Chapter Text
The time now was approaching 10pm and the gang was starting the fourth bout of the new Nintendo gaming system: the Colour TV Game system at Mike's house. The gang was in awe at the ability to plug in this system to the TV in Mike's basement. There were two different consoles that were different in colour that Mike had gotten from some great aunt that the gang passively dismissed. There was a faint noise from upstairs that no one seemed to notice until Mrs. Wheeler made her way down the flight of stairs and called for Max. Dustin paused the game and the gang pulled their eyes away from the TV for the first time in a few hours.
"Max, your brother is here for you." Mrs. Wheeler called out, not bothering to descend the flight of stairs fully.
"I'll be right up, Mrs. Wheeler. Thank you!" Max quickly chimed back.
"So, what do you know?" Mike asked Max as he turned around quickly to try and get some information about this new girl that had started to hang out with Billy. He was still a little hesitant about letting the girl into the gang, however she DID go through the Mind Flayer event -- so it was only evident that she was included in the group activities.
"I know that she's a girl," Max started, knowing exactly what Mike was asking about. It was the only thing that was hanging over their collective thoughts. Who was that mystery girl that was hanging around Billy?
"No shit Sherlock," Dustin said, attempting for it to be under his breath, but it came out a little louder than expected.
"I also know that she has no idea who my brother is, and how he charmed her to like him I have no idea." Max continued. The gang looked a little shocked and taken aback. They didn't know how to respond.
"Did you get her name? Age? Anything?" Will asked after a brief period of silence.
"Nothing yet, but as soon as he introduces her to me I'll let you guys know everything."
Max froze and everyone followed suit, Billy was upstairs talking to Mrs. Wheeler, waiting for Max to pack up her belongings. There was a third voice in the conversation that no one could place. Nancy was out with Jonathan tonight and Mr. Wheeler was in the den, as usual.
"It's her!" Lucas whispered loudly. Max nodded at the group, and somehow with no words exchanged, everyone knew what to do. Max ascended the stairs and walked into the kitchen where Mrs. Wheeler, Billy and the mystery girl were seated waiting for her. The gang followed her quietly, to be heard was game over for them.
"Hey!" Max greeted everyone in the kitchen.
"Alright Max, let's get you home." Billy said jokingly and looked at Mrs. Wheeler and scoffed. "Kids, am I right?" Mrs. Wheeler laughed, placing her left hand over her chest delicately. She walked them to the door. Max followed behind, looking back at the gang that was still hiding at the top of the stairs. They had been standing there for a solid five minutes and no one had mentioned the mystery girl's name. Maybe tonight wasn't the night.
"It was very nice to meet you, Mrs. Wheeler." The mystery girl said and extended her hand to Mrs. Wheeler, and Mrs. Wheeler shook it.
"Likewise, Marlow."
Max looked back at the gang on the stairs, eyes wide. The all looked as shocked as she felt. Dustin mouthed the words 'Holy shit'. There were smiles and goodbyes exchanged throughout, and with that Max left the Wheeler's.
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"So, you're Max, right?" Marlow asked from the passenger seat of Billy's car, turning her body to face Max almost in its entirety. Her light brown hair fell on both sides of her face that was illuminated by the street lights on the ride home. Her smile was warm and soft, the complete opposite of Billy and she didn't know how opposites attract, but this was the most convincing argument that it was true.
"Yeah," she said. Billy would kill her if she stepped out of line. Although, Max thought, she could make this work to her advantage. Billy wouldn't hassle her if Marlow was around. "And you're Marlow, right?"
"Yes ma'am," she said and giggled. Billy smiled, slightly glancing at her and then looking back at the road. He was paying attention, like ACTUALLY paying attention to the road signs and was going within the speed limit. He was calm, and collected. Max was starting to wonder what the actual hell was going on and had her step- brother been abducted by aliens?
"So, you're in Grade 8, right?"
"Yeah," this time, Max said it to Marlow with a nod of her head. Marlow giggled again, and her smile widened.
"That's nice, I remember 8th grade. That was a very exciting time." Max nodded and forced a smile.
The car ride when on like that for the entire ride, until they got to a building that Max didn't recognize. It was a small red-bricked bungalow that had a few trees outside and a stone walkway up to the front door.
"Welp, that's me!" Marlow stated. "It was very nice to meet you, Max. I hope I get to see you again soon!" and with that Marlow got out of Billy's car and walked up to the front door and waved bye as Billy pulled out of the driveway.
"Yeah, bye." Max said a little delayed. She was still shocked as to how in the hell that girl would fall in love with her nasty ass brother. The rest of the ride home was spent in silence, however it wasn't a silence that Max dreaded, it was a silence that Max seemed to enjoy for once. It was a silence that she knew wasn't going to end with her brother's unending and unpredictable temperament