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Robin can tell she’s being weird but, in her defense, Billy is also being weird. And, okay, Robin sort of feels like she’s weird by nature. But there’s a certain degree of typical weirdness that exists in their friend group and she knows that she and Billy are both surpassing it. The weirdness meter is off the charts.
But, like, Steve was her friend first! Also, Robin really never had a best friend before. She had friends, she’s not that big a loser, like she’s had friends before. But a best friend, like an honest to god best friend… It’s new to her. And Billy’s encroaching on her territory and it sucks!
She doesn’t even hate the guy, you know? Like, he was kind of a dick but so was Steve, and yet here they are. So, whatever. Billy was kind of a dick but he’s also kind of fun. And, honestly, she likes having somebody on her side when Steve’s being ridiculous and she needs to talk some sense into him. Which is, like, always.
But now Steve and Billy have inside jokes! Inside jokes! Things that Robin doesn’t know! About her best friend! Hello? It’s not supposed to work like that, she’s almost sure of it.
And before you even think it, no, they can’t be the three amigos. Robin’s already thought of it and it just doesn’t work. The dynamic isn’t right. Like, at all. It would be so much easier if that’s what was happening, like Robin is all for that, honestly.
But she could be so cool about this, she doesn’t have to be obvious at all about her annoyance (and maybe hint of jealousy because Billy is totally taking away her best friend). No, she really can be totally nonchalant about this.
Except, Billy is totally making a problem out of it!
And it’s totally unfair! Robin was there first, so she doesn’t get why Billy’s acting like she’s in his way. He’s the one stepping in the middle of her friendship. But whatever, Billy’s making things weird and it’s making Robin make things weird, too.
Steve seems to just be rolling with it, somehow. At most, he acts like they’re both being dumb. When Robin and Billy are both trying to get Steve to agree to hang out, Steve’s just like… Why don’t we all hang out, then? Which is such a logical solution. You know things are bad when Steve’s the one thinking rationally.
Also, like, despite everything, Robin’s actually trying to be the bigger person about the whole thing. But what’s weird is that it doesn’t seem to be helping. The more Robin tries to include Billy, the weirder he acts. Lately, he’s been acting like a kicked puppy!
Anyway. They do all hang out. Not just the three of them, but, like, all of them. Nancy and Jonathan. And, like, even Tommy and Carol, who Robin is valiantly learning to deal with despite the fact that she definitely doesn’t see why Steve wants them around again.
Whatever. It’s not up to her, even if she does sort of feel like Tommy could reclaim Steve’s Best Friend status and she would really have no recourse. Robin might have been Steve’s friend before Billy, but Tommy has both of them beat by a decade.
Point is, they do all hang out.
And lately, Carol’s been looking at Robin. A lot. Okay, that sounds stupid, not looking, but, like, trying to communicate something. With her face. Which doesn’t work for Robin, basically at all. Robin is not a mind-reader. Or face-reader. Whatever. The point is, Carol’s gonna just have to come out and say whatever it is.
“You aren’t Steve’s girlfriend,” Carol says one day, completely out of the blue.
“Uhhh, nope, definitely not.”
“Hmm. Boys are so clueless, you know?”
Robin doesn’t really know what to say to that. Yeah? Like, sure, Steve can be kind of clueless. But, unfortunately, Robin is pretty clueless a lot of the time, too. In different ways. That even out, hopefully, somehow.
“You think?” Robin says, hoping it’s the right move.
Carol smiles, “I think we have to give them a little push.”
A little push?
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, you know they won’t figure it out on their own. They just need a little help.”
Oooo-kay. Yeah, Robin’s not gonna be able to play this one off because she doesn’t know what the hell Carol’s talking about.
“Sorry, what are we talking about right now?”
Carol blinked at her, clearly surprised.
“Oh. I thought… Well, this is even more fun.”
“Seriously, you’re gonna have to just spell it out for me because I really don’t have the energy to play whatever game this is.”
“It’s not a game! I really thought you already knew!”
Robin sighs, “Fine, what did I already know?”
