(here it finally is 💁)

{•°•°One Month Later°•°•}

"OWWW!!!" Dustin squealed from the bathroom.

"Oh God, will you shut up?" I asked.

I was at Dustin's house, except this time, there wasn't a baby demodog loose. Instead, he was in need of my assistance helping him with his hair to 'impress the girls' at the Snow Ball.

 I continued combing through his hair. "It's really not that bad."

"Well, well, you're doing it really hard! So it does!" he retorted.

I sighed. "Drama queen," I mumbled.

He was staring off into the distance as I pulled out the brown paper bag of hair products. I lifted out the half-full can of Farah Fawcett Hairspray. As I did, a smile spread across my face. "I wonder who gave you this," I sarcastically mentioned.

"It was your boyfriend," he slumped over in the chair.

"Oh, Dusty," I rolled my eyes. "You're not still salty about us, are you?" 

"No."

"Bullshit."

"I'm not!" he defensively turned around at me.

"Okay! Okay!" I put my hands up protectively. 

He spun back around and faced the mirror again. "It's just that," he looked away. "Look at you," he was referencing the dress I had put on for my upcoming date with Steve after we dropped off Dustin. "He didn't even give me a chance with you-"

"Woah there, bud. I'm eighteen, and you are like... twelve-"

"I am thirteen, thank you very much, " he turned his face upward.

"Woooww such a big difference, squirt," I laughed.

I spayed exactly four pumps of the spray and made sure he had the same swoop that Steve. I stepped back so he could admire his new hairdo. He smiled and swirled around in the swivel chair to face me. "Thank you!" he hugged my waist as I patted his head of freshly Harrington-fied hair. 

"Woah man! Don't touch it! We can't ruin it before all the ladies see it."

He then growled at me. "Don't, EVER do that again. Please," I cringed.

A honk could be heard from outside. "DUSTY YOUR RIDE'S HERE!" Mrs. Henderson yelled from the kitchen. 

"I KNOW MOM!" Dustin yelled.

"Kay, Dustin, you can go ahead and go on out I need to grab my bag real quick," I spoke to him as he hurried out. 

I sighed. "Or you can just rush out, I guess."

I quickly grabbed my bag and my coat from Dustin's room and went out to Steve's car. 

Steve's mouth was agape when he saw me in the sparkly, navy dress. I smiled and did a little twirl and the front door. Dustin then leaned over and honked the horn. "Get in the car, show off! We're gonna be late!" he yelled.

"Calm your tiddies, Dustin," I breathed out.

"Hey," he shoved his finger in my face as he exited the front for me to sit in the passenger seat. "I am very proud of my man-boobs," he spoke through gritted teeth.

I cackled as those words left his mouth. Steve grabbed his leg, pulling him in the car. I chuckled and shut Dustin's door behind him and got in the front.

(At Hawkins Middle School)

Steve pulled to an abrupt stop. "All right, buddy, here we are," he turned back to Dustin.

Dustin peered nervously out the window. "So, remember, once you get in there," he waited for Dustin to finish.

"... Pretend like I don't care," he turned to Steve.

"You don't care."

"I don't care."

"What's happening?" I cut in.

The two ignored me. "There you go. You're learning, my friend. You're learning," Steve smiled.

Dustin leaned in between me and Steve and grabbed the rearview mirror. "Hey," Steve nudged.

"What?" Dustin questioned, looking at himself in the mirror.

"Come on. You look great, okay?" Steve looked at me for words of affirmation.

"You look," I put up an 'ok' sign with my hand. "You look great."

"Yeah. Now you're gonna go in there," Steve began.

"Yeah."

"Look like a million bucks," I piped in.

"Yeah."

"And you're gonna slay 'em dead," Steve smiled.

Dustin smiled. "Like a lion."

He purred again like he did in the bathroom before. Steve pursed his lips together. "Don't do that okay?" I commanded kindly.

"Yeah don't do that," Steve agreed.

"Okay," Dustin sounded disappointed.

Steve put his hand out to Dustin. "Good luck."

Dustin returned the favor and gripped Steve's hand for a crisp clutch. Dustin then nodded and hopped out of the car and walked inside. Steve watched him and smiled. He then slowly began to drive away to the movie theater.

We parked some ways back, and as I was about to unbuckle, he turned his focus to me. "Now, for you," he said grabbing my sides and tickling me. "Time for you to have the best date of your life. You hear me?" he said as he nuzzled his face into my neck.

I laughed heartily and pushed some of his hair behind his ear. "Yeah I'm ready," I smiled.

I pulled him in for a passionate, yet calm kiss. It was sweet and tender. 

Steve treated me better than anyone before. For once in my life, I can see a future with a guy. I mean, I feel comfortable with him. I feel like I can be myself. He's honestly perfect, nothing like Billy. Billy's just mean,  and cruel, and he needs to stay out of my life and everyone else's.

I mentally face palmed myself at the thought of me and him dating. I should probably stop. I promised myself I  would never think, or talk to him, or about him, and I wouldn't even mention his name to myself.

For now, I need to relax and let this night go perfectly. 

I mean, it's already off to a good start...

~End of Part One~