Open ‘til one am sort of deal, seven days a week. “Robin?” “Okay, look– there’s a coffee shop down the road, it’s barely 10 minutes away! It has really good reviews and it stays open late. That’s what Nance says, anyways.” He heard the clicking of a keyboard on the other line. “I know it’s just temporary, that there’s an adjustment period for this sort of shit. He waited for the teasing, but instead, she asked, “Are you lonely?” “Maybe.” Steve admitted as he sat back down on the chair. She had it tough, and yet here Steve was, complaining about living alone in an apartment he didn’t even have to pay for. Robin lived on campus with a roommate who microwaved popcorn at two in the morning. I should be happy living in this apartment rent-fucking-free, but… I don’t know.” Steve braced himself. “I feel like an asshole feeling down on myself, but– I don’t know, it’s very quiet here. Her ‘Steve is struggling’ sixth sense was something of inexplicable magic. Robin was so freakishly in tune with Steve, he was honestly surprised she didn’t call first. “Is apartment life treating you badly?” He was grateful she didn’t hang up. I’ll see you tomorrow?” Robin sighed again. “Sounds good, my classes finish at three. All he had to do was survive the isolation of tonight, drag himself to his classes and then be rewarded for his bravery. It’s Stand By Me, in case you were going to ask.” “Can we grab lunch tomorrow?” “Do you want to get pad thai?” Steve could go for that. Plus, I’m not watching a movie for fun, I’m watching for my film theory class. “I have my seven am lab in the morning and I’ve already told you how much I hate that professor with the long nails. “I’m sorry buddy, not tonight.” Steve dragged his feet back to the chair the rejection stung. “Do you want to come over?” Steve propelled himself off the chair, ready to tidy up for Robin’s arrival. He wanted to wait until Robin or Dustin were free for it, since it was only a matter of time until the semester settled and everyone’s schedules were more open. Going inside, however, and socializing… It was a lot of effort to do all by his lonesome. He knew his apartment was nestled between some wonderful local shops and restaurants, having seen it all within the comfort of his BMW. “Have you explored the area?” Steve let out a long sigh at the suggestion. Do you understand what that means, Robin? They’re never home!” His woes were met with muffled laughter. One is a brunette and one is a red head, but they’re super hardcore sorority girls. They’re a couple of hot sorority girls who thought it was very sexy of me to make banana bread for them. “Don’t even ask if I’ve made friends with my neighbors yet, because the answer is yes. “Steve, my dearest friend, is there a reason you called me?” “I’m bored,” He whined. What’s the movie about?” An audible sigh fell from Robin’s lips. “What are you up to?” “I’m in the middle of watching a movie.” “Cool, cool-no doubt. “…Okay?” Steve spun in a lazy circle in his computer chair. I’m in the middle of an essay for my philosophy of education class.” The essay was yet to be touched. Robin answered after the third dial tone. Tonight, he had a perfect plan for the maddening silence. For the most part, that suited Steve just fine. Being the ‘King of Hawkins’ didn’t matter so much two semesters into the college year. His popularity sizzled out fast once everyone stopped caring about who he was in high school. Parties every weekend, fraternity hazing, bongs made out of apples and beers bought by a stranger outside of a gas station. Now, if freshman year Steve was in the possession of this apartment, it would be a totally different story. Really, his only friends besides Robin and Dustin. Still, it was a kind gesture from two of his friends. He didn’t want to live with a couple, especially his ex-girlfriend. It was a hard pass from him it would have been too weird. Nancy and Jonathan had found a place together, even going so far as to offer Steve their spare bedroom. It was sweet how much she worried for him, like she knew this adjustment would be tough. Her house warming gift, a ficus, sat on the counter spot where it was first placed. Unpacked boxes lay scattered about in the one bedroom apartment, despite Nancy’s insistence that unpacking would liven the place up. There was covered parking, for Christ's sake– his apartment was nice, nicer than any dorm on campus. There were no shitty roommates or R.A’s breathing down his neck. He shouldn't be, considering he lived in a place off-campus, in an apartment financed by his parents. More idk what to make my caption so hered chapter 1 of my favorite steddie cafe au fic (red eye by alinafewwords) After one week into his sophomore year of college, Steve was miserable.
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