Soft Skin, Broken Hearts Ch.1
✨A/N: hi guys it’s destiny again! I hoped y’all liked the prologue, and I hope yall like chapter 1 as well. The first few chapters are gonna be a little slow, but it will pick up as the chapters continue. If you want to be tagged again just let me know!✨
Warnings: bullying, violence, mentioning of blood, weight issues, mentions of death.
Please enjoy 😊
Thunder rumbling echoed in my ears as lightning quickly followed soon after, the pouring rain made my vision blurred. Everytime I wiped my eyes they’d get blurry again, my chest heaved as I heard multiple thumps behind me. I let out a cry before I continued to run, I halted in my tracks at the sight in front of me. Strange figures were in a hoard a few feet in front of me, it looked like they were feeding on something. As I snuck closer my skin paled, and my stomach dropped immediately. They weren’t feeding on something they were feeding on them.
My parents laid lifeless on the ground in front of me, and tears immediately found their way in my eyes. The soft sob I let out immediately drew their attention on me, chills ran down my spine as one snapped its head towards me. The roar it let out made the others look my way, I quickly stood before they stepped away from my parents. Before I could process anything my feet were moving me in the other direction, I kept constantly looking behind me making sure I kept a good distance between them and me. When I turned back around it was too late to stop, a huge tree branch slammed into my chest knocking the air out of my body.
My eyes fell shut immediately, and I heard the mud squishing underneath footsteps. I snapped open my eyes, and fear made its way throughout my body. An unidentifiable thing stalked its way up my body stopping at my face, its face extended looking like some flower monster. Its razor teeth were exposed, and before I knew it I picked up a handful of mud shoving it in its mouth. It screeched before moving off my body, and immediately I was back on my feet. I ran to some rocks, and caught my breath when something warm dripping on my shoulder halted my movements. When I turned my head it lurched forward engulfing my face, I screamed as it latched itself around my face.
I jerked up out of the bed hearing the alarm clock screaming at me to wake up, I looked at the time seeing it was six in the morning. I wiped the cold sweat off my forehead before getting out of bed, and walked into my attached bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror before splashing some cold water on my face, turned the shower on. While the water warmed up I grabbed some light blue jeans and a purple blouse before going back into the bathroom. I grabbed the Luffa hanging on a hook in the shower, and I squeezed my lavender peach body wash on it making sure to coat it evenly.
Next I grabbed my peach shampoo, lathering it in my hair then rinsing it out before doing the same steps with my conditioner. Once my hair was thoroughly washed I rinsed the remaining soap, and body washed off. I closed my eyes letting the hot water run down my body relaxing my joints after the terrifying dream I had, I washed my face quickly removing any sign of sleep from it. I turned the water off then stepped out of the shower drying myself before getting dressed, I slid my undergarments on then the rest of my clothes. When I walked back into my room I shivered softly before grabbing a light jacket out of my closet.
I put my socks, and new Air Jordan’s on before snatching my purse off my vanity chair. I dried my hair, and then curled it. Before I left my room I made sure to grab my vintage maybelline lip gloss, throwing it in my purse. I made my way quickly down the long staircase in the house before pausing at the second to last step taking a deep breath. I walked towards the kitchen, and immediately winced seeing my grandparents. I licked my lips, and forced a smile on my face.
“Good morning grandpappy, Mawmaw I hope you both slept pleasantly.”
They both looked up from their plates shocked, a satisfying smirk appeared on his face before he cleared his throat.
“Good morning Rose, we slept well thank you. I hope you slept decently.”
I smiled thinly at them, and my Mawmaw looked up at me for the first time since the argument yesterday.
“Rose I would love it if you joined us for breakfast, just to smooth things out. First I would like to apologize, not just for my behavior, but for what I said yesterday. I know losing your mother must be hard on you, but please look at it from my perspective. She was our little girl, our only girl. However I shouldn’t act like I’m the only one with a connection with her, I know you’re dealing with her passing in your own way I just wish you’d let us in.”
Once she finished her statement she took a sip of her coffee. I quickly took the offer, and sat in the chair across the table. The waiter that always served my grandmother and grandfather sat my food in front of me, and immediately I thanked them before my grandpa scoffed.
“There’s no need to thank him, or any of our servants for serving you. It’s their job.”
My Mawmaw looked over at her husband before she looked back at me, I looked down at my eggs benedict before gagging in my head. I couldn’t stand undercooked eggs. The runny yolk always ended up making me nauseous. I shifted my eyes off the eggs, and looked at the margarine grits. I mixed them together before picking up the pepper shaker, but my grandfather cleaning his throat paused my movement. My eyes quickly flashed to his, and I immediately noticed him watching me knowingly. I rolled my eyes before setting the pepper back down, the server quickly picked the pepper shaker up and put some on my grits.
“Asshole.” I mumbled softly under my breath, and out of the corner of my eye I saw his server crack a small grin. He quickly walked away before I took a bite of the grits, the sausage was the next to clear my plate. I picked my glass of orange juice up, and drank it in about 4 gulps. Once it was empty I sat the glass on the table then stood, my Mawmaw’s words halting any of my movements.
