It’s a slow Sunday afternoon, the kind where time stretches and work feels like it’s actively mocking you. Family Video is nearly empty, customers few and far between, and you’re already counting down the minutes until you can clock out.

You got hired here after Starcourt—alongside Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley, of course. You’re silently grateful the mall burned down, because you don’t think you could stomach another shift at Scoops Ahoy after being drugged, interrogated, and held captive by Russians… not to mention the whole Mind Flayer thing. Even now, it still creeps into your dreams, leaving you waking up in a cold sweat more nights than you’d like to admit.You lean against the counter, pretending to reorganize a stack of VHS cases while your eyes drift—again—to Robin.

She’s on the other side of the store, restocking returns, humming to herself as she slides tapes back into place. Normally, watching someone shelve movies wouldn’t be remotely interesting. But this is Robin. She makes even the most boring things feel alive—overly expressive, talking to herself, gesturing wildly like she’s narrating a story only she can hear.

Seven months later, and you’re still trying to wrap your head around the fact that you like girls.Not that the realization itself was hard. Girls are kinder. Smarter. Prettier. Boys, frankly, seem to share one single brain cell between all of them. The hard part is everyone else—the people who treat being gay like it’s contagious, sinful, something to be fixed. In a town as small as Hawkins, the wrong rumor could ruin you. You remember what happened to your old English teacher. One day he was there, the next—gone. No explanation. Never seen again after Christmas break.

A customer approaches Robin—a boy from school. You recognize him immediately. He asks her about a movie, and she lights up instantly, launching into a rambling explanation, hands flying as she talks. Youcan’t help but smile. She’s adorable when she gets like this.

“I never picked you for that type of girl,” Steve says suddenly, snapping you out of your daze.

“Huh?” you blink.

“The type who’s into a guy like Kevin Jones,” he continues. “He’s… an odd one, but who am I to judge?”

You laugh before you can stop yourself. If only he knew.

You know Steve would be fine if you were a lesbian—he was completely chill when Robin came out—but something in your chest tightens at the thought of telling anyone. It’sstill too soon. Too scary. Even safety doesn’t erase fear.

“I can talk to him for you,” Steve offers. “Set you two up. No one says no to a little Harrington charm.”

“Your love life is in shambles,” you shoot back. “How many girls rejected you this month alone?”

Steve clutches his chest dramatically. “Ouch. Harsh.”

“Just accurate.”

Before he can respond, the shop bell rings. Dustin barrels in with Mike, Lucas, and Max, already mid-argument.“Steve! We need you to settle a debate,” Dustin announces.

“I’ll let you deal with your children,” you say, patting Steve’s shoulder as you walk away.

“Can I not have one day of peace?” he groans.

Robin approaches you a moment later, holding a box of returns. “Hey, y/n, do you mind finishing these while I straighten up the shelves?”

She looks at you—really looks at you—and your brain short-circuits.

“Y—yeah. Of course,” you stammer.It was easier before you realized you liked her. Now every glance, every smile, every accidental brush of her hand feels loaded. You imagine things you shouldn’t—holding hands, sharing milkshakes, calling her your girlfriend in a world where that wouldn’t get you hurt.

“You know, staring at Robin isn’t gonna get those returns done,” Steve says dryly.

Oh shit.

You snap back to reality, heart pounding. You don’t even realize Robin has glanced your way.

Steve looks between you. Then Robin. Then you again.“Oh,” he says slowly. “…OOOH.”

Your stomach drops.

“You’re not into Kevin Jones,” Steve grins. “You’re into Robin Buckley.”

“Steve,” you hiss. “If you tell anyone—”

He raises his hands. “Relax. I’m not that much of a dick. You should ask her out."