As Mike looked at El, he realised that she was serious about this.
'Well' said Mike. 'Are you sure you want to do this now?'
'Yeah, I am' said El nodding to intensify the effect.
Mike thought about this for a while before giving his answer. 'I really enjoyed it last time however I think that we should wait a little while before doing it again'
'Why, didn't you like it last time?' El asked.
'Yeah I did but it was like an experiment and I think we should definitely 'test' again but at a later time when we are private and not on New Years Eve'
'Ok' said El, clearly disappointed but she recognised what Mike was saying.
'Keep this to yourself, please' said Mike. 'The guys would torment me if they found out'
'Ok, I will' said El.
Then they heard a knocking on the door. At this point they had finished their talk so they let the person in to see what they had to say.
'Mike, El' said Nancy as she entered the room. 'What've you been doing the fireworks are about to start'
'Just having a chat' Mike said. 'It's personal' he added before Nancy could say anything
'Oh' said Nancy. 'Come downstairs now they're starting'
'Cool' El said and they left the room.
They all went downstairs to enjoy the fireworks. The fireworks lasted well into the early morning. When they had finished everyone went home and to bed.
It was a very late start for everyone, obviously. Everyone felt groggy and there were many a hangover for all the alcohol was drunk last night. The kids were very tired waking up but soon got into rhythm again.
'1986' Dustin thought as he went downstairs to get some breakfast. 'New year, new me, new pearls'.
They all were pretty board on New Year's Day so they decided to take a trip up to Mirkwood where Castle Byers stood in all its splendour. They all agreed to meet at midday via walkie-talkie. They all cycled there and bought some targets for Lucas to try some his new Wrist Rocket.
This lasted into the afternoon and at around 5pm they all got ready to cycle home to do their various things. Mike, Dustin and Lucas had homework to do, El wanted to practice basketball and Will was tired. A mysterious figure had appeared in front of them blocking their path. It was Cal.
'How are you Cal' asked Lucas.
'Fine thank you' he said. 'You should be getting home now'
'Were just on our way' Will and Mike said together and with that they left.
They all made it home safe and carried out their tasks. The rest of their Christmas holiday was uneventful and they mainly caught up on sleep and getting ready for going back to school. On the first day most of them were late but they had excuses and Mr. Clarke let them off this once. The lessons resumed as normal much to the dismay of the kids but at least it was better than the Upside Down.
Meanwhile in our parallel dimension the huge octopus creature made of dust had been busy training his 7 foot 11 monsters the art of combat and who they had to take out and who to bring back to him. After school, Lucas said he felt a bit groggy and went to the toilet. They assumed he made it home okay and shrugged it off as a common stomach bug.
When his parents came to question him about where her son was though, alarm bells were raised. They all called into the police station and were told that about 5 mins a boy matching her son's description had been taken to the hospital. It was revealed that he had fainted in the toilet and the janitor had found him.
They all showed up to the hospital with them all worried and were told that only his parents and sister could visit. The others went home anxious to hear what was wrong with him. Once they had said hi and greeted him, the doctor's sat his parents down and they said that they had found a malignant neoplasm (tumour) growing in his head. He was in the very early stages and so it could be treatable with chemotherapy.
The next couple of minutes were filled with questions, prayers and a whole load of tears being shed. His family stayed with him for the night. The next morning the news reached the others. They explained what had happened. Once again this was met with tears and many prayers.
The kids radioed and agreed to meet at the hospital later that day, alone. They walked into his room and gathered some chairs and just sat there with him, crying.
'Lucas, you alright' asked Max.
'Yeah girl. I'm good'' he replied.
Not much more was said as the tears muffled their words and their emotions got the better of them.
The doctor remarked to the nurse 'If that's not true friendship then what is' and went to treat another patient.
