Chapter Text
Chrissy packed her bag, and took a bus out of Hawkins, Indiana. She didn't exactly know where she was going. She had dreams though. Dreams of Lights, and people adoring her. Dreams where she had control and people loved her JUST for the sake of loving her. Chrissy wanted away from her aggressive mother, away from her passive father. Away from the people who claimed to be her friends. She was tired of worrying if a knife would end up in her back by the people who claimed to care for her, like she had seen so many times before.
She saw it with the downfall of King Steve. He got the wrong girlfriend and suddenly the entire team was on him. The cheerleaders were tearing the poor girl apart in the locker room, just loud enough for her to hear. You date who they tell you to.You dress in a way to fit in. Make sure you're reading the magazines, and watching all the movies. Make sure you know who the perfect celebrity crush is. Make sure you know everything about him..and don't you DARE look in the direction of someone outside of your social circle if you have any kind of hearts in your eyes.
She envied the likes of Heather, she got out. Albeit through dying in the fire, but the other girls didn't dare talk about her escapades anymore. Although half of them WERE the escapades. Chrissy included.
Was she perfect in all of this? No. No! She joined in for the reason they all did. They didn't want to be the next target. They wanted to fit in with their friends, feel loved, and right. Feel NORMAL. NOTHING was normal though, in Hawkins, Indiana.With missing kids, people coming up dead on a regular basis.. the weird amount of Military presence. That lab in the middle of the woods. Nothing was normal here. Nightmares plagued the town.. Nightmares are what truly drove her out.
The middle of the night, the bus seats were cold, the only sound was the humming of the driver and the spinning of the wheels. Chrissy Cunningham watched as the trees blew by. Watch as the deer watched back. They looked like demons in the dark, she thought.She was going to California. The land of Sun and Starlets. Of course she would go there. The way Billy Hargrove had talked about it in his short time at Hawkins made it sound like a dream. Bright sun, Blue water, Warm sand. They played Music loud and loved openly.
You could become a star on looks alone. He assured her at one point. He assured her that with her looks and if she upped that ditziness she'd make it for sure. Be on the arm of a rich man who will get her everything. A ring with a diamond the size of the moon.That wasn't her aim, not necessarily. It sounded pretty, but really what did she want? What did she plan?
Chrissy had enough cash to get her a place to stay, at least in one of those motels that have Day Rates and Long Stays available.She had stolen and sold a grip of her mothers jewelry. Cashed a forged check. A lot of her own items. She didn't need them. All she needed was the clothes in her bag and the cash in her wallet. After changing over from bus to train in St. Louis, she let herself relax a bit. Eventually even falling asleep. It would take 2 days to get to the West Coast. She was in awe of all she saw on the way. The people she met, the drifters, the vagabonds. People with stories. People who had LIVED their lives, not just sat idly as it passed them by while they were played like a puppet at everyone's hands. They were rich, not in money but in experience. In Love. In LIFE. She thought it was beautiful. Truly.
She caught a bus from the train station, heading towards the beach. Heading towards the sun. A gentle setting, over the sparkling water. She had never seen the ocean. It was almost unreal. Getting off the bus at a stop before she needed to, Chrissy took off her shoes, which was a relief. Walking through the warm soft sand, letting it cradle her as she made her way towards the water. Foaming, and crashing against the pier. She could FEEL the salt in the air, heavy in the cool whipping breeze that came off the water. Silence aside from the chirping of birds and roaring of the waves. For the first time in longer than she would ever like to admit, she was at peace. A sense of euphoria washing over her as the water crept up her ankles and dampened the hem of her skirt.
Have you ever felt peace SO overwhelmingly? A way to break you out of the nightmare, and into the dream. A warm heat bubbled in her chest. Chris fell to her knees, clutching at the collar of her shirt as it was suddenly suffocating. Choking sobs escaping her, unable to catch her breath. She was out. She left Hawkins behind her, and now she could be whoever she wanted. She knew nobody and nobody knew her. She could go by a different name if she wanted, fabricate an entirely new personality. No one would be any wiser. Chrissy's thoughts were cut short though, by a hand tapping her shoulder. Overly warm, large and firm.
