Chapter Text
Hawkins has been on Vickie’s mind the past couple of days. It’s not like she misses the place. It’s only a three-hour drive from Chicago, so she’s able to visit the folks during the holidays. But this sudden wave of nostalgia? Even Vickie won’t deny the reason why.
Rob68: When was the last time you visited Hawkins?
She’s been chatting with Robin Buckley almost daily for the past couple of weeks. It annoys her that their conversation flows so effortlessly, that they’ve easily fallen into some kind of rapport and rhythm. It makes her remember how they first became friends in band, how Vickie would sometimes offer to drive her home after practice, how Vickie would circle the block one more time just so they could chat a bit longer.
Vickie still hates Robin’s guts, and yet…
DunneDunneDunne: I go home for the holidays, but I usually just stay at my parents’.
Rob68: So no going around the old haunts?
DunneDunneDunne: Nope, I don’t have many friends left there anyway. I did attend the earthquake commemoration thing in 2001.
There was an event three years ago, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Hawkins Earthquake. Vickie was hesitant to attend, but Anika reminded her of how important it was going to be, to support the community. A lot of people showed up. Max Mayfield said hi, and she brought along her sons who all looked like ginger Lucas Sinclairs. Chief Hopper announced that he would retire the following year, and the party that was there at the MAC-Z knew why he chose 2002: because that would be 15 years after they lost the hero who spared them all.
Rob68: Oh, yeah, I had considered going…
DunneDunneDunne: But you didn’t.
No response from Robin. Vickie smirks. She always enjoyed teasing that girl.
DunneDunneDunne: …I was joking :))
Rob68: Thank god! You gotta add emoticons to your messages! You know how I can’t read social cues.
DunneDunneDunne: :-p ;-)
“Who’s making my baby laugh,” says Anika as she walks into the room. Vickie is startled, unaware that she had been smiling and giggling. Anika puts her coat down and gives Vickie a peck on the cheek.
“Oh, I’m just chatting with…an old classmate,” says Vickie.
“College?”
“No, high school.”
“Oh cool! That’s nice. You’ve never introduced me to any of your high school friends.”
“How was your day,” Vickie asks, closing her laptop to change the subject.
“It was good. We did the rounds at the community centers and soup kitchens. You should have been there.”
“I’m sure you managed well without me.”
“People were asking about you, actually. I think I need you there, Vic.”
Only two people have ever called her that. It seems like a name reserved only for those whom she has truly loved.
“Ani, I’m already going with you to that benefit on Tuesday—"
Anika walks towards Vickie and takes her hand. “I know, and I’m really grateful. I know how much you hate these things.” Anika kneels down beside Vickie. “And I've noticed how you’re always on that laptop recently…”
Vickie's breath hitches. She starts playing all possible scenarios in her head, having to explain who Robin is—or was—and how this reconnection means nothing beyond two classmates catching up.
“…and I figured it must be because work has really gotten you all tied up,” Anika continues.
It’s a momentary relief for Vickie, until Anika explains further.
“I was thinking, maybe, you can take a sabbatical from work first, so that you can help with the campaign.”
Vickie cannot believe what she’s hearing. It’s one thing to ask her to attend all these events and junkets; it’s another thing to ask Vickie to drop her life’s work and all that matters to her.
“You don’t have to decide right now,” says Anika, placing a kiss on Vickie’s hand. “But I really hope you’ll consider, babe. I need you.” Anika gets up, places another peck on Vickie’s cheek, and leaves the room. Vickie is too stunned to react.
She reopens her laptop and finds a new message from Robin.
Rob68: I’ll be visiting Hawkins for the Memorial Day weekend actually. Will you be there then? Would be great to meet up.