sweetie little jean | stranger things

004 ━ breaking the law, pt 1.

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004

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you don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue
if you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too

𝐉𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 the broken pavement towards the little trailer. They lived across from one another and she'd been over once or twice since they'd moved in but it wasn't enough. Jean was lacking in the babysitter and friend market.

She didn't bother knocking because she knew the door would be unlocked. She peeked her head inside and called out in a tentative voice, "Ms. Hargrove?"

The trailer had wooden walls, much like Jean's but theirs was decorated differently. It gave off a very Max-esque vibe. Funky colored rugs layered on top of the cheap carpet, floral couch, floral curtains in soft pastels, and the TV sitting on a cute table. But she spied the cigarette ashtray on top of the old newspapers and magazines, along with a few empty cans of Coors.

"In here, honey!" called Max's mom and Jean entered fully, finding their small kitchen easily.

She offered the woman a kind smile, leaning against the wall in the little room. "Is Max home? Thought I'd offer her a ride to the game but now that I'm thinking about it..."

"She probably doesn't want to go?"

Jean nodded with a small laugh. "I also thought I'd come by and just check in," Jean could smell alcohol in the room, the tangy spiced smell that made everything seem too clean, "and offer up some of my services since spring break is coming up. If you need anyone to watch MAx or even go get groceries, I'm happy to do so."

"You know I'm fifteen, right?" said Max from behind her and Jean smiled.

"You're never too old for a babysitter, especially me. Plus I could put you to work, you don't know what I have planned up my sleeve." She kept her arms crossed and watched as Max walked through the room, her body racked with tension and it reminded her of Chrissy. Things weren't right here and Jean could see that better than she could sense it. "You going to the game tonight?"

"You know I'm not."

Jean glanced at Mrs. Hargrove with a smile and then motioned with her head for Max to follow her out of the room. "You can't keep avoiding us forever, you know."

"Why do you care?" The younger girl crossed her arms tightly and Jean could see the anger building up behind her eyes.

Ever since Billy died, she'd been pulling away. Isolating. Jean realized she should've done more to help, to be more of a present figure in the girl's life rather than dropping by unannounced every so often and forcing Max to go on walks that were pointless in the long run.

"Why wouldn't I care?" countered Jean as they neared the front door.

"Because you're you."

"And you're you." Jean crossed her arms, mimicking the girl's stance. "What's the point? You know I love ya, kid, so why does it matter if I'm going to make you go to the game or at least hang out with me later?"

Max narrowed her eyes but Jean could see her cracking, slowly.

"Or would you rather sit in bed alone?"