Hey guys, I'm back! I am SO SO sorry that it has taken me this long to update my fanfic. It has just been so hard to juggle this on top of junior year and all of my extracurriculars. I wrote this a couple of months ago but was finally able to find the time to edit it over the winter break. Anyway, enjoy and Happy Holidays, everyone!
As El and Joyce were catching up, Max, Dustin, and Lucas were still fixated on the fact that El walked right through Max when she tried to introduce herself.
"Weird," said Lucas, fascinated.
"That's not saying much if it's coming from the weirdo herself," said Dustin.
*laughs*
"Guys! It's not funny," said Max, annoyed.
"We know...We're sorry," said Lucas.
"Well, great, now Wheeler and his girlfriend both hate me!"
"Don't say that! Mike doesn't hate you, he was just upset because El was gone and so he took it out on you," said Dustin.
"He took it out on all of us, but mostly you because he wasn't looking for another girl in the party to take her place," said Lucas.
"I get it. I just don't understand why she would just ignore me like that. I mean, she and Mike hardly got the chance to talk to each other tonight, and yet somehow she already hates me."
"Maybe she felt threatened," said Dustin.
"Why would she feel threatened? She doesn't even know me."
"Well, if what she said is true and she's heard everything that Mike's said to her over this past year, then maybe she's heard more than just what he was telling her."
"He's right, she can listen in on what people are saying," said Lucas.
"And you don't find that even the tiniest bit creepy?"
"No, it's totally creepy, but it's also kinda awesome," said Dustin.
"Your point?" she said.
"Perhaps Mike complained to her about you, or something even worse," said Dustin.
"*sighs* Wouldn't be surprised...I have to talk to Mike about this."
"Okay, just try not to piss him off," said Lucas.
"*playfully hits shoulder* Not helping!" she said.
"Just kidding," he said with a smirk.
When El left to go close the gate, Max pulled Mike aside to discuss her dilemma.
"Go away, Max. I'm not in the mood."
"I know, it's just-"
"It's just that my girlfriend left to go close the literal gates of hell and I don't know if I'll ever see her again!"
"I know...*sighs* And I realize that I'm the last person you want to talk to right now, but something's bothering me too and I need you to help me figure something out."
"Fine, what is it?"
"Okay. So, look, I don't know if it was something you said to her during one of the 353 days that you called her, but El is ignoring me completely and I don't see how all of this is gonna work, you know with us being in the same friend group and all, unless I figure out why she's giving me the silent treatment."
"I may have bad-mouthed you a little..."
"That's what I thought...Okay, great, now she hates me too."
"I don't hate you, Max. I don't really like you all of the time, but I don't hate you."
"I'll take it," she said with a joking smile.
"And hey, El doesn't hate you either, and even if she did, she just doesn't know any better. I'll straighten things out with her. Don't worry about it."
"Thanks."
"Sure thing, Zoomer."
He called me Zoomer...Maybe this is his way of letting me know that I'm in the party! she thought.
"Oh, and one more thing," Max added.
"Yeah?"
"You know how I thought that something was messing with my board the day we were looking for Dart in the gym?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think that since she was here in Hawkins the whole time and had been to the school before, that maybe she came looking for you, but saw us together, and assumed the worst?"
"What are you saying?"
"Do you think she's the one who knocked me off my board?"
"Well, in the moment, I thought it was her and I ran out in the hallway to see if it was, but I couldn't find her. It may have been though. It's possible that she just got jealous and ran away afterward because she was upset. Looking back on it, it probably was her."
"That's what I was afraid of..."
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry if she did."
"Thanks, Wheeler. That means a lot."
"Glad to hear it. Well, just in case it wasn't clear earlier, you are officially a member of the party now. I'm tired of pointlessly fighting with you. So, what do you say? Friends? *extends hand*"
"Friends. *shakes hand*"
"You know, you're not so bad, MADMAX."
"Not so bad yourself, Wheeler."
It was now 11:00 pm. El had just closed the gate back at Hawkins Lab. It took a toll on her, using her powers as intensely as she did. By the time she got home, everyone was lined up to hug and praise her. She had never felt so much love in one room.
"El, you did it! You really-"
El interrupted Mike with a big hug.
"*whispers* Did it." he continued and kissed her head.
When El saw Max, she threw Mike's arm around herself and held it as she looked at her, making it clear that he was hers. Mike looked at the situation and knew what he had to do.
"El?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Well, there was this day when the boys and Max and I were all looking for Dart, which was basically this baby demogorgon that Dustin kept as a pet until he found out what it really was. Anyway, Max and I were looking for it in the gym and then something knocked her off her skateboard. I helped her up, wondering if it was you, and ran out in the hallway to check, but I didn't see you anywhere. Was it actually you?"
"*nods with guilt* I'm sorry, Mike."
"It's okay, El. It's partly my fault anyway. I shouldn't have said bad things about her to you. She's actually been a good friend, I haven't. I just went to this bad place when you were gone..."
