THE LITTLE RED DEVIL !

☀︎

HALLOWEEN NIGHT HAD BEEN CHILLY IN HAWKINS, INDIANA. With new plans being added to the night, Alex's only wish was for trick or treating to drag on as long as possible. Only then she could attempt to convince Jonathan that the night had been long enough and all that she could handle was nothing more than a sleepover with parties and Billy Hargrove completely off the list.

The only issue of the night seemed to be the costume. A deal was made between the two to not do costumes but with Dustin begging consistently to have his sister not be the lame one of the bunch, she had no choice but to agree. What Dustin said, she would go with.

I'm front of the Wheeler's house, Alex had sat on the curb as the boys around her shoved each other, laughed, and made a very detailed plan to get as much candy for the evening. As soon as Jonathan had pulled up, he gave a honk to get the boys attention. Standing up, Alex rushed over to the passenger side, saying hi to Will before taking the spot he once sat in. "Don't laugh," she warned.

Using everything in him not to laugh, he sat there with a large smile, looking her over. "What the hell are you wearing?"

"I look stupid I know," she laughed, adjusting the little red horns on her head.

"Fishnets, very short shorts and a leather jacket. Is that red lipstick? Oh my god who are you?" he leaned over in his seat, looking at her up and down. Planning to head to the party anyways, he was glad to see that she was more than ready for it.

"Listen, I hate this. Dustin said I couldn't come if I didn't dress up as something."

"So he said dress as a hooker?" Jonathan laughed.

Her expression fell straight into horror as she looked down at her costume. "I look like a hooker?"

"No, I'm kidding. The hottest devil there is. I totally get it... just thought I'd never see you dressed like that. The horns... yeah, those make sense. Aren't you cold?" Jonathan looked down at her legs in concern. It had been pretty cold, and Alex had seemed more comfortable outside than she did in the warmth of his car.

"I'm surprisingly good. You ready to trick or treat?" she asked, going to open the door. Just as she had went to pull the handle, he locked the door from his end, causing her to look to him in question. 

"Actually I have other plans for us..."

"Ew, what?"

"Ew? Really?" he chuckled. "Will thinks we're lame because were hanging around them... mainly me hanging around him, but I think we should give the kids their well deserved freedom tonight. Plus, Mike needs to enjoy Halloween, not dying over the fact that for once in your life you're wearing shorts."

"So what I'm getting at is you suck and we're going to your house and listening to the Talking Heads?" she questioned hopefully knowing full well that was not what he was thinking.

"I was actually thinking we could go to that party... go see Billy?" Drumming his fingers against the steering wheel nervously, he attempted to flash her a smile, but she did not seem to pleased with the plan. "What? Maybe I could use a new friend."

"I'll go to the party with you. No Billy. And no offense, I love you, but Billy would not be your friend. He's got a very specific group of friends... They're all assholes."

"Oh, well, you probably think I'm an ass right now making you go, so maybe he will like me. Besides, according to him, I'm your boyfriend. If you like me, then he has to. We're a package deal."

Alex scoffed at his words and buckled herself in. "Whatever, but you owe me candy and I call drinking tonight. You're the driver."

Jonathan gave a honk to the boys as the two waved them goodbye. As he began to pull away, he decided to take one last jab at Alex before he sent her into a torture the rest of the night. "You could always ride your bike but even sober you crash that too."

『••☀︎••』

TINA'S HOUSE HAD BEEN PACKED WITH HIGH SCHOOLERS ALL LOOKING FOR A GOOD TIME. Pulling up, Jonathan parked his car as they both peered through the window up at the house and the many people walking through the front to head in. It was not a place that Alex or Jonathan would ever find themselves but with the help of Nancy Wheeler and Billy Hargrove, they were stuck finding the courage to go in.

Pulling himself together, Jonathan threw his door open before he found the need to drive off and walked around the car. Opening up Alex's door, he held out his hand to her. "Come on. I'll be by your side the whole time. No splitting up."

Placing her hand in his, she had gotten out of the car despite everything telling her not too. With a small sigh, she allowed the cold around her to be the thing to get her through the night. Holding onto Jonathan's hand tight, she walked closely beside him as they made their way through the yard.

