one

It was excruciatingly hot, hovering at 93 degrees since 11 am-which was very unusual for Indiana. Thankfully, it was one of the three days a week that PJ wasn't stuck inside the tiny, stuffy blockbuster building on main street-one of the only businesses still up and running smoothly since the mall opened. And, since she didn't have to work, PJ decided to get out of the house and go for a little hike up to the tallest hill outside of Hawkins-which overlooked the town. Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac filled the air as is echoed out of her boom box a few feet from her.

Raising the joint to her mouth, PJ inhaled the marijuana she'd stolen from Steve's stash since she was out and didn't get paid until July 1st. She knew he probably wouldn't notice-so she took a fair amount. The few and far between clouds were puffy and slow moving, and there was little to no breeze. Exhaling the smoke, PJ watched the cloud linger and slowly move up and away before she couldn't see it anymore. It was one of the few days she got to relax-as the kids were all busy at the mall, except Dustin, who was still at camp, Jonathan and Nancy were at work, and Steve was also at work.

It was rare PJ got any semblance of alone time, but she lavished in it when she could get it. The song changed to When Doves Cry by Prince, and PJ couldn't help but let out a snort. It was a mixtape Jonathan had made for her a few days prior-of songs he thought she'd like, and he was spot on with every song so far. Letting out a small sigh, she rolled over to look at her notebook-which was filled with odd lyrics here and there-but all summer, she'd been having trouble pulling together a full song. She wanted to have a new one by the time Dustin came home-since he loved to hear her newest ones and give her his critiques, but there was nothing there.

Checking her watch, she saw it was  only 2:30 pm-meaning she'd been laying on this hilltop for four and half hours and got 2 more lyrics down. She sat up, taking one last hit off her joint before putting it out on her shoe and reaching for her backpack. Just as she stood up, having everything packed up, China Girl by David Bowie began to play. A smile played on her lips as she picked up her boombox and headed down the hill, deciding that going to visit her brother at work and get some free ice cream was a good break from the hot sun. Plus, the mall had AC.

•••••

Scoops Ahoy was as busy as always when PJ stepped inside. She peered ahead of the line, watching her brother try-and fail-to flirt with a girl. Rolling her eyes, she had to hold back a small bit of laughter. Since leaving high school, and being left by Nancy, Steve had lost practically all of his "game". Basically, he forgot how to turn on his King Steve charm to get any girl he wanted. He hated it, but PJ thought it was good for him. Just like working this shitty job scooping ice cream in a sailor suit. The same, annoying, song was playing on repeat-company policy-as the line moved slowly but surely, and soon, PJ was face-to-face with her brother.

"Aho-oh, it's you." He said, stopping himself. He peered behind her, seeing no one else waiting. "Today has been so fucking busy." He huffed quietly. "And the kids bothered me to let them go see another R rated movie."

"At least they only come to you like once a week." She rolled her eyes. "I swear, they each come like every day to have me let them rent another R rated horror movie. I wish I would've never gotten that job."

"You're tellin' me." He chuckled. "So, what do you want?"

"What do you think?" She snorted, seeing he'd already started getting her ice cream ready. She always ordered the same thing. The Mint Chocolate chip flavor-which she could never remember the dumb nautical themed name for-in a waffle cone with chocolate sprinkles.

"What have you been doing today?" He asked, glancing up again to make sure there was no one else waiting-but their still was no one.

"I went out to the hilltop, listened to some of that new mixtape Jonathan made me." She said. "I've been really struggling to write a song, though."

"Still?" He asked, handing over her ice cream.

"I mean, I have some lines here and there but I can't seem to string anything together yet." She sighed. "Wanna take your break and look em over?"

"Sure." He nodded. "Let me get Robin real quick." She moves towards a table as he turned around, sliding open the windows to call out his coworker. Her name was Robin Buckley. They'd been in school with her but neither had been friends with her-until now. Steve was closer with her, as he spent all day everyday with her, but PJ liked her too. Like, really liked her. The first time PJ had come into the shop to visit Steve, Robin was working the counter and Steve was in the back-and PJ was awestruck to say the least. This girl was breathtaking, and the instant crush PJ developed only got worse every time she saw her.

"Alright, let's see em." Steve said, sliding into the seat across from PJ-who had positioned herself so she could look at Robin without Steven noticing. PJ slid her notebook across the table and started on her ice cream, stealing glances at the girl every few seconds. "This one's good."

"Which one?" PJ asked, trying to read what he was pointing to-as it was upside down to her.

"'Want you tired everyday, cause I run through your brain'." He read. "I like that one."

"Me too, I just don't know what to do with." She nodded. The following ten minutes consisted of Steve picking out lines he liked-but not really helping PJ at all. She finished up her ice cream just as his break was up.

"Alright, sorry I couldn't be of more help." He sighed as they both stood up.

"S'cool." She shrugged, slinging o her backpack. "I'm hanging with El tonight while Hopper does something so I'll be home kinda late."

"Okay. I'll see you later." He said, and they fist bumped.

"Later." She nodded. "Bye Robin!" She called, and the other girl smiled and waved quickly before helping the next customer. PJ walked out of the mall, he heart swelling and her stomach filling with butterflies. Robin had smiled at her. And waved. PJ felt like she could die of happiness then and there.  As she got back into her car and turned it on, her mixtape started back up. And, appropriately, the first song to play was Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. She laughed to herself, turning it up as she sped out of the mall parking lot-intending to get a few movies for her and El to watch-along with some snacks-before she had to be at Hop's cabin.