Splinters In Time

Lydia didn't handle stress well. So she decided to take up smoking.   Or at least, she decided to learn how to smoke. It was only logical— most of her favourite music artists smoked, it seemed quite the rebellious thing to do.

They'd snuck away, going for a walk through the fields before winding up in someone's ramshackle barn. Sitting on the hay, Lydia lit her cigarette with a match and took a drag, before devolving into wracking coughs.

"That Billy guy though!" She griped as she put out the cigarette. "I can't believe a guy like that has moved into town! And after we spent all that time trying to find him for his sister— did you hear what he said about us?"

"Yeah, like he wasn't at the concert too." Nikki snarked, taking a puff of her own cigarette and expertly blowing smoke rings.

Giving up on smoking, Lydia struck a match and watched as the flame burned down to her fingertips. As she lit a second one, Dan laughed. "What, he's gotten you so annoyed that you're taking up pyromania?"

"No." Lydia fake-scowled, lighting a third. "You know who's fault this actually is?"

Nikki rolled her eyes. "Eddie Munson?"

"Yes. Him and his stupid band. If they hadn't had the concert in such a public place where just anyone could get in, they probably wouldn't have gotten a public disturbance complaint, the police wouldn't have shown up and none of that chaos would have happened!"

Dan shrugged. "I dunno, their concert went better than our usual method of begging the local nightclubs to give us a spot."

Lydia lit another match. "It's just not fair. We play much better than they do and never get half the turn out—"

"Jealous, much?" Nikki snorted. "You don't half go on about them. What, do you fancy Eddie or something?"

"I do not fancy him— whoa!" Suddenly the match flame flared up so hot and so bright it was almost white, causing Lydia to drop it as it singed her fingers. The fire caught quickly and Lydia leapt to her feet as a line of flame raced up the side of the hay.

"Lydia!"

Dan and Nikki's grabbed her hands, pulling her from the barn.

"What the hell was wrong with that match?"

"You dropped it!"

***

"... Look." Hopper sighed as he spoke to the irate farmer. "If the kids pay you back, are you willing to leave it at that? The fire department has said there's no damage to the actual building, you've mostly just lost hay."

Behind him, the fire department worked to clear the area and Dan, Nikki and Lydia stood to the side with their heads hung. "We didn't do it on purpose." Lydia muttered.

"We could absolutely take it further if you want to." Hopper continued. "But it will take time. We'll make a record of it, but honestly, I think this was more stupidity than malice. Have the kids pay you back in cash or do work on your farm."

Reluctantly the farmer agreed and Hopper turned to the trio. "I wouldn't be smart-mouthed if I were you, you're the ones who are going to have to face your parents. Now... were you three at that trailer park concert?"

The teens said nothing, but the looks on their faces told Hopper everything she needed to know.

"Thought I recognised you. Look, can I give you some advice? Keep your heads down. Change your... hair colour." He gestured at Lydia's green. "Get yourself some smart clothes. Go to school and stay out of trouble." Ignoring the rebellion in the trio's eyes, Hopper reached into his pocket for his keys. "Addresses? I'll drop you home."

A/N: So yeah, Hopper is being rather judgey of the whole punk/metal thing at the end there— no hate to Hopper, but I did think it was a realistic opinion for the time and he probably genuinely thinks he's helping them.

Anyway, things are escalating! XD

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