Author's notes: Well, here we go again. I would like to thank all the people who literally begged me to write a serious Mileven fan fiction and my friends for their support. Thank you guys. This is for you. Will it be angsty? Yes. Will it be romantic? Yes. Will it be sad? Yes. Well, most of you know me, so… yeah, let's the first chapter begins! Happy reading everyone. Reviews are appreciated.

Mike's point of view.

June, 1992.

"Congratulations to Mike and Jennifer!"

My story began like this, with these exact words. I found myself in a full and crowded diner, holding hands with my soon-to-be-wife and smiling, embarrassed as ever before. I hated – and I still hate- pompous surprise parties and that, oh that was definitely an idea of my mother and my future mother-in-law.

"Mom, Jennifer said yes, but please, I'm begging you, try not to tell it to the whole world."

"Of course not, honey. I'll just tell a couple of friends."

In the crowd I had glimpsed my plumber and the fact made me frown: I did not know that he was on the list of "few friends" my mother had told me. I took a long breath, shaking my head. Despite everything, however, I was sincerely happy. My beautiful girlfriend told me "yes" just two nights before, at Hawkins Lovers Lake, while I was kneeling with the very famous white gold family ring in my hand. Her blue irises exploded in a genuine cry and she nodded frantically, ruffling her adorable blonde hair. Jennifer was beautiful. In high school she had never deigned to look at me – she was too snobby, while I was too nerd. But living together in the same new city, in Chicago for college, despite following two different majors, fashion design and mechanical engineering, our paths collided. Since then, we had always been together, every single day, for four long years. And that fact made me happy. I firmly believed that she was the right one, the other half of the apple, in other words, my soul mate.

We were all celebrating at Benny's Burger, the most famous diner of Hawkins; a place where my childhood friends and I found ourselves hanging out in the afternoon after high school or where you could usually bring a nice girl for a simple date. The idea of the surprise party, however, wasn't what I was hoping for: there were too many curious looks, people who I had not the slightest idea where they came from and too many curious eyes that clearly shouted: "Why does a boy of just twenty-three feel the urge to marry? Perhaps… a baby on the way? "

The truth was that there was no child in our way, but I had this frantic desire to live with Jennifer and enjoy our months of healthy cohabitation in Hawkins before moving permanently to Chicago after the wedding; my dream was certainly not to be working in Hawkins's Energy Department as a technical engineer for the rest of my life – it was a pompous title, yes, but that really was nothing more than a simple maintenance job of all the electronic gadgets that hold up that place - along with my best friends. I had succeeded, or to be more specific, Jen succeeded to find an apartment that was not quite squalid in the city center, far enough to not hear my mother and Holly arguing every damned day. Being in college was perhaps too good to be true.

"So, Mike? You did the big step, eh? " Tom, Jennifer's older brother, had asked me. He was blond too, greenish eyes and unkempt beard; six feet of a man who scared the shit out of me. Yet, strange but true, he always liked me. According to Tom, I had always been "different" from all the brainless dudes who usually buzzed around her sister. Unfortunately, the dark side of dating a woman who was obviously more fascinating than you is the fact that everyone feels entitled to hit on her, even though you are standing right next to her, waving your hand and saying, "Hello? Look, I'm the boyfriend."

But a man was simply used to do it. And strangely I was not even too jealous. And that too was strange, because I was possessive of everything that was mine: it could be my Atari, my collection of Action figures, my damn comics. If something was mine, it was mine. But with Jennifer, no matter how beautiful she was, I did not feel that urgent need to protect her or to break someone's nose if somebody tried to gain her attention. Maybe because I knew she would never betray me; that was the most logic answer I had given to myself.

"Uh? Yes, yes… it was the right time!" I told him smiling, looking around, still a bit confused. I saw my four friends, holding beer, laughing and joking happily; they had known about my proposal for months. They all threw me a happy and tender look.

