"Well I guess since last night didn't really count, we should reintroduce ourselves. I'll go first." he said clearing his throat "Hey I'm Michael Wheeler but call me Mike" He stuck out his hand
El laughed softly "Eleanor Ives" she said giving his a hand a shake "But I go by El"
"So tell me El, are you a frequent party goer?" Mike asked, biting into his cheeseburger.
They had finished all of El's punishment chores in a couple of hours. Mike didn't know much about the town so El suggested a local burger place which also happened to be her favorite.
El snorted "Not at all, that was my first party and probably my last. I'm more of a stay at home, watch movies, and read comics kinda girl."
Mike eyes widened in amusement "For real? Same here! Well guy.. not girl." he cringed slightly at his awkwardness "but that's cool! so what's your favorite comic?"
It was hard to think that this boy was the one who introduced her to comics in the first place. She felt a twinge of heartache as she remembered twelve year old Mike telling her all about X-men and their powers and explaining to her how she could use her powers for good just like them.
She cracked a small smile as she repressed those feelings forcefully. "I'm a big fan of the X-men comics. Hopper always jokes around and tells me that I should pack up and move to the comic book store because I spend so much time there."
"It's crazy how we live in such a small world! You know Hopper actually used to be the Police Chief of Hawkins when I was a kid."
El sipped on her strawberry milkshake and hastily nodded acting as if this information was new to her.
"So we talked a little last night when I dropped you off and I think it's so awesome how he adopted you." Mike then uneasily shifted in his chair trying to figure out how he should approach the subject. "If you don't mind me asking.. what happened to your birth parents?"
She hesitated for a moment and took in a deep breath. "My mother passed away before I met her and my father.. Well, he was an awful man. He would-" she paused as her voice cracked and she struggled to finish her sentence.
"It's okay, you don't have to." Mike reassured her, placing a comforting hand on hers.
She lifted her eyes to meet his and she suddenly felt an indescribable warmth.
He looked at her with such care and compassion just like he had six years ago. The wall that she had built up and perfectly constructed was suddenly being torn down just like that, and there wasn't anything she could do about it.
During the remainder of their lunch they discussed their favorite movies, favorite things to do and places to go, their school life, and what colleges they wanted to attend afterwards. Mike was set on Indiana State University for computer science while El who was still undecided, knew she wanted to major in education so she could become a teacher.
Mike liked how she would laugh at his jokes even though they probably weren't really that funny. He also liked how she understood his nerd references about star wars that most people wouldn't get. He felt comfortable around her, a feeling he normally never felt around girls. He didn't have to worry about being cool or impressive or anyone other than himself.
But before they knew it, it was already seven and it was time to get El home.
They walked slowly to her front door trying to squeeze in some more conversation before she went inside.
"Thanks for the lunch, I had a lot of fun today." El mentioned, standing in her doorway not quite wanting to leave.
Mike stuffed his hands in his pockets and nervously swayed. "Me too, maybe if you want... We can do it again sometime?"
El looked up at him and smiled. "I'd like that, here let me give you my number." she then fumbled around in her purse for a pen.
Suddenly, Mike saw the girl with the shaved head sitting in what appeared to be a homemade fort. "Hey I never asked your name" he then glanced down at her and read 011 that was inked onto her outstretched arm.
"EL! Get inside!"
Mike was immediately disrupted from his thoughts. He stood their with wide eyes trying to process why he was once again seeing things.
"Here." El said shoving a piece of paper in his hands. "I have to go. Call me tonight?"
Mike finally broke from his trance. "Oh yeah okay" he muttered running his hand through his hair "I'll um.. talk to you tonight."
El waved to him before running back into her house.
He stood there wondering what was happening to him. The young girl he had saw in the vision well she kinda looked like El. It didn't make any sense though, none of these random visions did.
"'What's wrong with you man? you're losin it, get a grip." Mike mumbled to himself smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Hey Hop!" El happily chimed, she walked in the door still thinking about her day with Mike.
