the timeline is 1985 in Hawkins, indiana.

at starcourt mall, there was a ice cream shop called Scoops Ahoy, a nautical-themed ice cream parlor located in the food court.

Dustin Henderson, an 11-year-old at Hawkins middle school, walks towards the mall before noticing Scoops Ahoy, his face immediately light up and he rushed towards it.

at Scoops Ahoy, Robin Buckley, a lesbian 19-year-old has her hands resting on the counter, her drooped blue eyes showed signs of tiredness and restless, before she noticed Dustin, she eyed him curiously.

Robin: can i help you, little dude?

Dustin stares at Robin with a geeky smile before speaking.

Dustin: hi!

Robin is completely confused by Dustin.

Robin: hi. can i help you?

Dustin: is Steve here?

Robin’s eyes widen when he mentioned Steve, how on earth did this little boy know who Steve was? until she realized.

Robin: oh, your one of Steve’s children?

Dustin nods his head constantly.

Robin turned her head around and yelled out.

Robin: hey dingus! one of your kids is here!

there was silence before running can be heard and Steve Harrington, another 19-year-old who was Dustin’s best friend and brother figure rushed towards Robin.

Steve: what?

Dustin: STEVE!!!

Steve heard Dustin’s voice and turned his head over to the curly-haired boy.

Steve: Henderson!

Steve rushed over to Dustin and Dustin immediately tackled him in a tight hug.

Steve: woah, Henderson! what’s got you so excited?

Steve asked in an amused tone.

Dustin: nothing, i just wanted to see you, i missed you!

Steve chuckled and patted Dustin’s head.

Robin eyed the two boys with a expressionless expression.

Robin: how many children are you friends with?

Robin asked while raising a eyebrow, Steve took Dustin off of him and got up, dusting himself off and glancing over at Robin.

Steve: uhh.. why do you ask?

Robin: idk, it’s just kinda weird that your friends with someone who is way younger than you.

Dustin glanced over at the girl and spoke in a enthusiastic tone.

Dustin: me and Steve have been best friends for 3 years, he’s like my brother!

Dustin said, Robin laughed lightly at the boy and looked over in Steve’s direction again.

Robin: is that so?

Steve rubbed his head sheepishly and spoke.

Steve: yeah..

Robin got up and walked over to Steve before lightly punching him.

Robin: dingus, you could’ve told me.

Steve rubbed his arm where Robin punched him at.

Dustin’s face turned into confusion.

Dustin: btw, who are you exactly?

Dustin stared at Robin with curiosity.

Robin: oh, i’m Robin, Robin Buckley, me and Steve went to the same high school and than after we graduated, we had to work at Scoops Ahoy because this idiot got us kicked out of our former job.