“Hey little mama, you okay? You’re getting all wet… you’ll get sick if you sit there like that. You aren’t even in a bathing suit.” Chrissy looked up at the man, warm skin, long hair, tired smiling eyes. He didn’t look like anyone who would even DARE pass through Hawkins. She was so enamored that she forgot that tears were staining her now puffy face. Remnants of days old mascara streaking her cheeks. “Whoa, are you crying? Are you hurt?” The boy seemed to panic, but she was too taken back by the way the pink light from the setting sun made his eyes twinkle.
“I’m-” Chrissy stood up, wiping her face, clearing her throat, “I’m okay. Sorry, I just.. Haven’t seen the ocean before. I guess I just- It’s so beautiful.” She watched as the boy turned to look over the water, a lazy smile laying on his lips like he was looking at the love of his life. Maybe it was. Billy had told her that people out here took the water and beaches seriously. Like there was nothing more important than catching their next wave. Maybe there wasn’t..?
“Yeah it really is.. Now. I was gonna tell you that you shouldn’t leave your bag unattended like this man.. You’re lucky it’s me who came by. I don’t need your stuff, but not everyone is like that.” There was a cadence in his voice, it hung heavy in the air and cradled her. Maybe it was just because he was different from what she was used to, maybe it was because he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen outside of a movie screen.. “You headed somewhere?”
“What-? Oh yeah.” A sniffle and brushing her hands against her skirt, trying to get the mud from her fabric covered knees, “I just came into town, new here. I wanted to stop by the beach before going to my new place. I should head there now, maybe. Thank you for checking on me, maybe I’ll see you around?” Chrissy didn’t give him a chance to respond again, going to pick up her shoes and bag. Hurrying back to the sidewalk. She thinks he offered her a ride, probably worried about her walking around in a strange place as night came. She didn’t really listen though. Caught up in realizing how late it had gotten. Caught up in how beautiful the sunset was, as she walked with her backpack on and shoes in hand.
Chrissy had called the motel from the train station. Having wanted directions. It wasn’t far, just off the beach even. The place was pretty run down, but it was enough. She paid for the month up front in cash. It was hefty, but necessary. The girl from the counter walked her to her room, it was upstairs, she could see the water from her window. Chris was given the key and a quick ‘hope you enjoy your stay’ by the girl. She couldn’t have been much older than herself. Dark hair, tall. Everyone out here looked like models, it seemed.
She tossed her bag on the bed, looking around only briefly before going to shower. The warm water welcomed by her sore body. The train ride was rough, it left her exhausted. Worn down, but GOD was she ready. There was no turning back. She burned her bridges, left it all behind. Let the new beginnings bloom before her. The Scars of Hawkins will fade, and new beauty will cover her skin. Encompass her.
She slept surprisingly soundly in the overly hard bed. Surrounded by thin walls, and cheap wallpaper. The place had a charm about it. Echos of everyone who had stayed there before. From the chips in the dresser, to the burn marks on the carpet. They all told a story, a story to learn and speculate on. A story to imagine as she walked around her new residence, sipping at the tea provided. Window wide and bright. She would give herself a week. A week to relax, to get to know the place, before she went out to look for a job. So for now.. She stepped out on the ‘porch’ that connected the upper floor. Staring out over the water, watching the joggers pass on the sidewalk. The early birds taking on the waves, or cleaning up from their late night rendezvous.
Chrissy couldn’t help but to envy them. How at ease they all seemed to be, how free the people here seemed to live. She knew better though, despite it. She knew they were still people. They still had their daily troubles and lives. No one lived freely, not truly. They were ALL running from something, right?
Her mind flicked back to the guy the night before, the one on the beach. What was he running from? His eyes had held so much care, but so much ease. He seemed to move and speak as if he was in a constant dream. She almost wondered what he was doing right now? What did he do when he wasn’t checking on random girls at the beach at dusk? Who even was he..
She thought back to her family, friends, back in Hawkins. Did they notice her absence? Did they worry about what had become of her? Or was it outweighed by how angry they would be about the stolen rings and necklaces. Did they even wonder why she had to get away from them, take accountability for how she was treated, how much pain they put her through? Probably not. She didn’t want to be angry now, no, Chrissy would save her anger for later. When she needed it. When she needed to remember what she was even doing so many miles away from home.
