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The Hollands were already outside when Steve and Dylan approached their front lawn. Marsha Holland was crying into her husband's shoulder as he held her, rubbing the top of her head.
The reason for the crying was clear.
The roof of the Holland residence had caved in on itself but Dylan could only feel relief that both of her parents were safe and standing on their own two feet.
"Mom!" Dylan called out.
Her mother looked back, crying turning to confusion. "Dylan? I thought you were in Cali—"
"I came back early with Steve." Dylan lied with ease. "I'm so glad to see you both."
"Oh, Dylan," her mother sniffled. "You don't know how good it is to see you. The house... we really lost it this time."
Dylan embraced her parents, soothing her mother with a surplus of cliches like 'it's alright,' and 'it'll be okay.'
Really, Dylan didn't know what else to do or say. She was still processing being stuck in her mental purgatory. So many things had happened since she finally opened her eyes again in Dustin's living room that she hadn't even gotten to tell anyone what happened. She wanted to comfort them but her mental stamina was far past depletion. She'd used all the positivity she could muster getting back.
The loss of their family home small seemed small in comparison to everything else.
Her brain was literally scrambled.
The last thing she could remember in her real life was being in the field by the trailer park, preparing to be electrocuted. At that time, she'd forgotten ever being in a relationship with Steve and had a freaky attraction to Byers she was trying to avoid acknowledging. Then, they had all planned to basically risk their lives. Max especially. How was Max? Dylan needed to find that out, too.
Feeling anxiety begin to bubble in her chest, Dylan took a long breath, holding it extra long in her lungs before letting it go.
"You could stay with my parents," Steve offered up instantly. "We've definitely got the space."
Dylan knew that while her parents were going to appreciate Steve's offer, they'd both rather cut off a limb than be stuck under the same roof as Mr. Harrington. Her mother especially.
"Always such a sweet boy," said her mother. "But I'm sure we can stay with Dylan's Aunt Celia. It's not too far into the city. They say the earthquake didn't expand past town lines. Dylan, did you want to come with us?"
Dylan loved her Aunt Celia, truly. But the woman was a basket case, always one problem after another, most of them romantic. There was never a conversation that wasn't about of her failed dates or tumultuous relationships. Sometimes it could be funny, but after an hour or so it would grow tiresome. Even though her parents had gone through something traumatic, Dylan could almost guarantee within minutes Celia would have spun the conversation to be about her.
