The breakup with Nancy, the loss of "friends," the rise of some demodogs, Dustin’s alien pet, and his sudden need for Steve to help him charm some girl. It was all strange and still unfamiliar to Steve. The past King of Hawkins. Now he was hanging out with a group of kids who weren't even 14 yet and was their babysitter. Yeah, if someone had told him that in the past, he would have obviously laughed.

Steve parked his BMW outside the school's gym, where was celebrating the Snow Ball, and looked at Dustin, who was sitting in the passenger seat. His hair was ridiculously styled with hair spray in a hairstyle that vaguely resembled Steve's.

"All right, buddy, here we are. So, remember, once you get in there.."

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

Steve nodded and looked away, clearly proud that Dustin was listening to his advice.

"You don't care. You look great, okay? You look great. Now you're gonna go in there, look like a million bucks. And you're gonna slay 'em dead."

Dustin nodded to each of Steve's words and listened to the end, looked up at him, grinning.

"Like a lion."

Dustin started purring and Steve widened his eyes slightly. "Don't do that, okay?"

Saying goodbye and wishing good luck, Dustin got out of the car, entering the gym. Steve watched him, and then sighed, looking in front of him. Suddenly, he saw a girl who seemed to be his age standing in a dress near the entrance to the gym. It seems she was also a participant in the ball, but why is she here and not there?

Steve, not knowing why, took a jacket out of his car, even though it wasn't that cold outside and he was wearing a sweater, and approached the girl, running fingers through his hair. His nervous habit.

"Oh, hey? Why are you here? I thought all the pretty girls were inside."

He glanced towards the entrance of the gym, and then at the girl, his charming smile on his face. After breaking up with Nancy, Steve felt unusually nervous and awkward in the company of girls. Although everything seemed to be fine now.