Chapter Two : Trick or Treat, Freak

chapter thirty-one , Chaos will ensue

a/n : Gus >>> My own existence

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The car slows and Gus looks at the busy house with music blasting and shouts coming from it. Fallon puts the car in park, "Okay, Solo—here's the deal."

Gus let's out a soft chuckle and looks at her friend with her brows raised. "Yes, mommy?"

Fallon rolls her eyes, "I'm dropping you off. And I will be back to pick you up at 5."

Gus nods her head, "Yes, mommy."

"Call me if you and me to pick you up earlier." Fallon points at Gus.

"Okay, okay..." Gus points her thumb out the window. "...can I go?"

"Wait!" Fallon holds her hand up.

Gus sighs and looks at Fallon. The curly-haired girl's serious face drops and it turns into a smile. "Have fun."

Gus' eyes light up. "Thank you." She kisses Fallon's cheek. "Have fun with Robin tonight."

Fallon bunches her shoulders and her face heats up. "I will."

Gus raises her brows, "I bet you will."

Fallon points at Gus. "Don't sleep with anyone, all right? Seriously."

Gus holds her hands up, "All right, all right...Swear."

Fallon squints her eyes, "Mhmm..."

Gus quickly gets out of the car, "Love you, I'll see you later!"

Fallon holds up a peace sign and Gus does the same thing. The curly-haired girl drives away from the house and Gus inhales a breath. "First-party—let's fuck some shut up."

Gus makes her way up the steep driveway with her hands wrapped around the straps of her green satchel. She walks through the crowd, ignoring the cheers and laughter. The bob-haired girl enters the house and it was even more crowded. She was greeted with the smell of alcohol, weed, and sweat. Gus walks through the crowded living room. One guy bumps her shoulder and in return, she pinches his side. He lets out a pain-filled squeal and Gus snickers.

"Gus!"

The bob-haired brunette turns around and she raises her brows. "Hey, Grace." She walks over to the girl.

Grace looks at Gus' costume and frowns. "What are you?"

"I'm Colombian." Gus answers.

Grace softly laughs, "No, no—I mean, your costume. What are you?"

Gus looks down and her eyes widen with embarrassment. She looks at Grace. "Oh! I'm Han Solo."

Grace blinks. Gus holds her hands out, "From Star Wars?"

Grace slowly shakes her head, "Sorry, I've never watched it."

Gus blows air out of her mouth. "Oh, right..." she scratches her neck. Maybe this wasn't the best costume.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Grace asks.

Gus slightly opens her mouth. "Uh, sure—yeah! What is there?"

"Well, Kyle calls it 'pure fuel'." Grace snorts. "Come on!" She loops her arm through Gus' and guides her to the kitchen.

The two girls make it to the punch bowl filled with fog. Gus raises her brows.

"You ever drink before?" Grace asks, looking at the awe expression across Gus' face.

Gus looks at Grace and slightly opens her mouth. "What?! No, I-I've drank before—like I drink all the time!"

Grace deadpans and Gus sags her shoulders.

"Okay—all right, I've never drank before." Gus scratches her ear. "I'm a pothead."

Grace quietly chuckles. "Okay, well...here." She scoops some of the alcohol into the red solo cup. Grace holds the cup out to the bob-haired brunette. Gus grabs the cup and presses her lips into a smile. "Thanks." She presses the cup against her lips and slightly tilts the cup back. As soon as the alcohol meets runs down her throat, she gags.

Gus leans away from the punch bowl and coughs into her elbow. "Holy shit!—what's in this?!"

"Pure fuel!" Kyle shouts from behind her.

Gus whips her head around to the guy. The brunette smiles and holds the cup toward the boy. "Pure fuel," she says with a wheeze. Gus looks at the cup and drinks a larger gulp from the cup, ignoring the burning sensation in her throat.

During most of the party, Gus stayed inside the kitchen drinking any and all of her problems away. Gus wasn't an idiot, she knew what she was doing. She was hiding from her issues by numbing all negative emotions. Gus would always get high for that, but right now alcohol was her best friend. Nancy walks into the kitchen with Steve and the brunette raises her brows. She wasn't drunk enough to talk to Steve yet. Gus keeps her cup to her lips, she lowers her head and walks out of the kitchen.