No One would know where to look first anyway. It’s not like they ever bothered to ask her about her dreams, where would she go if she ever ran away. She always kept her California dreams between her and Billy.. And well he’s been long dead now. Dead men can’t tell secrets. Though, she’d be lying if she said she didn’t talk to him, still. Her memory of him. When he came and shook up Hawkins, he shook her to her core. Begrudgingly, he was someone she could confide in. An unlikely duo, that really only surfaced post-practice, and mid-party. She didn’t have to pretend, and he let his guard down if only a little.
Her tea was cold now, chilled by the ocean breeze. That’s okay. It was a sign to go inside, get dressed. Get started on getting to know the town. Sunny SeaSide. Quaint. Quiet. Art littered the buildings, local businesses and homes alike. Lines blurring together. It was calm. Not the fake calm that plagued Hawkins, no. This was a TRUE calmness.
The kind of Calmness that comes along with using a tote bag for groceries everyday. The kind of calmness that is waiting for the clerk to open the bottle of Coke. The KIND OF CALMNESS that came and went with the waves, and the trees whose leaves never turn brown. It’s a beautiful Calmness. Chrissy came to know it well in that first week in town. She acquired a bicycle, a small plant, her in-home necessities. Books to help distract her at night, a notepad to write all her thoughts when she felt like screaming and crying. To keep her from calling her mother back home and apologizing. BEGGING to let her come back. No. Instead she began to pour her heart into that notepad. Spending her time on the beach, in the sand, writing.
She got a job working part time, not far from her motel, at a small boutique. Selling dresses an older woman made in the back of the shop. A few hours a day, nothing major. Gave her time to explore the town, explore herself.. Though most of that time was spent sitting in the sand by the pier, writing. The same spot Chrissy came the first night she stumbled into town. Blown in by the winds of change. She couldn’t help but wonder sometimes, hope, that he might come across her again. That boy from before. The beautiful one with the soft face, and gentle eyes. The first person to care about her in this new place.
What she WASN’T expecting was for him to walk into the boutique. Her and her bosses lunch in hand, dressed up in a corny button up and hat. Parked outside was a clearly marked delivery van. He was quite unique and she would remember him. Though it seemed like he had forgotten all about her.. Funny how that works.
How someone could have such an impact on your life, even in such a small amount of time. How much she’s been fighting herself and how much his image in her head has kept her going, even weeks after their brief meeting. How much she had been HOPING for him to come across her again, and she could finally ask his name- the boy who’s the entire reason she STAYED.
“So how much do I owe you?” Chrissy opened the register, as he set the pizza down on the counter. Trying her best not to stare, trying her best not to break under his. He was studying her face, like he was trying his DAMNEDEST to know where he knew her from.
“Well lil mama, with mi familia discount It’ll be a cool $20.” The boy grinned at her and rolled his shoulders. Broad. Though he looked like he was looking for someone, talking loud enough to be heard even by her boss, “I’ll leave that tip up to you. If you think I got some good service, might I suggest a fat fiver?”
Chrissy stopped though, looking at him confused, her hand on 20. “Mi Familia? We’re not family though-? That is what that means right?” Now, Spanish wasn’t her strong suit in school by any means, but she caught enough in that class to know something was up.
“That’s because I’m his family.” The older woman, Chrissy's boss, came from the back of the shop, stretching her hands out as she walked up to the boy. “Argyle, Mi Chiquito.” He didn’t hesitate to lean down, hugging the woman tightly, almost lifting her from the ground. “Christina, don’t just stand there, pay my baby boy! My grandson.”
Chrissy was a good girl, did as she was told. Quickly pulling $30 from the register to hand over to the boy- Argyle. That’s what her boss called him. What a unique name. A Unique name for a unique man. She moved quickly around the counter, going up to the pair. Argyle held out his hand to her, taking the money. Pocketing it without a second thought, as he peeled away from his grandmother. He was smiling, that easy smile that he held the night they met.
“Thank you Ms.Chrstina.” Though it seemed like he hesitated, just a moment, “By the way, you look SO familiar, do we go to school together. Or-?” She cut him off, shaking her head, the blonde curls bouncing against her face.
“No, No, we don’t. You probably don’t recognize me because I’m not crying. Last time, the first time, we met was on the beach a few weeks ago.. I was crying into the water. You warned about leaving my bag unattended. This is just a crazy coincidence. You’re my boss's Grandson? Who would have thought?” She laughed a bit nervously, looking down at her feet, “also it’s just Chrissy. You can call me Chrissy.”