As the two had headed towards the door, they had unfortunately managed to catch Tommy's eyes. Lips curling into a grin, he shoved his drink into his friends chest as he jumped right in their pathing. "Holy shit, the freak is just plain ole freaky!" Tommy extended his arms out as he looked over Alex's costume in awe.

"We're leaving," she instantly whispered to Jonathan.

"Back off, Tommy," Jonathan said loudly, shoving him out of the way. As Tommy had called out to Alex, the two had kept their heads down as they made their way through the front door and right into the heart of the party. Making their way through the crowd, Jonathan lead her to the kitchen for a drink. Taking an empty cup, he scooped up a drink from the punch bowl and passed it over to her.

The moment she held it, she brought it to her lips and downed her drink as Jonathan scanned his eyes across the room to see if he could spot a familiar face. He had wanted to prove to Nancy that he had came tonight, but she seemed to be lost somewhere else in the party.

Turning to Alex as she scooped herself another drink, Jonathan placed a hand on her back, leaning towards her ear so she could hear over the music and voices. "I'll be right back! Stay here!"

Taking a sip of her drink, she watched as he pushed his way through the crowd and wondered what had happened that caused him to forget the plan to stick together. Left to hang around and drink, she leaned against the counter, nervously drumming her fingers against the cup as she waited for Jonathan to return.

As someone shoved drink into her chest, Alex stumbled back at the sight of a drunk Nancy. Trying to keep her eyes focused on her friend, Nancy leaned in until her lips nearly grazed Alex's ear, "You're my best friend," she whispered before pulling back with a smile.

Smiling, Alex nodded her head in agreement. "You're my best friend too, Nance."

Lazily leaning up against the counter beside Alex, Nancy linked her arm through hers as she looked around the party. "Do you like Jonathan?" Nancy asked loudly, "You'd tell me if you two were together, right?"

Taking a quick sip of her drink, Alex shook her head in surprise. "Oh, no. We're not dating or anything. We're just friends, and even if we were anything, you'd be the first to know."

Nancy gave a few nods as she leaned her head against Alex with a small sigh. "I'm glad you came tonight." Taking a sip of her drink, Nancy frowned as she felt the need to admit her truth. "I'm happy you know how I feel. You know, after what happened."

Finishing off her drink once more, Alex felt a buzz already as she felt a rush of sadness run through her. "What if it never ended?"

Nancy lifted her head up as she looked to Alex, her eyes unable to focus directly on her. "What do you mean?"

"What if that thing, the demogorgon, what if it hurt me and I never stopped hurting after? Unless I'm crazy."

Shocked by her words, Nancy placed her drink down beside Alex as she cupped her face in her hands. "You're not crazy. I'll always believe you." Feeling Alex's hand place over her, Nancy smiled brightly as an idea popped in her mind. "Do what I'm doing, drink to forget it all. Forget about the thing and Barb..." Her voice trailed off as she felt the rush of emotions come once more at the mention of Barb. "I killed Barb," she whispered.

"No, you didn't, Nance. We didn't know what was going to happen."

Dropping her hands down from Alex, Nancy picked up her drink and brought it to her lips. Copying her movements, Alex had began to drink hers to try and keep up.

Making his way towards the kitchen, Steve felt annoyed with Nancy constantly disappearing whenever he approached her. Spotting her drinking once more, he made his way towards her, gently wrapping a hand around her arm. "Nancy, will you just come with me?"

Shaking him off, Nancy took a step closer to Alex, "Leave me alone, Steve."

"Oh, hey, Alex," he said quietly, reaching for Nancy once more but failed yet again, "Thought you weren't coming."

"Jonathan made me come. Said I needed a boyfriend or whatever."

"A boyfriend? Seriously?" Steve questioned causing Nancy to roll her eyes. All evening, she had been annoyed with Steve and anything that had came out of his mouth. She loved Alex, but as she grew more drunk, the more she was inclined to accuse Steve of his feelings for Alex.

