Hawkins Middle School Cafeteria

Saturday November 12, 1983 - 9:50 PM

Mike Wheeler sat back in stunned silence, scarcely believing what he had just done. One minute, he had been rambling on about the Snow Ball and why it wasn't something you went to with your sister. He had desperately tried to figure out how to explain to El that it was something you went to with someone you liked, maybe even more than friends. The next moment, he had suddenly found his lips pressed softly to hers. It was over in an instant but it he knew it was something he would remember the rest of his life.

It was completely out of character for him to make such a bold move, but then again, pretty much everything he had done since he met her was like that. Now, studying her face for some kind of reaction, he started to second-guess himself. Did she even know what a kiss was? Did she understand what it meant? It's not like that was something they would have taught her about in the lab, but he thought maybe it's something deeper, that you just understand.

All the fear and doubt in his mind washed away as a shy smile crept across her face. He hadn't scared her away, and just maybe, that meant she felt the same way about him. He knew he needed to say something, but what? His mind was drawing a total blank.

The moment was broken by headlights sweeping across the cafeteria windows.

"Nancy," he said to her, standing up from his chair. "Hold on, I'll be right back,"

He started to walk toward the door, heading out to the parking lot to meet them and make sure his sister was alright, but a thought crept into his head. What if it was someone else?


If you think Mike should run out front to meet Nancy in the parking lot, go to Chapter 3

If you think Mike should take a quick look out the cafeteria windows first, go to Chapter 10