Part 24

                                    

                                          

Steve's heart pounded hard and fast as he walked to the door. It was closed but he could only await to see the face of the known blonde that most likely awaited him outside. Just the thought of the many outcomes that could happen made Steve's stomach churn. It's okay, he thought. Just breath. Maybe I can tell him to come later. Maybe I can come up with an excuse. It's okay, Steve. He kept whispering to himself before he finally reached the door. He could feel Johnathan's eyes bore holes in his back. He was waiting for Steve to open the door. 
Stev breathed in deeply before finally turning the door knob. 
Steve froze. Slight shock overcame the boy when his eyes met Billy's. He had never seen Billy cry. Or come close to crying. So seeing Billy's blue teary eyes was definitely a shocker for Steve. His eyes trailed down to the forming bruise on Billy's jaw. Who... Steve got rid of the thought. He'd ask him later. If Billy let him of course. His eyes trailed back up to Billy's, finding them slightly hollow. "O-oh, oh what a surprise to see... see you here.... B-Billy" Steve stuttered out, breaking the small blanket of silence that had fell upon them. Billy's eyebrows furrowed. "Didn't you say I could come around now-" "I wasn't expecting to see you here at such an hour" Steve strained his voice. Forcing a small smile on. Though his eyes were begging Billy to leave. 
Billy only became more confused "b-but-" "if you're looking for Max, she's not here. I'm sorry." He cut off the taller boy again. Billy sniffled slightly "Steve-" "maybe they're at Mike's. Check there." Steve smiled painfully. Billy's eyes seemed to sweep up with more tears "I-" "or Lucas's. She might be with him." Steve mumbled. 
Steve swore he could hear a small snicker from behind him. And it definitely wasn't from El. Billy stared at Steve. His eyes only became more hollow and emotionless as he stared down at Steve. Steve of course didn't know his situation. 
Billy had come here partly for comfort. Neil had just lashed out on him. He had found him crying in his room (from one of his nightmares) and Neil had heard him. Billy hadn't even realized Neil had come home. But the moment Neil entered his room he knew he wasn't gonna get out of there untouched. "You're a goddamn man! You can't be crying over shit like that! It's a damn nightmare! You're not a stupid child to be crying over a nightmare, Billy! Grow the fuck up!" And that's when Neil had thrown the punch. He had Billy cornered like always and, out of fear, Billy stayed frozen. Soaking in all the hateful and painful comments thrown at him. Without anything to do he just closed his eyes and let the daggers hit him. The painfully sharp daggers go through him. Neil threw them as if they were nothing. Billy thought they had ended when he felt an actual hit land on his jaw. Yet he didn't flinch. He just stood there without a word. "If I see you sitting on you're bed crying like a child ever again, I swear it won't end this easy. I'll fucking break your nose you got me? Do you understand? You won't ever be crying like a damn child ever again over a stupid nightmare?" Neil had already risen his hand up again before Billy let out a firm yet quiet "yes sir". Neil just nodded and left as if nothing happened. Supposedly Max was already asleep. But Billy knew it was only an excuse to not be a victim of Neil's outrage. Billy stood in the same corner for a while. Maybe an hour. Two. Maybe even more. But at the moment he felt numb. Numb to time. Numb to pain. Numb to life. He stood there. Just replaying the words Neil had yelled at him. Replaying the nightmare just before. He replayed the emotional pain throughout it. He never cried after Neil yelled at him. He never did publicly at least. But now he looked down at the time and all that was in his mind was Steve. He was supposed to be there by 8:30. It was already 8:40. He was 10 minutes late. But he couldn't seem to move. He forced himself. He forced himself to start walking. But as he did he could only feel a strange feeling grasp at his heart. Sadness? Anger? Desperation? He wasn't sure. He just knew one thing. 
He wanted Steve right now. 
He needed Steve. 
Just like Steve needed him the other day. Now Billy needed him. 
Billy drove fast. Like always. But now he drove even faster. His eyes were filled with unshed tears. He needed to get to Steve. Billy bit his lip to hold in any type of sob that dared come out. You're okay. You're okay. You're okay. It's all okay. He kept repeating in his head. That and Steve were the only things that repeated in his head. 
Soon enough he arrived. It was 9:06. He was quite late but he was here. He parked and quickly (literally practically sprinted) to the cabin's door. Almost tripping multiple times as he made his way through the already darkened forest. His tears fresh and daring to break through. Finally he reached the cabin and before he could think anything through, or get rid of his tears, he knocked. There appeared a little girl. Eleven. 
Billy looked behind Steve only to find Johnathan standing there. "What's he doing here" Billy muttered. Suddenly his voice changed. It wasn't strained like earlier. Or sad. It sounded almost angry. "What the hell is he doing here" he murmured again. Steve looked behind him, finding Johnathan smiling smugly. "Oh he's just visiting... he was actually uh... leaving weren't you Johnathan?" Steve smiled forcefully again. Johnathan raised an eyebrow at Steve. "Leaving? I thought you said I was going to stay tonight" he scoffed. Steve stiffened. When did he say that? He hadn't said that... had he? Steve's mind was so jumbled that honestly he didn't know. 
Steve just looked at Johnathan with a puzzled look. "Remember Steve? You said I was going to stay. Didn't even give me a choice" Johnathan faked a laugh. Steve only stayed silent. Absolutely confused and scared. What? How did he not remember? Slowly Steve turned to look at Billy. He was frightened to see a hint of anger in Billy's teary eyes. "I-I" "actually. He asked me in the morning to come over as well" Billy suddenly spoke. His voice was more solid than before. Steve quickly shut up when he was suddenly pushed aside by Billy. Steve would have jokingly scoffed or smacked Billy's shoulder but now... he was scared. Johnathan only stood with his arms crossed. Looking up at Billy almost daringly. "So I'm taking the offer, Byers" Billy Spatz Billy tried his best to control the damn tears in his eyes. Johnathan scoffed while Steve, without another choice, closed the door. 
(El sat on the couch during all of this. Watching it silently. Taking in all the drama. Well, she was silent except for the occasional gasp. She held onto the couch and watched the drama in front of her. Wow, she thought. These were way better than the shows on TV) 
((HELLO! I love everyone's comments! They literally fuel me to write this at midnight. I love you guys. My energy at this time of night comes from y'all and the occasional candy that I eat at midnight because yes. Guuuuys five more days before school starts D: I'm so stressed but you know what, sadly I have no other option :( but you guys will keep on giving me energy! 👍 I love y'all. Also sorry for any errors. I'm in mobile at the moment but when I get back on my computer I'll edit it :)Have an amazing day!!) 


(((Also this was an extra long chapter. 1.3k words. Just for you guys. Because I love you.)))