His eyes seemed to light up, recognition obvious, “RIGHT. You’re the girl who’s new in town. Right. Righteous. I’m glad to know you made it to your place safe. I was worried since it was getting dark..” he glanced at his grandma, who quickly looked away. Smiling much too hard. “Y’know, I don’t think this is a coincidence. I told my Nana about you. After I got home that night. That’s where I had been headed, after work. I just like to walk the beach before going home. Clear my head.” He made a motion towards his mouth, like he was holding something, then laughed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about niño. I had no clue she was the girl.” The womans voice said otherwise. Obvious by the grin, “Christina, back to work, Argyle you have other deliveries. Go on, get going. You two can chatter when not on the clock. I’m not paying you to talk.” Chrissy blushed brightly and nodded, heading back over to the register, to finish cleaning up before lunch. Argyle leaned down to kiss his grandmothers cheek. Giving her a swift ‘see you later’ before heading out. The two shared a long look through the window before he drove off.
The older woman walked up to Chrissy after the boy was long gone, clearing her throat, “Okay, maybe I did have a hand in the matter. You have no friends, and my Argyle is a good boy. A nice boy. Let him take you out. Today, after work.” Her tone told Chrissy all she needed to know. There wasn’t an argument, there wasn’t a choice.
“But, isn’t it a bit inappropriate to be… taken out by my boss’s grandson-?” She was going to try anyway, her cheeks on fire.
“In most cases, yes, but in this case.. You’re going. He’s a good boy. I’ve been talking you up at home already, He needs more friends. He’s single~” The woman chirped, and went to lock the door so they could take their lunch, “I know this because I raised him myself. I wouldn’t let him become a bad boy. Just try it out, okay? I know you’re new here, and it’s scary being alone. You could use a friend.”
A sigh in defeat, and a nod. “Fine, but Ma’am, I hope this doesn’t become a habit. I appreciate you helping me, but I’m out here to work on myself, not.. Date. Yet. Y’know? I think he’s very nice, and handsome. But I-”
“Have nothing to lose. So long as you are nice to him, if you two are not for one another, I’ll drop it. Won’t hold it against you. Christina, trust me when I say this. I know. You’re a good girl, he’s a good boy. Just try. Okay? If things don’t work out, BAH!” She waved her hand, and smiled, going to open the pizza box. “Then go on your way, he goes on his. You two meet in passing when he brings us food, or you stay late at work. It’s okay. Take the chance. Who knows what may happen.”
Chrissy stared at the woman and nodded, guess she was going on a date. A date with the boy she thought she’d never see again. A boy she met by CHANCE, the grandson of the woman who took a chance on HER. From a nightmare to a dream. It didn’t seem real. Even as she was fixing herself up in the bathroom after her shift. A bit of powder, wearing one of the dresses grandmother made. It looked almost like a wedding dress. White and flowing. The hem meeting her ankles, the straps resting on her collarbone. Her hair pinned back from her face.
There was even a hint of freckles on her skin now, from the way the sun kissed her every evening. Her cheeks and shoulders. She couldn’t help but to feel nervous. Almost sick to her stomach. What if she made him more than he was in her head? What if he didn’t like her? He told his grandmother about her, so surely he liked her a little bit. Enough to make an impression.. But what if she ruined that? What if SHE couldn’t live up to his image of her in his head.. Though that image was a girl crying and muddied. Exhausted and forlorn. Strung out on heartache and caffeine. He already saw her at her low. There wasn’t much lower she could dig.
Chrissy was stood out with her bike, in front of the shop when he pulled up. Confused at first until his grandmother gave him a stern talking to. His face flushing before going up to her, helping her put her bike in the back of the van, and opening the door for her. Taking only a moment to get back into the driver's seat and get comfortable.
“You look really pretty.. Though you might get cold if you don’t have a coat. It gets pretty cold by the water at night- That’s okay with you right? That we just grab some food and sit by the water? You seemed to really like the first time so I just thought that-” Oh he was nervous, rambling. Far less calm seeming than before. It was cute. The way he fussed with the steering wheel, while trying to not stare too long at her. He wasn’t doing a very good job. His eyes lingering, scanning her. She had never felt so pretty before now. Not with any person before. Not Heather, Not Jason, Not Eddie.. Argyle was struggling to keep his eyes off of her.. It sent an odd warmth through her that made her sit up and adjust in her seat, biting back a smile.