Hopper glared at her with hard eyes while he stood there with his arms crossed.
"I know I had chores and everything, but I finished them all." She said patting him on the shoulder. "So no worries"
"You can't see Wheeler anymore." Hopper instantly spat out, catching her off guard.
El's eyebrows furrowed while her demeanor changed into a serious one. "What do you mean?"
A frown tugged the corners of his mouth. "He doesn't remember you kid and it's gonna be torture for you, I know it."
After El had killed the demogorgon and left, the CIA came to Hawkins a day later. They forced everyone involved to have their memories wiped because of all of the information that was leaked regarding the government's affairs with Hawkins lab. Hopper and El were the only ones who made it out with their memories still intact because she had used her powers to stop the CIA from finding them.
"It doesn't matter."
"But it does, You and I both know that it does." Hopper reasonably replied. "Hell, it's the whole reason why we moved."
"Well if that's the case than we should've moved to Illinois." she retorted her voice stiff "I know he doesn't remember, but I do. The little boy I once knew is still there inside of him and when we talk there are moments when it's almost as if nothing has changed."
Hopper stroked his beard "Things have changed though El. You just have to learn to accept that and move on." he sighed "I can't let you see him, I know you don't understand now but maybe one day you will."
El shook her head. "No, you can't do that." she protested.
Hopper's face held a solemn expression. He honestly felt bad for doing this but he knew he was protecting her this way. "Sorry, but I have to. You're not allowed to see him and that's final."
"No! That's not fair!" El yelled, choking back tears. She ran off to her bedroom and slammed the door shut.
She sat on the edge of her bed with her face in her hands for what seemed like an hour.
She had never screamed at Hop before and she felt guilty for it, but still he was being completely irrational. She couldn't help think that despite how tough it was for her with Mike, he still made her happy. And well, if she had to then she'd deal with this by herself and it would be worth it. He was worth it.
The phone rang and El lifted up her head.
She then picked it up "Hello?"
"Hey, it's Mike."
"Hey!" she responded cheerfully "So I was thinking about how awesome today was and I was just wondering... if we could hang out again this weekend?" she asked optimistically, while twirling the phone cord around her fingers.
"Sure that would be great! What about Saturday?" he replied, his voice beaming with excitement "You could come over to my place, we can order a pizza, and watch The Empire Strikes Back."
El brightly smiled "Perfect, It's a date."
The week flew by and it was now Friday. El knew she had to figure out a plan and fast.
"Is there any way you could give me a ride to Hawkins tomorrow?" She asked hopefully, while they made their way to class.
Max's expression peaked with interest. "Hawkins? What's in Hawkins?"
Her cheeks reddened "Well uh.."
"Hmm or should I say who? she asked, reading El's face like a book "Let me guess, it's that guy isn't it?"
El glanced down at the binder in her hands, slightly embarrassed. "yeah, Mike. uh we're supposed to hang out tomorrow so I was just wondering.."
"Why don't you just get a ride from Hop?"
"He doesn't exactly know.." she mentioned quietly as though she'd get in trouble
"I can't believe it! First you're getting drunk and now you're sneaking around? I like this new side of you. It's wild." Max remarked with a huge grin plastered on her face "Well if you're gonna do this then you're gonna do this right."
El stared blankly not quite knowing what she meant.
"So here's what you're gonna do." Max motioned for her friend to come closer. "You're gonna tell Hopper that you're staying the night at my house."
"You want me to lie?" she inquired
"SHH listen, So I'll drop you off and when you're done with your lil date or whatever just give me a call. I'll pick you up and then you can crash at my place, it's not exactly lying."
El's eyes lit up feeling better about the plan "Have I told you lately what an amazing friend you are?"
"Ya know, I honestly don't hear it enough." she teased "but I'm mainly doing this because I just find it so amusing that you're actually being a bad ass rebel and breaking rules." Max said shooting her a smirk.
El normally didn't defy orders, especially not Hopper's but things were different now.
Mike was back.
