That was a fluke, right?
It was Christmas. Only a year after Eddie's death. Mike and Wil had finally talked, and got together. Lucas had helped Max to recovery, not quite there yet, but not too far. Nancy and Robin had also gotten together after Nancy overheard Robin ranting to Steve about how much she loved her. Joyce and Hopper got engaged. Dustin brought Susie down to Hawkins for the holidays. El still loves Max, but Steve's sure they'll figure it out.
Steve knows they will, because he can see the red string that connects their Pinky's.
Robin can see the string too. She told Steve she could when he was crying on her shoulder. He didn't have to tell her why he was crying. She knew.
The party knows that Steve is the only one without a soulmate.
He had one, once. But his soulmate died a year ago.
So it pains him to see everyone with their soulmate.
He stands there. In the room of people. Staring at the ground. His red string had fallen to the ground, lifeless. It still looked to be attached to the body, but the body was unmoving on the floor.
Until it wasn't.