Hawkins always held that strange sort of stillness, even if years had passed, as if stuck in time.

In-between homely stores and excited children on bicycles was where it all started.

Hawkins High

Steve Harrington, King Steve, Farrah Fawcett hairspray and tobacco that clung to his soft polo shirts, a shit-eating grin on his face.

He was the catalyst.

Beginning of Junior year, you'd been the same invisible presence in the halls, one class to another until one day, you'd made the unfortunate decision to look Steve Harrington and his friends in the eye...

That's when it began, the ridicule, the humiliation of being shoved into lockers, books stolen and torn apart all because you were the daughter of Joyce Byer. The sister of Will and Jonathan Byer, though the way your mom held them in high regard you often thought otherwise.

At home it wasn't easy too, Joyce had been very focused on Will claiming he was "special", Jonathan had his eyes on Steve's girl, Nancy Wheeler.

You was the one who took the brunt of all the pain when Jonathan and Nancy started dating. Until you left, you left Hawkins and went to California, you didn't come back until your dad sent you, after senior year.

There was a mall.... in Hawkins, and Steve Harrington was working at Scoops Ahoy?

"Byer?" His eyes widened as soon as they saw you, all the years before flashed in front of his eyes and he felt Shane and guilt pooling into his gut "H-Hey, aren't you supposed to be in California?"