"I'll take that spot," Tommy cut in, pushing between both Nancy and Alex. Slinging his arms around the two, he grinned at each before sending Steve a cocky grin.

"She's not dating you," Steve said quickly.

"I'm not dating anyone," Alex clarified with a slight attitude. Bringing her cup back up to her lips, Steve watched with a frown. Nancy on the other hand saw it as an opportunity to continue drinking and refilled her own.

"Come on, Nance. No more. Let me drive you both home..." Steve urged, taking Alex's cup from her hands. Then reaching for Nancy's, he had missed his chance. Turning away from him, Nancy rolled her eyes to show Alex her annoyance with her boyfriend tonight.

Reaching out once more, Nancy started up a bigger attitude with Steve after ruining her chance to talk with Alex alone. She had seemed to be the only one unable to move on from that night and truly understood why she felt this way.

"I'm out of here," Alex mumbled, shoving Tommy's arm off of her, "Bye, Nance. Call me tomorrow, okay?" When Nancy had agreed, Alex gave a wave to her before trying to leave and find Jonathan.

"Uh, bye, Alex?" Steve questioned, following her as she started to walk off. Turning back to him, she tried to give him a smile as she said bye to him once more.

Following after her, Tommy tried to sneak off until Steve grabbed him by the crook of his arm, yanking him back, "Leave Alex alone."

"Just gonna show her some fun," Tommy laughed, jerking his arm back.

"Don't even try it," Steve warned before turning back to see Nancy scooping up another drink for herself, "I said that's enough," Steve said, trying to take the ladle from her hand.

"Go babysit your other girlfriend," Nancy mumbled, pulling it right back into her grip.

"Don't even start that again."

"Oh, please! I can say whatever the hell I want. Cause guess what? She's not your best friend. She's Jonathan's and she's mine. You suck," Nancy said, jabbing a finger into his chest before returning to filling up her cup, only escalating the fight between the two further until it'd lead to the bathroom upstairs.

Out in the backyard, Alex wandered through the crowd of people unaware that Tommy was searching for his opportunity to sneak in with full confidence that Steve was not keeping an eye on her. Grabbing her as she headed past him, Tommy grinned, "What do you say we get out of here?"

An uneasy feeling had washed over her as a voice inside her head had screamed inside her. Shaking his hand off of her, she shook her head. "Yeah, no thanks, Tommy."

"Oh, come on," Tommy urged, giving a small yank on her arm. Pulling out of his hand, Alex shook her head once again, "I said no."

"We don't have to tell King Steve or anything," Tommy laughed. Reaching out, he tried to put his hand on her waist, Tommy was soon jerked back the moment a hand had laid on his shoulder.

Looking to him, Billy didn't need to look any more intimidating as his reputation was more than enough. "Get the hell out of here," he stated plainly.

"We're just having fun, man," Tommy laughed. "You know how it is. I mean, come on."

"No, I don't know how it is," Billy said, moving to stand beside Alex. "And I'm pretty sure she told you no."

As the alcohol had rushed through her, Alex felt more confident in her actions and with Billy looking out for her, she felt safe by his side. Slipping her arm around him, she leaned into him as he placed an arm over her shoulder, both watching and waiting for Tommy's next move. Looking back and forth between the two, Tommy rolled his eyes and snuck off back into the crowd of people.

"Come with me," Billy said, holding her tightly against him. Heading further in the backyard, he led her where not many people had drifted off to and sat her on a bench. Alex took a seat there, waiting for Billy to do the same. "You okay, Alex?"

"I'm fine. Tommy's just an asshole."

"Yeah, totally... I'm glad you came though," he said softly.

"Jonathan made me come and I knew it would've been better to stay home."

"Well, I invited you. Guess you're not such a freak like these people say." Billy grew quiet, watching as she played with her fingers. Gently, he placed his hands on top of hers, finally getting Alex to look up at him.

Neither of them said anything as they slowly leaned in to each other, Alex letting Billy's lips gently pressed up against hers. For the first time in his life, Billy felt nervous. Slowly reaching out, he cupped his hand on her cheek, pulling closer to him as his other hand began to feel its way up her leg.