“Oh, Robbie, you know I can’t just tell you other people’s business like that.”
Robin rolls her eyes. Carol is so… Dramatic? Condescending? Patronizing? Annoying? Something.
“Oh, Carrie, you know you absolutely can and do spill other people’s business all the time.”
“No, really, I can’t tell.”
“You’re serious.”
“Deadly,” Carol grinned, “But I can point you in the right direction, you know?”
“Ugh. Fine.”
“What’s the problem with you and Billy?”
“Huh?”
“You and Billy, you’re practically at each other’s throats, but you pretend you’re friends.”
Robin shrugged, “Ask him, he’s the one who’s making everything into a competition. I’m being perfectly civil.”
Carol grinned again, “Okay. So, Robbie, why would Billy be competing with you?”
Stupid question. Robin knows exactly why. It’s about Steve. It’s about… Wait. Wait a minute.
“You’re saying...?”
Robin thought that she and Billy were competing to be Steve’s best friend. Because, that’s what Robin is, and that’s what she’s been trying to protect this whole time. Her friendship. But Billy. He didn’t… He didn’t think Robin and Steve were just friends. He thinks he’s competing with Steve’s girlfriend.
Oh. That’s… An entirely different situation.
“I don’t know, Robbie, what am I saying?”
Carol was definitely saying what Robin thought she was saying. Which amounted to, at the very least, that Billy Hargrove had a crush on Steve Harrington. And Robin’s going to have to wrap her mind around that one, because it’s shifting her entire perspective on what’s been going on for weeks, if not months.
“You’re sure about this?”
“Obviously, or we wouldn’t be talking about it right now.”
Robin nods, “Okay. So. First of all, Billy’s gay?”
Carol rolls her eyes, “Again, obviously.”
“That was very much not obvious.”
Or was it? Because, okay, Robin didn’t really pay that much attention to Billy when he first moved to town. Their social circles didn’t cross, and Robin preferred to avoid that circle like the plague. But she had seen him and she had definitely heard things.
And she’s gleaned some things in the past months, between the things that Steve has said and things Billy has mentioned or things he does. In fact, it does actually seem kind of obvious, in hindsight.
Because Billy’s kind of been obsessed with Steve all along, hasn’t he? Huh.
Carol shrugs, “If you say so. Anyway, like I said, a little push.”
Robin shook her head, “No, no, nope. I’m not getting involved. You can play matchmaker on your own.”
“Come on, Robbie, you’re no fun!”
Robin levels her with a blank stare, “Yeah, I’m a regular killjoy. And, seriously, my name is Robin.”
“Listen, at least settle the score for me. Just tell Tommy and Billy that I was right and you’re not dating Steve. That’s all.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Don’t you want Billy to play nice?”
And, yeah, Robin really really does. Especially now that she knew that was even an option. Because now she knows that she and Billy don’t actually want the same thing, and all this weirdness could just.. Evaporate.
“Fine, whatever. You win.”
“I always do.”
And with that, Carol was gone.
The problem is, Robin doesn’t actually see Tommy or Billy outside of hanging out with Steve. But, then, she also doesn’t usually see Carol outside of that context, either. And Carol just strolled into Family Video like it was nothing. Also, like she knew Robin would be there, which… Robin doesn’t know if she likes the idea that Carol knows her work schedule. Knows it so well, even, that she knows when Robin’s working a shift without Steve.
When it comes down to it, Robin ends up telling Billy and Tommy separately.
Tommy doesn’t actually care whether Steve and Robin are dating, but he does care that Carol was right and he was wrong. Or, more accurately, he cares about the stakes of the bet they made on it. Robin does not ask for more information.
When Robin finally gets a chance to talk to Billy about it, it’s acutely uncomfortable. Mostly because Billy always seems to be uncomfortable when she’s around, but maybe it’s worse because there’s nobody there to act as buffer. Or maybe it’s that Robin followed Billy and that’s, okay, a little bit creepy and weird. But, hey, she’s gotta do what she’s gotta do.
