stranger things imagines {slow updates}

𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫

BEING A HOT LIFEGUARD ISN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE. you know it sounds a bit stupid, but you hate the constant attention you get - both from boys who ogle, and girls who hate you because they believe you got where you are just because of your looks.

i mean, it's partly true. you're sort of convinced you only got the job as lifeguard because you look good in a bathing suit, but you try not to dwell on it too much.

there are definitely perks to your job, though, one of them being able to see mr. hot-stuff every day. when billy strutted into the pool for the first time, you were glad you had sunglasses on, because that meant he couldn't see you staring.

he talked to you every time you switched out between shifts, and you always felt the glare of almost all the women on you the moment he uttered his first 'hello' to you. so, today was no different.

"hey, dollface," billy greeted. you had gotten past blushing at the nickname, and you just smiled in appreciation, climbing down the ladder.

"hi, billy. you put on sunscreen? it's really sunny out today. wouldn't want you getting a red face," you joked, referring to when he'd fallen asleep in the chair, and woken to up a bad sunburn on his cheeks. he rolled his eyes, but grinned that superstar hollywood smile that made your innards twist.

"i'll be okay, hot stuff. next time you bring that up, i'll make sure to smear sunscreen in the shape of a dick on your back before you come out," he whispered, sending you a sly wink. you shook your head at his empty threats and waved goodbye as he took your spot as lifeguard.

even when you weren't speaking to him anymore, you could feel eyes on you. you had gotten used to it by now, but it still bothered you. you were just friends with him - you wouldn't mind being more, but even so, it was no one's business but yours and billy's.

"whore," you heard. you spun around violently to make eye contact with an older woman, staring at you with a toxic mix of disgust and jealously. you wanted so badly to say something, but you knew that taking the high road was a better option.

or maybe it wasn't.

a mischievous smile creeped onto your face as you turned away, an idea taking wings within your mind.

•••

the next day, you acted as if everything was completely normal. you blew the whistle when necessary, avoided looking at the glaring girls, and surveyed the pool. once billy walked in, your plan began to take action.

"hey, billy," you shouted, running down to greet him. you made sure you stopped him

right in front of the woman who had insulted you the day before; she happened to take the very same chair.

"hey, doll. what's got you so excited?" he asked, grinning. you almost got cold feet, but you reassured yourself that this was a good idea. if those girls wanted to be jealous, you would make them jealous.

you put your hand on billy's shoulder and pressed your lips to his ear, trying your best to be almost silent so the woman wouldn't hear you.

"do me a favor, and don't be mad," you whispered. before billy could ask 'about what, exactly' you were already kissing him.

at first, you felt your heart pounding on your chest when he didn't kiss back. but after almost no time, billy had his arms wrapped around your waist, and he was kissing you back - billy hargrove was kissing you back. you smiled a bit, and pulled away, not even attempting to hide the red that was rushing to your cheeks. you knew your plan had worked when you heard almost inaudible gasps from the women surrounding you.

"you put on sunscreen? looks like you got a little red face there," billy joked, his arms still holding you close. you giggled, and pressed a kiss to his cheek, subtly leaning toward his ear once again.

"i promise i'll explain later. i'll come back when your shift ends."

with a deep breath, you let billy release you as you waltzed toward the locker room. you had killed two birds with one stone - you'd successfully pissed that woman off, and you'd kissed billy, which was something you'd been wanting to do for a while.

•••

you clutched your oversized bomber to you tightly as the cool night wind blew. leaning against billy's car as you awaited his arrival, you were even more nervous than you'd been when you kissed him. that was all adrenaline, and now you were just stuck with the feeling of doubt - that he didn't really like you back.

"hey, ms. sunburn!" you heard. you smiled as you noticed the blonde figure jogging toward you from the pool exit. your heartbeat spiked as he got closer, and then you could've sworn your knees buckled a bit when you saw his endearingly lopsidedly grin.

"i took the bus here," you blurted, hoping he'd offer you a ride home. with a roll of his eyes, billy pulled out a cigarette and lit it, jerking his head towards his car. you climbed into the passenger seat with shaky hands, and leaned over to unlock the driver's seat door.

the drive was only 30 minutes, but it felt like 90. you sat there for at least 10 of them, staring down at your fingers, making small talk. it was so unlike you to be so awkward and nervous around billy - you spoke to him with ease, usually.

"so, you gonna explain what that whole thing was about?" billy suddenly said, turning to you. there was no flirty smirk, no hollywood grin, just a genuine smile that gave you at least a little confidence that billy wouldn't be mean about it if he didn't feel the same.

"well, uh... a lot of the girls, they're kinda jealous that you and i talk. so, i came up with this plan to just leave them all speechless. and... kissing you was the plan." as you talked, you slowly brought your eyes up to his, searching for any sort of emotion that could discourage the next part of your explanation.

"and, i also kissed you... because i've liked you for a while. so, yeah. that's why," you added. billy didn't seem flustered or anything - he was billy hargrove, why would he be? he was silent for a moment, and you were afraid that your fear had become a reality.

"i was hoping you'd say that. the last part, i mean." his voice showed a bit of wavering, which led you to believe he was nervous, just like you. you couldn't help but smile at the fact that he wasn't even able to say that he liked you back; he was lucky you weren't stupid enough not to pick up his subtle hint.

with a sudden burst of the same type of adrenaline you felt with your lips of his, you turned to billy with a wide, wolfish grin.

"do me a favor, and kiss me again."