Chapter Text
Vickie never saw herself as an important figure in the Hawkins Highschool band. Merely a random clarinet player who wanted to blend in with the rest. So, she was very surprised when her band director found her in the halls to talk to her.
It's the first week of their return since the whole upside down event. Many students complained that they should just give them the rest of the year off. However, the superintendent disagreed. Saying that the excess amount of rowdy teenagers around the town is not helping them come up with a game play for the future. So, not even a month later, students found themselves back in classrooms, studying like nothing happened.
——
“Holy shit”
Robin stumbles to her feet, she’s not used to waking up early anymore and frankly forgot that school reopens today. The clock on her bedside tablet flashes, showing the time 7:15 am. 15 minutes before the first period started.
“Crap. Steve, wake up!”
Shouting from the guestroom of Steve’s house. Ever since the whole “earthquake”, Robin has made herself comfortable in the Harrington house. It’s not like his parents minded, they were barely in their own house to begin with. Besides, the both of them were always out doing something in the town anyways, so they were barely there themselves, only to sleep and occasionally hang out with the gang.
“Okay it’s hardly sunrise Robin, what could possibly be so urgent?” Walking in while rubbing his eyes to adjust them to the light.
Steve stands in the doorway of Robin's room, watching her moving at light speed.
“It’s almost first period.” Now frantically packing her bag. Stuffing random books and pens as she was not prepared for this.
“It's the first day back to school and we’re late.”
“Okay.” Steve pauses to process what she just said.
“First of all, I graduated last year, so why exactly did I have to wake up?”
Robin stops and faces him.
“Oh yeah, that's right, sorry.”
Robin didn’t seem that too apologetic, still trying to get ready for school.
“And second of all, why do you care? You’re acting like you weren’t late everyday. I mean, your first period teacher probably doesn’t even know who you are.”
She shoots Steve a subtle evil eye. Acting like his statement wasn’t true.
She didn’t want to admit to him that it’s because she finally gets the opportunity to see Vickie after all this time. Even though Steve did know about her huge crush on her, she felt herself get red every time she talked about her. So to avoid Steve teasing her so early in the morning, she decided to not admit that she’s the only reason she’s excited for school starting back up.
“Because, I just do now. I don’t want to have to walk into...whatever class late and have to come up with another excuse. I had so much time to plan ahead and totally forgot.”
She rushes past Steve who was still standing in her doorway and books it towards the door.
“And how exactly are you going to get to school?” Steve shouts and at that moment Robin picks up her keys and throws them in his direction.
“I’ll owe you, promise.” Walking out the door without hearing a response from him.
“Jesus Christ. Fine.” Being too tired to care.
He walks to the car and doesn’t even bother to lock the door behind him and is now speeding towards the school.
The ride is somewhat silent. Robin didn’t want to disturb Steve and tick him off more than she already has. She is however wishing that he did drive a bit faster but decided to keep her mouth shut for once.
She checks her watch as the minutes tick by. Shockingly, she made it out of the house at a speedy pace and living five minutes from the school does help. But, despite all her efforts, she was again late to first period.
The tires screech as they approach the front of the building; and Robin basically jumps out of the moving car. Forgetting to acknowledge Steve.
“You owe me!” he screams through the cracked window of the car.
He spots her flash a thumbs up back to him as he drives away from the school. Whilst nodding his head in annoyance.
Robin once again checks her watch whilst speed walking down the halls.. 7:40. Not bad considering that she woke up 25 minutes ago, but it definitely shows. She walks up to her dreadful Chemistry class peering through the window and already sees the teacher talking at the front but through the same window she sees the only reason she came to school, and she looks like she’s seen a ghost.
Mid sentence, Robin makes her entrance into the class. As everyone but Vickie’s attention falls onto her.
“Nice of you to join us…Robin. Take your seat please.”
Robin rolls her eyes at her teacher's not so subtle pause at the thought of her name and quietly walks up to the empty seat next to Vickie who is still staring into space.
Robin is lucky that their teacher gave them a seat next to each other. Even though Robin was way too scared to ever rally up a real conversation. Only measly conversing, asking each other for assignment answers and extra pencils. Though ever since they volunteered together at the food drive, their friendship has grown significantly and being in band and talking occasionally during those events did help her case.