“Steve’s not my boyfriend.”
“What?”
You know, that’s fair. There’s such a thing as too blunt and direct. But, well, she’s said it now, so her only recourse is to double down and be as clear and direct as possible.
“Like, I’m not his girlfriend. We aren’t dating. Not together. None of that. Entirely and totally platonic friends, actually.”
“Uh, okay?”
Robin shrugs, “Just thought you should know.”
“Am I supposed to care about your relationship status?”
“Nope.”
They’re both just standing there.
She tries again, “I guess I just mean, I’m not going to get in your way.”
Billy’s got this wide eyed look. Robin didn’t even know he could look like that, like a deer caught in the headlights. Maybe she could have been more subtle. But. Carol was right, wasn’t she? Maybe Robin does want to push, after all.
She sighs. “Okay, I can see that I’m gonna have to talk you through this. So, like, first of all. Everything is good here. You don’t have to keep fighting me for Steve. This isn’t a love triangle situation, like, at all. We aren’t competing for him. We’re on the same side, if anything. You like Steve. I like girls. Steve likes… I think Steve likes being liked. I’m just saying, you could go for it, if you wanted.”
“I didn’t realize I needed your permission, Buckley.”
“Don’t be stupid, of course you do. Who else is gonna protect Steve’s virtue, if not me?”
“Don’t you think that ship already sailed?”
“Oh, my heavens!” Robin gasped, “Are you calling him a harlot?”
“If the stories I’ve heard are true, he’s definitely no chaste angel.”
Robin laughed, “I’m sure they’re at least half true.”
Billy grinned, “You’re alright, Buckley.”
“Damn right.”
With that, she decides it’s probably time to head out. She had trailed after Billy on her way out of Steve’s house before heading home. But now they’ve just been standing around by Billy’s car, and it’s probably time to let him go and turn around to head for her own house.
“You need a ride, Buckley?”
“It’s Robin, and yeah, sure, why not?”
Robin’s never been in Billy’s car. She doesn’t know what she expected. It’s a car. It’s not messy, the way some guys keep their cars. But it’s not pristine, either. Billy switches on his music and she rolls her eyes at it, but doesn’t say anything. Definitely not her thing, but she already knew he was a metalhead.
“Steve likes being liked?” Billy says, as he pulls the car onto the street.
She shrugs, “I mean, yeah? That’s the impression I get, anyway. You see it, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I can see it.”
“He wants you to like him, you know? I don’t think he would care if he didn’t at least kind of like you.”
“At least kind of…” Billy shakes his head, “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Don’t mention it, it’s on the house.”
“You said I should go for it.”
Robin smiles, “Yeah, you should. Steve likes you, he just doesn’t know it yet.”
“That’s not as reassuring as you think it is.”
“I’m just saying, I don’t think he’s ever really thought about it, liking guys. He does, though. I know that much. And he likes you but he doesn’t know that’s what it is, you know?”
“If you’re wrong—”
“I’m not. I wouldn’t say any of this if I thought it could go wrong. And it’s not just me, Carol thinks so, too.”
“I don’t know if that’s better or worse.”
The car pulls up to Robin’s house. She realizes she kind of wants to stay and talk. Robin and Steve sit in his car and talk all the time, but she’s never really wanted to talk to anybody else that much. Not anybody else whose car she’s actually been in, at least.
She gets out, anyway. But she stops before she closes the car door.
“Just think about it. I don’t think you’d regret it.”
“I better not.”
“You won’t.”
And with that, she closes the door and heads inside.
Nothing happens for a couple weeks. Well, that’s not true. Billy is definitely stepping up his game. He’s flirting more openly with Steve, not that Steve has let on that he’s noticed it. But Steve’s not the quickest to catch on with these things, if Robin’s own coming out was any indication. He’s a bit slow on the uptake, is all.
He hasn’t been rebuffing any of Billy’s advances, though. If anything, he’s flirting back. Maybe unintentionally, but he is. And Robin’s even more sure that she made the right call on this, because Steve is definitely into Billy. She’s sure of it now.
