that's holding Malia and pulls it away roughly.

"Y'know, Byers, I'm kinda impressed," He snaps, sending a shove to his shoulder, "I always took you for a queer, but I guess you're just a little screw-up like your father."

The trio continue to walk away, but Malia's mind is screaming at her to whip around and send the hardest punch she can muster to Steve's face.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, that house is full of screw-ups." Steve continues to make fun of him, shoving his back again, "You know, I guess I shouldn't really be surprised. A bunch of screw-ups in your family."

Jonathan comes to a stop, along with Malia. Nancy turns to look at them, "Guys, leave it."

"I'm not even surprised what happened to your brother. I'm sorry that I'm the one that has to tell you, but the Byers, their family, it's a disgrace to the entire—"

Steve's horrible words are cut short when Jonathan whirls round and sends a rough punch directly at Steve's face, causing him to stumble to the side. A fight begins to break out, and Malia just watches with her hands on her hips.

She hates to watch her best friend get completely beaten by anyone, especially Jonathan Byers, but she can't help but feel like this time he deserves it slightly. Never once does he actually listen or let anyone plead their case, he just presumes and never forgets.

Nancy starts to shout when blood starts to trickle from nearly every feature on Steve's face and she screams at Malia to help but , like usual, she's ignored. For a while it did seem like Steve was winning until Jonathan got the upper hand and had the opportunity to straddle him and just continually punch his face.

The sound of police sirens cause Malia to shoot forward and drag Jonathan off her best friend and she pulls him away.

"Jonathan, stop!" She yells, "I don't need to get fucking arrested again!" But, she's thrown to the side and her back hits somebody's chest.

She turns slowly, and mentally curses at the face staring down at her. Calvin Powell. He cocks his head to the side, gripping her arms and pushing her to the side gently before rushing to Steve and Jonathan. With the strength of two police officers, Jonathan is finally dragged off Steve and handcuffs are locked onto his wrists while the other boy is led away.

"Powell, look, I can explain—" Malia starts, not at all fazed by the scene in front of her.

Calvin shakes his head, "No, Malia! Shut up! Let me guess, you started this?"

"What?" She gasps, watching as Jonathan is shoved into the police car, "No, I— I—"

Calvin slams the door shut before motioning towards a still cowering Carol. Malia follows his finger before sighing and hanging her head.

"Fine. I did punch her first." She grumbles, "But I had nothing to do with the Jonathan and Steve thing."

He tilts his head, walking around the car, and opening the other door, "Just like you had nothing to do with the Chloe Malton thing?" He beckons her over, "Get in."

"For fucks sake." She mumbles, but still lowers herself down into the car, sending the man one last glare before he slams the car shut.

__________________

i was playing in a footy tournament the other week and got a ball booted in my face from a metre away. i lost sight in my left eye for a few days lmao and my doctor advised i had less time on my phone

also if your british what the actual fuck was the weather on friday. why was it 30 bloody degrees?!?