𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞
[𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔; 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆]
❝𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥, 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲.❞

♡♡♡

HAWKINS WASN'T EXACTLY THE GREATEST OF TOWNS. In fact, Samantha Henderson believed it was the epitome of hell on earth. She didn't know if it was the people within it, how her family was treated growing up, or just the assortment of a fuck load of nothing happening at any point in time, it was safe to say she wanted to get the hell out of dodge.

She was in her junior year at Hawkins high and she was ready for her senior year to come by and end already. It wasn't like she didnt enjoy school. She had a high g.p.a and practically aced every test she was given. Samantha was just ready to start her own adventure and actually explore places that weren't in Indiana.

Samantha knew the world could be cruel. Hell, she saw a lot of it around here. It didnt help that her mom and dad were two different races, her mom being white while her dad was black. Maybe that's why he left, he couldnt handle everyone gossiping about their family, calling them a disgrace and that they were sinners.

So, it was safe to say she didn't have the best time growing up since quite a lot of her neighbour's didn't want their kids playing with a non-white kid. It was a bit easier when her brother was born, at least she had someone to keep her company on the countless days she was alone.

But even now in the present day, the backhanded comments and the whispers never did truly stop. And well,  it was hard to find a boyfriend when all the boys listen to what their mommy says and are ashamed to think with their own minds.

"So, did you decide what you're gonna do?" A voice comes from beside her. Samantha closes her locker, looking over at the girl and coming face to face with Veronica Summers.

One of Samantha's longest friends. They met just before freshman year when Veronica had moved to town and had been close ever since. Maybe it was because they were both a person of colour. Maybe it was because they understood each other the most. Either way, they had a strong bond and it hadnt frayed yet.

"About?" Samantha responds, furrowing her eyebrows, having no idea what her friend was talking about.

"My party? You promised you'd come." Veronica responds and Samantha only groans as she tilts her head back a bit. She had completely forgotten about it.

"My mom practically seals the door at night."

"Oh, come on, your mom loves me. She won't care if you say you're just hanging with me." veronica admits as she shrugs her shoulders. Samantha couldnt help but let out a small laugh.

"Love is a strong word." She retorts. To be fair, her mom did love Veronica but she also complained about her a few times, thinking she was sometimes a bad influence.

"Parents always love me." Veronica tells her and Samantha rolls her eyes playfully. "Sam, please. It won't be fun without you there." She denies, pouting a little bit as she tilts her head.

"I'm sure you'd find some company." Samantha teases her with a wink and Veronica only grabs her hands, pulling her a bit closer.

"And I'm sure you would too."

"I think there's a reason I haven't had a boyfriend yet." She snorts, glancing away and Veronica sighs a bit.

"Because you don't put yourself out there." She denies and Samantha furrows her eyebrows, a bit taken aback.

"I do-- put myself out there." Samantha tries to respond but Veronica didn't seem to believe her in the slightest.

"Mhm. With your head in your books?" Veronica taunts back and Samantha only narrows her gaze. "Kyle, tell her she's coming to my party tonight." She says, seeing the man walking up to them.
Kyle stops beside them, wrapping an arm around Veronica's shoulders.

"Youre coming to Roni's party tonight." He says bluntly and Samantha only shakes her head.

"See, two to one, you're outvoted." Veronica says, pointing her finger toward the brunette who let's out a small groan.

"Youre both morons."

"Uh, is that what you say to your two best friends in the whole wide world?" Kyle asks, raising an eyebrow and Samantha only narrows her gaze at him.

"I have never once called you my best friend." She denies and Kyle just lets out a small scoff.

Kyle Winters, he was a jock on the basketball team, someone who you wouldn't really place with Samantha and Veronica who often only hung out by themselves. But they met just before the end of sophomore year, even though they've always seen each other around, they never talked.

He invited them to some movie night out in the park and they had said yes. It seemed like the final piece of the puzzle for their group clicked into place. All three of them never really hung out without the other now. Even though Kyle used to have a whole different group of friends.

"You didn't have to, it's implied." Kyle admits as he wraps his other arm around Samantha, starting to pull them down the hall.

"Just get your dorky brother to cover for you." Veronica tells her and Samantha has to laugh as she shakes her head.

"Hes a shitty liar."

"Youre impossible." Veronica mumbles before her eyes go to the doors. "Ugh, there's Harrington and his posse of assholes." She tells them with a roll of her eyes. And when Samantha looks over, she did in fact see the group of teens, or how they were labeled within their own group; the astonishing assholes.