“Yeah, that’s cool. I don’t mind that at all. I actually prefer it.” She looked at him now, eyes unwavering. Liking his anxiousness. “And if I get cold, I could always just.. Get closer to you, right?” He gulped. VISUALLY, she saw him gulp. Then nod. The drive was quiet, but not awkward. The air filled with music from the vans stereo. Something smooth and boppy. She caught him humming to it, tapping his steering wheel.
They set up on a small secluded corner of the beach, not much foot traffic. He pulled right into the sand, the back of the van pointed towards the water. Laid blankets, weighted down by a guitar case, and milk crate full of cassette tapes. The burning sun was setting over the cool blue ocean. Much like the evening they met. She stood by the edge of the water, it tickling over her feet as she sunk into the sand. Chrissy couldn’t help but be utterly enamored by the way the waves moved. Listening to the roaring and crashing. The birds singing around them. The soft sound of an acoustic guitar being strummed not far behind her. A hum of a beautiful voice.
She took a deep breath, taking it all in for a moment. Everything. She never wanted to forget this. No matter what happened in her life. This was going to be treasured.
“Hey Chris-!” Argyle called for her tapping on the wood of the guitar, smoke blowing away from him as she looked back. “Come on and eat your sandwich before I do. Or the birds come and steal it away.” He held that lazy smile again, leaning back against the vans bumper. Chrissy couldn't help but think that he looked utterly beautiful. A charmer, able to pull her string, a simple word and she was already making her way over to him. Somehow he held her easier than the sunset.
She knelt next to him, leaning against the metal, not taking her eyes off of him, “Okay fine, but before I do, can I have a hit?” Chrissy wasn’t dumb. She KNEW why he seemed so laid back, she knew he wasn’t smoking cigarettes. Every member of the basketball team smoked, not to mention the difference in smell. Tobacco was sweet this was… well. She watched as his eyes traced her in hat dress, while the breeze blew it against her body. Only to lock eyes, sceptical.
“Hit of what, lil mama-?” When she didn’t seem to budge at him playing a fool he laughed and handed the roll over, “I didn’t realize you were gonna be cool like that. Really, they have weed back in Indiana?”
“Mhmm.” She brought it to her lips, inhaling deeply. Holding steady. Eyes practically rolling back. After a moment blowing the smoke out and into his face, in an attempt at playfulness. Thankful when it pulled a laugh out of him. Hardy, loose. She quickly opened her eyes back up and looked at him, in awe of the sound.
“You are just full of surprises, you know that Ms Chrissy?” He leaned back and took the joint from her again, “Everytime I think I’m starting to understand you, you come out with something new.” Soon his hand met the side of her face. Her eyes were held by him as the light shone across them like it had the night they met. “I hope this can happen more.. Y’know.. Maybe you can surprise me more.”
“Are.. you asking me on a second date?” She spoke softly, almost choked up. Leaning into his hand, ever so slightly. Moving her hand to rest on his leg for support. Hoping, desperately hoping, for him to affirm her.
Met with a smile, warm, kind. A nod, subtle sure. “Yeah, I guess I am. I’d really like that. You’re really pretty, and you seem cool. So yeah. Would you go on a second date with me? I get it, totally, if not. I’m still not really someone you know, but-” He was cut off by a blur of blonde, and the taste of strawberry. Her lips crushing into his. Really she was surprised she waited that long, but he was starting to second guess himself.
His hand moved to the back of her head, holding her place, not wanting her to pull away. The other held their joint out, so as to not burn her as she made her way closer to him. As she rested into him. The kiss falling into slow, lazy pecks and nips, only breaking away when she nearly fell from him.
“So… about that second date-?” Argyle sounded a bit confused as he asked, and it sent Chrissy into a fit of giggles. Hiding her face against his chest. He couldn’t be serious? Any boy in Hawkins would have thought that was answer enough, but she supposed boys out here… or at least Argyle, didn’t assume so readily.
“Yes. I would LOVE to go on a second date with you. I’m sure you Nana would love to hear it too.”