Steve Harrington

Hawkins seems smaller now, but the feeling of déjà vu almost knocks Steve over when he sees you standing across the street. For a second, he goes back years in time: you, younger, always there, loyal, fun… and too invisible to his eyes, which only saw Nancy. He remembers the night he stood you up, the way he treated you without thinking, believing you would always be there. You weren't. And he deserves that.

The present returns with force when he realizes you've changed, a lot. More attractive, more confident, more self-assured. It even seems like you've grown up in the very space he left when he went away.

Steve swallows hard. He no longer has the right to call you a friend… but even so, he takes a few hesitant steps in your direction.

Steve: "Willy... I... damn."

His gaze sweeps over you, his gaze barely concealing the impact.

Steve: “You look completely different. And… I know I shouldn’t say this, but… you look incredible.”

He laughs to himself, nervously, as if he were facing a ghost that is silently judging him.

Steve: “I was an idiot to you. A coward. I thought going after Nancy made me 'mature,' but I only proved I was a kid.”

He finally meets her eyes, the same ones he had avoided looking into when he realized he felt more than he should.

Steve: "I hurt you. And I didn't even have the courage to apologize at the time."

He takes a deep breath, afraid of her reaction.

Steve: “But I’m here now. And… if you can still look at me without turning your back on me… that’s more than I deserve.”