Chapter Seventy: Given Up On Assuming

Steve and I headed to work at Family Video, and the conversation I'd had with Max was constantly running through my mind. I assumed that that was the reason I'd spent the entire morning feeling uneasy. 

It was still early in the day, so we didn't really have many customers coming in, so I stood behind the counter, chewing absently on the end of my pen as I tried to format a response letter to El. I was hoping to get it done so that I could give it to Mike before he flew out to California, along with a stack of Polaroids of everyone that I had taken. 

I suddenly remembered this, taking out the picture of drooling Steve. I smiled at it, but it brought up those uneasy feelings again. 

Is that really what I've been doing? Dumping my problems on him? I mean yeah, my issues have been more frequent lately but...My sister moved across the country and my Dad just died. Of course things are going to be kind of difficult for me right now. But that's not all our relationship is, is it?

"Aha!" Steve snatched the picture out of my hand, holding it above his head. "I got it! You snooze, you lose, Barbie." I smiled half-heartedly, but it quicky faded, causing his arms to fall down to his sides. "What's wrong?"

"There always seems to be something, doesn't it?" I asked. He furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Ok, wh-where is this coming from? Everything was fine this morning, it was seeming like today was one of the good days, so what...what changed?" I bit my lip.

"Steve, do you feel like...do you feel like I dump my problems on you?" I asked, folding my arms on the counter and leaning against it. "Like, is that all our relationship is based on, you dealing with my issues?"

"What?" He asked. "No, are you kidding? We're engaged, we're supposed to share everything, especially our problems. And there is definitely way more to our relationship than just dealing with bad things."

"Like what?" I asked. He thought about this for a moment before looking down at the picture in his hand. He smiled, leaning against the other side of the counter and holding it up for me to see.

"Like waking me up in the morning by snapping goofy, embarrassing pictures of me," He said, putting it back down on the counter, "Like...this morning in the car, with Robin. We were both giving her advice, and we're on the same page. You had my back and we presented a united front, just like we always do. We take turns picking a movie to bring home at the end of every night, and we keep a list of the hilariously bad ones so that we can watch them a billion more times." I chuckled at this. "Riles, we have an extremely healthy relationship. Its not one-sided, there's no double standards, and we have just as many good days as we do bad. But no matter which kind of day it is, we know that we'll do it together."

"Yeah...yeah, I guess you're right." I agreed. 

"I know I am, because being with you has made me like, twenty times smarter. I'm practically a genius now." I laughed as he kissed me on the side of the head before walking away to continue restocking the movies. I stood up straight, looking back down at my letter and the goofy picture of Steve. I reached down to pick it up, when suddenly the hair on the back of my neck stood up and a feeling that I knew all too well crept up in my chest.

At that point, I didn't hesitate running out from behind the counter and out to my truck, looking in the bed to make sure that my emergency Upside-Down duffle bag was still there. I grabbed it, pulling it out and setting on the ground so that I could unzip it and double check its contents. 

It still had everything in it that I had first packed into it the day I had set out to investigate Will's disappearance with a few new additions ;My Radio, Multiple boxes of bullets, my pistol, food rations, blankets, spare clothes, a lighter and matches, multiple flashlights and batteries, alcohol and strips of cloth, a first aid kit, my fire axe. Basically anything I would need to fight upside down based creatures and/or, somehow, by some nightmare, end up stuck there again. 

I have long since given up on assuming that our problems with the upside down are over, because year after year, everything goes back to normal, only for us to be thrust into the middle of chaos again. I am also not going to assume that every chill I get is a sign of activity in the Upside Down. Basically, I have just given up on assuming, and have gone straight towards making sure I am prepared for any and all situations that may arise. 

When I headed back into the store, Steve was looking around for me with a concerned expression on his face, only to be replaced by a relieved one when he found me.

"Double checking your bag again?" He asked. I shrugged.

"Can never be too careful." I answered, walking back around the counter with a slightly renewed peace of mind. 

"So, as you know, from the fact that we dropped Robin off at a Pep Rally this morning, the Championship game is tonight." Steve said, walking around the counter to join me. 