☆

The Ghostbusters and The Supergirl walked away from the house. Some feel defeated by the candy they got. "If I get another 3 Musketeers, I'm gonna kill myself," Lucas pronounces.

"What's wrong with 3 Musketeers?" Dustin inquires.

"What's wrong with 3 Musketeers?" Lucas looks at Dustin.

"No one likes 3 Musketeers," Mike states.

"Yeah, it's just nougat," Will adds.

Sofía chuckles softly. She always thought the word nougat was funny.

"Just nougat? Just nougat? It is top 3 for me." Dustin speaks.

"Top three?" Sofía asks.

"Top three!" Dustin nods.

"Oh, God. Give me a break." Mike rolls his eyes.

"Sofía help us out here?" Lucas looks at the quiet girl.

"Well, nougat is good to an extent." Sofía states with a shrug. "I can have like 3 pieces but I'm not gonna like eat a whole bowl of it."

"I would," Dustin says like that would be a dream come true. "A whole bowl of nougat—straight up."

Suddenly, a figure in a Michael Myers mask jumps out with a machete. Sofía flinches and squeezes her eyes shut as everyone else screams. Someone latches onto Sofía's arm and she looks at the nougat-loving boy holding onto her arm so tightly. Sofía's face heats up and a small smile forms on her lips.

"Holy shit!" The person takes off their mask and Sofía's smile drops. "You should have seen the look on your faces."

"And you?" Max's  eyes fall on Lucas'. "Who screams like that? You sound like a little girl." She continues ahead while everyone stands in place. Max turns back to the group.

"Hey, you guys coming or not?" Max asks. "Oh, I heard we should hit up Loch Nora. That's where the rich people live, right?" She laughs softly and continues ahead.

Dustin and Lucas look at each other with admiring smiles for the redhead. Dustin quickly lets of Sofia's arm and runs after Max with Lucas. Will quickly follows them while Mike and Sofía stand on the street watching their friends go.

Mike looks at the solemn girl. "Did you know about this?"

Sofía sighs, "Does my face look like I knew about this?" She looks at him with her brows raised. Her eyes shift back to Dustin's back and a small breath leaves her lips. Mike and Sofía continue walking down the street. "Do you think I should learn how to ride a skateboard?"

Mike looks at Sofía, then back at Dustin. "Hell no!"

"But, Dustin—"

"Look, Dustin is my best friend, all right?" Mike starts. "But he doesn't deserve you if he doesn't see how awesome you are."

Sofía presses her lips together, "Thanks, Mike..."

Mike gives Sofía a small smile. "Come on, let's catch up."

Sofía lets out a soft breath but she and Mike jog to catch up to Will. He had to camera and was recording everything with a large smile on his face. The three stay behind Dustin, Lucas, and Max. "How much licorice do you guys have? I wanna give some to Gus just in case she doesn't get any."

"I'm sure Gus doesn't need us giving her any licorice." Will states. "She always has spare pack—"

"Did you agree to this?" Mike abruptly asks.

Sofía and Will look at the angry kid.

"What?"

"To her joining our party," Mike asks.

"It's just for Halloween." Will states.

"You should have checked with me—you should have checked with the both of us."

"Mike, it's fine." Sofía shrugs. "Like, Will said it's just for Halloween."

"Well, they were excited." Will states. "I guess I thought the two of you'd be okay with it."

"She's ruining the best night of the year." Mike quickens his pace and walks up the driveway. Sofía exhales a sharp breath. She quickly follows after Mike.

"Hey, Mike!"

Mike turns to the girl and she places her hands on her hips. "What?"

"You don't have to be mad about it, y'know?—At least not that mad." Sofía shakes her head. "Will didn't know we were gonna be bothered by it. Lucas and Dustin sure as hell didn't know."

Mike sighs and looks off to the side. "I know, but...this is supposed to be a party. And we're all supposed to make decisions together. Not just three of us."

As Mike continues to rant, a chill runs down Sofía's neck and her body freezes. A ringing drowns out her hearing and her chest starts to tighten to a point she can't breathe. Mike notices Sofía slightly tug at the collar of her costume. "Sof?"

