𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 ✧ robin buckley

01 | ahoy, ladies

Azalea hadn't heard much about the girl Steve worked with, other than she loved to make fun of him.

Azalea watched as she grabbed a whiteboard and began scribbling with a grin plastered on her freckled face.

She didn't mean to stare, but she couldn't help it. Maybe it was because Steve was giving her second-hand embarrassment and she didn't want to watch, or because this girl had such an infectious smile.

She tried to tear her gaze away, but she couldn't seem to. This girl in a silly sailors uniform sent her into a trance.

Azalea Monroe had come to terms with her sexuality years ago. She loved boys and girls. And as much as she tried to deny it, she knew.

Not that it mattered. She had seen how cruel people could be to those who held affections for their own gender. So she vowed no one would have to know about her feelings towards women. As terrible as it was, she knew could just fall for a man, and hide the rest.

She refused to let herself get hurt.

Azalea was snapped back to reality when the girl began to speak to the now even more disgruntled Steve.

"Hey dingus, check it out," Her voice rasped.

She turned the white board around to reveal on side saying 'You Rule' and the other side reading 'You Suck'. She then drew a singular tally mark on the 'You Suck' side.

"Very funny," Steve acknowledged the board. He was really struggling to woo another woman after Nancy. His confidence and reputation took a big blow.

He then looked at Azalea and nodded back to the girl with the board, "Azzie, this is my coworker Robin."

Azalea stepped back in front of the counter, greeting the girl, "Hi Robin! I'm A—"

"Azalea, I know," Robin said quickly with a smile. Her eyes widened, "That sounded creepy. Sorry, I just meant that Steve had mentioned you. And I've seen you around school. That also sounded creepy—"

"No worries," Azalea laughed, a tinge of nervousness in her stomach, "I think I've seen you around too. It's nice to meet you."

Robin gave her a sweet smile in return.

Steve looked between the two with a confused stare.

"Anyway," he said oddly loudly, turning back towards Azalea, "When's Dustin getting back from Camp...Camp Know Nothing."

"Know where. Camp Know Where." Azalea corrected, "And tomorrow. I'm helping his friends plan a surprise for when he gets back, but I could drop him off to see you Sunday, before I go to work."

"Where do you work?" Robin jumped in, leaning through the back window.

"Community Pool," Azalea smirked, "Lifeguard."

Hawkins High's most coveted job. Steve grimaced, "Way to rub it in."

"Hey, at least you don't have to work with Billy Hargrove," Azalea leveled.

Steve rolled his eyes, "Oh please, Hargrove would love to get in your pants. I bet he treats you like royalty."

"Yeah right, the only girls Billy looks at are hot, lonely housewives." Azalea rolled her eyes, leaning on the counter. Steve and Robin chuckled as Azalea continued, "You should see the dirty looks I get from them when I replace him on duty. No one came there to see me, that's for sure."