Steve Harrington was the typical local rich boy who believed he could get anything he wanted because of his parents. Who never seemed to know the concept of making connections and who most definitely was an egotistical piece of horse crap. At least that's what Samantha believed. She always gave people the benefit of the doubt until she got to know them and Steve Harrington? Yeah, he proved her right.

"I can't believe you ever hung out with them." Samantha mumbles as she looks over at Kyle. That was the group he had been with all the way up until the start of the school year actually. He never actually told them why he stopped hanging out with the cocky teens, they only noticed when he was spending a hell of a lot more time with both of them.

"And I can't believe you're still bringing that up." Kyle retorts, nudging her side and Samantha just smiles, shaking her head.

"Lets go, my lovelies, class waits for no one." Veronica says, hooking her arms with theirs.

"Says the girl who always skips." Samantha responds. Veronica gives the girl a playful glare before they were making their way down the hallway to their first class.

♡♡♡

AS SHE ENJOYS THE FRESH AIR OUTSIDE, Samantha couldnt help but notice her little brother sat against the wall of the high-school nearer the back. She furrowed her eyebrows, glancing around before making her way over to him. "Hey, squirt." She says, nudging him with her foot, a soft smile on her face. Samantha noticed Mike and Lucas also beside him. "What are you dorks doing up here?" Samantha wonders as they should be down the hill at the middle school.

"Hiding." Lucas mumbles and Samantha was confused before a small sigh leaves her lips.

"Troy and James still bugging you?" She asks, knowing the two knuckleheads seemed to love bullying her little brother and his friends.

"Its fine." Dustin tells her.

"No, it's not." Samantha denies, hating how her brother just takes it. "I know my fair share of bullying, you just have to stand up to them." She states. Granted veronica was the one who made most of them back off but that's why her brother had them to help out.

"Have you seen us?" Mike asks bluntly, staring up at the girl.

"I'm sure Kyle wouldn't mind helping out."

"We can handle it." Dustin tells his sister, not wanting her to have to get involved because that would just be even more embarrassing.

"Mhm, thats why you came home with a busted chin last week?" She asks, raising an eyebrow as she places a hand on her hip and her brother stays silent. "I see you're one short." Samantha points out, noticing the smallest boy wasn't with them.

Shes known them since they were small, often babysitting them when the parents weren't able to. All of them seemed to enjoy her company, Will told her it was nice to know what it was kind of like having a sister. Samantha swore she never felt her heart melt before that.

"Wills not here today." Dustin denies and Samantha knew that was odd since Will never really missed a day.

"Why not?"

"Probably sick or something." Mike suggests and Lucas snorts.

"Yeah, sick of Dustin running his mouth." Dustin hits the boy who glares back at him.

"Well, you guys know you have class soon, right?"

"We're just waiting until the first bell rings." Mike tells her and she nods her head a little before looking down at her brother.

"Hey, can you cover with mom tonight?" She asks him curiously and Dustin seemed confused, narrowing his gaze a bit.

"Why?"

"Cause I'm going out and you know how she gets." Samantha states, crossing her arms against her chest. Dustin scrunches his nose up at her.

"You know I'm a horrible liar." He points out, their mom often saw right though him.

"Oh, I know. That's why don't talk to her unless she asks." Samantha states firmly, pointing her finger at him and he only gives her a thumbs up.

"Got it."

"See you later, dorks." She says, ruffling Dustin's hair making him groan a bit before waving at them as she heads back inside the school.

♡♡♡

THE MUSIC LOUDLY THUMPS THROUGH THE HOUSE, people dancing around and having conversations as they drink the beverages offered and smoke the pot some people brought. Samantha runs a hand through her hair as she dances beside her best friends, bringing her cup up to her lips as Veronica just smirks at the girl.

"Arent you glad we convinced you to come?" Veronica asks her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Samantha just finishes her drink before rolling her eyes a bit.

"I think you mean forced." She corrects her making Veronica snort as Kyle shakes his head.

"Coerced."

"It is kinda fun." Samantha admits, swaying to the beat of the song and Veronica couldn't help but smile widely at her best friend.

"I told you." She says, pinching Samanthas side before letting out a long breath. "Now, how about finding you someone to go home with?" Veronica suggests, placing her beer can against her chin as her eyes scan the room.

"Most of the guys here are not exactly...."

"Not disgusting?" Kyle asks her and Samantha nods her head.

"Youre just picky. There are a ton of perfectly good guys here." Veronica tells her and Samantha simply raises her eyebrows.

"Name one."

