𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗. 𝟏

DAPHNE HARGROVE was absolutely not a person who liked change, and moving to a whole new place to "start over," as her father said was a big change. It was needless to say she hated this situation. She wished she could've stayed in California longer, something about that place comforted her like nothing else. Maybe because it was the only place she once felt truly happy at.

Hawkins, Indiana was a dud compared to California. But Daphne just had to wait 2 years more and then she'd be on her way to NYU (if she got in) or back to California, just anywhere she wouldn't have to see the faces of Billy Hargrove and Neil Hargrove every day. She wanted to be as far away from them as possible. She was lucky enough to have her own room in the new house, she'd have some privacy at least. When Neil first brought Susan and Maxine to their house back in California, he immediately informed Daphne that she'd have to share her room with Max.

She couldn't exactly protest so she just pretended that Max didn't exist; avoiding her as much as she could. Daphne wasn't about to get attached to anyone due to the aftermath of her mother's disappearance, everyone was bound to leave anyway. She had herself and that was enough. Daphne believed that human beings were only selfish, they'd show their true colors when you'd least expect it.

She was okay with being alone if it meant avoiding getting hurt again.

"Get out in five or I'm leaving!" Billy banged on the door to Daphne's room making her roll her eyes. Knowing that he would actually leave if she wasn't out in five, Daphne finished her look consisting of a grey full sleeve turtle neck under an oversized black graphic tee, she left her dyed red hair open, wore combat boots and purple sunglasses. Grabbing her rugged and overly-used bag, the girl left the house to find Billy waiting in his Camaro along with Max in the backseat.

Daphne sat in the passenger seat and without any more waiting, Billy took off in full speed. The red-head just kept her eyes straight, not interested in anything, "You're gonna skate your way to the middle school from high school." Billy said, addressing his words to Max, "Okay, whatever."

Daphne just took out her walkman and started listening to her favorite songs. Her taste in music was much better than Billy's, who was only interested in metal rock. In a matter of minutes, thanks to Billy's fast driving, the three had reached Hawkins High and Max immediately got out, skating to her middle school.

"Once we're inside, I don't know you and you don't know me, you got that? I don't even wanna be seen with you." Daphne clearly stated before getting out of the car without waiting for Billy to respond, "As if I'd wanna be seen with you as well!" Billy yelled, prompting a middle finger from his sister who kept walking with her back facing him.

Steve Harrington and Nancy Wheeler were in the boy's car, watching the scene unfold. Steve's eyes followed the figure of the unknown red-head who had a very unique fashion sense. It was something fresh to see in a place like Hawkins, although he could only see her back. Nancy simply glanced at the two new students and got out of the car.

Daphne entered the hallways of her new high school, navigating her way to the Principal's office to get her schedule, "Here is your schedule, Ms. Hargrove. This is Chris Jenkins, President of the student council, he'll be taking you to your class." The principal said referring to the blonde boy standing at the door.

The two left the office, "Hi, I'm Chris." Chris said while extending his hand to shake, the girl only looked at it carelessly, "DeeDee." That was all she said before starting to walk a little faster. When they reached the first class, which turned out to be Biology and Chris followed the girl inside, having the same class. "Welcome Ms. Daphne."

"It's DeeDee. I prefer DeeDee."

"Alright. You can take the seat in front of Steve, raise your hand please, Steve."

A boy with brown, kinda-messy-but-not hair, raised his hand from the last seat in the row near the window as Daphne went and took her seat in front of him. After she settled in her seat she took out a book and started writing something completely unrelated to what was being taught in class.

"psst. Hey, you new here?" Daphne was distracted from what she was doing because of the boy's question. Steve was unusually curious about the girl, she just seemed so different. "It's obvious, isn't it, dumbass?" Daphne rudely replied which annoyed Steve. He wasn't interested anymore, "Jerk." The boy whispered loud enough for the red-head to hear, "Do you have a death wish? Because I won't hesitate to beat the shit outta you." The look on Daphne's face was calm but there was a slight clench of jaw that Steve noticed. She was angry but she let it go after that and turned back.

Never mind, Steve was curious again.

When it came to lunch break, Daphne just took a sandwich and went to the rooftop. She wanted to sit alone and let her thoughts run wild. Unfortunately, someone else was up there as well, foiling the former's plans.

"Hey new girl, heard you were quite rude to my friend, Chris." A girl wearing a loose tee and dark blue jeans with curly, messy hair said.

"This place is just filled with annoying people. So? Is that gonna be a problem? Because I can give you a solution; I don't care." Daphne's words were by a sigh and a lazy glance at the girl.

"No, actually, it was fun to watch him whine about it." The girl's words made Daphne smirk and chuckle a bit, "And she has emotions!" that led the red-head to inhale deeply and return back to her poker face.

"You're gonna bother me." Daphne sighed.

"Oh, I'm gonna bother you a lot."

"I'm Emma. Emma Waters and I'm gonna be your friend even though you don't look like you want one."

Daphne groaned half-heartedly, not finding it in herself to hate this situation completely, "Why on earth does it have to be me..."

"Well, you seem cool, DeeDee."

The girl looked at Emma confusedly, "I was in Biology with you, I sat like, right beside you, damn girl you really ain't aware of what happens around you, are you?"

"You have a death wish?"

Little did Daphne know that this was the start of something new.

─── ❝ 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 ❞ ───

Since I've started this book during my exams, my updates might be a little inconsistent, so I apologize in advance. But I'll try to update by the below mentioned date! Until then, comment what you think was the best moment from this chapter, or what your theory is as to what will happen in the next chapter!

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫! 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!

Next update: 23-04-2021