A record was settled on Andrea's vinyl player as she got ready. She was getting ready to go out with the kids. A weekly thing she did with them. They would all go to the mall and sneak through the back of Scoops Ahoy, perks to Andrea's boyfriend Steve Harrington working there, and they'd take the back rooms to the movies.

Andrea was going to get to the mall a bit earlier than the rest of the gang because she wanted to talk to Steve for a minute, knowing he had been working like crazy since his parents cut him off and threatened to send him out of the house.

Andrea held a spray bottle to her head to get the curls down and was easy to manage. Letting them get wet enough to droop down. Then, she split her hair down the middle and began doing two braids on each side. Her fingers grew tired after a while but once she finished, she tied the two braids off.

Andrea had on a pair of converse resting on her shoes. She had on a Hawaiian shirt with a pair of baggy shorts she had gotten from the store when Mrs. Henderson had tried to get the girl to dress up but slowly gave in to the fact she would dress up when she felt like it.

Andrea pulled a few curls out of her braids to frame her face before she was quick to move out the door, giving a wave off to her mother, "Bye, Mom! I'll be home after the movie with Dustin and I's friends."

Andrea missed Dustin deeply. He went off to a camp, a camp that he had been wanting to go to for years. She was happy for him. She knew he would love the experience but it was odd being the only person in the house besides their Mom.

She leaned against the front door of the Henderson household. One hand on the doorknob while the other played with her bracelet that rested on her wrist. The bracelet covered her tattoo so that she could wear whatever she wanted. It wasn't anything special, just a beaded bracelet with the initial 'H'. She hadn't taken it off since receiving it back in May.

"Be careful, Annie baby, remember that if anything happens or you need anyone that one of your friends can call or bring you back home," Mrs. Henderson explained as she smiled.

"Got it," Andrea nodded with a wide grin before she shut the door behind her.

Andrea walked over to the bike that she had been given a while back so she could get around since she had absolutely no mortal clue how to drive. Not that she wanted to learn anyway, just running into a fence had scared her of that.

Every one of her friends had pitched in to buy her a bike so that she had a way to get herself around. She was more than thankful for the fact that everyone had gotten her a way to get around.

She hoisted herself over and onto the bike as her hands gripped the handlebars before she peddled off. Her destination? Starcourt Mall.

Andrea had been a free woman for over 9 ½ months. The teenager was now at the ripe age of seventeen thanks to the month of December. She had been out of the lab and living a good life of her making. With the help of her friends, she wouldn't have been here without them.

Nancy had helped Andrea forge anything she needed for school like a transcript pre-Hawkins. She even caught her up on the pop culture of the era. It was funny to learn about especially with everything that Nancy had thrown at the girl who was trying to understand but getting confused rather easily.

Then there was Jonathan, Nancy recruited him to help teach Andrea about how she can play music or tell her about how to use a camera since Nancy was trying to get Andrea to join the newspaper staff this year.

Andrea pulled into the brightly lit lab and smiled brightly, going through the rows of cars before sliding off her bike once she reached the bike park. She placed it in one of the places before walking into the mall.

Andrea walked in with the crowd, smiling and waving at anyone who looked in her direction. It was her way of telling people 'I don't like you but you seem to like me'. She wasn't too fond of the crowd of teenagers that lived within Hawkins.

Andrea slid through into Scoops Ahoy and Robin smiled, "Hello Andrea."

"Hi Robin," Andrea grinned, "How has business been?"

Robin laughed at Andrea's attempt to make conversation, "Well the malls are packed and as you can see so is Scoops. Now, get on back there before your children get here."

Andrea rolled her eyes and laughed before moving through the doors and into the back room of Scoops, "Someone looks so happy with their life," Andrea joked seeing the annoyed look on her boyfriend's face as he tried to open a box.

"Oh, I am. Just fantastic," His sarcastic tone caused her hands to go to her hips before the man opened the box and looked at her, "Sorry, Andy. Just stressed."

Andrea rolled her eyes, "Don't worry about it."

Steve moved and pulled Andrea into his arms causing her to let out a laugh, "You're bringing the kids again, aren't you?" He asked as he squeezed her.

Andrea tapped his arm, "Too tight," causing him to let loose some, "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," She gave him a devilish look.

Steve looked down at her sternly, "You, are teaching them bad habits."

"Me? No, I'm teaching them skills of stealth," Andrea's eyes narrowed as she smirked.

"You little punk," Steve lifted her up causing her to laugh loudly as her grip tightened, "I'm going to have to teach you a lesson aren't I?"

Andrea's feet touched the ground once again as she placed a kiss on his jaw, "That's if I don't get away with my plans first."

Steve shook his head as he placed a kiss on his girlfriend's lips before moving back once a bell had dinged multiple times. Andrea grinned and pulled back knowing that Mike was letting them know that the kids were here.

"Hey, dingus and lady! Your kids are here," Robin let out as she sounded annoyed.