The class feels a million years long as she’s fallen out of routine and can't focus for the life of her. Glancing at Vickie every once in a while to see if she could maybe start a conversation with her. Hoping she doesn’t realise that she’s a complete mess this morning and looks like a total zombie. But to her low efforts, she chickens out, instead grabbing one of the few items out of her bag to doodle on, which grabs Vickie's attention.
Vickie snaps out of her trance and looks over her shoulder to see what Robin’s doing. A series of small drawings that borders her paper, filled with random lines and shapes which Robin found more interesting than whatever she was supposed to be learning right now.
Vickie was staring for quite a while as Robin looks up from her notebook and sees her eyes examining the details on it. Robin glances at Vickie and she looks up in embarrassment; locking eyes for a split second before turning away.
“Omg I'm sorry I just saw your notebook and I thought that you were taking notes because I totallyyy spaced out there and I never realised what a good drawer you were and I was trying to muster up the courage to say something and I obviously didn’t. Soooo yeah. That’s why I was staring at your notebook.”
Robin really didn’t care that she was looking in her notebook and was just glad that she could spark up a conversation with her.
“Oh no it’s totally fine, I really don’t care” In her most heartwarming voice possible. Trying to hide her obvious happiness during their conversation.
“Ok ok good” Vickie lets out a sigh of relief that she didn’t actually embarrass herself.
There’s a moment of awkward silence before Robin starts talking again.
“I actually wanted to ask you if you’re okay, because you seemed kind of out of it, which is totally reasonable considering the town's standings right now, but you just looked distracted.”
Robin’s trying to figure out how to keep the conversation flowing without creating an awkward ambiance and thankfully her comment gets Vickie to talk about what’s been bothering her this morning.
“Oh no yeah everything's fine but… Mr. Parker came up to me in the halls before class and he was talking about how Lauren isn’t returning to the school because she moved away after the whole earthquake and he asked me to step up and fill her position and–”
“Wait, that's great!” Robin blurts out without thinking about how loud she actually was. Disturbing the class once again.
“Girls, do you have something to say?” The condescending teacher asks.
“Uhm no ma’am. So sorry.” Slightly embarrassed now. She turns back to Vickie who seemed unfazed at the teacher's comments.
“I don’t know. I guess I'm just a little nervous considering that we have a pep rally today and the drum major always plans the spring break band party which is a total hit every year. And I absolutely hate planning.” Vickie frantically twirls her thumbs in her hand.
Robin takes a second to come up with the right response as she’s never been the best at comforting people. She usually just left that up to someone else.
“Oh, well I think you’re gonna do great, I mean, I wouldn’t want anyone else taking up that position and to be frank Lauren wasn’t the best at her job, so you’re definitely an upgrade.”
Vickie smiles at Robin’s comments and makes her feel a lot better about the whole situation.
“…and if you need help planning the party, I could always be of assistance.”
Robin is probably the worst person to ask to help plan something. Hell, she couldn’t even plan or remember the first day back to school. Instead she saw this as a chance to get closer to Vickie, and maybe, the both of them could actually pull together a half decent party.
“Wait really? That’d be awesome.” Smiling back at Robin.
“Yeah I could help with the music and decorations and whatever else you need. Rockin’ Robin is here for assistance.” Robin is half cringing at the words coming out of her mouth and half cheery as ever.
“scoffs, Rockin’ Robin, I like that.” Vickie says through her smile.
Ring
Both of the girls look up from their conversation to the bell interrupting them. They both get up from their seats and start walking towards the door.
“Okay, meet me today at the student parking lot after the pep rally. We’ll go out shopping for who knows what.”
“Yea-yeah, see you later.”
The two girls walk in opposite directions down the hall to their next period. Robin watches as Vickie leaves her vision, hardcore blushing through her makeup.
How hard could planning a party be? She thought in her head. It’s not like she didn’t help when coming up with a plan to take down Vecna, though that didn’t really work out for them. However, if she could help with that, then she could survive putting together a high school band party.
