It was summer in Hawkins, and all Athelia Harrows' friends were stoked. This would be the summer with no drama, no school work, and most of all: no Upside Down.
Dustin had went to science camp for a month, and he was due to return to Hawkins soon, which everyone was excited for. They had planned to surprise him when he got home.
And the kids had paired up into their own couples, Mike and El started dating, whilst Lucas and Max became a thing. Will, of course, felt left out but Athelia always managed to include him in things.
Whilst the middle schoolers enjoyed their free time, the older kids all took it upon themselves to get jobs for the upcoming year.
Jonathan and Nancy got jobs at the same News Register. Jonathan developed pictures that would be used in the paper, and Nancy was a simple tea-bringing assistant.
As for Athelia, she loved the idea of working in a bubbly, colourful environment, so applied to a few places inside the new Starcourt Mall.
Everybody loved it, mostly the kids and teens of Hawkins, but it was full of the cutest miniature shops ever. A couple months after it opened, some of the family-owned businesses shut down due to lack of funding and income, but one of the stores that still stood was Athelia's work: Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream Parlour.
The parlour served cones, shakes, scoops and even waffles. It was a go-to place when visiting the mall, and had swiftly became a fan favourite amongst the children.
Athelia loved working there, she loved to see the joy on the children's faces as she handed their their ice creams with a warm, happy smile.
She also enjoyed her work colleagues, which were more of her friends, than anything. She worked with a nice girl from the school's band, Robin Buckley. Athelia had never noticed Robin before, but they got on well in a work setting.
Sure, Robin wasn't as enthusiastic as her, but she still slung ice cream with a smile. 'Smile and wave' she would tell Athelia. As long as it made money, Robin would dress up as a sailor for six hours a day. Robin was pretty, too, and the red accents of the sailor outfit suited her well.
Steve also landed a job there, as Athelia managed to pull a few strings to get him a reference and a fair interview. Of course, with a little help from Athelia with his resume, Steve got the job, and they worked together.
During the first couple of weeks, Athelia loved the idea of being with Steve all day every day, but as the shifts dragged on, she changed her mind.
Sure, it was nice to see his face all the time, but the sarcastic comments and constant attention was starting to get to her.
But, on the plus side, Steve and Athelia had said the three words to each other. Ever since, Steve wouldn't stop saying it to her, wanting to make her feel special.
'I'm going to work."
"Okay, I love you!"
"I got you this-"
"That's why I love you!"
"Steve?"
"Yes, love?"
Every chance he could get, he would say the word 'love' wanting her to know how important she was to him. Of course, she would return it, but she wouldn't over excessively use it like he did. It was just a Steve Harrington quirk, she figured.
It was August when things started to go down hill for the group, when ice cream sales were at their high, and the kids had every new film to see. Couldnt they just have one normal vacation?
Athelia, Steve and Robin were at work, and decided to make it a little more fun. Robin suggested a competition between Steve and Athelia to see who could make more tips in a day, and she would keep score on a white board in the back room.
Steve disagreed, arguing it was unfair on Athelia because she didn't have the 'natural charm' that he did.
"I don't know, I reckon I could beat you." Athelia boasted at Steve, grinning at him in her sailor outfit. "You might have charm, Harrington, but I have a set of tits, I'm half way there already."
"She's right you know." Robin nodded, "Guys only care about girl's appearance, if they look like a sex worker, they'll tip."
"Exactly. And in this sailor uniform," She tilted her hat in the window reflection, "I could make hundreds."
"Fine, but all I'm saying, is that I've still got my High School charm that made all the ladies swoon." Steve argued.
"Do you?" Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, why do you think I'm in a relationship with Lia?" He swung his arm around the girl's shoulder, placing a kiss to the sid of her head.
"Anyway, it's your turn to sling ice cream, Buckley." Athelia smirked, handing her the spoon, and watching her groan and leave the back room to sell cones.
"Guess it's just us." Steve grinned, "I've missed you lately."
Athelia sighed, "Yeah, I know. I just haven't been free at all."
"What are you doing tomorrow night?" Steve asked. "We could go to the drive-in? Like our first date?"
"We went to see Never Ending Story." Athelia chuckled, remembering the first time they went, "And now Dustin won't shut up about it."
"So? You coming?" Steve looked down at her, placing his hands on the sides of her shoulders. "I hear they're re-screening Grease. And you love Grease."
"Yes, I do." She chuckled.
He nodded, "I know you do. So? I'll pick you up at 8?"
The bell on the counter rang repeatedly, indicating that somebody needed to be served.
