I take one last look at the kitchen window, sure enough, my dad glowers down at me as I place one hand on Steve's car door handle. I was hoping to slip away on my bike, but my father won't take his eyes off me, so I sigh and get in the car, where Steve sits wearing sunglasses. He doesn't look at me as I get in, but when I slam the car door, he snaps his head my way.

"Hey!" He says loudly, eyeing where my hand lets go of the handle swiftly, "Watch the car. It's worth more than you'll ever be."

He begins driving, turning on the radio as I roll my eyes and stare out the window. I know it's a short drive, but the awkward silence makes it seem a century.

I'm about to say something, but he beats me to it.

"You gotta watch your attitude, or dad's gonna catch you flipping him off," He says, smirking like the jerk he is.

"So what if he sees me? What does it matter to you?" I grumble back.

"Because your screaming would interrupt my thoughts," He answers and I place my hand on my chest in mock surprise.

"Steve, you didn't tell me you figured out how to think."

"Watch it," he snaps, and I know it's only because he has no comeback.

I lower my voice to a whisper, "jackass."

"You wanna say that louder?" Steve looks away from the road as I realize I wasn't quiet enough.

"I didn't say anything," I mutter, turning to look out the window. Suddenly, I feel a hand pull the collar of my jacket and I'm forced to turn and face my brother. I struggle in his vice grip as fear courses through my body and he looks me in the eye with a death glare.

"You're a piece of shit, Liz," He spits at me, "Watch your mouth."

Just like Dad, he throws me back into my seat and turns the car into the parking lot.

"Call me a piece of shit," I grab my bag, "See if I care. But I'm not watching my mouth, not a chance. Steve, you're an asshole."

I open the door and jump out of the car as Steve growls behind me.

"You're gonna pay for that, Liz." I turn around and slam the door with all my force, shaking the glass and raising my arms to Steve as if to say 'come and get me' as I walk into my school.

People jostle back and forth through the hallways, and I take momentary haven at my uncrowded locker. Opening the lock, I place my bag inside and slam it, turning quickly on my heel and straight into someone. I hear a grunt and a couple thuds as books tumble to the ground and me along with them. Looking up, I see a boy with curly brown hair and blue eyes looking down at me apologetically. Three boys snort with laughter behind him.

"Smooth, Dustin." A dark skinned boy says as I pick up the textbooks scattered all over the floor.

"Well, don't just stand there, help her up!" A boy with dark hair and brown eyes gestures to me as I stand up and hand the books to the kid.

"Too late." I smile and drop the books into his arms, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair behind my ear, "I'm Liz, by the way."

"Dustin." He says, smiling. I hold in my surprised expression when I see both of his front teeth missing, and instead turn to the other boys.

"I'm Lucas." The dark skinned boy says.

"Mike." The brown eyed kid is still shaking his head at his friend's stupidity.

"I'm Will." The last kid is smaller, with brown hair in a bowl cut and wide eyes. He smiles shyly at me and I smile back.

"Good to meet you all." I say.

"I'm really sorry for running into you." Dustin says as I yawn rudely.

"Hey it's no sweat." The bell rings and I sigh, "I have to go, see you all around."

I turn away from them, hearing Dustin turn to the others, grinning.

"She's cool."

***

The lunch bell rings and I sigh in relief, closing my math textbook and picking it up along with my binder. My face scrunches up at the putrid smell of the hallway, a mix of BO and sweaty socks. I adjust my grip on my books and head to my locker, quickly snatching the paper bag that holds my lunch and heading outside. Once my nose reaches the fresh air, I take a deep breath in, walking over to a nearby bench and opening my lunch bag. I roll up my sleeves and am about to take out my sandwhich when I see three figures stalking towards me from the nearby high school doors. I recognize my brother's face immediately, and my heart races.

Carol and Tommy laugh at something Steve says as they walk along beside him. I place down my bag and stand up, not running because I won't be seen as a coward. I stand my ground, even as his intimidating height of 5'11" towers over mine of 5'0". At that point he runs into me and grabs the collar of my jacket with both hands, holding onto me and pushing me backwards into the school wall. I feel him raise me off the ground easily, and my feet dangle in the air as I look up at him with wide eyes, trying not to seem scared. He smirks at me as Carol and Tommy stand behind, watching with their arms crossed.

"Steve, don't make a scene," I tell him as a few people stop to watch, including the four boys I met earlier. "We can do this at home."

He takes me off the wall and slams me back into it, earning sharp breaths from the crowd and a small grunt from me.

"We can do it now, as you were so keen to in the car," He leans in so only I can hear him, his warm breath on my face as more people stop and watch, "Just know, Liz, you brought this upon yourself."

I glare at him, keeping my voice from shaking, "Steve, stop."

His gaze is indifferent, and if I look hard enough, I can see the shattered remnants of the big brother I used to know. I don't blame him for what he's become; I blame my father.