The rest of the day is the majority of the same. Teachers being too lazy to actually teach the class and most of the kids missing from their seats. Robin however spends most of the day wondering how her little adventure is gonna go, and how to avoid humiliating herself.
The final bells rings and students flood into the gym while the 40 or so band kids walk towards the band room.
When Robin walks in, most students are just standing there talking and assembling their instruments, while a few are already warming up. Their band director makes his way to the podium before calling us to listen to his announcement.
“Gather around everyone!” Still as cheerful since the start of the year.
“I know almost all of you want to go home right now, but it is our job to revive the spirit in Hawkins High!”
He gets a couple of cheers and claps from his audience.
“I would also like to announce that our new drum major for the rest of the year will be no other than Vickie Dunne!”
Vickie stands up and waves to the crowd. She looks slightly embarrassed and really nervous.
“Vickie has so graciously taken up Lauren’s position and will help lead you today in the pep rally. And I do know that you guys have a long-lasting tradition of the spring break band party hosted at the drum major’s house which is supposed to happen this Friday. But, due to the circumstances, I wouldn’t be surprised if that doesn’t happen this year.”
A level of groans echo through the director's announcement. Leaving Vickie standing there while everyone looks at her.
This was her opportunity to back out of the party that she dreaded to plan.
Robin shoots her a look and Vickie looks back immediately. Almost like she knew that Robin’s eyes were on her.
“Wait…” Vickie now has everyone's attention.
“I could still host it if that’s what everyone wants.”
The band bellows with agreeance
“Well, if that’s what you want Vickie, then no problem.”
Vickie looks back at Robin who is already looking at her.
Robin is slightly confused. She thought that Vickie hated the thought of a party at her house, but she just announced that she would be fine with hosting one.
“Now everyone get ready, we’ll head out in five minutes.”
The crowd of band students disperse and they all head towards the lockers.
Except Robin, who instead goes straight to Vickie
“Dude that was your chance to back out of the party.” Robin half whispers.
“Yeah but everyone sounded super disappointed when Mr. Parker said there wouldn’t be one, and I couldn’t just abandon our plans today…. So why not!” Vickie says.
“Okay I gotta go get ready but I'll see you later right?”
Robin takes a second before she responds. Nervous at the reminder of their plans after school .
“Right, Yeah, parking lot. See ya.”
Robin stays still as Vickie walks away. She still couldn’t believe that she’s hanging out with Vickie without having excuses like volunteering or band events. Just plain old shopping. Just the two of them.
Robin snaps out of it and rushes towards her locker as people have already started to line up to head into the gym. She grabs her trumpet from her case and quickly makes it into lance as the band starts moving.
She never really saw the reason the band had to go to every pep rally. Half of them just end up being the principal talking about new policies and some random sport or club.
Nonetheless, Robin had to participate and she usually didn’t mind. Band was already her last period of the day so it’s not like she missed anything important (not like she would’ve cared if she did). But now that Vickie is standing at the front conducting the band, she doesn't have anyone to be next to now. Though, it’s nice seeing her at the front. Now she had an excuse to stare at her without it being weird.
Robin casts Vickie a couple of smiles from the stands which the drum major reciprocates. She’s unsurprisingly doing very well for her first time conducting. Their director is standing next to her leading her through all the specific movements.
The band plays one final song before the principal gets on the mike.
Robin barely pays attention, he’s just repeating the same things they’ve heard since the beginning of this whole destruction. How everything’s fine and there’s nothing to worry about and that the reinforced military presence in the school is mandatory. She has too much on her mind about how she won’t embarrass herself this afternoon.
After one quick day dreaming session later and the pep rally is done. The band plays another generic stand tune while everyone piles out of the gym. Robin is of course looking at Vickie’s conducting and although slightly off, she does a good job.
The band lances out with the crowd and makes their way back to the band room.
Robin quickly puts her instrument away and rushes out the door not wanting to keep Vickie waiting. Making her way to the parking lot that she’s unfamiliar with.
She waits by the front for about five minutes before seeing Vickie appearing in the distance.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Parker wanted to talk to me after.”
“No yeah it’s fine, I get it.”