Athelia jumped, flinching out of Steve's arms and immediately pacing the back room trying to find her scooper. She found it in a jug of warm water on the table in the middle of the room.
She rushed to the door, and walked through to find four familiar faces waiting at the counter.
"Hey, lovebirds, your children are here!" Robin announced. "Oh, Lia's here."
"You guys!" Athelia groaned, going to walk back inside the back room, but bumping into Steve. "They're here again, Steve."
"Again? Seriously?" Steve complained.
Mike stared at the two workers before pressing the bell once more with a sarcastic grin, watching as they sighed in unison.
Athelia let out a deep breath, spinning her spoon and pushing it into the loop in her uniform before opening the door to the back room, ushering the kids in quickly so nobody saw them.
They all waited until the door had shut behind them before Max spoke, "Thanks, Lia."
"You guys need to stop doing this." She told them. "You're going to get us fired."
"You said that last time." Lucas shrugged, "And you're both still dressing like sailors for money, so I think we're good."
"Just go." Steve scoffed, opening te fire exit door that took them down a path to the inside of the movie theatre.
They usually did that, used Athelia and Steve for a free movie once every coupled days.
"Actually," Athelia stopped the kids, "I need a dollar each."
"What? You're making us pay?!" Lucas complained.
She nodded, "Its much less than a movie would cost you. $4 between you guys is all I ask."
The teens dug through their pockets, putting their bills and quarters into Max's hand before giving it to Athelia.
"Thanks guys." she grinned.
Steve watched as they walked away, "I swear, if anybody hears about this-"
"We're dead!" All the kids chorused, knowing the drill.
"You got it." Athelia smirked, walking back into her work. "Why do we let them do that?"
"Because, love," Steve moved her by the waist, "we would've killed for someone to do that for us at their age. Now come on, we've got orders to make."
They made their way to the front counter, as Athelia pushed her four dollars into the tip jar shaped like a boat.
"That's a point for me." She smirked to Steve.
"Hey that's not fair!" He protested.
"Is."
"Is not."
"Have an awesome day." Athelia grinned to the couple in front of her, passing them their ice cream bowls.
"For your trouble." The girl smiled, handing her a dollar bill before leaving.
She smiled to herself, placing it in the jar, "Another point to Team Harrows."
The light above her flickered, and the ice cream wasnt completely frozen anymore.
"Uh, Robin?" She called behind her, and the window slid open. "Can you check the power?"
"I'm a waitress, not an electrician." She sighed. "But yes, sure."
The room suddenly went pitch black, as well as the rest of the mall. It seemed as though the power went out, causing the kids to gasp and some to scream at the sudden darkness.
"The hell?" Robin muttered.
Steve could be heard from the back room, "That's weird."
Athelia decided to leave her position on the counter to help turn everything back on, "What's going on?"
"Power cut." Robin told her, as Steve switched the light on and off quickly. "That isn't gonna work, dingus."
"Oh, really?" Steve challenged, doing it faster, flicking the light switch quicker than before.
Robin groaned, "Is he always like this?"
"Yup." athelia nodded, "You've just got to let him ride it out. Like a battery."
After a few seconds, the lights and freezers turned back on, illuminating the staff members with a bright white light again.
"Let there be light." Steve grinned proudly before the group got back to work.
Athelia had offered to drive Will to Dustin's the next day, to surprise him as he came home. Joyce had invited her round for breakfast before the big surprise.
Jonathan and Nancy kissed before they both left the house, leaving Will disgusted, "Ugh, Gross."
"Well, I don't think you're gonna think it's gross when you fall in love." Joyce smirked.
"I'm not gonna fall in love." Will shook his head.
"I said that." Athelia nodded. "Then I met Steve."
"You know, that is so adorable!" Joyce grinned. "I just love you guys. I'm a Harrowton shipper."
"A what?"
"Harrowton. It's like Harrows and Harrington all in one." She explained.
"Well, I'm never going to have one of them with my name." Will told them both adamantly.
"Okay. Whatever you say, buddy." Athelia chuckled.
Joyce picked up everybody's plates, noticing the magnets had fallen off the fridge.
"Hey." She knelt down to collect them, "What happened here?"
"I don't know."
"Wasn't me."
Athelia was then driving around to all her friends' houses, picking them up to take them to the Henderson House. Once she had picked up Mike, Eleven, Lucas and Max, they all drove to Dustin's house.
During the ride, athelia heard her walkie talkie go off, and Dustin spoke through it, "This is Gold Leader, returning to base. Do you copy? Over."
"Guys, I feel so bad." Athelia sighed, ignoring the radio.
"I repeat: This is Gold Leader, returning to base. Do you copy? Over."
