chapter three
teen romance

IT was safe to say Aries hopper was beyond fed up with Steve Harrington. The audacity he had to approach her and just pretend like nothing happened. She didn't hold back on telling Esme all about it as soon as they were together. Before she didn't mind going to Enzo's but now she was sorta dreading it. All she wanted to do now was hangout with Jonathan and Esme, steve had put her in a horrible mood. Madison didn't even bother to come home, Aries didn't think much of it knowing she was most likely at mikes.

Esme and Aries sat in esmes room trying to prepare Aries for her meet up with Enzo.

"Do you like him or something, why're you freaking out?" Esme smiled fluffing out Aries hair.

Aries rolled her eyes shrugging esmes hands off of her head, "no, at least I don't think so- I'm just nervous. The only guy I hangout with now is literally Jonathan who is like a brother. I don't know this feels different" Aries groaned standing up and grabbing her bag.

"Well then why don't we just go to Steve's little party? You can get to know Enzo and you won't be as alone so you won't have to freak out as much" Esme suggested.

Aries laughed looking down at Esme who was sitting on her bed getting ready to light a cigarette. "Are you insane?" Aries exclaimed.

Esme simply shrugged lighting the cigarette that was caught between her teeth. "I think you just need to chill out for a little, loosen up y'know? You won't even have to interact with Steve if we go" Esme was now standing up holding Aries free hand.

Aries stared at the girl trying to resist her persuasion. Esme smiled noticing Aries slowly cracking, she took a deep drag before turning her head and exhaling away from Aries face.

"See I knew you'd say yes" Esme grinned pulling the cigarette out of her mouth.

Aries rolled her eyes pulling her hand away from Esme. "You really shouldn't smoke in your room... it's like uh a fire hazard" Aries groaned walking out of the room.

Esme smiled seeing Aries walk away. She knew well that they were going to that party. Esme enjoyed the occasional party, but what Esme enjoyed the most was chaos. Pure, fire, red hot chaos. The kind of chaos that would make you want to scream.

Although Esme was trying to get Aries to push her boundaries a bit and open up, she honestly just wanted to see if her sister would go considering her girlfriend was friends with Steve's. She liked annoying her sister so it was a win win for Esme either way.

Aries was now down the hall in the kitchen dialing the wheelers number. She groaned waiting for the line to pick up.

"Hello! Mrs.Wheeler here, how can I help you?" The lady asked a little too enthusiastic.

"Hey Mrs.Wheeler, it's Aries" the girl was nervous, she hated talking on the phone.

"Oh, hi dear! Nancy isn't here she left a bit ago for wills- well for you know" Mrs.Wheeler was now whispering and that only made Aries even more curious.

What was going on for will tonight? "Oh um im actually calling for Enzo" Aries voice cracked and she quickly cleared her throat trying to cover it.

Mrs.Wheelers eyes perked up hearing her sons name come out of Aries mouth. "Oh yes, I'll get him!" Aries could hear mrs.wheeler calling for Enzo and she patiently waited.

"Your sister is here by the way, just wanted to make sure you knew" mrs.wheelers voice filled the phone once again.

"Thank you, yes I know, is she sleeping over by any chance? She didn't tell me" Aries was playing with the phone wire anxiously.

Mrs.Wheeler looked up at the steps to see Enzo coming down. "Oh yes I believe so! I think I heard them discussing that but I'll make sure she gives you a call, good night Aries" mrs.wheeler smiled before passing the phone to Enzo.

"goodnight mrs.wheeler!" Aries said quickly making sure the lady knew she responded back.

"Not Mrs.Wheeler but I do happen to be a wheeler" Enzo smiled to himself already knowing the look of annoyance on Aries Hoppers face.

Aries rolled her eyes adjusting the phone, "just the person i was calling for" Aries was now smiling to herself hearing the boys voice on the other line.

Aries was nervous to ask the question, even though she knew Enzo wouldn't get mad she worried he'd realize she didn't want to be alone with him.

"I was wondering if maybe you'd want to go to Steve's house instead? Esme sorta convinced me to ho and I couldn't say no" Aries stuttered on her words trying to get them out.

Enzo's face faltered a bit considering he did want to spend some alone time with Aries. Whenever they hung out it was always with a group of people. "Steve's house?" Enzo questioned, they had a whole conversation earlier on how much Aries despised the Harrington boy.