"Mike! It's beautiful. She is so going to love it!" Will squeaked, still speechless at the sight of the ring.
"You son of a bitch, of course she will say yes. But are you sure, though? Marriage is not that easy, y'know."
"Oh, fuck off, Dustin. Mike and Jennifer are a beautiful couple! " Lucas said, punching him on the shoulder.
"Well, you never know what the future holds for you, dude. But I'm still happy for you! "

Tom's voice awakened me from my thoughts. I shook my head.

"I'm sure you will make her happy, man. I mean, look at you, it's like you too are already married! I expect so many nephews and nieces!" he exclaimed happily, passing me a can of beer. I gave him a friendly smile: someone had definitely drunk too much.

"Tom, stop pressing him. She's still in shock after another day... " she warned him, trying to contain the redness on her cheeks.

"Oh, come on, little sister. I bet this man is a fucking bomb in bed. The shy ones are always the most ferocious. No doubt she chose you, Mike. "

I had a sudden desire to die. I hated talking about certain topics with my friends, let alone with my future brother-in-law. Jenny gave me a resigned look.

"I'm going to take him to mom, she'll be able to keep him at bay before he goes around saying other stupid things... meanwhile, go to the boys!" Jen said, taking his brother by the hand and literally dragging him away from my sight.

Jennifer's smile was kind and reassuring. She always knew how to calm me down in some way. I felt like a lucky man. I had a job, a beautiful girlfriend, a flat, a degree. Nothing could go wrong. Nothing. I approached the group of my best friends, who promptly started hugging and messing my hair.

"Congratulations son of a bitch!"
"Dustin! There's my mum here!" I said him, with an annoyed look on my face. The others tried so hard to not laugh.
"Ops, sorry. Congratulation... son of a bitch" he whispered.
"So, Mike?" Lucas took a sip of his beer, looking around, "Are you ready for marital strives and stuff like that?"
"No. I mean, yes, I guess I am. L-look at Will, he looks like he has reborn since he has been living with Christian! "

Will and Christian had been together for countless time; together they were fine and, I swear, I had never seen a couple more in love than them. Sometimes I envied them. Jennifer and I were happy but very often we did not share the same point of view and we quarreled like every other couple almost every night.

Will blushed violently, rubbing his honey colored hair, and giving us a little smile. He didn't like talking about his relationship in public just because there, in Hawkins, people still… didn't understand. That is why he wanted to move away in New York as soon as possible. Will was an contemporary art professor and his dream was opening a gallery of art.

"Thank you guys!"

We went on, chatting and chatting, drinking, and trying to run away from my mother who wanted to introduce me to every resident of Hawkins – the only one who didn't know who I was – and, at a certain point, the door busted open, revealing a colossal figure standing at the entrance.

"Hey Chief!" Lucas exploded in an electrified voice. I turned my gaze to the Sheriff of Hawkins - of course my mother had invited him. Everyone went to him, greeting him, shaking his hand. He was loved by the community. And it was Jim Hopper who found Will lost in the woods in that fall of '83. Will was badly injured in one leg, he couldn't walk anymore. It stayed in agony for one night, but Hopper found him before he bled to death. And I was so glad for it. I couldn't have carry on without my best friend.

"Hey guys. A little bird told me that someone here is getting married. Wheeler-boy, where are you?"

I raised my hand like a moron and smiled at him. I hated that party, it was official. I should have kept the news for myself. Jim Hopper was a great man, though; he always knew what to say, he was brave, irreverent but ironic enough. Without him, Hawkins would never have been the same. In spite of everything, however, he had been single for a long time: his unkempt beard, his alcoholic and chubby belly and so on had not gone since his wife had left him for another man, taking away his daughter with him... I took a long sigh.
His daughter.

"Mike? Why are you smiling like an idiot? Oh, the power of love. It makes you stupid." Hopper said me while his piercing blue eyes were staring at me. Something was incredibly wrong. Something told me I should have not think of it. But I did anyway, as an unconditional reflex. Those memories brought me back in time.

"Oh, um, nothing important."