Vickie and Robin walk deeper into the parking lot where Vickie’s car is parked. A small green Honda with an orange interior. Very much matching Vickie’s aesthetic.
“I like your car!”
Is that really the best she could come up with? She said in her head.
“Oh thanks! My parents got it for me for my birthday a couple months ago. The orange really grew on me.”
The two girls go to opposite sides of the car and make their way out of the crowded parking lot. The stereo cracks as some generic radio hits play in the background.
“You did really well today by the way!” Trying to make conversation.
“Do you think!?” My hands were shaking so much and I never realised how cool the band sounded from that perspective.”
Vickie’s eyes are focused on the road but are periodically glancing over at Robin who has made herself comfortable in the passenger seat.
“Yeah you were super good. Better than the bands ever had!”
Robin has now resorted to praising Vickie on her recent performance to keep the conversation flowing. Though she was speaking the truth, Vickie did a great job in Robin’s eyes. Even if she’s extremely biased.
The drive to the local plaza wasn’t far from the school. Usually highschoolers came flooding here after school before the earthquake, but now it’s resorted to a couple families and way too many military personnel. This part of town was luckily avoided by the destruction. Allowing for many stores to still be open, but a lot did seem to remain closed without notice of reopening.
Vickie parks in front of the department store and they both get out of the car and make their way to the entrance.
Robin walks slightly faster than Vickie, not on purpose but due to their noticeable height difference. She makes it to the door first and instinctively holds the door to let Vickie through first.
“Why thank you” Vickie snickers through her speech. She was a bit surprised by the gesture, but welcomed by it.
“Why you’re welcome.” Robin was gonna come up with something more clever but her mind blanked Just copying her speech instead.
Robin catches up with Vickie who already grabbed a cart from the rack.
The girls make their way down the aisles until they find whatever looks like it belongs in a party.
“Okay so we’ll need: cups, food, drinks, decorations, andddd…” Vickie thinks out loud whilst counting on her fingers hoping that robin will think of more essentials to buy.
“Uhhh that seems like it.” Robin adds.
“Okay! Now we just need to find those things.”
The duo walks around even more before finally stumbling across the groceries. They make their way into the aisle and park the cart in front of the sodas and chips.
“So which ones? Vickie states out loud while many different snack and drink options stare at them back.
“How about this…” Robin turns her head towards Vickie while she reciprocates the motion back.
“We pick our favorites and force everyone at the party to have them.”
Vickie chuckles at the idea. “I like how you think Robin, but I think we need to get something for everyone. But I don’t hate that idea.”
Robin blushes at Vickie’s laugh but manages to hide it before she notices.
“Here” Vickie puts a couple bottles of Coke and 7-up in the cart.
“And since you brought up the topic of favorites…” Vickie pulls out a case of cream soda and puts it in the cart.
“Cream soda?” Robin looks at Vickie with a confused look.
“I know it looks nasty but trust me they’re really good.”
Robin looks back at the foreign soda in their cart and chuckles. “I guess I'll trust you on that.”
“Oh come on, seriously it’s wayyy better than other drinks. People just aren’t used to the flavor. But it’s really good I swear.” Vickie argues in a playful manner.
“I picked out the drinks, so you pick out the snacks.”
Robin looks around for a second before taking items off the shelves. A couple bags of potato chips and some generic flavors enter the cart and a jar of Cheese Balls.
“Cheese balls?” Vickie gives the same look that Robin gave her a couple moments ago.
“You can't even deny that these aren’t good.” Robin picks the jar back up and shakes it around before putting it back in the cart.
“An underdog snack choice, that’s way better than its competitors.”
“I’ll trust you on that” Vickie repeats back.
Finally done in that aisle, they make their way around while Robin pushes the snack filled cart. Finally finding the section with the party supplies.
Robin puts the cart over to the side and walks back over to Vickie who’s already looking at the decorations.
“Alright, so I was thinking about these.” Vickie grabs green and orange streamers
“Y’know! School colors and all, very aesthetic." She turns to Robin to hear her opinion.
She grabs the streamers from Vickie’s hand, slightly brushing their fingers together. Robin instantly notices what she did, but keeps her cool.
