chapter one

high school sucks

☆

AN ANNOYED GROAN sounded from the back of Alexandra's throat as a loud, incessant banging on her bedroom door echoed. The red-head hastily threw her cigarette out the window before slamming the panning shut, her hand grasped at the shoulder of her jacket as she tugged it up her arm.

She pulled her bedroom door open only to be greeted with an expectant Dustin. "What the fuck, Dustin?" She snapped. "I was sleeping. What do you want?"

Dustin's eyes narrowed on his sister before they swiftly travelled around her room. "Liar. Do you have any quarters?"

"I'm not lying, jackass," she rolled her eyes, ignoring his question, eliciting in the younger Henderson to barge past his sister, pushing himself into her room as he began to search for said money. "Uh—hey, asshole!" She slapped his hand away from her desk as he began shaking tins in search of quarters. "I don't have any, fuck off!"

    She tugged at his shoulder, pulling him out of her room earning a series of ow's to fall from Dustin's lips. "Mom, can you please tell your son to get out of my room? Jesus."

   "Dusty, leave your sister alone," Claudia Henderson mindlessly called out from her seat on the couch as she ignored the background clatter coming from her children as she stroked Mews who was curled up on her lap.

    Dustin huffed as his sister released her hold on him. "Son of a bitch," he cursed hastily when Alex sent him a smug look. "I hope you know that you look like an old lady . . . the grey in your hair," he shook his head mockingly, "Looks like shit."

    "Thanks Dusty," she retorted sardonically. "You look like a shrivelled mouse. Now fuck off," she shoved him off of her door frame before slamming the door shut. The older teen grabbed a-hold of the tin box sitting atop her dresser and swiftly moved towards her wardrobe, reaching up on her tip-toes she placed the box of quarters on the top of the wardrobe before shoving it back and out of reach.

A satisfied smiled made its way onto her face before she steered out of her room. She pulled the necklace from around her neck and grabbed the key that loosely hung from it—swiftly locking the door before she made her way to the kitchen.

    The red-head then grabbed a box of Lucky Charms, sauntering over to the couch, she slumped her body down into the pillows. 

    "Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch!" Dustin cursed as he threw the cushions off of the couch and onto the floor as he continued his search. The youngest Henderson made a noise of annoyance, slowly followed by an irritated shriek as he stormed into the living room where his mom and sister resided.

    He headed to the couch that his sister sat at, before he knocked her to the floor—her ass hit the ground harshly causing a pained groan to slip from Alexandra's lips, eliciting in her to turn and whack her brother with the Lucky Charms box. Claudia Henderson was too engrossed by the news on the TV to take note of the bickering coming from her two children behind her as she continued to stroke Mews on her lap.

    "Asshole!" Alexandra shrieked, continuing to whack him as he pulled the cushions from the base of the couch—carelessly letting them hit the floor, the odd few hitting Alex. Dustin's face lit up as his eyes set on some sort of coin before he picked it up in excitement.

    Dustin's smile dropped and disappointment covered his features, causing his arm to shoot out as he threw the penny across the room. "Another stupid penny!" He complained, huffing in annoyance as he moved to the other side of the couch, carrying on with his search.

    "Dusty, watch it!" Claudia complained, pulling her eyes from the TV screen as she sent her son a look. "You almost hit Mews." As the words left her lips said cat ran off of her lap, heading straight to Alexandra as she curled up on her legs.

    Dustin ignored his mother's complaints and sent her an exasperated look. "Can I please check under your cushions?"

    "Dusty," Claudia sent him a pointed glance.

    "Mom, please? It's an emergency!" Dustin urged, clasping his hands together in a pleading motion,

    Claudia made a noise of annoyance, which Dustin reciprocated before she hesitantly lifted herself from the couch, heading towards her daughter who was still seated on the floor—the ginger cat snuggled in her lap.

    Claudia picked her up, stroking back the orange toned fur, "Who's your buddy? Who's your buddy?" A sad look pulled over Claudia's face as the cat jumped from her arms and back onto Alexandra's legs. "She likes you more than me now." She looked back down at the cat with a huff, "Can't you go back to hating her?"