“Rose, you finished your food already? Are you late?”
I shook my head at her before smiling softly.
“No Mawmaw I’m just meeting my friend Eddie before school, and I don’t want to leave him waiting.”
Before my Mawmaw could respond my grandfather let out a sharp scoff, and immediately my mawmaw‘s smile dropped. She turned her head to look at him then turned back towards me waving him off.
“Okay honey, well you just be safe out there. Especially since that Byers boy is missing.”
I stomach dropped at her words, and I nodded my head adjusting my bag on my shoulder.
“Alright Mawmaw, you have a great day.”
”I loveYou to honey, and enjoy your first day back.”
I smiled at her before turning away from her, going into the living room and out the front door. The cool air was the first thing I noticed when I stepped outside, the next was the Pink, Orange, and Blue ombré in the sky. The sun barely sat in the sky signifying the day had just started, the birds barely chirping at this time. Nothing but the cool early morning breeze greeted me signifying the changing seasons.
I strolled slowly to the car parked behind my grandparents, once I reached it I put the key into the lock on the side of the car before twisting it to the left. With the door now unlocked I opened the door slipping into the car casually, I started it up. The A/C immediately blasted through the vents in the car making a chill go down my spine. I quickly shut the air off, and then made my way to the lovely Hawkins high. It was probably about a ten minute drive to my house, the first thing I noticed when I arrived was the empty parking lot. Only a few cars had arrived I assume because most of the kids decided to take the bus.
I shook my head when I saw Eddie's van pull into the parking lot, I couldn’t help but laugh when he was already hopping out of his van before he could park it. I laughed harder when the van started slowly scooting forward, and a quick panic look crossed over his face. I threw open my car door before stepping out of it making sure my door was locked. While he changed gears I took that time to cross the parking lot, as I approached Eddie he smirked playfully before wrapping his arm around my shoulder pulling me into a tight embrace which I quickly returned.
“Good morning Rose, how was breakfast with the two crypt keepers?”
I couldn’t stop the cackle that forced its way out my throat, I shook my head at him softly hitting his shoulders. I pulled away from Eddie, and watched him pull a joint from his jacket pocket. He brought it to his lips before sparking it up, once he took a few drags from it he held it out to me. I accepted with ease, and repeated his action. We passed it back and forth for a little while watching as more cars made their way into the parking lot, Eddie and I got into his van before getting joined by Eddie's other friends.
I smoked another joint with them, and after the second one was gone Eddie looked at me teasingly. His friends were in the back talking, and he leaned into me opening his mouth.
“I’m surprised you aren’t fried goodie goodie.”
He cracked a grin at my facial expression, and I shoved him lightly.
“Oh hush it Munson, you act like I’ve been wealthy my whole life.”
He put his hands up in surrender before grabbing the joint from his friend, and after he hit it a few times he passed it to me. I took a hit or two before I passed it, and a maroon bmw pulling into the parking lot immediately caught my attention. Inwardly I sighed, Steve ‘the hair’ Harrington. Hawkins most favored boy. I had no clue why girls paid him so much attention, especially because of his lack of personality. When he wasn’t being arrogant he was being a total dick, he and I had a lot of history.
Steve Harrington managed to always make his way into my life, even though it was never wanted. Steve Harrington was nothing more than a bully, a boy who let his peers alter who he was. Once upon a time ago Steve Harrington and I were friends, we went to the same kindergarten, hung around the same people. He didn’t become unpleasant to be around until elementary school, fifth grade to be exact. That was the first day the name porker was bestowed upon me, all the kids snapped their heads towards me pointed then laughed. Of course at that point he was a lot of the first in my life, he was my first guy friend which quickly turned into best friend- my only friend.
He was my first serious crush, at least that’s what I told my ten year old self then. Out of all of the memorable moments the one that stuck out the most out of them all was him being a part of- no the main cause of my first embarrassment. That day he called me a porker latched onto me like a virus, which in a sense it was a virus it just only seemed to affect me. I walked away from him that day vowing to never talk to him, and I kept that promise. I haven’t felt the need to look, talk, or even be around him. His taunts always haunted me, and on the first day of fifth grade was the last he ever crossed my mind.
I immediately shifted my gaze back on Eddie when I saw Tommy and Carol approach his car. they were the ones who changed him so drastically, and made him the Steve I didn’t know. I pushed the building nerves in my stomach. That was a long time ago. Rose let it go. I sighed heavily looking Eddie in the eyes. Eddie befriended me rather quickly when I was the trios main target, he would always tell me not to worry about them because they were jerks. Eddie slowly, but surely claimed the best friend title in no time. He had all of the amazing qualities I would want in a partner, he just wasn’t for me. We fell into more of a platonic relationship, and we’d even mutually agreed to not cross the line. Not that he didn’t find me attractive either, we just enjoyed each other in different ways.
“Eddie, you know you’re my best friend right?”
He rolled his eyes playfully at me before pinching my cheek playfully.
“Rose I love you, but get out of your head. I know I’m your best friend. Everyone knows you’re my best friend.”
“Well I know, but I just want to make sure you know I appreciate you.”
