pretty boy like you // harringrove

16.

Karen told Elizabeth about the situation with Chloe when she found her sobbing next to the phone in her kitchen. It was about a week into her stay with Ronnie. She didn't really think about the consequences. She didn't really care. She knew Ronnie was okay with it, so she figured Liz would be fine.

“Well, girls love a grand gesture, right? You should go to her house. Flowers. What's her favorite flower?” As mad as she was when Karen came to stay at first, they were quickly becoming close. Karen helped (read - did) Liz’s homework and drove her places. Liz rubbed Karen's back when she had withdrawals and made sure she remembered to eat. It was a good partnership.

“She likes sunflowers. And roses. But I don't think she's that type of girl, Lizzie.” She had flinched at the nickname at first because it was unfamiliar and jarring, but she liked it after a few days. It was something only Karen ever called her.

“Can't hurt to try, right?”

“I guess.” Karen was quickly learning that although Lizzie was mature for her age, she was still a fifteen year old girl. She still believed in true love and despite having never met Chloe, she was convinced that the two were soulmates. The hopeless romantic in her wouldn't rest until Karen was forgiven.

“So we buy sunflowers and roses. Oh my god. You're totally a rose. And from what I've heard, she's definitely a sunflower. This is perfect!” Karen couldn't help but laugh.

“Yeah, fine. Later. It isn't like we have much left to lose.”

☆☆☆☆☆

“Do you guys need anything?” Steve asked, furrowing his eyebrows and looking over at the table surrounded by the kids. They were in the middle of a campaign, and they were getting very into it.

"More pizza would be great, Steve!" Dustin shouted, throwing back the rest of his diet coke. He just laughed and headed to the kitchen. When he returned to Billy five minutes later, he was considerably more tired than he was ten minutes prior.

"They're great kids, but goddamn are they tiring." Steve sighed, leaning into Billy's chest. They tangled themselves up in eachother, leaning against the counter.

"Will and El are pretty calm. The rest, though..." Billy snorted. "Crazy."

"Speaking of Will, talked to him today. Him and Mike went on their first date."

Billy grinned. "No shit, really? Where?"

"They went to the movies. Saw A Nightmare On Elm Street. Will said they held hands the whole time." Steve laughed, laying his head on Billy’s chest.

"They're cute."

"Yeah. Sometimes I wish we could've had that, being kids together."

They leaned in, but the moment was soon interrupted by Mike's shout and the loud bang of the board being slammed into the ground.

☆☆☆☆☆

Karen borrowed Ronnie's car to go to Chloe's house. Elizabeth was in the passenger seat singing along to Tina goddamn Turner.

"What's love got to do with it?" She sang, dancing around in her seat. Karen, as anxious as she was, couldn't help but laugh.

"Man, this song sucks, Lizzie. Stop singing and focus please. I need your help!" She slammed the power button on the radio and clapped. "What do I say to Clo?"

Liz sighed, cracking her gum. "Just tell her you've been doing some soul searching and you realized you have feelings for her. We've been over this."