    A teasing smile pulled at Alex's lips as she glanced up at her mother. "No can do, Madre, I'm too amazing for her to hate," the red-head quipped just as her brother rose up from the couch he was checking, he clutched the newly found quarter in his hand and turned to his sister with raised eyebrows.

    "I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Ginger, you are so easy to hate," Dustin propped a hand on his hip, sending her a look. "For example, where's Harrington? He used to hang 'round here all the time. And now? Now zilch," he made a weird gesture with his hands. "He hates you, see? Easy to hate."

    "Do you like having your teeth, Dustin—"

    "Love you, Mom," Dustin cut in loudly, silencing his sister as he sent her his middle finger before running out of the house.

   "Alright," Alex pursed her lips as she moved Mews off of her lap and passed her to her Mom. "I'm gonna go meet Deena, you need anything?"

    "Oh, we'll be fine," Claudia answered, smiling up at her daughter before she smoothed over her pillows and sat back down in her armchair. "Don't be out too late, okay?"

    "Yes, Mom," Alex drawled as she disappeared down the hallways. Don't be out late, my ass.

☆

    Deena Ritchie and Alexandra Henderson were every parents worst nightmares. They snuck out almost every night, meeting in parks at the sketchy part of town to do either one of two things. Smoke or drugs. And while they didn't care for their education, they did at the same time, to an extent, anyway. The game plan was be super smart, get a good job ( which was less than likely, considering the day and age ), and get out of the hell that is Hawkins, Indiana.

Hawkins was cursed. Deena and Alex could swear on it. With the shit they'd seen, and lived through, you'd think they were in a horror film. Because that's what it felt like. And after seeing all those familiar faces at school, the two knew who they'd offer up to sacrifice in order to save their own asses.

Alexandra and Deena made their way up to the school. They weren't in a good mood. God, Alexandra didn't think her day could get any worse than it already was, but turns out it could. Deena nudged her in the arm as they approached the school parking lot. Alex looked up, shielding her eyes from the blaring morning sun as she looked toward whatever it was Deena was pointing at.

    "What am I looking at exactly?" Alex squinted some more, passing off the last half of her cigarette to Deena.

    The Ritchie teen angled her head to her best friend and scoffed, placing the cigarette between her lips she used her free hands to turn Alexandra's body. "That," Deena gestured to in front of her.

    Alex rolled her eyes at the sight of Nancy and Steve sitting in the latter's car. "Ew," the Henderson teen muttered.

    "Ew exactly," Deena muttered, pushing her sunglasses up her nose to hide her red eyes. "Have you spoken to him yet?"

    "Nope," Alexandra answered simply, grabbing the cigarette from Deena as they leant against a bike rack.

    "Are you gonna?"

    "Nope."

    "Not even a—"

    "Have you spoken to Robin yet?" Alexandra shot back, raising her eyebrows expectantly. Deena narrowed her eyes at her.

    "Touché, asshole," Deena grumbled under her breath, opening her mouth to retort something before the deep rumble of a car engine cut her off.

    The loud screech of tires against the ground caused Alex and Deena to lift their heads at the noise. As the car came to a stop the driver's side door swung open, revealing a guy wearing tight denim jeans and a jacket to match.

    Alex pursed her lips as she and Deena watched the new guy with curious, judging eyes. "Tell me I'm not the only one who hates the whole denim on denim thing," Alex spoke, turning to face Deena before she threw the butt of her cigarette to the ground.

    "You're not the only one," Deena agreed, blocking out the excited whispers of teen girls around them as they joyfully stared at the unknown blond guy as he stretched out his arms; flexing the muscles that resided under his denim jacket.

    "Tacky," Alexandra murmured as she and Deena pushed themselves up from the bicycle rack, moving to head inside the school.

    "Extremely tacky," Deena nodded, bored eyes watching as the blond shamelessly let his gaze follow after the curly haired teen. Alexandra let out a snort at the attention on Deena and nudged her best friend when the blond sent the Ritchie teen a curt nod, a smirk forming on his lips around the cigarette that loosely hung from his mouth.

    "You know, you have been a little asshole recently, maybe a good—"

    "Don't start, man. One word comes out of your mouth and I'll ditch you like Harrington did," Deena grumbled under her breath, shooting the Henderson a pointed glance.