"Yeah, I don't know, maybe it'll be fun" aries awkwardly laughed.

"Uh-yeah sure, I mean why not right?" Enzo cleared his throat trying to sound convincing.

Aries smiled not realizing the boys hesitation, "great! Esme and I will meet you there then?" Aries asked as Esme came out from the hall.

"Yeah sure, I'll see you then Aries" Enzo was at least happy he'd get to see the girl soon.

"See you soon" Aries said before hanging up and turning to look at Esme.

"Please tell me that was a yes?" Esme exclaimed excitedly. Aries walked towards the girl slightly nodding her head.

Esme immediately ran into her room throwing on her shoes. And soon the girls were headed towards a chaos fueled 'party'

ARIES AND ESME nearly made it to Steve Harringtons house. It was safe to say they almost crashed about five times. They did run over a bird which they had a quick funeral for before they got back in the car. Rest in piece Henrietta.

The two girls stood in front of the door debating which one of them should ring the bell. They narrowed it down to Esme considering she was the one that wanted to come in the first place.

"Should we leave? They're taking too long, maybe this is a sign we should just go" Aries ranted making Esme roll her eyes.

"They probably didn't hear it, let me try again" Esme said. With one movement the girl was repeatedly ringing the bell.

"Esme!" Aries whisper yelled looking around frantically. The raging bell echoed throughout their ears, it was obvious that anyone could hear it now.

Esme simply smiled as she continued to spam the bell. "What? You said they were taking too long" Esme shrugged.

Before Aries could beg Esme to stop the door flung open and there Steve Harrington stood. "I heard you the first ten times Esme" Steve was obviously annoyed which only made Esme more proud.

"Well next time don't take years to walk to the door" Esme pushed past Steve walking into his house. He scoffed looking back at Esme seeing her walk into the back.

"sure, come in why not" the boy scoffed placing has hands on his hips watching as Esme walked away in disbelief.

Aries stood awkwardly staring at the back of his head. He soon turned around remembering Aries was behind him. His eyes landed on Aries who looked frightened but yet like she could kill him. He stepped to the side gesturing for her to come in.

"Didn't expect to see you here" Steve muttered as Aries walked in. The boy quickly closed the door behind her.

She ignored him continuing to walk to the back, "great chat as always aries!" Steve said loud enough for Aries to hear from the short distance she walked away from him.

"Love hanging out with those two" Steve muttered sarcastically.

He quickly followed behind her, grabbing an extra beer from the table. Once Aries got into the backyard her eyes scanned the area. Esme was already talking to Nancy. Enzo was conversing with Tommy and Carol, and of course Dakota and Ayri were flirting in a corner.

Enzo's eyes lit seeing Aries enter, Steve approached the girl noticing her glance fixated on Enzo. "Here, you might need this tonight" Steve nudged Aries shoulder holding out the spare beer.

Aries eyes travelled towards the beer then up at his face, she silently grabbed the can. Steve noticed her silence and decided not to push it any further. It was obvious she didn't want to talk to him, she hadn't said one word to him this whole time.

"Okay if you're not gonna talk to me this whole time, why come?" Steve arrogantly asked.

Aries glared at him before shoving the beer back in his hand, "because I didn't come for you, asshole" Aries spat walking away from Steve and towards Enzo.

Steve stood shocked watching Aries walk away. He looked down at the beer then back up at the girl. He tossed the can to the side, he tore his eyes from Aries and walked towards Nancy.

Enzo watched the small encounter between Steve and Aries. It wasn't hard to tell the two didn't like each other. Enzo didn't know why but he never pushed Aries to tell him. Once he saw her walking towards him he excused himself from Tommy and Carol meeting her halfway.

"Hi sorry I'm late, we ran into a couple things" Aries laughed and Enzo smiled tilting his head.

"Literally or figuratively?" Enzo grinned which only made Aries chuckled looking down at her feet rubbing her forehead.

"Definitely literally" Enzo smiled at Aries comment. He had heard many times that she was a terrible driver.

The two awkwardly stood in front of each other trying to find something to talk about. Usually it was easy but now it seemed difficult to even pick a topic.

"So um, I'm gonna leave from here early because I'm not trying to stay for the aftermath of Tommy and Carol" Enzo pointed towards the couple. Aries immediately knew what he meant nodding with a smile. "Do you want to come with?" Enzo asked.