Steve moved from Andrea's side as he slid the windows open, "Again? Seriously?"

It went silent for a moment as every one of them held a straight face and Andrea moved into view with a wide grin before Mike dinged the bell once again.

"I really need to stop leaving Andrea in charge," Steve shook his head before letting the group back.

Steve led them through the back of Scoops Ahoy through the tunnels that connected the mall. Every one of them sped out through the door that Steve held open. Andrea came out behind Will.

"Come on, come on," Steve ushered them through the door quickly, "I swear if anybody hears about this-"

"We're dead!" Everyone spoke in unison and Andrea turned back and winked at Steve before following after her friends.

Everyone continued to walk through the doors and get through the back of the theater. Mike poked his head out first, looking to make sure it was clear for them to enter before deeming it clear.

"It's clear," And then the entirety of the group began to pile out the door.

The group made it through the packed theater to the 'The Day of the Dead' trying to get through the rows of seated people. Mike went through first, then Will, then Andrea, and the not-so-happy couple following behind.

The introduction music began to play as everyone took their seats. Getting settled comfortably while facing the large screen.

"See Lucas? We made it," Mike shot at Lucas.

"We missed the previews," Lucas said, seemingly annoyed.

"Who wants to watch the previews?" Andrea made a face.

"Still made it. Fart face," Max looked over at her boyfriend as she spoke.

Will rummaged through the backpack as he handed out snacks and drinks to everyone. Skittles were passed down to Max and Lucas while a bag of m&m's went to Mike. Will offered Andrea some candy but she declined.

Everyone's head turned as the movie had started. They watched a girl standing in a white room, walking around before walking in front of a calendar. Until the movie began to glitch and the power went out.

"Oh come on!" Everyone began to yell in anger.

Andrea looked around, "What the hell?"

The power finally came back on moments later. The movie started to sputter back into play causing an uproar of cheers. Though, Will looked a little freaked out. Andrea gave him a look of worry before she noticed Will's hand going to the back of his neck.

"Will?" Andrea tried to catch his attention.

"Hey," Mike took notice as well, Will gasped before he looked at Mike before looking at Andrea, "You okay?"

"Yeah," Will let his hand fall.

"Are you sure?" Andrea asked Will, giving Will a stern look.

Will nodded before adding, "Of course."

"Okay," Mike turned to look back at the movie.

So did Will, the movie causing everyone to go back to looking at it. Although, Andrea couldn't help but think about what was going on with Will...

Once the movie was over, everyone began to pile back out. Leaving the theater in a scattered mess.

"Be careful getting home!" Andrea yelled at all of them despite the fact no one but Will acknowledged her words.

Andrea checked her watch and saw that the time was past one. A sigh left her lips as she walked over to the bike station at the front of the mall to grab her bike. She noticed as the lights inside the mall began to shut off.

Andrea realized that it must be closing time. She shrugged it off and began to trudge off with her bike. Dustin comes back tomorrow, I've got to get the house ready for the surprise! She couldn't be more ecstatic to see the boy that had become her brother.

"Andy! Wait up!" Steve's voice caused her to pause from getting on her bike.

She turned her head in his direction and raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"

"Why don't I give you a ride home?" Steve asked as he pulled his work hat from his head, "It's late, and uh... can I just give you a ride?"

Andrea noticed the look on his face before she gave him a small smile, "I guess you can, Harrington. Help me get my bike into your car?"

"Of course," Steve grinned before moving to open his car door seeing as Andrea had already picked her bike up.

She managed to easily slide it into the back of his car. Andrea moved back and Steve shut the door before he moved and opened the door for Andrea.

"Your ride awaits," Steve mocked the accent of a posh man causing the girl to roll her eyes as she got into the car, shutting the door before Steve could, causing him to stumble.

Andrea grinned through the window as she tapped on the window, "Get in pretty boy!"

Andrea leaned over into the driver's seat and opened Steve's door before he could make it around. He slid into his seat and shook his head.

"You're going to be the death of me," Steve looked over at her with a shake of his head and a sigh.

"Hold your roll, you aren't going anywhere anytime soon," Andrea looked over at him with a stern look, "You know that good and well."

Steve laughed at her reaction, "I know. I know."

"Good, now you've got to get me home," Andrea crossed her arms as she leaned back into his seat.

"Alright - alright! Jesus, love calm down," Steve started up his car and Andrea flashed him a smile.

She felt bad for her boyfriend. She wanted to say it back, she really did but she couldn't. Steve understood that and tried to reassure her that it was okay. He understood because he knew she had been through a lot and love had never been something she had witnessed.

But that didn't stop her from feeling really bad that she couldn't say it back.

Andrea played with the bracelet around her wrist that covered her tattoo. It was her new habit instead of playing with a sleeve because now, she didn't have to have a sleeve to hide it.

"I'm glad that you like the bracelet," Steve looked over at Andrea for a moment before putting his eyes back on the road, "I wanted you to have something to give you a little more freedom with what you wear so you wouldn't be afraid."