I remembered Jane Elinor Hopper. But I simply called her El, because I knew from some classmates she hated her first name. So, to me, she was El. And she was pretty. Like, really pretty. She had been my forbidden desire in middle school and everybody knew it - and they mocked me for it; she was a dream. She was so strange and I liked her so damn much. She did not speak a word to anyone, her hair was short, brown with golden reflex, curly, and she always wore flannels or denim overalls. She was definitely my first crush ever. And, paradoxically, we never spoke to each other. She always stood quietly aside, reading her books, getting lost in her pretty mind… while I was just too shy to declare my love. Maybe it was for the best, she was about to go away anyway. Who knew how she was, or where she was living... I had not seen her since her mother took her away eight years ago. I shook my head and I tried to focus on Jennifer again. I was about to getting married, why was I thinking of a stupid and meaningless teenage love? Maybe it was just my anxiety kicking in. Of course it was.

"Well," he began, rubbing his hands together in a satisfied way, "I have a person to introduce you." he said, excited, maybe a little too much because Jim Hopper was known as nothing but "coffee and contemplation", and he didn't like to be disturbed for useless things or he didn't like talking with people for more than five minutes in general. Nevertheless, he was sincerely happy that night. I could literally feel his joy all over my body.

"I do not know if you remember my daughter, but... she's coming to stay with us for a while. She has just graduated and wanted to congratulate for your wedding. Kid, come here! "

I stared at Jim like an idiot, while my eyes went to the direction of the diner's door. And then I saw her, and my world crumbled. Everything seemed perfect; my story was written, schematized and ready to be archived. But the Hurricane El came into my life.

And every thing, after that moment, changed.

El's point of view.

Three hours before. June 1992.

Hawkins, Indiana. Eight years had passed since mom took me away. But I was back again. I missed every thing: the hot summer air, the pumpkins fields, the woods, the lake, how everyone knows about everyone's business. Life in California hadn't had the same taste.

I didn't love the "California" way of living; too much sun, too much drunken people going around the beaches, just… too much fun. And I loved peace and quiet. Not that was a news, by the way; I would have preferred a rainy day, a blanket, a hot chocolate with a plate of warm waffles filled with whipped cream and smarties on the top of it and a good book to read. I loved and I still love reading. Flying away in mysterious and strange worlds where nothing bad happened, where nobody could hurt me anymore.

I shook my head, and I realized I was thinking about it again. Not again. He was far away, his bloody smile who gave my shiver every damn time... was not with me anymore. And I hated it. I hated how he touched my skin softly, telling me I was "his" when I wasn't. And I hated when he forced me to cut my long hair, because I was too much attractive and good girls don't want to seem whores.

I touched my hair, finally at a shoulder length; it was very curly and light brown; I swore I would have never cut it again. I was finally home, with my father, where nobody can force doing things anymore.

"Kid? Is everything okay?"

Dad's voice brought me back to reality. We were on his pick up and he was driving me home... "home", what a strange word. I didn't even remember how my old house was. I only remembered two things: the first one is that I loved my bedroom - it was all yellow, and yellow is still my favorite color; two, it was in the middle of the woods and I liked it, because I could lost myself in the luxurious nature around me. But dad had to sell it because when mom left him, he was in debts and he had to sell everything. So I did not had the slightest idea of where he had lived for all of those years.

"Yeah. I am so happy to be here."

And I was. I was away from my mother, away from college and drunken young adults who simply wanted to get in my pants. I hated people touching me. I simply didn't allow someone touching me anymore - except my dad and my best friend, of course. Not after that.

"El, I am so... so happy you're back. But eventually, you have to tell me why you don't want to go back to your mom and her husband."

"I just want to spend time with you, taking a break. I missed you so much."

And I could see him smiling; dad always been kind to me. He sent me flowers for my birthday - white roses and sometimes sunflowers – and even for Valentine's day; he always checked up how my education went; he always called me in the weekends. He cared. Something my mom didn't do.

"I missed you too, kid."

"Dad, I am twenty-two. I am definitely not a kid anymore."

"You will always be a kid to me. Look at you..." he grinned, trying to keep the concentration while driving. He nodded, satisfied.

"You are flawless. You definitely took from grandma, you know. She was beautiful like you."