Sofía's caramel brown eyes were glazed over and she was quietly muttering to herself. Tears form in her eyes and her muttering grows.

"What's wrong?—Is this another episode—"

"Where's Will?" Sofía quickly blurts out. "Where's Will? He's not here!" She looks around the area.

Mike pulls his brows together, "He should be right behind..." his heart drops into his stomach, not seeing his friend.

Sofía places a hand over her chest and she tarts to tremble. "Where is he?" Her lower lip starts to quiver. It was like Will and Sofía had a thread connecting them to each other. Both of them shared the Upside Down in their own way and yet anytime one felt like they were having the episode the other felt triggered. And Mike knew that if Sofía was going through an episode that meant Will was going through one too.

"Sofía, take my hand—"

"No. Don't touch me!" Sofía flinches.

Mike quickly pulls back. "Do you want to find Will or not?"

Sofía's eyes finally meet Mike's and it almost seemed like she was there. She slowly nods her head.

"Okay, then take my hand and follow me." Mike holds his hand out to the girl. Sofía inhales a soft breath and exhales a deep one.

Anytime, Sofía was going through an episode it felt like anyone else's skin was pins and needles touching hers. It would always make her feel like she was being attacked. So, she would fight back. But as soon her hand met Mike's she didn't fight. Because she knew she had one goal on her mind. To find Will.

Mike and Sofía walked up and down the street, screaming out for the boy. Soon Dustin, Lucas, and Max joined them. They weren't sure when Will went missing but that didn't stop them from helping. Sofía and Mike run past a staircase and the girl stops in her tracks as she hears a chittering sound. It was the same sound like she was in the Upside Down.

"W-Will?" Sofía weakly calls out, her vocal cords start to shake. Mike looks at the girl and follows her eyes to the staircase. His eyes widen, seeing Will huddled in the corner.

"Sofía, you found him!" Mike runs down the staircase and crouches in front of his friend. Sofía wipes her tears as Will snaps out of his episode, but he was still left shaken. He needed to get out of here. Sofía quickly walks down the stairs and crouches beside Mike.

"Are you hurt?" Mike asks.

Will looks around, shaking.

"Holy shit!" Dustin exclaims running down the steps with Lucas and Max.

"Is he okay?" Lucas asks.

"I don't know," Mike answers, panicking. "I'm gonna get you home, okay? I'm gonna get you home. Hold on."

Mike and Sofía help Will up. Dustin steps forward to help. But Mike quickly speaks. "We got him—we got him."

"Mike?"

"Keep trick-or-treating. I'm bored anyways." Mike snaps.

Sofía looks back at her friends and her eyes shift to Max before leaving. Max raises her brows noticing the pale look across Sofía's and Will's faces.

"What's wrong with them?"

☆

"Jonathan!"

The boy turns to the girl Han Solo and he raises his brows as she stumbles over to him. Gus leans her side against him and hiccups. "You...you came!"

Jonathan nods his head, "Mhm—yeah! And you are wasted!"

"Totally wasted!" Gus nods her head in confirmation. "Who knew that pure fuel would get you like this, right?"

Gus pulls her face back and looks Jonathan up and down. "Do you wanna have sex?"

Jonathan's eyes widen. Gus then busts into laughter. "I'm kidding—I'm just pulling your chain!" She turns to the girl known as Samantha. "I've already tried that and that ship has sailed!"

Samantha chuckles softly, "You're cool, Castillo."

"You're fucking dope, Samantha! And don't you ever forget that." The frizzy-haired girl slurs. Gus looks at Jonathan and shakes her head. "I can't believe Fallon didn't want to come to the party."

Gus puts a thumb down and blows a raspberry. "She's so not a party animal now."

"Well, her parents divorced, Gus." Jonathan states.

Gus pouts her lower lip, "I know—it's so sad." She sighs. "Greg was Fallon's hero."

"But, who knew that Cynthia and Fallon would get along and become an unlikely duo?" She holds her arms up. "I'm so happy for them!"

"Well, Fallon had the right idea about not coming," Jonathan says, folding his arms. "Some people have more important things going on in their lives." Jonathan sighs. "Like me. I want to leave."

