The camaro growls as Billy pulls into the Hawkins High parking lot, slow and deliberate, like he wants every head to turn.

You sit in the passenger seat, knee angled toward him, fingers resting against his thigh. Hawkins looks dull and gray compared to california—brick walls, overcast sky, too many eyes. Billy’s jaw is tight, sunglasses already on.

In the back seat, Max, his step-sister scoffs. “This place looks depressing.”

“Get used to it,” Billy says, jaw clenched as he glances at her through the rear-view mirror.

He parks. The engine cuts. For a moment, everything feels suspended. You brush your thumb over his wrist. “We’re okay.” You murmur quietly.

His clenched jaw softens just for you. “Yeah.”

Max hops out after you do, due to the car only having two doors. She shuts it and immediately throws her skateboard down, heading towards Hawkins Middle School just down the road.

You and Billy now stood out together. The air is cold. Conversations stutter. People stare—first at his car, then at him, then at you. Billy slips an arm around your shoulders like it’s instinct, like it’s always been this way.

Inside the hallway, lockers slam and voices echo. You notice them almost immediately.

Steve Harrington straightens when he sees Billy, expression darkening. Beside him, Nancy Wheeler’s gaze lingers—not judgmental, just sharp. Jonathan Byers stands a step back, watching quietly.