A very brief interlude of Hopper in dad mode.
Note - I don't own Stranger Things.
January 7, 1985
We Had A Deal
I'll never find another girl like you
For happy endings it takes two
We're fire and ice, the dream won't come true
Sara, Sara, storms are brewing in your eyes
Sara, Sara, no time is a good time for goodbyes
- Sara, Starship
Hopper turned the corner and strode straight into Coleman's office, ignoring the shrill protests of the two hawkish administration ladies as he passed by their desk. He hoped his already rotten mood wouldn't darken even further.
"Ah. Chief Hopper. Back so soon?" The principal fixed him with a stare from behind a desk littered with knick-knacks, and gestured him towards an empty chair. The two had already crossed paths earlier, when he'd introduced Hopper and Eleven to her new tutor before class.
Hopper eased himself into the chair, realizing that this was the very same one he'd sat in, the day a certain kid named Michael Wheeler had been catapulted into his life. He figured it was fate that had brought him all the way back again. "Yeah," he replied shortly.
Coleman leaned forward in his seat and steepled his hands. "Did Jane get to her first class okay?"
"I made sure she got there safely." He'd waited patiently off to the side, murmuring words of encouragement to El when she'd grasped the door handle with a trembling hand, peering apprehensively through the small window into the classroom, observing the tumult within. He'd watched and listened through the doorway from his vantage point as Mr. Clarke made his introductory spiel, and he'd only turned to leave once El had settled herself safely into the seat next to Wheeler. But all he could think about as he'd walked away down the echoing corridor was the disconcerting way in which the class had reacted to her arrival.
Now Hopper's eyes scanned the room methodically, finally coming to rest on the principal himself. "You know, I saw how those kids responded to my daughter when she walked into their class just now," he continued, his voice cooling a few degrees. "It wasn't pretty. Seems there's already been a whole load of talk happening about the place. We had a deal, Russell."
The principal looked slightly taken aback. "Jim, I can assure you neither myself nor any of my senior staff have breached any of our agreements," he said evenly. "Other than maybe five people, there's no one on this campus who knows anything about Jane beyond the fact that she's your daughter. Possibly not even that much."
"Yeah? Well you better find and reel in whoever's going round spreading shit, because it sure ain't fair on a thirteen year old girl who's been through a lot of trauma in her short life so far," he snapped.
Coleman held his palms up in appeal. "Please. I'm really sorry to hear that, but I think you might be jumping at shadows. It'll most likely be one or two bad eggs influencing the behavior of the rest. We can't be responsible for parents talking around their kids, or kids talking outside of school. It's a small town, and no doubt me and my staff are not the only people you've spoken to about Jane."
Hopper looked away. For a moment he wished he'd picked a different cover story for him and El. He'd been so sure he could weather any gossip that came his way, but hadn't quite accounted for the effect it would have on her, or Wheeler, or any of their friends. He rubbed his temples in irritation, realizing that Coleman's words were almost a mirror of what he'd said to Mike at breakfast that morning.
"If you're beginning to doubt my sincerity, Jim, you know we could have blown this whole thing wide open a year ago," Coleman continued pointedly. He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Hopper. "We could have easily let the whole Will Byers saga spiral out of control after those lab spooks showed up and wrecked half my god damn school. But the mere fact you and I are sitting here having this chat right now is an indicator I'm still holding up my end of the bargain."
"You've got my thanks for that. But I can't just let you sit by and do nothing about this." Hopper sighed and scratched his beard. "My daughter... Jane... she's not like other thirteen year olds, Russell. You don't wanna find out what could happen if she gets pushed over the edge. You, and me, and her, we all don't wanna be back here in this office again a day or two from now trying to deal with the fallout if that situation arises." He jabbed a finger downwards for emphasis.
Coleman considered things for a moment. "I could speak to Jane and her friends about how to handle the taunting and the rumors, or perhaps arrange for Scott Clarke to do it. He seems to have struck up a good rapport with the group."
"Go on..."
"But the moment we make a big deal out of it to the entire faculty, Jane will suffer even worse taunting," the principal warned. "Rumors have a short lifespan. Better to let them die out of their own accord than pour fuel on that fire by acknowledging them." He allowed himself a small smile. "Jim, many a worried parent has crossed my door asking the same thing. It's nice seeing you finally rejoin their ranks. You may feel like we're letting the culprits get away scot free, but this is the best way to deal with it. Trust me on this one, okay?"
Hopper nodded slowly, surprised by Coleman's easy grace. He carefully mulled over the principal's suggestion, memories of his beloved Sara hovering at the edge of his mind. I thought I could save her. I didn't want to lose her. Slowly the old memories gave way to those of the girl he'd grown to love and care for over the past year. You've got your second chance. With El. She's going to have to grow up and grow old sometime. He figured maybe he'd stop by Melvald's on the way back to the station, maybe chat with Joyce, maybe see if she had any further insight for him.
"Y'know, Russell, you're right. I guess I'm being a little overprotective. Getting used to this whole dad thing again," Hop finally replied, with a sheepish grin of his own. "I'm glad I came to see you about it anyway."
Coleman chuckled. "Yes, me too." He bowed his head and continued, "I'm sorry we never got to meet your Sara. From what I hear, she would have made a great student. We'll do our best for Jane though."
Anyone find it fitting that (Jefferson) Starship released two top 20 songs called Jane and Sara?
