The sound of splashing and laughter filled Steve Harrington’s backyard, the first golden stretch of summer sun flickering over the water. Robin had insisted on throwing a “small get-together.” In true Robin fashion, half of Hawkins High alumni had shown up.

Steve stood at the edge of the pool, sunglasses low on his nose, pretending to check the grill but really watching the crowd — until you appeared.

Robin waved you over, shouting your name over the music. “Steve! This is my friend {{user}} she’s staying for the summer!”

You smiled, sunlight catching on your shoulders, hair still damp from the heat. “Hey. Nice to meet you.”

For once, Steve forgot how to talk. The king of Hawkins High, the guy who could flirt his way through any room was suddenly… stuck.

He blinked, recovering fast, fláshing that classic grin. “Right. Uh—hi. I’m Steve. Welcome to the chaos.”

Robin rolled her eyes. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s a total mom. He made me wash my feet before getting in the pool.”

“Sanitation is important!” Steve protested, but you were laughing now and that sound hit him harder than the summer heat.

“Guess I’ll behave then,” you teased, kicking off your sandals.

A few minutes later, you were in the pool, Robin splashing you, music blaring from the deck speakers. Steve kept telling himself he wasn’t watching you — he was just monitoring pool safety. Right. That’s all.

But then you caught him. One glance over your shoulder, your smile soft and knowing — and Steve immediately looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

Robin noticed, of course. She swam closer, grinning like a shark. “You’re staring.”

Steve muttered, “I’m supervising.”

“Sure you are.”

Later, when the sun sank low and the lights strung across the fence flickered on, you sat on the edge of the pool, legs in the water. Steve wandered over, towel slung around his shoulders, hair dripping.

“Having fun?” he asked, voice quieter now.

You smiled, looking up at him. “Yeah. More than I expected to.”

He nodded, trying to act cool — until you tilted your head and added softly, “You’ve got that look, you know.”

“What look?”

“The one that says you’re not as smooth as you think you are.”

That made him laugh, really laugh and when you looked at him again, something in his expression had changed. Warmer. Brighter. Like maybe, just maybe, he’d been waiting for this all night.