"Me too. I fought with Hopper...A LOT."
"Oh yeah, I was gonna mention that...I kinda lashed out at him too. In fact, I should go make things right and apologize to him now. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Okay," she said, smiling.
Mike then walked out onto the porch to find Hopper, who was lighting a cigarette.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Sorry, didn't mean to bother you, but I just feel like I owe you an apology...*clears throat* Look, I'm really sorry about earlier when I lashed out at you for keeping El from me. You were only trying to keep her safe and I was just being selfish. I wanted her to be safe too, just with me preferably."
"That's ok, kid, it happens. I was a little hard on the both of you and lost my temper more than I should have, and I'm sorry for that too."
"So, are we good?"
"Yeah, we're good."
"Good."
"Hey, kid, one more thing..."
"Yeah?"
"What exactly is going on with you and El?"
"Well, we haven't really talked about it yet, but I guess you could say that we both have feelings for each other. Hopefully, we'll get to go to the Snow Ball together, with your permission of course...?"
"The what now?"
"The Snow Ball. It's this school dance that's coming up. I promised her that I was going to take her to it last year, but obviously, that didn't work out...Maybe I'll ask her out at the dance...or New Year's."
"Whoa, slow down, Romeo! I haven't even said that she could go yet."
"I know, I was just saying, hypothetically, I mean...*sighs* Just think about it."
"I will."
"Oh, and if it helps at all to know this, we have kis-"
"I don't need to know all of the details, I was just askin'."
"Right..."
"If you do intend on going out with her, Mike, there are going to be rules, and lots of them, so just keep that in mind."
"I know that. Whatever it takes to be with her, then that's just what it takes. I'm willing to do it, no matter what it is."
"I'm glad we're on the same page."
"Me too. Well, I'm gonna go inside, but you should come in too, we're about to make a toast."
"Alright, I'll be there in a sec."
Mike walked backed over to El and said:
"Hey, sorry, I just really needed to say sorry to him."
"*laughs* No more sorries!" she said.
"You're right. All that matters is that we're together now. *hugs*"
Though many of them were still processing everything that had happened that night, Mike, Nancy, Dustin, and Steve had another thing in mind. They each set down bottles of soda and a stack of plastic, red Dixie cups on the table and instructed everybody to fill one up for themselves. Nancy began by saying:
"Can I get everyone's attention, please? *sighs* Look, I know that we're all tired and about to go home, but I think we should just take a moment to acknowledge and recognize that we've all been through a lot today and honestly this past year-"
"But we got through it. We survived!" said Steve with emphasis.
Nancy began again, by saying:
"Right now we don't have anything left to worry about, and that could change, but for now we need to take some time to heal."
"Each us was somehow involved or connected to this whole thing. It brought us together and that means something," said Steve.
"And none of this would've been possible without one very special person..." said Mike.
"This is called a toast," Mike whispered to El, and then continued, saying:
"This person is not like anyone I have ever met. This person is one of the strongest people I know. This person has overcome many obstacles and has saved each and every one of us in this room. This person is someone I know that I can always count on. This is their moment." said Mike.
El shifted her attention from the cup she was holding to the boy who was now holding her.
"*clears throat* Everybody please raise your glasses...or cups I guess-" said Dustin.
"To El, a true friend and hero to all!" said Mike.
*Hopper smiles*
"TO EL!" they all repeated.
"You deserve this. All of this," he said to her, as everybody clinked cups.
"I have everything I need, right here," she said with utter contentment.
As it got later, everyone started to leave. Though Mike and El wished to spend the whole night catching up and picking up where they had left off, he and Nancy were well aware that it was way past their curfew.
"Mike, c'mon. Jonathan's driving us back home."
"I need more time with El."
"You realize Mom's gonna kill us if we don't motor on home now!"
"We're leaving too. C'mon, let's go, kid," said Hopper.
"No," she said.
"Hopper, can I speak with you for a sec?" asked Nancy.
*both walk away to talk in private*
"I think the only way to get them out of the house is to take both of them home in the same car."
"*sighs* I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree...I'll do it."
"Thank you so much. I owe you one."
"Yes. you. do." Hopper mumbled as he walked away.
"Alright, you two. I'm taking both of you home. You and El will have plenty of time to say goodbye on the way there."
"Thank you!" she said, hugging him.
"*chuckles* You're welcome, kid."
Before leaving, Hopper walked over to Joyce to say goodbye.
"Geez, where the hell are these kids' parents?"
"Beats me!" she said, laughing.
"We make a good team, you and I."
"That we do...and you're doing a great job with El by the way."
"Well, I'm still working on it, but I appreciate it. *pauses* Just let me know if you need anything, okay? A lot has happened to your family and if you ever need anyone, I'm here."
"I will. Thanks, Hop. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Joyce," he said, as he straightened his imaginary sheriff hat.
"What are you doing?" she asked, laughing.
"*chuckles* I'm so used to tilting my hat at work that I almost forgot I was wearing scrubs instead of my uniform."
