STRANGER ≪ °❈° ≫ THINGS

Aye Aye Captain || Steve Harrington

"Tooooo hold meee!" You and your mother shrieked as the music blasted through the car speakers. "Every day I wake up, then I start to break up, lonely is a man without love." You and your mother sang in sync looking at each other as the wind blew through the opened car windows through the driver and passenger seat. "Every day I start out, then I cry my heart out, lonely is a man without love." You continued singing, as you turned your head to look out the window and couldn't help but smile as you saw the same old "Welcome To Hawkins" sign that is slowly fading. Both you and your mom chuckle as she turned down the volume on the car stereo.

"Mom, I love you, and I love visiting here, but why did you decide to spend a few weeks of summer here? We could've gone to California first, I heard there's a music festival going on." You say turning your head back to look at her. Your mother clicks her tongue. "I know. I know, but I was talking to Claudia and we realized it's been too long since we've all seen each other." She replied. You scoffed. "Mom, I love aunt Claudia, but seriously! Couldn't we have come another time?" You asked. "I'm sorry honey, there's no turning back now. We made the plans and we're already here." She replied. She turned the dial of the volume on the car stereo back up as she continues singing, only this time you don't chime in. "So if you see my girl, please send her home to me. Tell her about my heart that's slowly dying."

Your mother pulled up to the familiar ranch styled house, parking next to your aunt's car. Your mother honked her horn, and as if on cue, aunt Claudia swung the door open with a huge smile on her face. Your mother turns off the car as you swung open your door getting out of the car. "OH MY GOODNESS!" Aunt Claudia screeched. Your mother cheers as she runs up to her sister who welcomes her with a big hug. "It's so good to see you!" Your mom says cheerfully. You stood behind her with a smile on your face when aunt Claudia finally noticed you. "Y/N!!!" She squealed letting go from your mom as she walks over to you and gives you a hug as well. "Hi aunt Claudia." You said with a smile, returning her the hug. "My goodness look at you! You've grown! You look so beautiful!" She adds. You blush. "Oh stop it. You're too kind." You reply. Aunt Claudia gasps. "Oh please come on in, you both must be so tired." She says gesturing you both to go inside. Your mom follows your aunt as you followed along, closing the door behind you.

As soon as your inside the house you smell that same old smell you've always smelled ever since you were younger whenever you visited. As you looked around you saw the decor and furniture. A few changes in picture frames, the curtains and the wallpaper, but it all still looked the same just like you remembered. "DUSTY!!!" Your aunt yelled. "DUSTY GET OUT HERE WE HAVE VISITORS!" She yelled again. You and your mom exchanged looks as she tried her best not to laugh at her sister's yelling. "I'M COMING!!" You heard a voice respond. Your eyes widened. "That was Dustin?" Your mom asked. Aunt Claudia turned to look at you both as she smiles. "He's grown so much." She says. Suddenly, you hear a door open and footsteps approach the living room and you've come face to face with a much older and taller cousin. "Oh My God!!" Dustin said with excitement. Your mother gasped with a smile. "Dustin!" She says embracing him in a hug. "Auntie!!" He says. You couldn't help but smile. Yep, same old Dustin with his nerdy hats and graphic t-shirts. Dustin looked over your mom's shoulder and spotted you. "Y/N!!" He said, walking over to hug you when he finished hugging your mother. "Dustin!!" You say giving him a big hug. "How's my favorite cousin?" Dustin asked looking at you from head to toe. "I was about to ask you the same question." You replied while also looking at him from head to toe.

The four of you sat around scattered in the living room as you spoke to Dustin and Aunt Claudia spoke to your mom. "Hotter than Phoebe Cates?" You asked with a raised eyebrow. "Mhhm." Dustin replied with a nod. "Oh man. Congrats my dude." You replied. The four of you continued to chit chat when suddenly aunt Claudia asked you the dreading question. "Y/N sweetie. What about you? Have you found someone? A boyfriend?" She asks looking at you then at your mom. You look over at Dustin who has his hands on his chin. You chuckled and cleared your throat. "Ah.. no. No not yet aunt Claudia." You reply. "She really hasn't been looking for someone-" Your mom began to say when you interrupted her. You felt that there was no need for everyone to be interested in your love life, and certainly now was not the time to talk about it. "Hey Dustin do you know any cool, fun places to go to?" You asked quickly changing the subject. "Uh." Dustin replied, when aunt Claudia clapped her hands. "Oh my goodness you two must go to Starcourt." She said cheerfully. "Starcourt?" You and your mother asked in unison. "The town mall. It's very popular." Dustin replied. "Is it far?" Your mother asked. "Not really. I hang out there most of the time." Dustin said. You looked at Dustin and looked at the door, signaling that you wanted to leave. You couldn't bear to stay another minute with Aunt Claudia's burning questions. Besides, you just arrived from a long road trip, a walk around the mall sounds nice. Dustin sat up. "Oh my gosh, mom. Why don't you stay here with auntie, and I can show Y/N around and maybe show her around Starcourt." Dustin suggested. You smiled. That's what you loved about Dustin. You and Dustin were able to read each other's facial and body language and related to each other so much, he could practically read you and your mind. That's why he is your favorite cousin. "Good idea!" Aunt Claudia responded. "Okay. Sounds like fun. I'll take us there." You replied. "Oh but don't forget to take our bags out of the car before you leave." Your mom said giving you the car keys.