Joe Keery Imagines

7 Minutes in Heaven-Steve Harrington

I hated parties. I never wanted to go. And yet, my so-called friends always dragged me to them. While they danced and got drunk, I stood in the corner, drinking from my water bottle that I brought from home.

"Hey, come with us."

"Why?" I sighed as Maddie and Lilly dragged me through the party.

"We need one more girl for 7 Minutes in Heaven."

"Absolutely not," I said, pulling my wrists out of their hands. "I'm not playing the makeout game."

"Come on," Maddie sighed. "The odds of the bottle landing on you are slim. Alright? It's just for fun."

"Getting locked in a closet with a blockhead from Hawkins High is not my idea of fun."

"Are you girls coming or not?" Tommy H yelled from the other room.

"Coming!" Lilly giggled which made me lose respect for her.

I was dragged over to the circle forming and forced to sit down. As the bottle spun around and people went to the coat closet, I was busy picking at my cuticles.

"Steve, it's your turn," Carol giggled.

"I told you, I didn't want to do this," he sighed.

"Come on, man," Tommy H sighed. "I know you're still stuck on Nancy. No better way than to get over a girl than to make out with another one."

"That's not how it works," Steve scoffed.

He mumbled something before grabbing the bottle and spinning it half-heartedly. Time seemed to slow down as the bottle spun. It completely froze when the bottle stopped on me. We looked up at each other, matching red faces.

"Alright, Harrington," Tommy H laughed obnoxiously. "Go get it."

"Her," Steve corrected. He glared at Tommy as he stood up. He wiped his hands on his jeans before reaching his hand out. I gently took his hand and stood up.

"I'm sorry about this," he whispered before leading me to the closet. I couldn't help but jump when the door was slammed behind us.

I looked over at Steve to see him looking at anything else. I wrapped my arms around myself, my face burning. Steve opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.

"We don't have to do anything."

"What?" He stuttered.

"I just. . ." I cleared my throat, suddenly nervous. I have never been nervous around Steve Harrington before. This was new.

"I know you and Nancy just broke up," I continued. "I doubt you want to make out with some random girl."

"You're not just some random girl," he said instantly. "We've known each other since we were little."

"Barely," I scoffed before I could stop myself. I sighed before clarifying. "Steve, you and I have barely spoken to each other. Sure, our parents were high school best friends who decided to move in next to each other and have a weekly barbecue, but that doesn't mean we're joined at the hip. You have your group and I have mine."

Silence fell between us. I'm not sure how much time passed before Steve broke it.

"How did you know I was struggling with the breakup?"

"You've been reading."

"What?" He stuttered.

"Did you forget?" I asked with a small laugh. "Our windows face each other, Steve. You went from playing video games every night to reading while sitting on the floor, leaning against your bed. You only do that when you're upset."