Andrea hadn't taken the bracelet off since Steve had given it to her. Steve had given it to her at his graduation after they had been dating for seven months.

"It's pretty," Andrea looked down at her wrist, the beaded bracelet Steve had managed to make for her.

He made it with a mixture of beads. He knew Andrea did not like bright colors because she believed they drew too much attention so he settled for darker ones. Black, purple, wine, and a few white heads. One in the middle that had an 'H'.

They reached her house rather quickly. Andrea went to get out of the car, as did Steve, and get out her bike.

"You know, I can do stuff too, right?" Andrea questioned as Steve pulled her bike out of his car.

"I know, I just want to help," Steve shrugged his shoulders as he placed the bike back on the ground.

Andrea rolled her eyes before looking back at the time, "Hey, it's late," She pointed down at her watch.

Steve raised an eyebrow at her words, "I know."

"You have work tomorrow," She tries to figure out how to say that he could stay without it seeming weird.

Steve let out a small laugh, "I didn't know that, Princess," He joked.

Andrea gave him a small glare, "Let me finish. Do you want to... uh... stay?"

"The night? Here?" Steve questioned as he placed her bike back into the garage.

"Yes," Seven gave a nod as she continued to play with her bracelet.

Steve noticed how nervous she got and placed a hand on her side, pulling her closer to him, "Don't be so nervous. I'll stay, as long as Mrs. Henderson doesn't fight me off."

Andrea let out a small laugh, "She won't. She's asleep, just be quiet."

"I am quiet, I'm a ninja," Steve looked down at her and she made a face.

"What's a ninja?" Andrea asked.

"I'll explain that later," Steve shook his head with a grin.

Andrea rolled her eyes before pulling away from Steve, grabbing his hand as she dragged him through the door of her house. Holding a finger to her lips as she pulled him through the living room till they reached her bedroom.

Andrea slipped Steve through her door first before following after him. Placing her hand against her door as she slowly pushed it shut, turning the doorknob so that the click wouldn't be that loud.

"Okay, I've got some clothes you can borrow," Andrea walked over to the chest and opened the drawer.

"I don't think your clothes are big enough to fit me," Steve had slid off his shoes as he laid down on his side on Andrea's bed.

Andrea pulled out some of the clothes she had snagged from Steve, "Oh, mine won't. Yours will although they are currently mine and you are not getting them back they are borrowed."

Steve raised an eyebrow as his eyes sparkled with amusement, "So you're the one napping my clothes."

Steve got off the bed and Andrea held the fabric behind her, "Not napping.... Taking and using until I deem it time to exchange them out."

Steve stood in front of Andrea, the girl ready to try to get around him knowing what he might do, "Fine. Then I'll take your clothes!"

Steve managed to grab a bra from Andrea's pile of clothes causing her to turn bright red, "Steve!"

Steve slid his arms through it and wore it over his uniform, "Look at me! I'm fashionable."

"Steve, take it off," Andrea's face was burning, "Here."

Steve took his clothes from her with a grin before sliding her bra off and handing it back to her, "No need to be embarrassed, angel cakes."

Andrea shook her head before grabbing her clothes to change into, "You stay facing that way so we can get changed."

"As you wish," Steve was clearly amused by Andrea's sheer embarrassment.

The two changed out of their clothes. Steve's uniform now sitting on her floor while Andrea's clothes sat in a different corner while she took off her bra and put on a baggy t-shirt. One she had bought purposefully way too big to wear as a nightgown.

"I'm done changing," Steve said, "Are you?"

"I am," Andrea turned around and looked at Steve now wearing sweats.

Andrea nudged her boyfriend's arm before she climbed into her bed. She took the side that was pressed against the wall so that she wouldn't be awoken when Steve would sneak out to get to work.

"Goodnight," Andrea turned over slightly so that she could face Steve, laying on her back with her head turned in his direction.

"Goodnight," Steve turned off her light before laying down and laying on his side so that he could face his girlfriend.

Andrea tried to fall asleep but she couldn't find herself getting comfortable. Seven was trying not to move that much to disrupt Steve. She knew that it was already really late and he had work in the morning but she couldn't sleep like she was. Laying on her back.

The most uncomfortable thing ever.

Steve seemed to take notice though. Andrea felt as Steve's arms tugged her over to him.

"Steve, you've gotta sleep," Andrea mumbled as he continued to shift her around.

"Just relax," Steve mumbled before settling down.

Andrea was pressed into Steve. Both now lay on their sides facing the other's direction. Her head was in his chest while one of her arms draped over his side, as Steve's had draped over hers.

Andrea sighed before she listened closely to Steve's breathing, using it as a way to keep herself calm. She often did, it had become a habit. She would listen to his heartbeat. She didn't know why it soothed her but it did.

He was okay. No matter what had happened back in November, the monsters did not kill any of them. Steve was still alive and Steve was still thriving.