A/N: Sorry for the delay. Just moved unexpectedly, and got a new job on top of my studies. Only a few chapters left, but then comes the dark fic. And maybe even a sequel :)

Remember, reviews are love!

-solange

The small flutter that the reemergence of 'Dabigail' as Megan jokingly called it was nothing compared to the horror that shook the teens a few weeks later- finals week. Dustin's jokes fell increasingly flat, Abigail forgot to put eyeliner on and drooled on her textbooks, Lucas spent half of his time praying, Mike's voice reached ridiculously high decibels, and Elle ingested copious amounts of coffee, refusing to speak or sleep except after a crying jag.

Amy was the only calm one of the group, and that was due wholly to the fact that she didn't have finals to take. Her teachers had let her take hers in a leisurely fashion the previous month, due to her 'family situation.' Or, as Amy put it, "they don't want to fuck with the teen mom. Not if its me, at least."

Elle's eyelid pulsed as she underlined the fifth line of useless information about an old dead science dude. Glitter gel pens. She had glitter gel pens. And an extra large black coffee with whipped cream. She rubbed the back of her neck, trying to lessen the crick there.

A soft knock came on the door. Elle scowled and bent back over her book.

"What." She grouched.

Mike pushed the door open. Elle glanced up at him for no more than a second before returning to scribbling furiously in her notebook.

"Uh, hi. Is this a bad time?" He asked softly, clearly nervous about something. Elle mumbled something cranky and he raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"This whole fucking month is a bad time." She restated, still not meeting his eyes.

"Oh. Yeah. Well, is it okay if I-" Mike started to place a folded piece of paper on her dresser, but her outstretched hand stopped him.

"Sit down." She ordered. He complied.

Elle tucked the paper under her sweatpant encased butt and highlighted a final few passages before flopping back on her bed. Mike shifted in his seat as she flipped the paper open and read through it. Her body stiffened slightly and she sat up.

"Mike…" Her eyes filled with tears and she rubbed at her nose before diving at him with a hug.

"Woah, woah, it's fine." He reassured her.

"But you didn't get accepted! To your dream school!" Elle shook his shoulders in frustration and Mike's face paled at her outburst.

"Oh shit. That wasn't the letter I meant to give you. Hold up." He retrieved a second paper from his hoodie pocket.

"It was this one. I got accepted to Indiana State." He waved the letter at her and she gripped it tightly. Her body relaxed slightly, but a look of consternation lingered on her face.

"Mike…"

"Elle, this is great! They're offering me a full tuition scholarship. That would be really helpful. And I could still visit you. You're far more important than a brand name." He reassured her.

"Mike." Elle whispered, flinging her arms around his neck. He held her back, wishing this love was something he'd always deserve.

"I love you."

As unlikely as it had seemed, finals did pass, as did all the teens. Will was accepted to FIT, something that would have gotten him a lot more teasing if not for his ferocious adopted sister. Dustin was headed to vocation school to become a mechanic, Lucas was diving into seminary, Abi was the receptionist for the town salon, Amy was taking care of Melody and working as a waitress, Megan was headed to NYU to study acting, Elle was invaluable at the library, and Mike was preparing to major in Biology at Indiana State University.

Their last summer descended in a monumental heat wave, leaving couples moaning and panting inside and outside. Elle spent most of her time in the AC heaven that was work, otherwise slumping over Mike's bed as he studied and speaking about whatever came to her mind. Mike liked to hear her thoughts.

One day, though, she was at home, playing with Ann when Hopper waltzed inside, something held behind his back.

"Hey girls." He tried to restrain a grin. Despite his cop skills, Hopper was a shit actor.

"What you have, daddy? What?" Anna squealed, dropping her doll.

"Huh, what, I don't know what you're-"

"Fun Spot tickets? What's that?" Elle brandished the envelope she'd snuck from him.

"Elle!" He frowned. "That was a surprise."

"Well, it was supposed to be." Joyce rolled her eyes as she strolled in and picked up Anna from the floor.

"What is it?"

"It's a theme park. We wanted to take you as a little graduation present."

"Theme park?" Elle didn't understand this word.

Hopper smirked. "Call your boyfriend. This will be fun."