────────────────────────────
-'ˏ Margo's Pov ˎ'-

╭ ╮
Hawkins Main Road
Friday , 6:54 a.m
╰ ╯

────────────────────────────

I turned back around to see a faceless dog come veering out into the road.

"Holy shit Billy watch out!" Was all I had time to yell.

He whipped his head around to face the road as he began to stomp on the brakes. It was futile because the car began to roll. I quickly brought my arm backwards to secure Max before I was thrown forward into the dashboard from the impact.

────────────────────────────

When I woke up I couldn't seem to get my eyes to open. I weakly brushed hair off my forehead that was sticking to me from an unknown wet substance. I could taste metal in my mouth.

Suddenly arms were around me and screaming voices and sirens could be heard.

"Margo baby please open your eyes!" Someone pleaded with me. Rough hands encased my face but I only had one coherent thought.

Where is Max.

Desperately trying to open my eyes I called out for her amidst the sirens and yelling.

"Max? Where's Maxine?" I said as loudly as I could muster but it came out as a whisper.

Eventually louder cries were heard.

"Margo?" She called back screaming.

I fought to remain awake but I slipped back into the darkness.

────────────────────────────

My head was pounding as I weakly opened my eyes. Bright lights shone down on me causing me to groan as my headache flared.

A sudden flurry of movement was heard.

"Margaret?" A voice called out.

I eventually opened my eyes in a squint to see my surroundings.

I could see the drab ugly colored walls of a hospital room. I looked over to my left to see my mom holding my hand with puffy red eyes that looked like she had been crying for hours.

"Why are you upset?" I whispered to her. She let out a forced laugh as she handed me a styrofoam cup filled with water. "Do you not remember?"

"Huh?" I asked her back confused while taking a large gulp. I turned to my right to see my brother who held my other hand.

"Hi Margie. Woah that's gonna leave a hell of a scar." Dustin breathed out as he stared at the side of my face.

"A scar?" I asked suddenly scared.

"Don't say that." Will said smacking Dustin on the arm.

I looked around the room at all of the familiar but concerned faces.

"Do you know who we are?" My mom asked me.

I snapped back to look at her.

"Of course. You're my mom."

"And you're my brother Dustin. There's Lucas and Will and Mike. My bestfriend Nancy and her boyfriend Steve. Mr and Mrs Wheeler." I said continuing on as I went from face to face.

Then in the corner was an absolutely gorgeous blonde haired boy and an equally beautiful red haired little girl. They wore sullen expressions. The curly haired blonde one looked as if he was going to cry.

I stared and squinted at them trying to come up with names for them both.

I turned red as the boy and I made eye contact. He was very attractive but I didn't know him or the little girl.

"I'm sorry." I said embarrassed. "I don't think I've ever seen you two before."

Their faces both dropped and I felt a wave of guilt pass over me.

"I'm so sorry." I said again trying to ease the pain on their faces.

"It's not your fault." The girl said with a forced smile. "We were just leaving anyways. Feel better!" She said as she grabbed the boys hand and led him out of the room.

Everyone looked around at each other concerned.

"What?" I asked.

"Someone call the doctor back in." My mom said nervously.

────────────────────────────
-'ˏ Billy's Pov ˎ'-

I kicked at leaves and pebbles during the long walk home.

I was irritated. More than irritated. I was pissed with myself.

Wracked with guilt that Margaret was in the hospital because of me. Angry that I didn't pay more attention to the road. Furious that my car was destroyed. Nervous because both Max and I had missed a whole day of school, meaning that Neil was not going to be pleased when we got home.

You should have been paying attention.
Braked faster.
Chosen a different route to school.
Left Margaret alone to begin with.
Driven slower.

I was getting more pissed off with myself by the minute as I let my inner monologue beat me up.

Finally the street lights came on and my head snapped up to see Max who had been staring at me as we walked.

"Are you okay?" She asked me.

"Yeah I'm fucking fantastic Maxine. Thanks."

"Okay asshole listen up I am SICK of your shit. I'm not excited to get home either because Neil is probably raging and Margaret was MY FRIEND TOO!" She yelled at me as we walked up the driveway.

The lights in our house were all on which temporarily distracted us both.

"Oh shit." We both muttered at the same time.

When we finally reached the door Max slowly and quietly twisted the handle. She turned back to give me an apologetic smile before pushing the door open.

We both quietly crept in but didn't get too far down the hallway before Neil's head snapped up from the kitchen table.

Before I could even open my mouth to explain anything, Neil had rounded the corner and pinned me up against the wall.

Max gasped and I just slumped against the wall tiredly. He quickly reached out and grabbed my chin harshly.

"I said there would be consequences William."

I didn't even bother to respond. He quickly let go before reconnecting his fist to my face.

Both Max and Susan stood in the doorway horrified at the scene unfolding in front of them.

"Neil honey I don't think that's necessary-" She started. Susan always tried to deescalate but ended up making things way worse.

"I will not tolerate disrespect in MY household." He spit at me as he slammed me back into the wall by my jacket collar.

I could barely even hear him yelling at me by now. Eventually he just started pummeling me as I slid to the floor.

I could hear Max screaming at him at the top of her lungs. She flung herself forward trying to pull Neil off of me.

But her tiny body didn't stand a chance. Neil pushed her harshly making her trip as she flew backwards.

The last thing I heard was her crying for me as I slipped away into unconsciousness.