Gus looks at Jonathan and she frowns. "Okay, well, nothing's keeping you here--wait, something is though. And that's your gigantic fat crush on Nancy--"

"Hey, guys!"

Jonathan and Gus turn to the couple.

"Nancy, Steve--hey!" Jonathan exclaims.

Gus turns to Jonathan with wide eyes. "So convincing..." she nods her head.

Jonathan rolls his eyes.

"I'm gonna go get something else to drink." Nancy brushes past Steve.

Gus and Jonathan notice. They both raise their brows and look at each other. Steve lets out a soft breath and looks at the two. His eyes shift to Gus and a smile forms on his lips. It's almost like his entire mood switched from stingy babysitter to boy with a school crush.

"Gus, you look awesome," Steve says, his face heating up.

Gus looks at him with a brow quirked. "I know." she sips from her cup.

"Han Solo, right?"

Gus squints her eyes and pulls the cup away from her lips. "Did Fallon tell you about my costume or--"

"No, no. I rewatched A New Hope recently and--"

"So, what? You're like into Star Wars now?" Gus tilts her head and her head sort of hangs to the side. Jonathan notices and he lifts her head back up and supports it.

"I mean, yeah." Steve shrugs.

Gus looks at Jonathan and he holds his hands up.

"I'm gonna go..." Jonathan quickly walks away.

Gus places her hands on her hips and leans against the wall. "Are you trying to win points with me or something?"

Steve cranes his neck forward, "What? No!--"

"Good. Cause you didn't earn any." Gus stumbles past the boy.

Steve actually did earn points. Five to be exact.

"Oh, wow! You actually came!"

Gus spins around to the red-haired girl. "Oh—Carol. What's going on?"

Carol raises her brows, "And you're wasted."

Gus shifts her eyes to Carol's feet and notices them step in all kinds of directions. "Yeah? Well, so are you."

Carol lets out a soft scoff. "Whatever, I'm glad you came, Gus." She looks over Gus' costume. "Cute outfit. Who are you?"

"Han Solo."

Carol rolls her eyes, "They're red solo cups—idiot."

Gus frowns and nods her head. "Yes they are, Carol. Thank you for the information."

"Someone's gotta keep you educated, right?" Carol takes a sip out of her cup. "What are you drinking?"

"Most likely the same thing you're—"

Carol grabs Gus' cup and drinks out of it. "Pure fuel." She coughs. "I'm more into the beer."

Gus slightly opens her mouth as Carol hands her the cup back. "Guess I'm gonna be getting a new cup." She sets it aside.

"What cloth is this?" Carol asks.

"Carol, I don't want to answer things about the materials of my clothes!" Gus seethes. "I want to drink and not have a care in the world, all right?"

Carol grips the arm of Gus' sleeve and rubs it between her fingers. "Polyester."

Gus cranes her neck forward. "No fucking way you just guessed that."

"Go ahead and check if you want." Carol holds her hands up. Gus taps a person behind her, "Hey! What does it say on the tag of my shirt—"

"What?—"

"What is my shirt made of dude?!" Gus shouts.

"Uh..." the guy slightly pulls the shirt down and reads the tag. "Polyester!"

Gus' mouth hangs open and Carol holds her arms out. The short-haired brunette claps her hands. "Brava, brava!"

"Thank you, thank you!" Carol says.

Gus let's out a chuckle as Carol laughs. Carol places a hand on Gus' shoulder and the brunette arches a brow.

Carol keeps her hand there for a second, before dropping it to her side. The brunette looks around the room, before leaning toward Carol. "What are you doing?"

Carol inhales a soft breath from the close distance. She tilts her head, "Whaddya mean?"

Gus lets out a soft chuckle, "You tried to convince me to come to this party and now you're touching my arm..."

"So?--"

Gus tilts her head, "Are you wasted or do you like me?"

Carol sputters, "What?"

"You're just blushing an awful lot." Gus shrugs. "Tommy won't like that—"

"Don't talk about my boyfriend." Carol snaps.

"Ex-boyfriend."

Carol slams her mouth shut.

Gus arches a brow, her eyes flit down to Carol's lips, but she quickly looks back at Carol's eyes. The brunette grabs the red solo cup from the counter and picks it up again. She takes a sip from her cup and snorts. "See ya, Carol."