Veronica looks at the many guys surrounding the area. "Tyler's not bad." Veronica says, gesturing over to the boy and Samantha laughs, shaking her head.

"Cheated on his last two girlfriends." She retorts as she crosses her arms against her chest. Veronica scrunches up her nose, looking around the room again before snapping her fingers.

"Chris?"

"Hooked up with a girl purely for a bet."

"Zach?"

"No, not Zach." Kyle was quick to jump in causing both girls to look at him with confusion.

"Why not?" Samantha asks curiously. Kyle just shrugs his shoulder as he looks over at the boy in question.

"Hes friends with Harrington and he-- he's not a good fit for you." He denies and Samantha narrows her gaze but doesnt question it.

Her gaze goes over to Zach, seeing him with Steve who she couldn't believe was at this party. He seriously had to ruin everything good she had going for herself.

"You both are useless." Veronica admits, glaring playfully at them.

"I'm just not a sleep around type of girl, Roni." Samantha admits with a small shrug of her shoulders. She'd rather meet someone, form a connection with them before doing anything physical.

"So, youre calling me a whore?" Veronica teases her and Samantha rolls her eyes playfully.

"I'm saying we're two different people."

"Fine, we can somehow find you a very suitable boy within this town.... somehow." Veronica grumbled, crossing her arms against her chest. That was gonna be the hardest task of all.

Samantha couldnt help but flicker her eyes back to Steve who was laughing at something his friend said. "Why'd you invite them anyways?" She asks with a sigh, wondering why they were even at Veronicas house.

"I didnt. There's a party and they automatically assume they're invited." Veronica retorts back in annoyance and Kyle just shakes his head.

"What do we say?" He asks them, looking toward his best friends.

"Astonishing assholes." The three say in unison.

♡♡♡

AS THEY DROVE DOWN THE ROAD, the tape in the car blasting, Samantha was just resting in the passenger seat while Veronica was lounging in the back. "Arent you glad I'm not a drinker?" Kyle asks them, raising an eyebrow at the two girls. Samantha snorts as she lets out a big puff of smoke.

"I am glad for pot, not you." She retorts and Kyle scoffs as he looks back at the road.

"How sweet."

"You guys, if you blow the air out in a certain way, it makes a heart." Veronica tells them with a giggle and Samantha glances back at her. "Look." She does it and Samantha gasps rather loudly.

"Oh, my god that's the coolest thing I've ever seen." She admits as she was basically leaning into the back. Kyle sighs as he grabs her waist, pulling her back.

"What's cooler is putting on your seatbelts." Kyle tells them and Veronica rolls her eyes a bit.

"Okay, dad." Samantha mutters, sitting back in her seat and pulling her seatbelt on.

"Kyle, we need to get you laid, my man." Veronica announces and Kyle chuckles, shaking his head.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"So, he says no and you let it go and yet you will forever try and set me up with somebody?" Samantha asks, narrowing her gaze back at Veronica who shrugs her shoulders.

"Cause i know he'll find someone on his own." Veronica tells her and Samantha was silenced for a moment.

"Rude." She mutters and Kyle looks in his rear view mirror, internally hitting himself as he sees the familiar red and blue lights.

"Shit."

"Oh, fuck. Fuck, cops." Veronica says and she quickly hides the blunt as Kyle pulls to the side of the road.

"Act natural." Samantha tells them, adjusting her hair to cover more of her face and Kyle just narrows his eyes at her.

"When you say act natural, you're not acting natural." He denies before rolling down the window as Hopper walks up to the car. Samantha gasps as she smiles brightly seeing the man.

"Hi, Jimmy." She says loudly making Kyle wince slightly. Hopper just gives her a stern look making her clear her throat. "Sheriff Hopper." Samantha corrects herself.

"Do you know why i pulled you over?" Hopper asks, turning his attention to Kyle who shakes his head.

"No, sir."

"We got a complaint that someone was swerving all over the roads." He tells the man who seemed a bit annoyed, glancing over at Samantha who had her lips pressed together tightly.

"Thats my fault, I dropped something and it distracted him for a moment." Samantha answers and Hopper just looks in the car, seeing Veronica in the back.

"Mhm." He hums, crossing his arms against his chest. "Usually you want to crack a window when you smoke." Hopper suggests and they're all silent. "Can you step out of the car, son?" He says, opening the door.

Kyle unbuckles his seatbelt, stepping out as Hopper takes out his flashlight. "I haven't drank anything tonight, i swear." He assures the older man who just shines it in his eyes before pulling it away.