This was him trying to get his alone time with Aries, and she was freaking the fuck out.

"Yeah sure, I'll just have to tell Esme but that sounds good to me" the girl nodded which only made Enzo smile.

"Aries! Come here!" Esme yelled. Aries quickly turned to see Esme laid out on one of Steve's pool chairs besides Nancy and Steve. Aries looked back at Enzo nudging her head towards them telling him to follow. She crossed her arms walking towards Esme. It was getting cold out and Aries for sure wanted to leave soon.

"Chug for me? Please" Esme begged handing Aries a beer. Tommy, Carol, Dakota, and Ayri approached encouraging Esme's request.

"Cmon Aries put down the books for once and be a teenager" Tommy laughed which only made Carol snicker. She immediately rolled her eyes at the sound of Tommy's obnoxious voice.

"Come on Aries, this is the point of a party" Carol shrugged lifting her beer in the air.

Aries side eyed Tommy and Carol rolling her eyes. "I don't know" Aries shrugged and Esme nodded not wanting to pressure the girl.

Steve chuckled lighting another cigarette, "come on guys you really think Aries of all people will do that? You got the wrong girl" Steve laughed.

"You would know wouldn't you Harrington" Carol giggled earning a low chuckle from Tommy.

Everyone glanced over at Carol confused, Steve and Aries quickly glanced at one another nervously then over at Nancy who was staring at Carol with confusion.

"Carol you're literally speaking out of you ass now so just shut up" Ayri scoffed as carol smirked shrugging.

Even though the comment did bother her she didn't want to get further into it.

Aries slowly turned her head narrowing her eyes at Steve. "Wait what Steve? What's that supposed to mean?" Aries asked dropping her arms from her crossed position going back to Steve's last statement.

Now that was something she'd want to argue about.

Dakota and Ayri shared glances with each other sensing the tension that was pulsating off of Steve and Aries. Esme cleared her throat looking over at Nancy who watched the two confused.

Steve shrugged taking a drag of his cigarette. "I mean you were the never the type of fun person y'know? I could hardly get you to go to parties" Steve was smiling which only made Aries more annoyed.

Tommy began to laugh as Carol smirked over at the girl. Enzo rolled his eyes at the couple turning away from them.

"Fuck off Harrington" Esme muttered throwing her empty beer can at him. Steve flinched covering his face with his arm dodging the flying beer can.

"I'm just being honest" Steve laughed, "right Aries?" The boy grinned from ear to ear like he said the most hilarious thing ever.

"Good going inviting her Carol" tommy laughed as his girlfriend proudly smiled watching the scene unfold.

Aries realized that starting drama between Steve and Aries was the only reason they invited her in the first place. She knew Carol had cruel intentions but unmasking them still hurt even if she saw it coming.

Aries sure as hell didn't want to continue to argue with Steve in front of everyone.

Aries began to walk closer to Steve sitting on the edge of his chair. He looked over at her confused concerned on what she was about to do. "Trust me I can have fun Steve" Aries smiled pulling the cigarette from his mouth.

"Hey? Aries what the he-"

Before Steve Harrington could finish his sentence Aries grabbed his beer on the floor and smiled as she dumped it over his head.

Esme laughed proudly clapping her hands like she was watching a show. "Fuck yeah!" Esme cheered as Nancy looked at her in shock.

The yard filled with gasps of shock and laughs. "Oh my god" Dakota gasped trying to hold back her laugh.

Aries smiled taking a drag of Steve's cigarette before dropping it to the floor and stepping on it.

"That's a fire hazard" Esme joked. No one understood her reference but Aries who laughed in reply.

Steve scoffed standing up in front of the girl wiping the beer from his eyes. Her arms were now crossed looking at Steve proudly.

"God I've wanted to do that for so long" aries smiled.

Steve smiled back but everyone could tell it wasn't a happy smile, it was im gonna get you back smile. He could grabbed a beer from Enzo's hands dumping it over Aries head.

She gasped feeling the cold sensation of the beer running down her face and into her shirt. "I'm really gonna kill you now" Aries said lowly.

Before she could attack him steve smiled pushing the girl back into the pool. Aries reached out for him feeling herself fall back. Once she hit the water realization hit. Steve Harrington had just pushed her in the pool.

