Stranger Things: Return to Normal?
update: Chapters 1-5 are a series of stories taking place from between episode 9 and just before the summer. Chapters 6-17 are a major story arc with the Mind Flayer and accomplice targeting Mike. Chapter 18 and beyond will be High School with another potential major story arc.
Chapter 1: After the Kiss
Mike and El continued to dance together resting their foreheads together smiling. For the month between closing the Gate and the snowball they had seen each other several times but hadn't been left alone. The new rules were still very restrictive but Hopper knew if they were too overbearing that El may just break the rules. El could still never leave on her own but Hopper scheduled visits. Hopper didn't say why because he didn't want to have the conversation but he made sure Mike and El were never alone; Mike had some solo visits but only when Hopper was at the cabin. Any scheduled visits when Hopper wasn't at the cabin had been with at least two other people.
Soon the music turned to a faster paced song and Mike asked El, "Do you want to sit and drink some punch?"
"Sure" EL replied. Mike went and got some punch and sat down with her.
Mike grabbed her hand and said, "El, I'm so happy you're here I've been wanting this day to happen for so long!"
El blushed a bit and said "Me too"
They stared at each other for a moment and then El asked "So does this mean I can say your my boyfriend?"
Mikes face got real red and said, "Of-Of course El! I was so nervous because of everything you didn't understand when I kissed you what it meant, I mean I had to explain what a friend was before but I'm really happy El".
EL smiled and told him "I watched TV ALOT so I've gotten better at understanding, when I see someone kiss I think of you." This put a big smile on his face and he leaned in for another quick kiss.
Right after they separated they see Dustin standing there just staring at them. Dustin blurts out, "WOW."
El smiles and says, "Mike's my boyfriend!" Dustin laughs "Yeah I can see that"
Dustin then looks at Mike and gets a very proud look on his face and tells them, "So Mike Nancy just danced with me and she says I'm her favorite"
Mike smiles and says "Sure Dustin"
Dustin gets a little mad and tells Mike "I'm serious she really likes me!"
"Ok Dustin" Mike replies with a hint of sarcasm.
Will walks over and says to Dustin, "WOW I saw you dancing with Nancy!"
Dustin turns to Mike "See!"
Mike says "Ok so she danced with you doesn't mean she said you were her favorite."
Dustin got a little upset and told Mike "You know you're full of shit tonight, Mike, first you make fun of my hair then you call me a liar!"
Will spoke up not wanting his friends to fight, "Well I had a good dance I'm glad I came, how about you El are you having fun?"
El smiled "Yes I kissed Mike twice!" Mikes face got real red and then Will said while laughing a bit "Wow El that's really great, guess I don't need to ask Mike if he's enjoying himself"
Lucas and Max came over holding hands and Lucas speaks up "Hey guys everyone doing ok?"
El speaks up first, "Mike kissed me twice, Dustin danced with Nancy, and Will had fun dancing too"
Lucas smiled "Wow guys glad everyone's having fun"
Mike turned to El and said "I'm glad you're so happy about us kissing just please don't say anything to Hopper"
El looked at Mike "Don't worry Mike I understand why"
Max gave Lucas a bit of a stern look like she was trying to say you better not say we kissed! But Will spoke up "I saw what you guys did Lucas"
Lucas said, "What are you talking about!?"
Will replied "I saw your kiss you guys don't try to hide it!"
Max's face got really red and she stated "Yeah we did now shut up about it!"
Lucas smiled and said "Well I liked it anyway" Max blushed "Shut up stalker!"
The night continued on with them dancing, talking, and messing around with each other. The last dance of the evening was another slow song and when it was over Mike looked at El and told her "This was the best night I think I've ever had"
"I wish it didn't have to end" El replied.
"Well Hoppers probably outside waiting so…" Mike gave El a kiss that lasted a little longer than the last two. "… Definitely wanted to get a third one in"
El smiled at Mike and leaned in and kissed him back "Four now!"
Mike was about to go for a fifth but Mr. Clarke came over "Wow Mike who is the lucky girl?"
Mike smiled and said "This is Jane Hopper, we call her El because her middle name is Ellen, shes the Chiefs kid" This is the back story Hopper told the kids to try and get out. Mr. Clarke looked closely at her, "Hmm I feel like I've seen her before"
Mike quickly replied, "Nope she hasn't been around here before"
"Well then you guys got close awful fast" Mr. Clarke said with a smirk
"Well she's been in town for a while but she's being homeschooled for the rest of the school year" Mike said trying to cover himself.
Mr. Clarke laughed and said, "Well you guys better get going or you'll have to help take down the decorations"
All the kids met up outside of the school and exchanged their goodbyes. Mike walked El over to Hoppers truck and gave El a goodbye hug. "I'm so happy we were able to do this, I'm so lucky to have you El"
"I'm lucky to have you too Mike" El replied with a big smile.
They really wanted to kiss again but with Hopper watching they both just gave each other another quick hug and then Mike looked up and said "Thanks for doing this Chief we had a lot of fun! I'll be over for dinner tomorrow night"
"Sure kid I'll pick up at 5:15" Hopper replied.
Mike looked back at El "See you tomorrow" "See ya Mike"