I think maybe, if I try hard enough, I can tug out the bits of old Steve, but then Carol is piping up from the sidelines.

"Punch the brat's face in, Steve!" She shouts, and my eyes dart to her.

"Please, Carol, not even that will make me look worse than you!" I call in return, and she scoffs daintily while some of the crowd laughs. I think I almost see Steve smile, but it's gone before I can blink.

"Think about how much shit you'll be in if dad finds out you hit his favourite punching bag." I try to stay calm; bargaining is my best friend at this point, and deep inside I am terrified.

Steve laughs, but it doesn't reach his brown eyes. I'm still dangled in the air, clutching at his arms as he holds me up.

I want to cry, I want to collapse and scream and let the floodgates open. I want to be weak, vulnerable, but I won't let myself. I won't be a coward like Steve. I make eye contact with Dustin, Mike, Lucas, and Will from across the circle, who look like they want to help. I know I can't let them step in; I can't let somone else get hurt.

"Why don't you fight back?" Steve asks me. His voice is taunting, mocking, but I can't help but wonder if he's really asking me why I never stand up to dad. I can't help but wonder if maybe he just genuinely wants to know. Maybe it hurts him to see dad take his anger out on me. It's a stupid, childish thought, and I push it away quickly, "why don't you throw a few punches, Liz?"

My eyes lock with his. He searches me for an answer while I search him for any trace of my old brother. Upon seeing none, I shake my head and fix him with a piercing stare, "I'd never want to be like you."

His face is blank, and Tommy calls to him from next to Carol.

"Come on, Steve!" He shouts encouragingly, but my brother doesn't tear his gaze from mine.

"Yeah, go ahead, Steve," I whisper. My last plan is in action, even if I know it's hopeless, "Be just like him."

A different emotion flickers across my brother's face: hurt. I see it as clear as day, even before it's replaced by anger and he turns and shoves me to the ground. My face hits the concrete, my skin scraping off as I slide across the pavement. People make noises of shock, and Steve looks around at their scared expressions before running a hand down his own.

And then he's walking in the other direction. He pushes through the circle angrily and stalks to the parking lot. He doesn't look back. Everyone watches as he gets into his car and speeds out of the lot, and I roll over on the ground.

I lay there, not bothering to move as blood drips down my face. My eyes dart around, watching the crowd disperse and fade away. Suddenly a hand appears in front of me, and I look up to see four figures looking down with concerned expressions. I frown until the faces focus, and am surprised to see Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will standing there, Dustin offering me his hand. I reach my bloody fingers to his, and he hoists me up quickly. I wobble for a bit, and stagger over to the bench, groaning in pain.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh my god!"

"Who was that?"

"Holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit."

Words bombard me and I wipe my bloody mouth, "That was my brother. We have a...a complicated relationship. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine." Lucas says and I try to smile, leaning my head against the wall behind me.

"Well I am. It's not my first rodeo." My voice is raspy, and I wipe my face on my shirt. "Really, I'm okay. The blood makes it look worse."

"Why didn't you run?" Will asks, and I sigh.

"I try not to give him so much power, you know?" I try to explain, "If I run, it means I'm scared of him. And I'd never admit that I'm scared of him."

"That's...cool." Dustin says and I raise an eyebrow, "It's like you stand your ground. You're brave."

"Thanks, I guess." I shrug as the other boys nod along, "It usually doesn't end so well for me though."

"Why is he such a jerk?" Mike looks away, seeming slightly mad.

"I don't know," I mutter, taking the water that Dustin offers me and pouring it on my hands and face, "I guess — well, my dad has always been an asshole, and he always bullied Steve more than me when we were younger. So I think Steve likes to feel more powerful than someone, because our dad has made him feel so weak." I shake my head, "I don't hold it against him — It's not his fault. And he never seriously hurts me."

"That's twisted, man." Lucas shakes his head and I shrug.

"Yeah, I guess." I frown at my hands, which still clutch the water bottle, before I look back up at the boys, "I don't hate him, though."

They share looks.

"You don't?"

"How can you not?

I shrug, "Hating someone you love is a waste of time."

I know they don't understand. How can they? To them, Steve is a bully. They don't know the whole picture, and although I resent Steve for what he's become, I know that the person he used to be is still inside.

The bell rings, and I sigh, standing up. "I need to clean myself up before class, see you guys later. And, uh, thanks for helping me out."

"Hey, it's no sweat," Dustin quotes me from this morning and I laugh, turning away and heading over to the school, my face throbbing every step I take.

AUTHORS NOTE~~~~~

Hey peeps,

Another chapter. I know Steve is an asshole right now, but don't worry, he gets better. All in due time.

Anyways I have a question for y'all. Who's your favourite ST character and why?🤔

Good luck with that one.