Guys I'm baack! Welcome to my second story!
1) As mentioned in the description, this is a sequel to my first story, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. I suggest you read that one first, but you don't have to. There aren't that many references between the two. Here's the link if you're interested : s/13040143/1/Ashes-To-Ashes-Dust-To-Dust
2) I do not own Stranger Things, nor am I affiliated with it in any way. I'm just a girl who misses Stranger Things and Mileven wayyy too much.
3) I don't always respond to individual reviews, but I promise you I read every single one of them, and it makes my heart so happy when you guys take the time to add my story to your favourites, review a chapter, or follow me! The positive feedback I got from my first story motivated me to write this one, so don't be shy!
That's it guys! I hope you all enjoy! Love you all and thank you for reading!
Gabby xxx
CHAPTER 1
''Come on, El,'' muttered Mike behind the wheel of his 1969 Mustang. It was December 21st 1991, and the sun shone fiercely upon the city of Berkeley, California, despite the fact that today was the first official day of winter. The entire month of December had been unusually hot and sunny - even by California standards - and although he and Eleven had been away from Hawkins and living in the golden state for two years now, it still felt strange to Mike to be so close to Christmas and living amongst palm trees, breathing in the salty sea air, as opposed to the dreary, dull scenery that offered his home state of Indiana at this time of year.
''Michael,'' a female voice jolted him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Jaclyn, one of El's nursing classmates, her freckled face semi poking inside the driver seat window.
''Jaclyn, hey.''
''Jane should be out any minute now. She was talking to our psych teacher as I walked out,'' offered Jaclyn, glancing in the general direction of the Quest Nursing Education Center before fixing her gaze back on Mike. ''You guys heading home?''
Mike nodded and patted the side of his mustang affectionately. ''Yep, all packed up and ready to go. Our flight is in four hours. What about you? You got any family out here?''
Jaclyn nodded. ''San Francisco, born and bred. My folks and brother and sister all live there. My cousin has a place here, and she had an extra room for me, so I figured, why not. Skip the traffic every morning and night. I go back home on weekends.''
''That's cool. I mean, it's great that you get to do that,'' said Mike. ''Hawkins is a 34 hour drive from here. It's not exactly next door.''
Jaclyn laughed breezily. ''No, I guess not,'' she replied, flashing Mike her set of perfect, white teeth and tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear. Her eyes lingered on Mike, and he did his best to avoid making eye contact. Even he, who was usually totally oblivious to flirting and/or any type of suggestive body language, suspected that Jaclyn had a tiny bit of a crush on him. She had this habit of hanging around a little too long whenever he was around, smiling just a little too brightly, and laughing at his jokes a little too loudly. Mike often had to coax the conversation out of her - if not, she'd just stay there, not really saying anything, all the while staring at him with all the subtlety of a twelve year old girl schoolgirl interacting with her first crush.
Suddenly, the passenger car opened with a creek, and El slid her way into the seat.
''Hey,'' she said, smiling at Mike. She glanced up at Jaclyn. ''Hi, Jackie.''
''Hey, Jane. Happy holidays, you two,'' replied Jaclyn. ''Hey, Jane - do you maybe want to get together after you get back from Indiana to work on the psych project? Go to the library and do some research. It's always more fun when you have a partner. I hate going to the library alone. The silence disturbs me.''
El laughed. ''Sure. Okay. I'll call you.''
''Okay.'' She turned to leave. ''See you around,'' she said, her eyes falling on Mike as she said it. Then she walked away.
El kissed his cheek. ''So, how did your final exam go?''
''Do you think Jaclyn has a crush on me?'' asked Mike suddenly, turning towards El.
El was baffled by his question. ''Where did that come from?''
''No, I'm serious. Why does she always come talk to me? Every time she sees me, it's like she has to come over,'' continued Mike.
''Because she's my friend, and she's just being friendly?'' retorted El. ''She knows how much I love you. How special our relationship is. Trust me, she would never.''
''El - I'm telling you, it's more than that. She's always touching her hair, or smiling. The other day, she touched my bicep. Out of nowhere! It was totally uncalled for!''
El rolled her eyes. ''So what! She's always hugging me at school and touching me. She's just a touchy person.''
Mike sighed, but decided to drop it. What good could come out of this conversation? He turned the key in the engine, and the mustang roared to life.
''Someone touched Mike's bicep! The mighty Michael Wheeler! The envy of every man and woman in the whole state of California!''
Mike grinned, facing forward as he navigated his way out of the school parking lot. He pressed his free hand against the side of El's face. She giggled.
''Now you're just mocking me.''
''I'm not! I love your skinny biceps,'' said El, laughing. She grabbed his hand, and brought it to her lips to give it a sweet kiss. Mike turned his face to smile at her.
''I can't wait to be home. But we can't stay too long, Mike - I've got a ton of schoolwork to do over Christmas vacation.''
''Same,'' replied Mike, bummed to even be thinking about it. ''I start school again on the 12th, what about you?''
''10th. I got my psych paper due on the 11th, so we have to come back at least three days before so I can work on it with Jackie. Your new girlfriend,'' teased El, barely containing her laughter.
Mike tickled her ribs as he kept his eyes on the road. El burst into a fit of giggles as she twisted and turned in her seat.
''Shut. Up,'' he muttered as he continued to tickle her mercilessly.
''Mike, stop, I can't breathe,'' she pleaded, breathless.
''That's what you get,'' he replied, smiling triumphantly as he steered towards the exit that would lead them to Oakland International Airport.
Hopper and Joyce were waiting for them at the arrivals section of Indianapolis International Airport. Joyce was waving like crazy and jumping up and down, whereas Hopper stood beside her, calm and collected as usual.
''Hi! Oh, hi baby, I've missed you so much,'' cried Joyce, embracing El into a tight hug.
''Mom, I can't breathe.''
''Just let me hold you for a little while longer, sweetie,'' replied Joyce, not loosening her grip.
Hopper stuck his hand out towards Mike. Mike grabbed it and shook it as firmly as he could.
''Good to see you, Jim.''
''How was your flight?'' asked Hopper.
''It was great, actually. You get so much more leg space when you fly first class,'' said El, finally free from Joyce's grasp. ''Mike slept the whole time,'' she added, poking him in the ribs.
''And God knows you need that leg space, don't you sweetie,'' said Joyce as she pulled Mike into another one of her might bear hugs. ''Seems like you grew some more since this summer, Mike.''
''I just hit 6'1,'' replied Mike. ''Doc says guys stop growing around twenty-one. I'm guessing this is it for me.''
''Well, you may still have another year to go,'' said Hopper. ''But you'll never make it to 6'3. I'll always look down at ya, kid.''
''Jim,'' said Joyce, rolling her eyes. She wrapped her arm around El's shoulder and began leading her towards the exit.
''Joyce, it's just friendly competition with my son-in-law. Nothing wrong with that,'' defended Hopper as he grabbed El's luggage. Mike shook his head, grinning, and followed after them.