"Right...remind me again? Which one is this, is this oval goes through giant poles, are hitting tiny balls with sticks, or is this big orange guy through the net." He shot me an unamused look.

"I know you're just trying to annoy me, but I'm choosing to ignore it," He said, causing me to chuckle and pick up my pen again, "But its basketball, in case you forgot."

"Yes, I'm aware. Lucas has been filling me in." I replied. 

"So, I thought...it might be fun to go to the game tonight." He suggested. "The whole town is gonna be there, I was on the basketball team, so I kind of want to support the guys, and we're broke, so this is the closest thing to date night we're probably gonna get, so...what do you say?"

"I say, I already told Lucas we were coming," He pumped his fist, "But that is a really nice thought."

"Yes, sweet. It'll be fun, I promise."

"Steve, need I remind you that I was raised almost entirely by my father?" I asked. "I know sports."

The phone rang and Steve picked it up.

"Family Video, this is Steve." He said, looking over at me. "Dustin?" My eyes widened slightly. Steve took notice of this, putting a hand on my shoulder before taking the phone off of his ear. "Its fine, nothing bad. He's trying to recruit me for his D&D game. "

I let out a sigh of relief, going back to my letter.

"Sorry, I can't.  I've got a hot date," I smiled, rolling my eyes, "What, to hang out with you and Eddie 'the freak' Munson?"

"I like Eddie. I think he's a lot nicer than people think." I whispered. Steve furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"Uh yeah, I'll pass. Ew, ugh, whatever. Besides, I mean uh...I really dig this girl, I think that she could who knows, maybe she could be the one."

"You're an idiot, Steve Harrington." I said, bumping his hip with mine just as a group of girls walked into the store. 

"And you're beautiful, Riley Hopper. Oh shut up, she's my fiancé, I'm allowed to flirt with her. I got some customers, I gotta call you back, bye." He hung up, putting a hand on my back. "I got 'em, you focus on that so you can get it to Mike in time."

"Have I mentioned that I adore you?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah." He waved me off, walking over to help them as I looked back at the paper in front of me and began to write.

Dear El,

For starters, I think it is the sweetest thing ever that you think I am your hero, and if anything, that statement alone makes me feel like time is moving in slow motion because I miss you so much. As far as the boys go...boys are always weird, and I can not even begin to understand the inner-workings of the masculine brain. Best of luck to you in that department. 

I have actually included some pictures of the flowers here, as I know how much you like them. Every time I saw some that I would've picked for you, I took them home, made a bouquet, and snapped a picture of it so that you could still receive each and every one of them. Those pictures come with a little note with the date, as well as the most random thing I was thinking of at the time that I picked them, because I miss talking to you about all of my random thoughts. Plus, I think using Hawkins wildflowers in my wedding is an incredible idea that we'll have to discuss more whenever we meet in person again.

As far as school goes...I'm sorry honey, but I'm not really buying that. I don't doubt, of course, that you are capable of having all of those things, but...even over paper I can tell when you're lying. But I still stand by the fact that it will get better, and please, promise me that you will talk to Joyce if things get particularly bad. You can always write me a letter to vent about it though. 

I know Mike is excited to see you too, because he talks about it non-stop, and to be completely honest, I'm a little jealous. It is totally necessary for me to stay behind, but I wish I was there. I can't' wait to give you a huge hug and to see how tall you are and how long your hair has gotten. I am  also going to petition Joyce to get that summer plan figured out. The amount that we're seeing each other now is simply unacceptable.

I really hope things are going to improve for you, El. Hawkins is just not the same without you, and I promise, I am going to get you back here as soon as physically possible. In the meantime, I've included a bunch of polaroids of these weirdos to give you a small taste of home. I miss you more than you know.

Love you to pieces,

Your Sister,

Riley

P.S. If you happen to ever talk to Steve, you have never EVER seen this picture of him drooling all over his pillow. I'm swearing you to secrecy.

I finished writing the letter and slid it into the envelope, along with the stack of pictures that I'd been compiling since my last letter to her. Mike had already agreed to pick them up sometime today, since his plane leaves at 6:30 tomorrow morning. 

I sealed the envelope, taking a deep breath and hugging it to my chest before sliding it into my back pocket and getting back to work.