"But it's okay. Jonathan, Nancy and I helped stop it last year."

Armani shook her head, "Steve, are you okay?" She asked, the boy's eyes widened as he sighed.

"You don't believe me" he nodded.

"Of course not! A monster? From a-a different world? The upside down? Please!" She spoke quickly, confused and shocked.

"It's true! If it wasn't why would I have let you listen to what Nancy and I were saying in the library?"

"Uh, because you and your girlfriend are playing a prank on me? Do you seriously think joking about Barb is funny?" She looked over at Steve, her eyes solemn.

"Do I look like I think it's funny? This isn't a joke, Armani" he placed his hand on hers, causing a swirl in the girls stomach, but she didn't bother to take her hand away. "And Nancy's not my girlfriend" he murmured, Armani's brows furrowed.

"Did something happen?" She asked lowly.

After Steve explained, Armani could do nothing but look out the window. Her heart broke for Steve, last year he had cut out most of the people in his life, solely relying on Nancy, and he knew it pained him immensely to have her leave.

"Steve..I'm sorry" she spoke barely above a whisper.

"No. No, it's fine. Don't worry about it." He croaked.

"It's not fine. Listen, Harrington. As much as it totally sucks, words said drunk are thought sober. If she wants to choose Jonathan over you, it's out of your control. You could try talking to her, but if she's made a decision nothing is going to change it." She gave him the same advice that was given to her once.

"You're not bullshit, you know?"

"Yeah, I know"

Armani finally turned to look at Steve before both of them got out of the car.

"Hey. If you're bullshit, I'm bullshit" she spoke in a lighthearted tone, Steve giving a small chuckle.

"Thanks, Newby" he answered, pulling the girl into a hug. "It's not a big deal or anything, but last night. You said something. That you were a second choice to me when Nancy was around? I know you don't believe me about the upside down, but she was there. She went through the same shit and I just- after that happened I felt like we needed to be together. We both have been through it and it, like, made sense" Steve kept speaking, only pulling away from the hug after Armani did.

"Steve. I get it. Don't worry, it's cool" she nodded.

"You're not a second choice" he said, the words had no time to impact the girl as a car skidded into the parking space beside them.

The blue doors opened, a fiery redhead climbed out of the passengers seat and quickly left towards the middle school. Billy stepped out of the drivers seat, eyes landing on the two teenagers with a devilish smile.

"Well well, Armani, what are you doing with this guy?" Billy walked towards the two, he almost put an arm around the girl before she quickly stepped away and beside Steve. "Aw come on, are you cranky that I ditched that friend of yours? Is it that time of the month?"

Armani's face flushed a red hue, "beat it, Hargrove" she spoke.

"Don't worry, a little blood doesn't scare me" the blonde winked, Steve put an arm out infront of Armani when Billy came closer again.

"Woah, woah. You heard her, man. Get out of here" he motioned his hand back.

Billy bit the inside of his cheek, "so you've got a man to fight your battles?" Billy muttered, Armani rolling her eyes as she put Steve's hand down.

"He's not fighting my battles. I'm worried you think of yourself too highly, you're a minor inconvenience at most" she stepped forward, ignoring Steve's protests that class was almost to start.

"Just you wait" Billy blew smoke into her face, his hands shook with anger, giving the two a glare before he stormed off behind the school.

"Hey. You shouldn't stand up to him like that. He's—" Armani turned as Steve was explaining.

"I know what he's like. Don't worry, monster fighter. I can take care of myself" she sent a teasing wink his way, one that lit up something in the boy's chest.

"I'm gonna head to class" Armani pointed back towards the main entrance, Steve nodded.

"Yeah, yeah, awesome, i'll see you later" he scratched the back of his neck before heading his own way.

—

Steve's face was red with exhaustion, his shirt had sweat marks as he made his way with the basketball. He dribbled the ball, rolling his eyes when Billy began to speak from behind him.

"I heard you used to run this school. That true? King Steve they used to call you, huh? Then you turned bitch. Now you're out and about with the mom-less slut?" He spoke.

Steve panted with fatigue and annoyance, "hey. Maybe you should just shut up and just play the game"

"oh, did I hit a sore spot? Armani? Yeah, I've heard alot about her and her family, I mean alot."

Steve knew about the rumors, they had fired up after Armani's mom left. Saying that her mom left because of her, and that she turned to other methods to fill the hole in her life. Her intelligence in computers thanks to her dad was overlooked, and they often twisted tales to make her father look like a bad guy. It was a pain for Armani and she always pretended she didn't actually hear any of it, but the things people said constantly filled Steve with anger.

"I said, shut up and play the game" his voice was stern, and he thought he had won over, but Billy just ran past him, knocking him over and taking the ball.

Steve hunched over as Billy tossed the basketball into the net. He only turned when he heard Nancy's voice.

"Steve!" She was standing outside the court, her eyes squinted with anger.

He made his way over, then the two headed outside to speak.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, arms crossed.

"What do you think? Where were you today I almost missed first period!" Nancy's voice was annoyed, she furrowed her brows as Steve avoided her gaze.

"I figured Jonathan would take you."

"W-what are you talking about?" She shook her head, looking to the field where a group of girls and boys were playing soccer.

"Jesus, you really can't handle your alcohol" Steve scoffed, his tone never changed as he eyed the group of players.

"Okay, you remember going to Tina's party last night, right?"

"Yes"

"Then what?" He asked, Nancy replayed the night in her head.

"I remember dancing, then Armani came over and you helped her with her arm. I remember spilling some punch, you and Armani tried to get me to stop getting drunk...then you took me home." She explained, Steve chuckled.

"No, no. See that's where your mind gets a bit fuzzy. That was your other boyfriend" Steve closed his eyes, "that was Jonathan." He nodded.

"I don't understand" Nancy shook her head.

"really? It's pretty simple, Nancy" he pulled on his towel, avoiding her gaze as he noticed Armani and her friend among the group of students on the field. "You were just telling it like it is, so I left to help Armani."

Nancy raised her eyebrows, "what?"

"Uh..apparently, we killed Barb? And I don't care, 'Cause i'm bullshit, and... our whole, our whole, relationship is bullshit. I mean, pretty much everything is just bullshit, bullshit, bullshit" he paused as he noticed Mani looking across with a quizzical glance, he just shook his head and continued on.

"Oh yeah. Also, you don't love me."

Nancy stood up straighter. "I was drunk, Steve! I don't remember any of that!"

"So that makes everything you said..it's what? Just bullshit too?"

"Yes!"

"Well then tell me!"

"Tell you what?"

Their voices were raised and the players on the field turned, able to hear bits and pieces of the argument. Armani gave Sage a shrug as she made plans to make sure Steve was doing fine.

"You love me" the boy croaked out.

Whether he really wanted Nancy to assure her love or not was a mystery even to him, but he knew that it would keep everything in order if she did.

"Really?" Nancy's mouth hung open, the door to the gymnasium opened and one of the basketball players ran out.

"Harrington! Dude we need you, that douchebag's killing us, man!"

"All right!"

"Come on!" The boy yelled before running back in the gym.

Steve looked down at Nancy, she avoided his gaze and he walked away, "i think that you're bullshit" he muttered, sending a look towards the field, Armani scored a goal and gave her teammates high fives, her smile faded when she turned and noticed Steve, instead sending him a sympathetic expression. Steve walked into the gym, unable to think clearly as he stepped back onto the court.

✧ ✧ ✧