The glass door swings shut behind her as she steps out of the gas station, Coke can cold in your hand. Tommy and Carol are draped across the hood of Steve’s car, laughing too loudly, like they didn’t just watch “King Steve” get dragged through the mud and left with a busted face.

Steve’s leaning against the side of the car, trying to look casual, but she can see the way his weight is slouched against the door like he doesn’t quite have the energy to stand tall anymore. His cheek is already swollen, lip cracked. He looks at her as she approaches, expecting something softer.

Instead, she tosses the Coke can straight at him. It thumps against his chest before he catches it clumsily.

“Hold it on your face,” she bites out.

Steve blinks, eyebrows furrowed. “You could’ve just handed it to me.”

“Yeah? Well you could’ve just not acted like an asshole back there,” she fires back.

Tommy lets out a loud snicker from the hood. “Ohhh, looks like the king’s losing his crown and his loyal subjects. Rough night, Harrington.”

Steve just ignores him. “Jesus,” Steve mutters, holding it to his cheek. “What’s your problem?”

“My problem?” she snaps, stepping closer. “You. The crap you pulled back there… what the hell was that?”

He scoffs, leaning heavier against the car like he can prop up his bruised ego on it. “What, you’re mad at me now too? Great. Just line up, everyone take a swing.”

She scoffs, “Yeah, I am mad. I’m mad you opened your mouth. The things you said to Jonathan— you were brutal, Steve. That wasn’t you, that was—”

“That was me pissed off!” he cuts in, voice rising. “Newsflash, I’m human. I get angry, I say things—”

“You don’t get to use being angry as an excuse! The things you said about his brother? Steve— the poor kid is missing and you—“

His face twists, defensive and guilty all at once. “So what, you’re taking Jonathan’s side now? He’s the victim and I’m just the asshole?”

Her arms cross tighter, nails biting into her skin. “Yeah, Steve. Right now? You are the asshole.”

Steve pushes off the car, Coke can still pressed to his cheek, his voice snapping back harsher than he means. “God, why does everyone act like Jonathan Byers is some kind of saint? He’s not! He was sneaking around, taking pictures of you.”

“That doesn’t make him fair game!” she shoots back, eyes flashing. “You don’t get to drag him through the dirt just because you’re jealous. His little brother is missing, Steve. His brother. And you still went for the lowest blow you could find.”

Steve pushes off the car, scoffing. “Unbelievable. You’re supposed to be my best friend, and you’re standing here defending him?”

She shakes her head, bitter laugh catching in her throat. “I’m not defending him, I’m calling you out. Someone has to, because God knows Tommy and Carol won’t.”

Tommy lets out a low whistle, enjoying the spectacle. “Guess even your girl’s done with you, Harrington.”