The rush inside her had caused her to heat up instantly. An unbearable shriek had rang through her ears the more Billy had leaned into her and the warmer she grew. Unable to stand the pain, she pulled back quickly, feeling her ears ring as the shriek had came to a halt. The sudden movement from Alex had Billy jerk his hand back as if he did something wrong.

Standing up, he tried to hide his embarrassment as he looked back to the house. "I'm gonna go get you some water. Stay here," he looked her over once more before heading off back towards the house.

Breathing heavily, Alex had felt the ringing begin to die down as a new headache had began to form. With a sharp stab rushing though her mind, the sky around her had flashed a red and a wave of coldness had poured over her like a blanket. Around her the lightening cracked, growing louder each time and the monster above had towered over her. His arms had snaked through the sky, each one threatening to come down below and reach out to her.

The sight alone struck fear in Alex. Closing her eyes, she hung her head low, wishing for the clicking and low growls of monsters that filled the Upside Down to leave her mind. There was no escaping the voice in her head, but the least she could do was block out the surrounding nightmares while she still could.

The whispering began to flood through her ears as the monster in the sky began to twist and turn with anger. Isolating Alex Henderson had been harder when she had been so determined to push him away and pretend everything had been okay. With Will it had been much easier. The monster in the sky had plans this Halloween night, allowing the two to see him in a new light. Will would be the closest he had ever gotten and Alex could hear his demands loud and clear. He was coming soon enough and he wanted her to know it.

The shiver down her spine had caused goosebumps to rise. The voice inside her mind was no longer dull and inaudible, but booming and furious. Every mistake she made from here on out, she would hear of. Any person she spoke to, he'd be sure she knew that no matter what, she could trust him more. And if she told anyone about him, then there would be no going back. Alex Henderson was alone, and he needed her to understand that it's all she'd ever be.

Coming up to her with a bottle in hand, Billy gently tapped it against the top of her head to get her attention. When she had looked up, there was a pain in her eyes that he had not seen before. Taking the water from him, she gave him a quiet thank you before taking a sip. "Listen, I'm really sorry about what happened..."

"Yeah, let's not," he interrupted. The very last thing he had wanted to discuss was a kiss ended badly.

Clearing her throat uncomfortably, Alex stood up from the bench. "I should go and find my friend. But, thank you for Tommy and the water..."

"You're boyfriend left with that Nancy girl," Billy said as they began to walk back towards the house. "Harrington's here. I know you got a crush on him." Keeping his eyes forward, he felt Alex look to him in shock, but after she pulled away from the kiss, he felt the need to get under her skin. "He's never going to like you back. Harrington is a dumbass and has a girlfriend."

"Well, I just want to hang out with him or get a ride. Don't have to be so rude."

"I'm just telling you the truth since your other boyfriend won't. They both like that princess and you're just second in their minds. You can't really think they'd pick you over her, right?"

Alex shook her head in attempt to get her mind straight. "I mean, it's Nancy. She's pretty, popular, smart, fun..."

"You got a crush on her too?"

Letting out a sharp sigh, Alex grabbed his arm and put him to a stop beside the keg stand. "You're not funny so stop smiling like that. I'm just saying, I know why I'm not everyone's ideal girl, okay? Maybe there's other things you don't know about between the four of us."

"There's no maybe, Alex. I am right. I'm going back to enjoy the party but you should go home. It was my mistake for inviting you here," he stated. Without a goodbye, he headed back to the party, already finding a drink and a group of friends to get him back into the mood to party.

Rolling her eyes, Alex cut right passed Billy as he watched her and headed right back into the house. As she made her way through the backdoor, a hand wrapped around her and gently pulled her over. "Hey, Henderson, I didn't think you were coming," Carol called out over the noise.

Shrugging, Alex tried to find a smile. "I wasn't planning on it but I actually think I'm gonna head home now."

Putting her back to her friends, Carol shook her head in surprise. "No, you should stay! We can get the group together like old times at Harrington's!"

Instantly, Alex shook her head. "Yeah, Tommy's already being a perv and I don't even know where Steve is. Last I saw he was with Nancy."