Before Eddie could respond the bell for homeroom sounded throughout the school Eddie smirked before pushing his van door open slipping out of the seat he was currently occupying.
“Well look at that rose, saved by the bell.”
I shook my head before shoving his van door open following in his footsteps, when I shut the door I looked up immediately freezing. my eyes locked straight onto Carols,Tommy was also looking right at me with a smirk. Steve just stared at me with a blank expression, the viral symptoms were creeping their way back to my brain. Slowly spreading around it, my chest quickly became tight and heavy.
Eddie's arm wrapped about my shoulders, and his smile immediately dropped seeing my face. He squatted down to my height. Then used his finger to follow my gaze, and when he landed on the three musketeers his smile dropped and was replaced with a soft sadder one. Eddie's eyes looked into the basketball captains before he rolled his eyes, and pulled me along with him.
Silence filled the air for a moment before Eddie bumped his shoulder into mine. The same smile he always wore when I was around, the same smile I always gave him in moments like these. He rubbed my back before turning around matching my pace so he could look at me, and still talk.
“You know I appreciate you too, and I know I’ve said this thousands of times.. don’t let guys like Steve Harrington get to you. He’s not worth it, but you already know that.”
I smiled at him again, and he punched the air softly before teens looked at us as we passed them.
“There's the best friend I know and love! glad to have you back from planet sulk.”
I rolled my eyes at him before waving him off, I opened my mouth, however he cut me off quickly returning the eye roll, adjusting his voice to a higher octave trying to match mine.
“Yeah yeah yeah, I know I’m totally not sulking.”
I shoved him softly before I flicked him off which made him laugh loudly with a wide smile appearing on his face.
“Alright this is me, I’ll see you at lunch okay Rose.”
I nodded my head at Eddie, and the moment with my real life heather’s was long forgotten, well that was until I walked into my homeroom. I froze in front of the door before my eyes fell on them, they were on the other side of the room surrounded by their brain dead followers. my blood ran cold staring at them, they hadn’t noticed me yet which I didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse.
When carols eyes landed on me she smirked at me menacingly, she patted Tommy’s shoulder before he did what Eddie did just minutes ago. When his eyes landed on me he pushed up off the desk he was leaning on, and before anything else could get said his voice filled the room making it go dead silent.
“Well I didn’t know they let animals into the school, oh wait that’s not an animal it’s just Porkie.”
Every set of eyes in the room looked at the door to see who Tommy was talking about, Carol laughed first then the whole room erupted into a hysterical laugh. My face heated up, and I quickly put my head down trying to walk quickly in my seat hoping they would spare me. Carol's voice chased all of my hopes away as she spoke right after tommie.
“Who would have thought Tommy, I guess they made an exception for porker. Everyone probably felt bad for her after seeing her try so hard to lose weight over the summer.”
My lungs tightened, eyes widened as a gut wrenching grin appeared on her face. The high I once had slowly started going away, and my eyes started stinging. When was she watching me? If she did I never noticed her, but Steve’s voice brought me back to the small classroom we were in.
“Yeah I’m sure you all remember Mrs. Jones what would she think about having a porker for a daughter. I know she wouldn’t be pleased.”
You’re wrong, my mother loved me regardless.
Before I knew what I was doing I cleared my throat loudly making the trio grow silent, the words slipped past my lips like one of those dinosaurs that spit venom.
“Well what would you know about mothers Harrington? You barely know your own so why would you speak for mine?”
His smile dropped instantly, Adam's apple bobbing up and down quickly. The hurt in his eyes was blinded by the rage in mine. Before he could respond the teacher came into the room, immediately stealing the attention from the drama. Everyone was so desperately eating up, at the sudden distraction I slid into the desk, and stared down at the top of it tapping my nails against it making a soft noise to focus on instead of the echoing words that seemed to be on repeat in my mind.
Despite my obvious dislike for the brown haired boy his words hurt, they punctured me like a bullet going through and out my heart. Steve knew how much my parents meant to me, and how dare he try to weaponize them against me. Just like them, just like everyone who I’ve been around since they’re passing. It was either sympathetic looks, or snarky remarks. I felt eyes on me, I knew it was him without having to look at him. I hope my words cut him like he did me, my mother would have scolded me if she heard me. Maybe she was the reason I was feeling regretful, the moment the words left my mouth I wanted to apologize.
Not because I cared how he felt, but because I knew my mother would be disappointed hearing what I said to my childhood friend. Who was there to stop him from saying cruel things to me? Why should I feel guilty? Why should I care who I hurt? Especially when no one cared that I was hurting for years. All I knew was that Steve ‘the hair’ Harrington hasn’t changed, he never will. He’ll always be the boy who was desperate enough to try to fit in no matter who he had to trample, no matter who he burned far beyond saving. All I knew was that it wasn’t going to be me, not anymore at least.
✨E/A/N: welp that’s the ending of chapter 1, chapter 2 is in progress as we speak. Thank yall for reading the fic, and I literally can’t wait for yall to go on this journey with me, and I hope yall can relate to Roseanne. Steve is only gonna be a jerk for a few more chapters, and then king Steve will be gone.✨