“I like them, veryyy…streamyy”
So much for keeping her cool. She turns and tosses them in the cart in disappointment.
Vickie then finds a bag of disposable cups that will come in handy and puts those in the cart as well.
“I think this is enough.” Vickie looks in the cart filled with their supplies for Friday.
They exit the aisle and make their way to the checkout lane. Only one lane was open due to their lack of staff in the store. It thankfully didn’t take long and they both made it out of the store with their items in hand. On their way out Robin spots something out of the corner of her eye.
“No way, look”
Robin rushes over to this little corner shop filled with records and posters covering the walls and puts her head up to the glass to admire the inside.
“Dammit, it's closed” Robin curses as Vickie appears behind her.
She looks at the sign pasted on the wall reading the availability dates.
“Open Wednesday Only. Sorry for the inconvenience.” Vickie read out loud, copying the sign exactly.
Robin removed her head from the glass in sorrow, both walking back to the car.
They load the stuff in the truck and enter their respective seats.
“So where do you live?” Vickie asks while simultaneously backing out of the parking lot and heading to the main road.
Robin looked surprised but realised the intentions of Vickie questions.
“Oh, I'm actually staying at Steve’s house, It’s just down the road near the school.”
“Steve’s house? You guys live together?”
“Just for now.”
Robin;s voice softened. “My parents were totally freaked out by the town and dipped the first chance they got. And they were even more freaked out when I said I wanted to stay, but I knew they wouldn’t understand why.”
“Omg, I’m sorry for bringing it up, I was just curious.”
“No, you're fine. I mean living in Steve’s house is great, it’s nice to have someone to talk to and his parents are chill about it.”
Vickie turns her head towards Robin, seeming more curious to Robin’s whole living situation.
“Sooo… are you guys dating or”
“Oh god no! We’re just friends. Only friends, "she emphasizes. Cutting Vickie’s speech short.
Robin half expected Vickie to ask her that question. Most people assume that when they hear they live together.
“Oh I kinda just figured. I’d always see you two together, especially when we volunteered. And I saw you guys working at that video store a lot too.”
Her eyes darted from the road and back to her passenger. Her speech becomes flustered and rapid, trying to defend herself.
“Nope, totally platonic.” Robin tries to divert the vibe of the car. She reaches over and twists the dials on the Radio.
The rest of the ride is quieter as their car pulls into Steve’s driveway. Robin unbuckles her seatbelt and steps out of the car, ducking her head back inside to the driver
“I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe on time this time.” She grinned.
“See you tomorrow Robin.”
She closes the passenger door and Vickie backs out of the driveway. She lingers outside until Vickie’s car is out of view and then heads inside where Steve is already waiting for her.
“Where the hell have you been? School ended two hours ago. I thought you got captured by the Russians again.” Steve says from the couch in a worried tone.
“Wow, I don’t think the Russians are gonna take me during the middle of class any time soon” Robin responds, putting down her backpack simultaneously near the entrance of the house and walking towards where Steve is sitting near the couch.
“You never know nowadays, but seriously, where the hell were you then? And who’s car was that?”
She’s standing next to Steve’s resting place with the urge of spilling her guts out about what’s happening this week.
“You’re not gonna believe this…” Robin says in a giddy tone with a smile going cheek to cheek.
Steve is looking at her with suspense
“Vickie and I were hanging out, just the two of us.” Her speech quickens as her brain is moving faster that her words
“It isss technically because I reluctantly agreed to help her plan this party for this band thingy, but that doesn’t matter, I finally had the courage to actually talk to her without making a fool of myself. And that’s not even the best part. Cuz we actually had things to talk about and it feels like we had real chemistry and…ughhhh” She buries her face in her hands to stop herself from going on about every interaction they had on their impromptu shopping session.
“Aren’t you forgetting something” Steve says
Robin peeks at him through her fingers.
“You can’t plan for shit Robin, you were literally late to school today because you forgot to plan. Nonetheless your humongous crush on this girl.”
Robin rolls her eyes at him. Even though what Steve said was the truth. Robin didn’t think too much about how exactly she was going to plan this party with Vickie without totally embarrassing herself in the process.