I started to laugh. He wasn't able to do compliments without blushing, he simply couldn't because Jim Hopper was "the angry bad cop" on the outside but a softie with me. I was the only one who truly knew him. Our bond never broke, even after eight years of physical distance and secrets. Secrets I couldn't even tell to him.

"You're making me blush, just stop!"

"And you got a degree in English literature. Man, I knew that reading and writing were your thing... I just can't understand how can you do it. I don't have even imagination in writing police reports."

"Guess everyone has a hidden talent. But now, please, enough of college. I just want to relax and spend the summer here. I promise, I will find a job."

"Oh, you can bet on it, kiddo. You won't do the kept woman in my house. I know you were treated like a princess in Cali, but here? You have to roll up your sleeves and work."

Like a princess? I felt my stomach hurt. If he only knew. Indeed, I lived in a beautiful mansion, or I wore expensive clothes... but the rest? It wasn't worth it. Money can't buy you happiness. And I was the living proof of it.

"I like the idea. And I like be with you, dad. You are still my partner in crime, right?"

"Still you're partner in crime, kiddo."

We both smiled. I was finally at home.

After an hour of driving from the airport, we arrived at the cabin; it was simple, a little bit cramped, but it was fascinating, antique, unique at the same time; it was like living in a bubble, far away from noises and life, something I loved. Loneliness. It was the perfect place to write and read. Nothing bad would have happened.

Dad picked up my few belongings and made the way to the little house: it was made of woods and it was definitely "pretty" in my eyes; I look around and I could see an old television, a living room directly connected to the small kitchen; orange curtains on the windows, a patched sofa and a book-shelf full of my old school books and notebooks. He conserved them. I gently touched the cover of them, sliding my fingers over the dusty surface, and I smiled, closing my eyes and remembering those happy days.

"El? I can show your room. It's small and I... yeah, I have just tried to decore it as I think you like."

Oh, that was unexpected. I had a curious look on my face and I started to walk towards my new bedroom: as I expected, dad still knew me too well. There were yellow walls, a desk with a bouquet of sunflowers on it; a small bed and a bookcase empty - not for so long, though! - and all of my old toys on a shelf. The wardrobe was empty and made of mahogany. It was simple and... perfect.

"It's amazing, dad. Truly amazing." I shook my head, biting my lips, trying not to be childish, "I don't know what to say."

"Just don't say anything. Come here."

He opened his arms and I threw myself into that reassuring embrace, smelling his scent, a mixture of smoke and peppermint he always had since I was eleven. His strong arms comforting me, after all of those years and hours of travel, were the only thing I needed.

"We have all the time for talking, kiddo. Now just... go take a shower, make yourself at home. I will call your mother and telling her that you are here, safe and sound."

I nodded, realising a sigh and breaking from his hug. I was alone again. So, I decided to unpack my things; first of all? Books. They had the priority. I put all of them - from Shakespeare to Jane Austen, from Virginia Wool to Charlotte Bronte - in that empty and sad bookcase. I also hang some Christmas light on the wall, because I loved the colors in my room and because I was afraid of the dark. Dark and places without windows were my fears. Even the water scared me a bit - not the rain, though. Rain was the only thing I loved about water. It was purifying. Majestic. A symbol of a reborn. Stranger things always happens in the rain.

I unpacked my clothes, hanging them on the wardrobe, and I put some of my photos on the desk - basically it was me and Max, my best friend from college and she was still in California. I wondered if she was still mad at me after telling her I was about to move as soon as possible after the graduation.

"You can't leave me, El! What the actual fuck!"

"I know, but I have to. I won't leave with my mom and papa anymore."

"Screw them! Live with me! I have my own apartment. We can get drunk, surfing, sleeping on the beach, get the hottest boys and fuck the shit out of them!"

We were definitely different. But I loved her anyway. She always protected me and that was enough for me.

"I have to go far away, Max. I can't stay here. They will take me back. I don't want to. I won't admit it."

"You are twenty-two. I got it, your parents are protective, but you are a grown ass adult now..."

She didn't know. She didn't know about the hell I went through. I never told her, not to her, not to anybody. It had to be a secret.

