Joe Keery Imagines

Take A Break-Steve Harrington

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I looked at my desk covered with homework, projects, summer job applications, college brochures, and papers I wasn't even sure what they were anymore. I ran my fingers through my hair, unable to stop the building anxiety attack.

Senior year is as hard as they say. Harder when you're also working after school, tutoring before school, making dinner for your father, doing the chores your mother used to do before she died, and trying to be there for your friends and boyfriend.

I officially couldn't keep my head above water. I was drowning.

A sob got caught in my throat and that feeling of drowning got worse. My hands were shaking as I grabbed the house phone I had on my bedside table.

"Hey, you," Steve chuckled the second he answered the phone. "I thought you were busy studying."

"Steve..."

"What's wrong?" The tone of his voice instantly changed.

"I can't do this," I whispered.

"I'm on my way."

Ten minutes later, there was a soft knock on my bedroom door. I shakily stood up and opened it.

"Can't do what, baby?"

"Any of this. Graduation. Summer jobs. College. Moving. I can't do this, Steve."

My breathing sped up, slowly getting harder to control. I slowly took a step back, putting some space between us as I continued to hyperventilate.

"I can't do this. I'm the oldest kid in my family. Which means my college experience will influence my siblings. What if I can't handle college and drop out? Or I get kicked out? If that happens, it could influence my younger siblings not to go to college at all. But to be honest, I have no idea what I want to major in. How can I encourage my younger siblings to go to college if I have no clue what I want to do with the rest of my life?"

A sob got stuck in my throat and my legs gave out. Steve instantly caught me, pulling me tightly into his chest."

"Y/N," he whispered, "take a deep breath for me. Okay? Everything is going to be okay."

"How do you know that? I feel like I'm drowning, Steve."

"I know that everything is going to be okay because you are the strongest person I know," he said with a small chuckle. "Y/N, baby, you have protected the kids through everything. You've fought and killed beasts that should be fictional. All while keeping your grades perfect."

"But..."

"But nothing," he said gently. He walked into my room, pulling me with him. We sat on my bed, leaning against the bedframe. "It's okay to be overwhelmed. That's what I'm here for."

"I feel like we haven't gone on a date in like three months because of me."

"That's not because of you," Steve sighed. "It's because of everything else that's gone on around here."

"I graduate next week, Steve," I started to ramble. "Next week! Which means that for the first time in years, I won't know what to do with my life. I won't have someone helping me. I'm not even sure what I want to major in. Or if I want to stay here in Indiana or go to one of the out-of-state schools. And then when I do go to school, I'm gonna have to work. But what if I can't juggle school and work? And then if I go out of state, it will put a strain on our relationship. What if we can't handle it? What if the distance comes between us? What if we break up and it's all my fault?"

"Whoa," Steve cut me off. "Baby, take a deep breath. Whatever school you pick, will be perfect. Distance is never going to come between us because if you do choose to go to an out-of-town school, we'll be just fine. I'll come visit you every weekend. And when you come home for Spring Break or Winter Break, we'll spend every minute together. Your parents will try and kick me out but I'll just sneak in through your window."

"My window is on the second story," I giggled.

Steve leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "It's never stopped me before," he whispered. I giggled when he rolled us over, hovering over me.

"Y/N," Steve whispered. "Don't worry about us. In the last three years, we've handled a Demogorgon, Demodogs, and evil Russians. During all of that, we managed to confess our feelings for each other and begin our relationship. While staying alive. If we can handle all of that, we can handle you going away for college."

"How are you so sure?" I asked under my breath. He leaned down, getting closer to me. He smirked before playfully kissing my nose. When he pulled away, his expression slowly turned serious.

"Because I love you," he whispered. "And I would rather be tortured by Russians than lose you."

"I love you too," I smiled. "And I would rather be attacked by demodogs than lose you."