It’s one of the days when Steve and Robin are working the same shift. Mostly, they shoot the shit because, at least for the earlier part of the day, there’s not much work to be done.
Robin chastised Steve for not having seen, like, any actually decent movies. It’s an ongoing thing. Robin will reference a movie, or comment on a movie that a customer picks out, or something. And Steve will stare at her blankly before admitting that he hasn’t seen it.
“Honestly, have you ever watched a movie?”
“Well, we saw that one where Alex P. Keaton was gonna bang his mom, didn’t we?”
“That doesn’t count and you know it, dingus. We didn’t even see the whole movie, and we were way too high. What do you remember other than that part, really?”
“Okay, I’ve seen movies, Robin. But it’s hard to pay attention that long!”
“We should try watching that movie again when we get a copy of it in here, you know? See if it lives up to your memory.”
“It was so weird, Robin. That was his mom? That’s crazy!”
Then they argued about the best movie candy, and Robin doesn’t think Steve should even get a say on that because he doesn’t watch movies. How can you have a valid opinion the best movie candy if you don’t like movies? That’s what she thinks.
Eventually, they actually have to pretend to do some work, so Robin starts organizing the shelves while Steve mans the register.
Billy walks in and heads straight for Steve. Robin’s a little glad to be across the store, when she sees him. She’s rooting for him, of course, but there’s also only so much of his flirting that she can witness before she starts tearing out her own hair.
She sets into reorganizing the horror section, because it’s kind of a disaster. Somebody has clearly gone through the movies and then just set them back willy-nilly. Robin’s not impressed. How hard is it to just put things back where you found them?
“Robin,” Steve says, and then, when she didn’t respond immediately, louder, “ROBIN.”
“Hold your horses, I’ll be there in a second.”
She’ll be damned if she has to stop what she’s doing when she’s in a rhythm. When she finishes reorganizing the horror section, she goes to find out what Steve’s deal is.
She was so in the zone, she hadn’t even noticed when Billy left.
“What happened?”
“I think… Billy was just flirting with me?”
She scoffs, “That’s hardly new.”
“What are you talking about?” Steve furrows his brow, “No, I mean, I really think he was flirting with me. I don’t think he was joking around. And I think… But, no, it’s normal to go to movies with friends. He didn’t mean anything by it.”
Robin wants to smack her own head. She wants to smack Steve’s head. Actually, hell, what’s stopping her? She gives him a playful knock to the back of his head.
“Hey! What was that for?”
“Carol was right, you boys are so clueless.” She rolls her eyes, “Billy asked you on a date. That’s what this is about?”
“He asked if I wanted to see a movie. But that doesn’t have to mean anything! He could just be asking as a friend.”
“But you want him to mean it in a date way.”
Steve stops messing with his hair. He looks at Robin like she’s said something major. Like she’s cracked the case wide open, like she holds the secrets to the universe.
“You want it to be a date,” She says, slowly, “And that’s okay. You like Billy, and that’s okay.”
“I like Billy,” Steve has a small smile, “Yeah. I do like Billy, don’t I?”
“You do. And Billy likes you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. Billy asked you to go on a date to the movies because he likes you. And, maybe I’m assuming here, but I’m guessing you said yes.”
“I did. I’m going to the movies with Billy. I’m going on a date with Billy.”
“You are. And you have no idea how much I hate you for getting asked on a date by a boy before I’ve even flirted with a girl.”
“Well, it’s not my fault you have bad taste.”
“Hey!”
“Tammy Thompson, Robin. Tammy. Thompson. You couldn’t flirt with Tammy Thompson. Nobody wants to flirt with a muppet. Could you do that, Robin? Could you flirt with Kermit the Frog?”
“Whatever, funny guy. Have fun on your date.”
“A date,” Steve said to himself.
Robin rolled her eyes, “Alright, that’s enough of this. I don’t want to hear another word about you having a date until after the date.”
“Oh my god!” Robin said, “You’re actually going to have to watch a movie.”