Don't Blame Me ➵ Steve Harrington

twenty one

The middle-aged woman smiled warmly at the crowd. Two teens stood behind her. Dylan vaguely recognized them as the President and Vice President of Hawkins High's student council.

"I hope you're all enjoying yourselves tonight," she spoke into the mic. "I know I am just watching you guys."

Billy threw an arm lazily around Dylan's shoulder, pulling her into him and throwing her a wink. Dylan, who prided herself on being above her prior vanity, hardly noticed the small exchange—too wrapped up in the anticipation of their principal's announcement.

"Annually we throw a Christmas dance," Mrs. Simmons continued. "And each year we crown a Snow King and Queen... Rita, results, please."

The student council president stepped forward, slipping two silver envelopes into the woman's hand.

Mrs. Simmons opened the first envelope tediously, as if attempting to spare the paper. The entire gym was quiet with anxious anticipation.

"Our Snow King is..." She read, holding up the small piece of parchment to her face, a commercial smile on her features. Billy squeezed Dylan's shoulder expectantly. "Steve Harrington!"

The silence lasted longer than it should have. Billy's arms dropped to his sides and he stared straight ahead, fury in his light eyes, as Steve accepted the crown. But ultimately, the crowd of teenagers cheered for their former 'it boy' after the shock wore off. Dylan gleamed at her friend, who looked completely natural with the crown and all the attention, as if he belonged on a pedestal.

Despite knowing it would only cause her date displeasure, Dylan wolf-whistled as Steve stepped up to the mic.

"Thank you, thank you," he said confidently. "It's an honour, truly, to be your Snow King the fourth year in a row."

Steve glanced out in the crowd, making eye contact with Billy. Dylan shook her head at his childishness but was having trouble masking her amusement.

"As tradition, I'll announce this year's Snow Queen," Steve and Mrs. Simmons exchanged the second envelope. Steve tore open the envelope and read the words swiftly. "I'm sure it comes as no surprise — Dylan Holland, get your ass up here!"

Dylan actually was surprised, unaware she had even been officially nominated this year after her loner stint. The spotlight burned down on her and everyone's attention had suddenly shifted from Steve to Dylan, making her squirm and yet contented. Billy glared down at her but she hardly noticed that as she waltzed through the crowd and mounted herself on the stage.

It was déjà vu standing on stage next to Steve Harrington with a crown being placed carefully upon her head. Dylan bent over for the much shorter girl as the VP of student council attempted to place the Snow Queen crown on Dylan's head. She was grinning so much the corners of her mouth had already started to pinch. Steve shared a similar expression—'did you have something to do with this?' she managed to mouth to him. The teen boy just shrugged.

"Thank you," Dylan said as she was given her turn with the microphone. "I know to some of you it's just a stupid crown—but thank you."

She stepped away, standing next to Steve as their principal returned to centre stage to announce it was their first dance.

Steve laced their hands together, gently guiding her down the stage and to the centre of the gym where a spotlight was aimed just for them. The voice of Lionel Richie flowed through the gymnasium and before the first words from Stuck On You could be uttered, Steve wrapped his arms around Dylan's lower waist, pulling the two of them closer together. Dylan rolled her eyes playfully and willingly linked her arms around Steve's neck.