Gus turns to walk away, but Carol grabs Gus' wrist and pulls her back towards her. Gus spins back towards her classmate and feels soft lips roughly smash onto hers. The brunette kisses Carol back. She drops her cup and grips Carol's waist.

Carol pulls away from Gus and inhales a breath. "I don't like you."

Gus rolls her eyes, "I don't like you either." She shrugs. "Your lips are soft."

"I know."

Carol pulls Gus through the sea of people and they make it into the bathroom. Carol grips the sides of Gus' neck and pulls her into a kiss once again. Gus takes a step forward and presses Carol's back against the cold wall. Carol quietly shivers as Gus slides a hand under her shirt.

"Gus?"

The brunette pulls away from Carol and turns toward Nancy and Steve. Gus pulls her brows together, "Harrington, hey..." her eyes widen. "...Nancy is that blood?!"

Nancy shakes her head, "No, it's pure fuel. But someone spilled it on me—"

"I told you it was too much!"

"So, you spill it on her?" Carol asks.

Nancy points at the two, "Thank you!"

"It wasn't on purpose!" Steve shouts.

"No need to raise your voice, Harrington." Gus slurs. "Yelling at 3 drunk girls in the bathroom isn't a good look."

"You know what's also not a good look?" Steve tilts his head. "Having two girls kissing in the bathroom. One of them being in a relationship!"

"Right, because you care so much about relationships." Gus rolls her eyes. She grabs Carol's hand. "We're out of here."

Carol's face heats up but she gladly follows the brunette. Gus shoves Steve to the side and walks out of the bathroom. Gus stumbles out of the bathroom with Carol. They both quickly walk upstairs, not caring about the party happening downstairs. Gus eagerly makes it to the first door on the second floor and opens it. She flicks the light on and it was empty. Gus turns to Carol, she grips the collar of Carol's shirt, and pulls her into a rough kiss. Their teeth clank together in a sloppy impatient manner. Gus slightly pushes Carol against the door, slamming it shut.

Carol softly moans as Gus trails her sloppy kisses down to her neck. Gus raises a hand to the zipper on Carol's pants and fumbles with it. Carol starts to unbutton Gus' shirt and she steps forward. Gus steps back until her legs meet the edge of the bed. The brunette's heartbeat starts to drown in her ears as she lays against the bed with Carol hovering over her.

"I really don't like you," Carol whispers as she kisses Gus' neck.

Gus arches a brow and her eyes fall shut. "We don't have to talk, y'know?" She tilts her head back as Carol slides a hand underneath her shirt and raises it higher as every second passes. The redhead hums softly and kisses Gus' collarbone, then to her chest. Gus slightly opens her mouth and softly moans.

Before anything could go any further, the door swings open.

"Are you shitting me right now?!"

Carol quickly sits up and turns to the boy standing in the doorway. Gus quietly whines and opens her eyes. "Why? You didn't even knock!"

"T-Tommy!" Carol pats her hair down.

Tommy shakes his head and walks out of the room. Carol slightly opens her mouth, stands up, and straightens herself out. "Tommy, wait!" she runs after her ex.

"You guys aren't even dating anymore!" Gus calls out as they both leave.

A whistle causes Gus' ears to perk. She looks back at the door and meets Billy's eyes. She lets out a sputter and starts to button her shirt back up.

"Oh, please—do not stop on my account," Billy says.

Gus rolls her eyes, "Show's over, William." She forces herself to sit up. As soon as Gus stands up, she loses her footing and stumbles forward. Billy catches her.

"It doesn't have to be over."

Gus lifts her head and looks at the red mark on Billy's face. "Nice bruise." She smirks. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay the hell away from me." Her words come out slurred, but they still had venom behind them. She shoves herself out of his grip and stumbles back. Billy grabs her wrist.

"Just let me help you downstairs." Billy pulls her close to him and they walk down the stairs. Gus hangs her head low and inhales a soft breath. "You're such a bitch, Billy Boy." She snorts. "You call me a snarky bitch and try to intimidate Fallon and I--and now you're trying to sleep with me?!" Gus goes to shove him again, but this time he doesn't let go. "Pathetic."