"Don't feel guilty, Lia. It'll be worth it when we surprise him." Max assured her.
"I repeat: This is goddamn Gold Leader-"
"Dusty!" Claudia's voice scolded her son.
Athelia sighed, "I sure hope so, Max."
Dustin must've felt awful with nobody responding to his announcement. He had been gone for a month, and nobody had seen him since he left, not even on the walkie.
Once they all got into Dustin's house, they hid against a wall, and El controlled Dustin's toys, making them lead him into the lounge, where they planned to meet him.
"Its just a dream. You're dreaming." Dustin reassured himself.
"Now." Mike giggled at a whisper to El, and she opened her eyes, stopping the toys.
The group all tip toed behind Dustin, Lucas and Max holding a 'Welcome Back Dustin!' poster they drew for him as he was examining his robots, checking to see if they were faulty.
1. 2 3. Athelia counted on her fingers, before the group shouted.
"Welcome back!"
Dustin screamed, turning around and pulling out a can of Farrah Fawcett hair spray. He sprayed it in the closest person's eyes, which made the victim scream back.
"Ah!" Lucas screeched, dropping the sign, and his hands covered his eyes immediately.
Athelia gasped, pulling Lucas out the way, "Dustin!" She shouted, and the spraying stopped.
"Are you guys kidding me?!" He exclaimed, "First, you don't answer me on the walkie. And now you show up to my house uninvited?"
"Hey, you're the one who's just pepper sprayed Lucas with your beloved Farrah Fawcett!" Athelia told him, taking Lucas to the kitchen with Max to wash his eyes out.
"Ow, ow, ow. Ow." He winced as he took his head out from under the faucet.
"Better?"
"Come on, it's been ages."
"Still stings." Lucas groaned. "Is that a new zit?"
Max grabbed the back of his head wide eyed, "What is wrong with you?"
"I was just asking!" He screamed as Max shoved his head back under the cold running water.
"Lucas, if you open your eyes, itll be gone quicker." Athelia told him.
"I am not going underwater without my goggles, Lia!" He hissed.
"Aren't you, like, fourteen?" She laughed.
"Yes?"
"And you still wear goggles?"
"Duh?"
"Oh my God." Max chuckled with Athelia.
All three boys walked past Athelia, clearly going somewhere.
"Do girl's even go to Science Camp?" Mike asked Dustin.
"Woah, woah." Athelia stopped them all. "What's going on?"
"Going to talk to Dustin's girlfriend." Will shrugged, as if it was a common thing to say.
"Girlfriend?!"
After Athelia interrogated Dustin about his girlfriend from summer camp, she decided it wasnt a huge issue, and that she would go to the pool, to talk to Mrs Sinclair about babysitting Erica a couple times a week to make extra money.
The pool was bursting with laughter and fun, the inflatable toys being put out by the life guards. She found the parents all lying down on the sunbeds on the poolside.
"Um, excuse me, Ms Sinclair?" Athelia interrupted her sunbathing politely, trying not to cause too much of a scene.
"Hm? What was that?" She opened her eyes and sat up. "Oh, Athelia, what a nice surprise!"
"Hi, Ms Sinclair." She smiled. "Hi was just wonderin-"
"Lia, you know I love you," Karen Wheeler interjected, "But I kind of need you to move, honey."
"Wha- Why?" Athelia asked, stepping to the side frantically, as the parents all checked their hair and makeup in their compact mirrors. "What are we all getting ready for?"
"Him."
Athelia's attention was brought to the 'Staff Only' door swinging open to reveal a tan, muscular guy with red board shorts and a yellow whistle around his neck.
"How on earth did Billy land a job here?" Athelia muttered. "He can barely get a girl."
He walked with confidence, not that he usually didnt. He pulled the whistle to his lips and blew sharply. All commotion froze across the pool, as they waited for Billy to talk.
"Hey, lard-ass!" He shouted at a kid who was jogging down the poolside. "No running on my watch! I gotta warn you again, and you're banned for life. You wanna be banned for life, lard-ass?" The kid shook his head silently, embarrassed, "Didn't think so."
Billy blew the whistle again, and the crowd chatter resumed, all fun started up again. He walked past the women on ghe sunbeds, winking at each of them, "Afternoon, ladies."
"Afternoon, Billy." They said in unison
"Dig the new suit, Mrs. Wheeler." He flirted.
"Thank you." She breathed back with a smile.
"Billy?" Athelia walked over to him, and he turned around instantly.
He chuckled at the sight of her, "Athelia Harrows. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"How did you get a job?"
"Excuse me?" He chuckled.
"How did you get a job." She repeated slowly.