"Max. You don't understand. You can't understand. I have to go, this is final. I will leave them a note and I will run away. That place is not my house anymore."

And then she told me to go fuck myself and she slammed my car's door, running away, pissed and angry. But I knew that eventually she would have forgiven me. I shrugged my shoulders. I had to call her eventually.

Finally, after forty-five minutes, I let myself falling on the bed, breathing deeply, trying to adapt myself in that new and comfortable situation.

"Hey kid. Your mother is pissed off cause you've abandon her. And that idiot of your step dad is not amused too."

"I don't care. She doesn't own me. He doesn't own me." I replied, trying not to show too many emotions. Dad didn't have to know. I tried to change the discourse, but dad went on and on...

"It's still your mother, though."
"She only cares about the money he gave her. Not about me."

And it was true. Living like a princess was not worth it if you lived with the devil.

"Yeah, about that... you have never told me about him. How was him? Your step-dad, I mean..."

Too many questions I didn't want to answer. It was for the best, for me and my mom's sake.

"I am going to take a shower."

He nodded, unsatisfied about the fact I cut him off so abruptly. And if he wasn't an idiot - and I assure you, he was not-, he knew something was off about my attitude. He was the Chief of a Police Department, he could smell lies from miles away, he lived about false testimonies. But he respected my silences. And I did not really want to talk about that man anymore.

"Yeah, about that... Kid, I was wondering if tonight you are free."

He threw him a surprised look. What did he have in mind?

"Free?"

I was trying to decide what to wear: the red flowered dress or the pink one? Flat sandals or high-heeled ones? I definitely missed my flannels and my denim overalls. Those were definitely so much confier.

"Yes. Someone is gonna get married and the mother of the boy invited me - actually, she invited everyone because Mrs. Wheeler loves spending time with people. Maybe you can go with me to this party."

Wheeler.

I tasted that name on my tongue. Something about that name wasn't new. And then, reality hit me like a truck.

Mike.

"Michael Wheeler is going to get married?" I exploded, trying to hide my surprise.

"Yes! Do you remember him?" he leaned against the door jamb, arms crossed and a curious look.

I smiled. Of course I remembered him. I remember how handsome he was despite what everyone said about him. He wasn't a frog face. Fuck Troy, he was the ugly one. Mike was simply something more. Something special. Even if I had never talked with him. Ebony hair, a constellation of freckles, so kind and nice with everyone... Guys like those were rares. And of course he was about to marry. Lucky girl her future wife.

"Yes, I remember." I said, smiling. I suddenly felt soft. The thought of seeing Mike again made me happy. And that was strange.

"I will come with you dad!"

Dad smiled, satisfied, finally leaving my room but still talking to me.

"That's great. We will leave in an hour. We will eat something there. I heard there's free food and alcohol, so, why the hell not?" he screamed from the living room, while I was still indecisive on what to wear. Red or pink? Pink made the boys wink… But red was the color of passion.

"Dad, eventually you have to get a rid of that alcoholic tummy, y'know..." I said, finally picking the red one and high heels sandals.

"Now you sound like your mother. You're grounded." he said, exploding in a laugh while holding a can of beer. I could see from my room how he was happy by the fact I was there with him. Oh, if I could have gone back in time... I would have never left him on his own. He deserved better than mom. So much better.

"I am twenty-two. You can't ground me anymore, y'now?" I said in a sassy way.

"Oh, don't test me, kid. Do not. Get in the shower now. You have an hour."

And I did as I was told. When I felt the water running down my body, I started to think: I was about to see the first and only crush I had ever had in my life. Maybe he was not handsome anymore. Maybe he didn't know who I was and, still, I was going to the party of his wedding. He couldn't care less about a girl he hadn't seen for eight years. I began to wash my hair, shampoo everywhere, rubbing it hardly, like I wanted my thoughts to abandon me immediately. I was thinking about a person I did not even know! How could I be so stupid?

"Mike Wheeler." I whispered, tasting his name in my mouth. It sounded sweet. Like I was made to say it.

I couldn't wait to see you again.