The two make it outside and Billy leads Gus down the driveway. "You know what's also pathetic?" Billy questions with a malignant smirk. "Throwing yourself at everyone around this party. You're practically just asking for it."

Gus' stomach turns. "Fuck you, Trailer Trash."

"Do you need a ride home, August?" Billy motions to his car. "Or maybe you can just stay the night at my—"

"Just because I'm wasted, doesn't mean I'm gonna...sleep with you." Gus tries her best to thrash around, despite her drunkness.

"I'm just trying to help you, Gus—"

"Fuck. You. I'll walk." Gus seethes. Her head drops to the side and she leans against Billy's car with exhaustion. Shit.

Billy goes to open the passenger seat, ready to put the girl in.

"August, hey!"

Billy stops and turns to the brunette boy. A small 'tch' comes from his lips and he opens the passenger seat. "We're busy, Harrington!"

"Busy, with what?" Steve looks between Gus and Billy. "You two going somewhere?"

"Yeah, I'm driving her home," Billy says.

Steve raises his brows, "Are you?" He frowns. Steve looks back at Gus' watching as her eyelids start to fall. "That's weird because I could've sworn I was supposed to be driving her home.

Billy frowns, "That is weird." He chuckles. "Sunshine here just told me—"

Gus uses her strength to push herself off the car and fall forward, she prayed that her theory would be right. And it was. Steve caught her. His arms loop under Gus' and her head falls against his shoulder. "H-Help..." she manages through her intoxication.

Steve's eyes blow wide from how wasted Gus was. He snaps his eyes over to Billy. Billy was going to take Gus home no matter what. Didn't matter if she was drunk or not.

"Get out of here. Now."

Billy laughs, "Yeah? Or what—"

The ground starts to quake, causing everyone and the houses on the block to shake. The cars start to rattle, until they all start beeping. Steve looks around, then down at Gus. He looks at Billy, "The universe seems pretty pissed, Billy—now walk."

Billy's jaw clenches and his eyes shift to Steve then Gus. "You two are gonna regret this."

"I'm so scared." Steve fake whimpers.

Billy lets out a bitter chuckle. He slams the passenger seat shut, rounds the car, and gets into the driver seat. He obnoxiously revs the engine before speeding away. Steve lets out a sharp breath and looks down at the intoxicated girl. "Okay, let's get you home—"

"I don't have a home." Gus slurs her words, it's almost like the alcohol coursing through her wasn't allowing her to explain any further. Even drunk Gus wasn't going to reveal Eleven's location.

Steve pulls his brows together. "Uh, what?"

Gus stays silent and Steve slightly opens her mouth. "Okay, my mom and dad leave on their trip in a few hours. I can take you back to my place, but you're gonna have to be quiet, okay?" He leads her to his car. Steve opens the passenger door and sits her in the seat. He buckles her up. Steve takes his blazer off and places it over the girl to keep her warm. He gently closes the door, hoping not to startle her.

Steve rounds the car and gets in. He buckles his seatbelt and drives out of the suburban area at a decent speed.

☆

Steve slows to a stop and puts the car in park. He looks over at the short-haired brunette. Gus' face was smushed against the window and she was softly humming. "You've got good music taste, Harrington." Gus turns her head to him and softly smiles.

Steve chuckles, "This is actually the mixtape I made for you." He pops the tape out of the radio. Steve places the tape between his pointer and middle finger, he holds it out to her. Gus raises her brows and lets out a drunken giggle. She grabs the tape and tucks it into her vest pocket. "Thanks, Steve."

Steve's heart tightens. That was the first time Gus called the boy by his first name. It's been so long. He blinks and clears his throat. "Come on, let's get you inside." The boy gets out of the car and walks over to Gus' side of the door. He opens the door and leans close to the girl. Steve unbuckles her seatbelt and loops an arm around her waist. Gus turns her head to Steve and lazily stares at him. "Steve?"

"Yeah?" Steve looks back at the girl and his heart drops from how close their faces were. If either of them moved any closer, their lips would touch. Gus' cheeks were flushed and her nose was lightly pink, revealing how drunk she was. Gus knits her brows together, "Were you crying?"