"The smoke from what they were taking can still affect you if you're in the car with them." He tells him before noticing Samantha get out and walk over to them. "I thought i told you if you wanted to do that, to do it at home." Hopper says as he stares at her.

"Mm, I dont quite remember that." She denies, faking innocence as she sees the pack of cigarettes he had on his belt.

"Usually when I give people two warnings, they don't try to get a third-- are you really trying to steal a cigarette from me right now?" Hopper asks her, holding onto them so she couldn't get them. Samantha groans as she tilts her head.

"Come on, Hopper, just let us go with a warning? You know we won't do shit." She denies and Hopper nods his head, rubbing between his eyebrows.

"And you'll tell me you won't do it again, I'll let you go and then next week, we'll be right back here again."

"So, we're good to go?" Samantha asks enthusiastically and Hopper just stares at her momentarily before holding out his hand.

"Hand over the pot." He tells her and she rolls her eyes but begrudgingly reaches into the car to grab it in order to give it to him. "And for the love of God, crank the windows down." Hopper says with a sigh and Kyle sheepishly looks at him before getting back in the car.

"Thank you, sheriff." He tells the man who just clenches his jaw a bit.

"Mhm." Hopper hums before his eyes move back to Samantha. "Next time, i am calling your mother." He warns her but Samantha just smiles, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

"Youre the best." She tells him before running back around to the passenger seat and getting in. "Bye Jimmy!" Samantha yells through the window before Kyle pulls back onto the road and starts driving down.

"That kids gonna be the death of me one day." He mumbles to himself before making his way back to his vehicle.

♡♡♡

VERONICA SNICKERS AS SHE LEANS AGAINST SAMANTHA, whispering something in her ear. Samantha gasps as she nods her head in agreement before leaning over to say something back. Veronica laughs loudly as she slaps Samanthas arm, leaning back in her seat. Their teacher sighs as she glances over at the two girls. She clears her throat, making them meet her gaze. "I'm sorry, is my teaching interrupting your gossip session?" The woman asks them and Samantha presses her lips together tightly.

"Sorry, Ms Jacob's." Samantha apologizes, trying not to laugh as she thinks about what Veronica said.

"Yeah, sorry." The other girl mumbles and Ms Jacobs turns back to the board. Veronica leans back over to Samantha. "The bitchiness is probably why she doesn't have a husband." Veronica whispers toward Samantha who snorts, covering her mouth as the teacher looks back over at them.

"So, as you know I often allow you to choose a lab partner to work on the terms assignments with." Ms Jacobs starts as she makes her way in front of her desk. "But this time, i think I may assign you one instead." She admits and numerous groans are heard around the class room.

"Say what now?" Samantha mutters as she shares a glance with Veronica. They did not just hear her say that.

"Veronica, you can work with Jasmine." Ms Jacobs tells the girl who's jaw drops. Samantha rubs her face as she just stares down at her desk. Veronica raises her hand to get the teachers attention.

"Um, sorry, Ms Jacob's, I always work with Sam." Veronica tells her. They've always been lab partners since they became friends, they couldnt just stop because the teacher had some sort of grudge.

"Maybe this way you do more working and less chatting." She retorts and Veronica bites her tongue in order to not say anything snarky back. "Move seats, dear." Veronica looks over at Samantha who gives her a sympathetic look. The raven haired girl grabs her things and makes her way over to her new seat, not pleased in the slightest.

Samantha only scribbled her pencil against her notebook as the teacher continued to assign everyone partners. Every time she wasn't called made her more wary of who she was going to get. She hated that she was switching it to assigning rather than being able to pick. She'd probably get stuck with someone who did none of the work.

"Lets see who we have left." Ms Jacobs says as she searches her list. "Samantha--" She snaps her head up at her name, her eyes going to Veronica who seemed just as nervous to hear who she was paired up with. "Its always good to pair top students with ones on the lower scale so I think I'll pair you up with.... now, let's see." Samantha groans as the woman simply taps her pen against the paper.

She had to make it the longest wait in history for no reason. Samantha chews at her bottom lip, just staring at her teacher. "Ah, Steve. You and Samantha can be lab partners." Her heart stopped at the name. She couldn't be serious. Samantha hoped there was another Steve in the class and not just the one she was thinking of.

But when she followed the teachers eyes, her gaze landed on Steve fucking harrington. She lets her head fall back as she closes her eyes, hoping this was all a dream because in what messed up universe did she have to work with the man who she'd rather ignore for the rest of her life.

"Youve gotta be fucking kidding me."

♡♡♡

Authors note; first chapter of the refurbished steve harrington book! It's gonna be a lot different than before <3