Billy laughed, "Well, I applied, and all they had to do was take one look at my body and they said yes."
Athelia bit her tongue, not sure on what to say.
"What's wrong, princess, you not going for a swim?" He moved closer to her.
"No." She shook her head. "I cant swim."
"You, uh... cant swim?" He asked, watching as she shook her head, "You know, I could, uh... I could teach you, if you like."
"I'd rather choke on rice." She spat.
"But I know all the styles." He flirted, inching his way closer to her face, "Freestyle. Butterfly... Breaststroke."
"Billy, please." She shook her head, moving back, "I said I'm fine."
"You don't want to." He observed. "That's fine, but just know the offer's always there for you. Any time you want it."
"Billy-"
"Come to think of it, there is a good pool out at a Motel 6 on Cornwallis. It's very quiet. You know, very private."
"Oh, I bet it is." She chuckled sarcastically, "Perfect for you and your plans, right?"
"Glad you're following, Lia." He smirked, "Shall we say tonight? Eight o'clock? Meet me there, and I promise you... It will be the workout of your life."
"Really, I-"
"Just think about it."
Athelia nodded, "Right well, I've got to... uhm, go to work... so, yeah."
"You work?" He asked, seeming more intrigued. "Where?"
"Oh, nowhere..." she laughed awkwardly, "you probably wouldn't know the place."
"Try me." He challenged.
"Scoops Ahoy. In the Starcourt Mall?" Athelia winced as she said the words.
Billy gasped, "That is my favourite place for ice cream." He practically moaned the words. "I never see you working?"
"You must never catch my shifts." She shrugged. "Anyway, I've got to go."
"Bye, princess." He winked before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Athelia walked away, practically kicking herself about how she just let him flirt with her without retaliating. Steve would go ballistic if he found out.
"Alrighty, one scoop of chocolate. That's a buck-twenty-five." Steve smiled at the customer he was serving as Athelia entered the parlour, "Anything else?"
"Hi, Steve." She grinned, placing her sailor's hat on her hair neatly.
"Do you fancy leaving a tip?" Steve asked the girl, who just glared and walked away with her change.
Robin chuckled from the window, "And another one bites the dust. You are oh-for-six, Popeye."
"Yeah, yeah, I can count." He nodded.
"Looks like I'm winning." Athelia grinned.
"You know that means you suck." Robin underlined the board, adding another tally to Athelia's side.
"Yep, I can read, too." Steve scoffed.
"Since when?" Robin asked sarcastically.
"It's this stupid hat." Steve groaned, looking at his reflection. "I am telling you, it is totally blowing my best feature."
"Yeah, company policy is a real drag." Athelia nodded.
"You know, it's a crazy idea, but have you considered..." Robin paused, "telling the truth?"
"Oh, you mean, that I couldn't even get into Tech and my douchebag dad's trying to teach me a lesson, I make three bucks an hour, and I have no future? And now I'm in a competition to get tips with my girlfriend that somehow got me this job?" Steve recited, "That truth?"
"Hey, twelve o'clock." Robin nodded at a group of girls coming into the store.
"Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Okay... Uh... I'm going in. Okay?" He nodded. "And you know what? Screw company policy."
Steve took his hat off, revealing his hair, passing it to Athelia, who threw it into the back room.
"Oh, my God, you're a whole new man." Robin gasped.
"Right? Ooh." Steve nodded along.
Athelia stopped him from turning fully, fixing his hair quickly, slicking it back with her hands and fluffing up the top the way she liked it, "There." she grinned.
"Thanks, love." He winked subtly.
There werent a lot of things Steve could be discreet about, but flirting and winking were two of them. At any chance he could get, he would make a sexual joke, or even a lighthearted comment about how beautiful Athelia looked. And it gave her butterflies each and every time.
"Hey, who's side are you on!" Robin pulled Athelia back, stopping her from self sabotaging any more.
Steve started off awfully, scaring the girls with his loud voice, "Ahoy, ladies! Didn't see you there. Would you guys like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I'll be your captain... I'm Steve Harrington."
The four girls started laughing under their breaths. Laughing at Steve.
"Oh, God."
"This isn't going well."
"Can I get you guys a little taste of the Cherries Jubilee?" Steve offered, "No? Anybody? Banana Boat? Four people, four spoons? Share it in the booth? Anybody? It's hot out there."
"Why, exactly, did you start dating him?" Robin asked Athelia.
"Trust me, he was not this bad four months ago." She defended herself. "Hes just... rusty."
"Rusty, huh?"
a/n
season three baby!
also if you saw a
notification for this
chapter a couple
hours ago,
no you didnt :P