Steve pulls his brows together. "Uh, no." He softly answers. "Just...the cold in my eyes."

Gus clicks her tongue and nods her head. "Ah, that has happened to me too many times."

Steve manages a chuckle, "Yeah, come on." He helps her out of the seat. Gus places a hand over his shoulders and her feet drag against the cement as they walk up the driveway. Steve's hand slightly twitches and Gus lazily giggles. "I'm ticklish!"

Steve quietly shushes the bob-haired brunette and she gasps.

"Don't you shush me!" Gus squeaks.

As they both get to the porch, Gus holds her arms up in the air. "I WILL NOT BE SILENCED—"

The front door swings open. Steve gently pins Gus against the wall and covers her mouth with his hand. "Sorry?" Steve breathes against her neck. Gus giggles as goosebumps form across her skin.

"Steve? Is that you?"

Steve quietly curses. He walks over to the front door. "Hey, mom."

"It's midnight." She softly huffs.

Steve nods his head. "I know. I tripped on one of the steps. I'm sorry."

Steve's mom squints her eyes. "Your father's still asleep. We leave in a few hours. So, whoever you have with you. Please, tell them to stay quiet."

Steve softly smiles. "Thanks, mom."

His mom gives him a smile before walking away. Steve walks over to the brunette. Gus' face was pressed against the wall.

"Gus?"

Small incoherent mumbles leave her lips.

"August?"

A small snort comes from her mouth and she twitches. "I'm up!"

"Shhh..." Steve steps toward her.

Gus slaps both her hands over her mouth. She takes her hands away from her mouth and winces. "Sorry..."

Gus points a finger at Steve. "You are a momma's boy." She lets out a small giggle and stumbles forward. Steve gently grabs her arms as she falls into his chest.

Steve leads Gus into the house. "I wouldn't say that—"

"Hey, hey, hey..." Gus soothes him. "It's okay to be a momma's boy, Stevenson."

"Steve isn't short for Stevenson..." he shakes his head.

"I wish I was a momma's girl."

Steve looks at the brunette as they walk up the stairs. Gus' head was leaning against his shoulder and she sighs.

"You've got Hopper." Steve states.

Gus sputters out a soft laugh. Steve leads her into his room. "He's not a mom, Steve."

Steve laughs, "I mean he's a dad. A good dad."

Gus frowns, "Yeah, he is...I wish I noticed that earlier."

Steve gently lays her on the bed and Gus lets out a soft breath.

"I wish I could tell him that," Gus admits, slurring her words.

"Well, you could tell him." Steve shrugs a shoulder.

"I think I'm still mad at him," Gus says.

Steve takes off Gus' boots. He softly chuckles looking at her mismatched socks. Gus looks blankly at the ceiling. "I get so mad..."

Steve lifts his head and looks at the girl with a crease between his brows. "What?"

Gus swallows thickly and meets Steve's eyes. "I'm so mad all the time. And...I feel like my anger is all I am." Her throat tightens. "So, I just pretend to be angry all the time. Because that's just who I am."

"That's not who you are, August," Steve says. "You are...so much more."

Gus' hands start to tremble. Silence settles into the room and the brunette slightly tilts her chin. "Why were you crying?"

Steve raises his brows, "Uh..." he lets out a chuckle, almost like he was embarrassed. "...Nancy and I kind of broke up."

Gus raises her brows and she groggily sits up. "Oh no..."

Steve presses his lips together. "Yeah, I was upset about it but now I think it was for the best."

"Shit..."

"Really Gus, it's not that big of—"

"Move." Gus shoves Steve aside and stumbles off the bed. She runs into the bathroom and practically sticks her head into the toilet. The sound of vomit is heard from the bathroom. Steve quickly stands up and rushes into the bathroom. "August?"

Steve grabs the rag off the sink and runs it under warm water. He walks over to the girl and crouches next to her. Steve holds her hair. Gus lets out a quiet cry, "Shit..."

Steve rubs her back "It's okay, let it out." August continues to vomit and she quietly sobs.

"I-I'm sorry..." She sobs.

Steve shakes his head, "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"But, I do..." Gus coughs. "I ignore you in the halls and when we do talk I want nothing to do with you."