She submerged from the water seeing everyone looking down at her smiling. She kept herself afloat smiling as she flipped Steve off. Tommy quickly pushed Carol in which only made more screams echo. Aries smiled seeing tommy make a splash as she jumped in right after carol.

Esme came running forwards pushing Enzo into the pool. He yelled hitting the water, Esme quickly jumped in behind him cheering. Aries laughed seeing Enzo come out from the water and swim towards her.

Before Esme could even come up Ayri was pushing Dakota into the water who jumped in right after her. Aries looked over at Nancy who was smiling at the group of teens in the water. Aries eyes landed behind Nancy seeing Steve getting ready to push her.

"Nance!" Aries shouted but before Nancy could realize what was going on she was being shoved into the pool right besides Aries and Enzo. Steve jumped in cheering in excitement.

Aries smiled swimming closer to Enzo splashing him, "hey at least you don't smell like beer anymore" Enzo smiled as Aries rolled her eyes splashing him even more.

The group of teens spent at least twenty minutes splashing around in the water antagonizing each other. In that moment Aries forgot about what a horrible people tommy, carol, and Steve were. Right now she was just having fun cause not only where her friends here but so was Enzo.

When it was finally time to get out they were all drenched. Aries was the first to get out then Esme quickly followed as they paced around trying to dry off. Once everyone was out of the water they all walked into the house. Steve walked away getting towels for everyone. Once he came back Aries immediately wrapped herself in the towel standing besides Enzo who wrapped his arm around her.

"It's freezing" carol complained.

"Yeah no shit carol" Esme said earning a glare from the redhead.

Tommy began to walk towards the stair case looking back at his girlfriend, "well i here his moms room has a fireplace" tommy grinned. The two laughed as they walked up the steps.

"Gross" ayri muttered drying herself.

"Are you kidding?" Steve scoffed watching them walk away. "Okay well you are cleaning the sheets" Steve said.

Aries pulled away from Enzo, "Where's your bathroom?" Aries asked.

"Uh upstairs to the left" Steve pointed in the direction and Aries nodded.

Enzo quickly grabbed the girls wrist before she could get too far. "Hey I'll wait in the car" Enzo said and Aries flatly smiled nodding.

"I'm gonna head out too, my moms probably going crazy" Esme said beginning to walk away.

"Hello Uh— Lana! My towel" Steve yelled holding his hand out.

Esme quickly turned around making it very clear that she was rolling her eyes, "never call me Lana again" Esme smiled tossing the towel at his face.

"yeah uh" Steve groaned feeling the wet towel hit his face. "thanks" Steve muttered as Nancy laughed at him.

"I'll see you tomorrow" Aries smiled before rushing up the steps and following Steve's directions to the bathroom.

Once she was in she quickly rinsed her face with water and started getting herself together. There was only so much she could do because she had no clothes here or toiletries but she tried her best. Aries looked into the mirror looking at herself. Her black mascara was smudged under her eyes, her eyes were red from the chlorine. She quickly tied her soaking hair up into a ponytail trying to maintain the mess.

Aries open the bathroom door to see Steve walking by. He stopped seeing the girl. "Do you need some clothes?" He asked looking down noticing she was still drenched.

Aries wrapped the towel around herself shaking her head, "no I'm good, can I take the towel?" Aries asked.

Steve slightly smiled nodding, "yeah, just keep it" Steve shrugged.

Aries nodded trying not to get too nice with him. He was still a complete dick so she didn't want to make it seem like she felt any different from earlier.

"Okay well I'm gonna go, thanks for the towel" Aries muttered before walking away.

"Yeah no problem" Steve said watching her head disappear down the steps. He placed his hands on his hips before turning around and walking into his room.

As Aries was walking down the steps Nancy was walking up. "Night Aries" Nancy smiled rushing up the steps. "Night Nance" Aries said watching the girl excitedly continue her march towards Steve's room.

She looked down seeing barb at the bottom of the steps, "hey barb" Aries smiled walking away from the girl.

"Hey Aries" barb muttered watching everyone disappear. Everyone was off doing their own thing and now she was completely alone.

or not so alone as she thought.

authors note.
here's chapter three! I watched vol 2 today and I'm never recovering, but expect more updates bc stranger things is the only thing on my mind !! Hope you enjoy this chapter, not much happened but I just wanted to get an update out!!