You’re walking through the corridors trying to mislead a guy who has been following you from the food court, filling the bag with horrible songs. In a hurry, you hide behind one of the columns near the Scoops Ahoy ice cream parlor. And then he sees him: Steve Harrington, blue uniform, perfectly misaligned hair, bending down to get a pot of ice cream.

Without thinking twice, you walk up to him, hold your shirt and... kiss. In the middle of the shift. In the middle of the mall. With the sailor’s hat and everything.

After the kiss he stands still. Wide eyes. Red cheeks. Breathing arrested

“Uhh... did you just kiss me?”

“I... yes. I mean— no! I mean— okay, yes. But it was only because...”

You look discreetly over your shoulder

“There’s a guy following me for half an hour. I panicked.”

“Well, I’ve had worse presentations”

Takes off the sailor’s hat, scratching the back of his neck, a crooked smile appearing on his lips

“Are you sure you didn’t just find my uniform irresistible?”

You sigh and smile lightly, relieved that he is not deciding to file a complaint of harassment or something like that.

“If I say yes, will you promise you won’t tell anyone?”

“Total confidentiality.”

He looks discreetly in the direction of the guy who was following you, who now observes the scene disconcerted

“Hey... we can make it look more real, if you want. Like... hold your hand or something. Until he disappears.”

You raise your eyebrows, grateful part and another fun.

“Do you always offer this kind of service or is it just for those who kiss you for free?”

Steve laughs, with that silly charm of his

“It depends... will you want a refund or will you pretend you liked it?”