Holding onto her arm, Carol had guided her towards the kitchen for a drink as she kept an eye out for Steve. Filling up a cup for Alex, she tried to do something she had never done since ever meeting Alex, and that was be there as a friend. "I know they're you're friends but that's a sinking ship if I ever saw one. He spilled her drink all over her and she stormed off. Doesn't matter anyways. Not like they had much connection anyways. She just doesn't understand Harrington's a catch like some of us do."

Accepting a drink from Carol, Alex nodded along. "I heard Jonathan took her home already. I feel kind of bad since I left her. She was really upset but Tommy was a creep so I bolted. I wanted to hang out with her and Steve though."

Bringing her cup to her lips, Carol had been looking over Alex's shoulder with her brow raised. "Speak of the devil." Holding out here arms, she motioned for Steve to come over. "Hey, Harrington."

Giving her a quick hug, Steve tried to smile as he looked to the girls. "Are you two having fun?"

As Carol nodded, Alex shook her head, earning a hard shove from Carol. "She's mad because Tommy's being typical Tommy. A total asshole." Seeing the frown on his lips, Carol sighed as she lost all her excitement to party. "I see you're not having fun either so I'll leave you two alone. Be miserable together." Pointing a finger to Alex, she demanded she hear from her tomorrow while Alex gave her a promise in return.

After Carol had left, Steve ran his hand through his hair with a sigh as he leaned up against the counter beside her. "I think Nancy dumped me."

Turning to him with an expression filled with shock, she tried to get out words to better understand. Steve shook his head as he looked down at the cup in his hands as she reached out to him to comfort him. "What happened?"

Looking over his shoulder, he looked at the many party people dancing, laughing and drinking. All having a much better time than he had. Grabbing her hand in his, he led her out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. Having a private place to talk was easier than knowing others could be listening in when all he wanted to do was talk to Alex.

Taking a seat on one of the steps, he held her hand until she went to sit right beside him. "I know you guys were fighting, but, I mean, she's been drinking."

"And it's the most honest she's been with me." Looking down at his feet, he shook his head in disbelief in what this night as brought him. "She actually called me bullshit. She doesn't even love me."

"You don't know that..."

Picking his head up, he let out a sarcastic laugh. "Oh, I do. She told me. Like we're in love," he repeated. "Can you believe that?"

Alex kept her eyes on him as he rested his head in his hands. Seeing him heart broken had her heart clench, wondering how someone could not love him. "I can't," she said gently, but soon managed a laugh as she looked away from him. "Then again, I don't know what it's like to be your girlfriend. You're bearable as a friend, but a boyfriend? No idea."

"Well, I think I'm great."

"Maybe that's it," she nodded. "Your ego is as big as your hair." Alex turned her head over to him to see his smile drop down, his eyes focusing down at his hands that draped over his knees. Scooting closer, she linked her arm with his, resting her head against his shoulder. "I think you're great too," she said softly.

"Yeah?"

Alex nodded her head slowly in response. She had tried to stay focused on their conversation, but as the heat had grown, the harder it had been to push away what she had been feeling. The clicks and growls from the Upside Down had felt haunting through the night and the horrors of what was to come had began to grow stronger.

Pulling her head up off of Steve, she freed her arm before slipping off her jacket. "Maybe I'd think you're a little bit more great if you brought me home. I'm not feeling in the party mood anymore."

"Yeah, sure," he said, standing up from his spot. Taking a step down, he looked down at her with a half hearted smile. "I'm sorry if I totally crushed the mood."

"No, don't worry about it. I'm actually glad I came so you weren't heartbroken all by yourself." Standing up, she gave him a reassuring smile. "You know I'm always here for you even if you need to pour your heart out about Nancy. Whatever you say stays between us."

Scoffing lightly, he shook his head. "Like you'd need to hear about me and Nancy for hours. Let's just go before this party makes us more miserable."

Moving her way passed him, Alex had moved her way through the crowd surrounding the door with Steve trailing right behind. Though the two had a very different idea of how the party would go, they were glad that it managed to end with each other.