Steve's chest tightens hearing Gus cry. "You have every right to do that to me, Gus." He assures her. "After everything I've done to you. I deserve it."

"And I just..." Steve swipes his tongue across his lower lip. "...I just want you to know that I don't mean to hurt you." He shakes his head. "I'm just really hellbent on pleasing...everyone."

Gus lifts her head up and turns to the boy. Steve presses his lips into a small smile when he sees chunks of food on her chin.

Steve wipes the wet rag across her chin, cleaning it.

"Are you pleased with yourself?"

Steve shifts his coffee brown eyes to Gus' hazel green ones and his heart jumps into his throat from the intense eye contact. Even though Gus' hair was all over the place, her eyeliner was smudged, and she had a faint color from Carol's lipstick across her lips; she was beautiful. He blinks for a second, not processing what she said.

"Wh-What did you say?"

Gus searches Steve's eyes and manages a weak smile. "Are you pleased with yourself?"

Steve pulls his brows together. "I mean, I know that when Fallon did everything she could to please her mother, she wasn't...proud of who she became."

"Like with what happened in the alley?"

Gus slowly nods her head. Steve gnaws on his lower lip, he stands up, and fills a cup with water from the sink. He walks back over to Gus and crouches in front of her. Gus looks back at the boy and she smiles softly. "Your eyes are really pretty, Steve."

Steve raises his brows and his stomach flutter. "Uh...thanks, Gus. So are yours."

Gus smiles softly and a small giggle escapes her lips. Steve holds the cup out to her and Gus grabs it. "Next time if you ever drink. Eat before. So, this doesn't happen."

Gus laughs softly and snorts, causing Steve's heart to warm. She lifts the cup up and drinks some of the water. "I don't think I'll ever drink again."

Steve lets out a quiet laugh. "You just need to know your limits. Everyone has one."

Gus leans her head against the wall and she keeps her eyes on Steve's. "Yeah? And what's yours?"

Steve frowns and shrugs. "6 drinks and I am golden for the night."

A crease forms between Gus' brows. "Do you get sappy when your drunk?"

Steve looks away from her and laughs.

"You seem like a sappy drunk." Gus smiles.

Steve continues to laugh and he looks away from the girl. Gus arches a brow, waiting for an answer. Steve looks back at Gus and slightly opens his mouth. "I..." he pushes some of his hair behind his ear. "I get sappy at some point—"

"I knew it!" Gus exclaims with a squeal. She covers her mouth when she realizes how loud she was. The girl pulls her hand from her mouth and laughs softly. Steve starts to laugh again and keeps his eyes on the girl. As their laughter dies down the two fall into a comforting silence. They didn't have to say anything to try and fill it. It's like they both just knew that they could sit there alone.

Gus feels her body start to get heavy and her eyes start to fall shut. Steve raises his brows when he notices this. He sits up and walks over to the bob-haired brunette. Steve gently grabs her arms and pulls her up. Gus lets out a quiet sigh and lifts her head to meet his eyes. "You're a good friend, Steve."

Steve's throat tightens and he exhales through his nose with a painful realization.

"No, I'm not," Steve admits. "But..." he inhales a breath. "...I am working on it."

Gus presses her lips into a smile and touches the side of his neck. "I'm proud of you." She says in a soft yet groggy tone.

Steve's eyes slightly widen and his heart rams against his ribcage. He's never heard anyone admit that they're proud of him. He knows that Gus is drunk right now. But it felt nice to hear that someone was proud. Steve gently leads Gus to his bed. He pulls the covers back and lays her on her side. Steve covers Gus with the blanket and tucks her in. He crouches down beside her and watches as her breathing softens. Steve raises a cautious hand and places it against her head. He runs his thumb over the side of her head and sighs.

"Good night, August."

Steve stands up and walks over to the chair in the corner. He grabs the throw blanket from the seat and sits down. Steve keeps his eyes on Gus' sleeping figure before he crosses his arms and dozes off.

Steve was quickly falling head over heels for this girl while Gus was slowly getting over him.

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author's note.

Staugust is building y'all...

I am so excited!!!

I was listening to Can't Help Falling in Love with you sang by Haley Reinhart while writing the end of this chapter and I almost cried <3333

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