    Alexandra whistled, placing her hand on her heart dramatically, "Ouch."

☆

    Alex wanted to straight up die. Education was seriously not needed for her—she and school didn't mix. It wasn't a good environment for her, she simply would've been better off slowly dying in her bed.

    It had only been one lesson of the day and she was already over it. First period had been a drag. Honestly ( and she could not stress this enough )—education was not for her, and the worst part about it? She didn't even have Deena in that lesson.

    But soon after, her prayers had been answered when an irritated Deena slumped her body against the Henderson's locker. Alex turned to the Ritchie teen with raised eyebrows as a bright orange sheet of paper was held in her face.

    "We're going," Deena stated, nodding at her own words as she stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets.

    "Let's get sheet-faced," Alex recited the words on the paper in a deadpanned tone, clicking her tongue she met Deena's eye as she slammed her locker shut. "Music, drugs and alcohol. I'm sold."

    "Ah, great minds," Deena tapped her finger against her temple as her eyes drifted down the hallway upon hearing a high pitched screech, soon followed by a giggle. A snort fell from her mouth as she watched Steve and Nancy stood by the latter's lockers, making out. "Romeo and Juliette are back again, how sweet," she hummed sarcastically.

    Alex scoffed as she turned to face them and let out an eyeroll. "That's actually disgusting to watch," she muttered, pulling her eyes onto something that didn't make her want to rip her eyeballs from their sockets.

    "Jealousy's not a good look on you, Ginger," Deena smiled mockingly.

    "I'm not jealous of that," Alex let out a laugh of disbelief. "It's gross, I mean, come on, we're in school, man. Too much PDA for my liking. Jeez."

    "Such a liar. Juno thinks that—"

    "What Juno thinks doesn't matter," Alex rose her brows. "She's delusional, I'm telling you. She insists me and Harrington are meant to be—you know what? No. We're not doing this again. We're gonna be late for History."

    "Since when do you care if we're late or not?" Deena asked, raising a brow.

   "Since now," Alexandra muttered, sending her another look before she walked in the classroom—Deena slowly on her trail.

    The two sat at their usual spots at the back, while Steve slowly entered the room—taking his seat nearer the front with a huff. As he slumped his body down on his chair, he sighed jadedly, turning as he glanced around the room as though that would cure the boredom that seeped through his body.

    When his eyes caught sight of Alex doodling something on her hand he pursed his lips as Deena pulled a face at his obvious stare. Creep. He turned his head awkwardly, the thump of boots hitting the, most likely unclean, floor saving him from the embarrassment of being caught staring.

    As another student entered the room, everyone's attention peaked at the unfamiliar face. The introduction went over Alex and Deena's head as they talked amongst themselves, ignoring Miss Click's voice as she seated new boy, Billy Hargrove in the spare seat besides Steve as Tammy Thompson was off sick for the day.

    As Miss Click went on to talk about some major historical events she paused, looking up at the ceiling with a sigh before her eyes fell upon the two girls at the back, chatting incoherently in whispers.

    "Deena," Miss Click called out, pushing her large glasses further up her nose, earing attention of said girl. The Ritchie teen lifted her head and met the teacher's eye. "You're moving seats, down to front near me, please."

    "Uh, why?"

    The seemingly older teacher let out another sigh, "Because all you two do is talk and disrupt my lesson. It's distracting all the other students and I'm sure they're not fond of it."

    Deena's lips pulled into a tight smile, "I'm fine here, Miss, really."

    "Now, Deena," Miss Click spoke, putting on that authoritarian voice that went through every teens bones. "Mr. Harrington," the woman called out, drawing Steve's attention away from his desk, the boy looked up, confusion written on his face as he glanced over at her. "Would you mind swapping seats with Deena, please? Miss. Ritchie can sit with Billy, help him out a little."

    Deena inaudibly groaned. "Oh, come on, can't she put me somewhere better? I hate the front, why can't she put me with that guy who doesn't speak or Robin?" She turned to Alex, voice hushed.

    The Henderson teen lifted her head, looking over at the Buckley girl who stared out the window—blocking out the world around her. "Yeah, cause she looks like a joy to sit next to," Alex spoke sarcastically.

    "She's cool, okay?"

    "You've spoken like twice in all your life," Alex smiled teasingly.

