Unhinged | S. Harrington| B. Hargrove | Stranger Things

Bruises

But Charlie didn't know Billy was thinking about him just as much as he was. Billy found Charlie to be a grumpy loner at first. Then he thought the kid had some fight in him. Then he saw something in Charlie that was strangely familiar - pent up, unchannelised anger. Charlie seemed almost as messed up as he was. He saw Charlie's little outburst at Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington. He saw how unbothered Charlie was by the whispers about. Like he was clouded by this negative energy all the time, maybe he was.

Charlie Hopper was definitely a risk to his rise to popularity agenda but a risk was willing to take.

When the day was finally over, Charlie went to the Wheeler's, with a box of pizza. Karne wheeler answered the door, who warmly greeted him. He walked up to Nancy's room and knocked on the door.

"Hey." Charlie said.

"Hey." Nancy returned and stepped aside for him to come in.

"Pizza?" he handed her the box and she took it with a small laugh.

"Okay I'm ready to hear it." Nancy said after placing the box on her table. She crossed her arms.

"I'm a jerk. I'm a horrible friend and I'm really really sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you, especially not at you. Although your boyfriend kinda deserved it." he said the last part rather lowly.

Nancy bit back a laugh.

"You're forgiven although I wasn't asking for an apology. I meant - what did Tommy do to make you snap like that?"
The sympathy in her voice would've been annoying if it was anyone else but Nancy Wheeler.

Charlie explained what happened. Leaving out the part where Steve wanted to talk to him. And Nancy listened, without judgement. They both a slice of pizza in silence.

"It's not your fault. Tommy most definitely deserved it." Nancy broke the silence.

"I'm assuming there a but now." Charlie licked the tip of his index finger.

"Yes, you need to work on your temper, Charlie. It's not good for you. Maybe get some help from an expert?" Nancy was right.
It was logical, of course. But something about going to a shrink and prying open wounds he long forgot about didn't fit well with Charlie.

He just nodded without looking at her. His eyes fell on a polaroid of Nancy and Barbara from their junior year. Nancy's gaze followed his and she smiled. Her smile falling a second later.

"I miss her." She whispered.

"I know..."

"But I'm glad I have you." she smiled at him.
Charlie smiled back.

"I'm glad I have you too, Nance. "

"Stay for a while, Steve's coming, let's watch a movie together."

Charlie declined. One, he couldn't leave eleven alone for that long. Two, he absolutely couldn't be around Steve.

Charlie hugged her goodbye and walked down th stairs, straight into Steve Harrington. God forbid his luck.

"Sorry." he muttered and started towards the door but Steve grabbed his arm.

"Hey wait."

Charlie looked back at him. But Steve was looking his bruised knuckles. The same knuckles he had kissed days ago.

"I'm sorry." Steve whispered.

"Don't be. I did it myself."

"No, not about that. About well everything else. Bullying you all these years with Tommy. H. I realised... I never really apologized for any of that. "