"Oh, Hopper, you're too much! Goodnight...For real this time." she said, with a lot of eye contact and a big smile across her face.
"Night," he replied.
Mike and El both said goodbye to Will and hopped in the car, where they sat together the whole ride.
"*plays with hair* Your hair...It's- It's-"
"Longer, I know," she said laughing.
"Do you like it better this way?" she continued.
"It doesn't matter how your hair looks. Whether it's shaved or not, I will always like it because I like you."
"*blushes* I like you too," she said, lifting her head from his shoulder.
First looking at him, then at the arm beside her, she wrapped her arm around his, reaching for his hand to hold with her own. At the same time, they interlaced their fingers together and looked at one another.
"You know, I had curly hair before I visited my sister."
"Hold the phone, you have a sister?"
"Yeah, Kali. From the lab."
"So, she has a number too?"
"Yes, it's eight."
"And powers?"
"Yes. She can make people see or not see whatever she wants."
"That's so cool! Well, when can I meet her? Does she still live here?"
"No, in Pittsburgh."
"Oh. How did you meet her then?"
"I went to Pittsburgh."
"Hopper took you to Pittsburgh?"
"No, I ran away to meet Mama and Kali."
"You have a mom too? Man, I really did miss a lot..."
"Yes, but the bad men hurt her too. She barely speaks."
"I'm sorry, El. That must've been really hard for you."
"Yeah, it was."
"Okay, I'm sorry, I distracted you. Why was your hair curly before you met your sister?"
"It grew curly on its own, then she gave me a makeover like you did."
"Well, I can't wait to see it without all of that product in it."
*smiles*
"You look really-"
"Bitchin'?"
"*raises eyebrows, laughs* Did you just say 'bitchin''?"
"Yeah, why?"
"*smiles* No reason."
"Alright, Mike. I'm afraid it's time for you to say goodbye to El," said Hopper.
"Wait, can I just please introduce her to my parents? I think it's about time that they meet the girl that lived in my basement for a week. *chuckles*"
"*sighs* Make it quick. She has a curfew too you know!"
"Got it."
*walks to door, rings doorbell*
*door opens*
"Oh, Michael! *pulls in for hug* You had me worried si-Oh my god, is that?"
*nods*
"TED! YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO SEE THIS!"
Mike pulled El by his side, placing his hands on her shoulders and saying:
"Mom, this is El. El, this is my mom."
"H-H-Hi El...I've heard so much about you. It's so nice to finally meet you! *extends hand*"
"*shakes hand* Thank you...?"
"Mrs. Wheeler. You can call me Mrs. Wheeler."
"Thank you, Mrs. Wheeler."
"Ted, this is El."
"Who?" he asked.
"El!"
"Wait, El, as in Eleven El?" he asked.
"Yes, El as in Eleven El! Who else could it be?" she said.
"I don't know! Lots of people!"
"Guys..." Mike said.
"Sorry, so nice to finally meet you..." said Mr. Wheeler.
"Mr. Wheeler," Mike whispered.
"Thank you, Mr. Wheeler. It's nice to meet you too," said El.
"You're not coming here to live with us again, are you?" asked Mr. Wheeler.
"TED!" Mrs. Wheeler yelled.
"No," El said, laughing.
"It's a long story, but El's been living with Hopper this past year since the men from Hawkins Lab are still looking for her."
"Is that why the chief took you home instead of Jonathan, Michael?"
"Yes," he said.
"Ah, gotcha. Well, that's great news! I'm glad that you're safe, sweetie."
"Me too," said El.
"You're welcome over any time!"
"Thank you. *smiles*"
"Well, we'll let you two say goodbye..."
"Thanks, Dad."
*door shuts*
"And then there were two..." said Mike.
"Mike, I'm scared."
"Why?"
"Don't they know about me? My powers?"
"No, I didn't tell them. They only know that you were held in a lab against your own will, and I plan to keep it that way. They're just still a little spooked because of the hiding you in my basement from the bad men part, but they'll warm up to you, as you will to them. *smiles* Besides, you've got Joyce, Nancy, Hopper, the boys, and me all to vouch for you."
"*smiles* I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too...a lot," he said, hugging her.
"*pulls away* Hey, do you have a phone number?" he continued.
"Yes, but I don't know what it is. Hopper won't tell me. He says it's for my own safety..."
"Oh okay. Well...Here, I have a pen. I'm gonna write mine on your hand if it's okay."
*nods*
"Okay...done. Just make sure to write it down somewhere else before you wash your hands again."
"Don't worry, I will."
"Call me soon, okay?"
"Promise."
In that moment, she looked at Mike and leaned in once again, trying to initiate the kiss herself this time, but was rudely interrupted by Hopper's car horn.
"*lays hand on shoulder* Don't worry. We'll have plenty more chances to do that again," said Mike.
"Promise?"
"Promise. Goodnight El. *kisses cheek*"
"Goodnight Mike. *kisses cheek*"