    "More than Steve's spoken to you in months," Deena retorted, matching her mocking smile.

    "Ouch, hitting me where it hurts Ritchie," Alex whistled sarcastically.

    "Miss. Ritchie, if you could please find your new seat," Miss Click clasped her hands together impatiently, watching as Deena begrudgingly made her way over to the front, annoyance seeped from her as she took a seat next to Billy.

    Deena turned, exchanging a look with Alexandra as Steve sat in the free seat besides the Henderson. "Alright, I've got a little project for you all, that'll be completed by the end of the week. To make it easier for you guys, you can work with the person situated beside yourself—"

    Alexandra wanted to bang her head against a concrete wall. Inwardly praying that she were to drop dead at any minute now. As Miss. Click went over the project Alexandra zoned out, refusing to look Steve's way as she felt his eyes on the side of her head.

    After a hesitant moment of just staring at her Steve finally bucked up the courage to talk to her. It had been months since he had breathed a word around her, never mind being this close to her. He forgot how . . . calming her presence could be. He forgot how when he was with her, or even near her, he felt lighter, happier.

   He knew he was at fault at the demise of their friendship, after all, he was the asshole who lied to her sixty-nine percent of the time on his whereabouts when they made plans. How when they made the most simple of plans; like hanging out at his house as his parents would be out, he'd lie and say he was ill, just so he could hang out with Tommy and Carol instead. He knew he was an asshole when he said little to nothing to defend her against Tommy H and Carol when they would express their disgust of the Henderson by spreading whispers and nasty rumours around Hawkins High, knowing that it'd spread faster than a wildfire.

    "Alex." At the sound of her voice the Henderson let out a breath, looking up she met Steve's eye. She made a noise of question, urging him to speak. "Do you have a pen?"

    Alex pursed her lips, holding back a bitter laugh. They hadn't spoken in months and the first thing he had to say to her was, do you have a pen? Jesus H. Christ. Alexandra turned her head, staring at him blankly.

    "No."

    Steve pursed his lips, awkwardly nodding to himself. "Right . . . right, o-kayyy," he drawled, drumming his fingers against the wooden desk. "You have a pencil?"

    Alex inwardly groaned, again. 

    "Nope."

    Steve continued nodding to himself. "Right. You sure? You always used to carry a spare one cause Eric Morris would always steal yours in Physics . . . "

    Alexandra rose a brow. "Wow, Harrington, I'm shocked."

    "W-why?" Steve's brows pulled together in confusion, a lost expression etched on his face as he ignored the small pang of hurt his entire body felt at the use of his surname.

    "Didn't think you paid attention to the little things," she murmured, all while reaching down into her bag before throwing him the spare pencil—the teen fumbled trying to catch it. "Your head was always so far up your own ass—"

    "My head wasn't that far up my own ass," Steve interjected.

    "Agree to disagree," Alex muttered under her breath, turning away from him. "But if we could keep the chit-chat to a minimum and finish this project, like soon, I'd appreciate it."

    It wasn't as though she actually gave a damn if the project was done or not, no, she wanted it over so that she wouldn't have to spend as much time in Steve's presence. It made her feel uneasy, she didn't want to slip into old habits. It was too easy with Steve. One word and she could be in a fit of unconditional laughter, one small, short shared glance and a smile would grace her lips.

    Perhaps she was being dramatic. But he had lied to her and she came to resent him as a result. Was she being dramatic? She didn't think so, no, he threw their friendship away like trash, discarded it so easily without a second thought. Like it never mattered in the first place, like it didn't matter enough to hold onto.

    "Do you . . . do you know what we're supposed to be doing?" Steve's hesitant voice broke her out of the zoned out stature she was in. The Henderson turned, glancing at him for a moment.

    "No, not really."

". . . Neither."

"One of us should probably ask," Alexandra spoke, fiddling with her pen in boredom.

"Probably," Steve pursed his lips, nodding in agreement.

Neither of them made a move to do so.

AUTHOR'S NOTE !
bit boring cos not much of steve, but im still tryna get like a feel of my oc's if ygm, its easier to write them if i like kNOw them, ik that sounds like dog shite but it makes sense to me lmao

next chapters more exciting I promise !!!