Summary: An everyday school day with your boyfriend Billy Hargrove.
Hawkins High — Fall, 1985
You always knew Billy Hargrove’s Camaro long before it pulled into the Hawkins High parking lot, first the low growl of the engine, then the way half the senior class turned their heads like he was some kind of solar flare. You were already at your locker, swapping your biology book for English lit, when he eased into a spot with practiced arrogance.
It was 7:42 a.m.
He was late.
Of course he was late.
And of course he didn’t care.
Billy took three strides inside the building before he spotted you. The second he did, his entire posture changed. Shoulders still cocky, but the smirk softened into something just for you. He slid up behind you, one warm hand finding your hip like it always did.
“Morning, princess.”
“You’re late,” you said, even though you were already smiling.
He dipped his head, brushing his lips against your cheek. “Miss me?”
“You saw me last night.”
“Still miss you,” he murmured, lips moving against your skin.
Someone down the hall wolf-whistled. Billy didn’t even look. His hand tightened possessively at your waist.
“Ignore them,” you said softly.
“Not thinking about them.”
His eyes dropped to your mouth.
“Just you.”
You swatted at him because it was way too early for Billy’s brand of trouble. He just laughed, the low, warm kind he saved for you, and stole a quick kiss anyway before letting you go.
First Period — English
Billy hated English. Billy also hated that you were good at English. He sat in the desk beside you, tapping his pencil on the wood like the class personally offended him.
Halfway through the lecture, he nudged your sneaker with his boot.
You didn’t look over. You were taking notes.
Another nudge.
You kept writing.
A third nudge—this one deliberate, dragging the toe of his boot against your ankle.
You finally glanced at him.
“What?”
He leaned closer. “I’m bored.”
“And this is my problem because…?”
“Because you’re my girlfriend,” he said simply, like it explained everything.
You tried not to smile. “Take notes. It won’t kill you.”
“Dunno,” he whispered, feigning seriousness. “Feels like torture.”
He slid his notebook halfway across your desk—not so subtly asking you to help.
You rolled your eyes but angled your notes where he could see. Billy gave you a tiny, grateful half-smile that nobody else ever got to see.
Lunch
You were carrying your tray toward your usual table when Billy intercepted you again, looping an arm around your shoulders and kissing the top of your head like it was instinct.
“You eat?” he asked, eyeing your tray.
“Yes, Billy. I eat.”
“Just checking.” He brushed a thumb along your waist. “You forget sometimes.”
Your chest warmed. It was so… normal. So un-Billy to anyone else, but so familiar to you.
He sat close enough that your thighs pressed together. His hand stayed on your knee under the table—not sexual (yet), just grounding. Sometimes he squeezed gently when he wasn’t talking, like he needed to make sure you were rel.
“You comin’ to the pool after school?” he asked, taking a bite of a cafeteria apple like he had something to prove.
“You’re lifeguarding.”
“And?”
“I’ll be distracting.”
He smirked. “You saying I can’t focus with you around?”
“Yes.”
He leaned in, lips brushing your ear. “I like when you distract me.”
Your face went hot.
He lived for it.
Fourth Period — Gym
Gym class was, predictably, Billy’s kingdom.
Girls giggled every time he blew the whistle. Guys tried (and failed) to impress him. He acted like it was annoying, but you saw the way his chest puffed just a little.
When the class split into teams for volleyball, Billy wandered over to where you were standing.
“You’re not in this class,” you reminded him.
He ignored that completely. “Switch with her,” he told one of the girls beside you.
The girl stared at him, starry-eyed. “Um—sure?”
Billy took her spot, spinning the volleyball on one finger.
Your jaw dropped.
“Billy, you can’t just—”
“Yes I can.” He tossed the ball lightly into the air. “Was bored.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
He grinned. “And you like me anyway.”
The game started.
Every time the ball came near you, Billy backed you up.
Every time you scored, he muttered “Atta girl” under his breath like he couldn’t help it.
The other girls watched in open envy.
Billy didn’t even notice.
His eyes never left you.
After School — Pool
You waited by the bleachers while Billy clocked out. He emerged from the employee room in jeans and a tank top, hair damp, smelling like chlorine and cigarette smoke and something warm you couldn’t name.
“C’mere,” he called, crooking a finger.
You walked over. “Why?”
“So I can kiss my girlfriend.”
He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Before you could tease him, he grabbed your waist and kissed you—not rushed, not dirty like the rumors said, but slow. Sweet enough that your knees wobbled. He pulled back just a little, forehead resting against yours.
“You look pretty today,” he said quietly. “Should’ve told you earlier.”
Your breath caught.
Billy didn’t do soft words often.
But when he did, it was always earnest.
“You look pretty too,” you teased.
He snorted. “Shut up.”
Camaro Ride — Sunset
He drove with one hand on the steering wheel, the other linked with yours between the seats. The windows were down, rock music crackling through the speakers, wind tugging at your hair.
“You staying the night?” he asked, casual but hopeful.
“If your dad’s home—”
“He won’t bother us.” His jaw clenched. “He knows better.”
You squeezed his hand, and he relaxed, just barely.
Billy shot you a sidelong glance. “You don’t have to, you know. Stay the night. Just… like having you close.”
Your heart pressed against your ribs.
Billy Hargrove didn’t say things like that to anyone else.
“I want to,” you said softly.
He smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Not cocky—relieved.
He lifted your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles as Hawkins blurred past the windows.
“Good,” he murmured. “Then you’re mine for the night.”
just find it funny that will continues to stare at mike, while el barely looks at him despite being the one he initially addressed.
who actually has a crush on mike impossible challenge go
but in all seriousness, i've been thinking about what noah said recently about him having to do very subtle and masked acting in season 3 in terms of will's feelings for mike, and this scene popped in my head. like, not only have they been doing the "mike and el can't have a moment alone without will loitering in the background (in focus, too)" theme since the snowball, but they've also been exhibiting the duality of will and el's actions when mike isn't looking.
that last image above is extremely telling to me. el doesn't look back once mike looks away, proving she wasn't just putting on a nonchalant act until he couldn't see her anymore. meanwhile, will just always has his eyes on mike, and this is one of the few examples we have of will pining in the open (something we mainly see in season 4 when he's more sure of his feelings, and mayyyyybe even hopeful of reciprocation.) the more i think about it as i'm writing this out, i actually think this is the first shot we have of will watching mike in a sort of (obviously masked) yearning nature(?)
Noah deliberately pointing out for the audience that it doesn't add up when we all, in fact, know damn well the reason behind Mike's change of character throughout the seasons
(edit: nope, he was literally saying I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. why the duffers chose to write him that way.)
