* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 !

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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

https://t.co/DKVidyCfYn

[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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“ thank you , brandon . have a good night . ”

it’s gemma who ends the interaction first , a hand ( oh - so - slowly ) closing the door . the only thing stopping her from cutting it off completely was curiosity .

[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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with a roll of the eyes , playfully of course , she’s dismissing his remark — he definitely doesn’t look like shit , still attractive while looking tired , but she won’t acknowledge it .

she doesn’t necessarily have anything to get back to , —
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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— she’s just nervous . maybe there’s a baby toy laying around , or a bottle , or something — and she doesn’t want that .

when he takes a step back , she’s flashing a soft smile , giving a nod . he’s nice , kind of .
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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gemma wheeler ,
queen of inappropriate social interactions .
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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— “ i hope you get some rest soon . looks like ya’ need it . ”

[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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usually , the transaction would’ve been done by now , but the brunette is still stood at the doorframe — a pizza in one hand, clad in her pajamas .

“ yeah , i uh — i work at the diner , and the owner also owns the attached apartment , —
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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— so , i figured it would be easiest to just . . . wake up and be at work . ”

not entirely a lie , the diner owners saved her ass by offering her a cheap place to stay — one she needed quickly .

“ thank you , and uh — ” she starts , lips pursed .
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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— discount ? good to know . ” of course , out of all the people in hawkins to bring her food — brandon .

“ at least you don’t have to deal with a typical hawkins upper - middle class prick at the end of your night . ”
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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leaned up against the door , she gives a glance back at the empty apartment . the idea crosses her mind to invite him in for some pizza , but the same idea quickly disappears — bad idea .

“ oh , so i’m in good enough to get the family and friends —
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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“ it’s the little things . ” she plucks out enough cash for the pizza and a 20% tip — working in food service , she knows the snub of a shitty tip .

to say he doesn’t look well is an understatement . “ long shift ? ”
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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gemma decided to order in , diner food had gotten very tiring and she most certainly cannot cook to save her life . she’s quick to answer the door , purse in tow — brows furrowing .

“ well , hi again — ” maybe she’s still embarrassed from the 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 .
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

@FAMlLYREJECT ⠀⠀⠀
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— and you don’t seem too far off . ”

fingers fidget with the hem of her sweater , purposefully avoiding that gaze of his — she knows that look and the last thing gemma wheeler needs is another hawkins boy to mess everything up .
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

@FAMlLYREJECT ⠀⠀⠀
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— town she’d memorized far too well .

“ i’ve never seen you before . ” she blurts matter - of - factly , shaking her head and mentally cursing herself before continuing . “ i mean , like , everyone in hawkins knows everyone around their age —
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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only if it isn’t an inconvenience — .
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[𝖍𝐞𝒚, 𝖋𝐮𝐜͟𝒌͟𝖋͟𝒂͟𝐜𝒆! ⋆ ⌖ ⋆˚࿔ @umbrelladefect]

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karen’s not busy.

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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

—
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writer’s name is cali. they/she/he pronouns, mainly they/them. genderfluid non-binary. queer. 26 years old. medically disabled. eastern time zone.

[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ 𝓐𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝓣𝐇𝐄 𝓦𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑.
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

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she needs a last minute babysitter — .
anyone available ?
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[𝖍𝐞𝒚, 𝖋𝐮𝐜͟𝒌͟𝖋͟𝒂͟𝐜𝒆! ⋆ ⌖ ⋆˚࿔ @umbrelladefect]

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@haplesshaven.

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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

@FAMlLYREJECT ⠀⠀⠀
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“ definitely 𝑛𝑜𝑡 patricia . ‘s gemma . nice to meet you . . . liam ? reggie ? arthur ? ” she’s definitely giving it back , and for the first time within the whole interaction , she’s properly smiling — lighthearted .
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[* 𝓖𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 ! @haplesshaven]

@FAMlLYREJECT ⠀⠀⠀
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her face scrunches up . does she really look like a patricia ? with a shake of the head , she’s following him back to the truck , climbing up into the passenger side .

thank god for the heat , her nose had already turned red ten minutes beforehand .
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