Chapter 1

Eleven had her head resting against the moving trucks window.

Mrs. Byers had told her they were moving to Cooper, Ohio. El had been sad to leave Hawkins, but she knew that it was for the best. Mrs. Byers had been through so much the past years that it wasn't a surprise that she wanted to leave. Ever since July 4th, Eleven's world was like a living nightmare. Just when she thought she could finally live a somewhat normal life, everything was sent spinning. She didn't want to think about it anymore, she didn't want to think about him. She looked out her window, and saw the trees silhouetted against the moon's light. Mrs. Byers said they would be at their house at 1:00pm. El checked her watch for it to say it was 9:00pm. She sighed and thought it may be best to just sleep. Eleven closed her eyes, and it only felt like 3 minutes when Mrs. Byers shook her awake. "Come on, we're here," she whispered. Eleven stepped out of the truck, Will and Jonathan's car pulling up just behind them, to see a small house, as big as the old one, in front of her. It was surrounded by woods, and was a light yellow color, yet hard to make out in the dim light. "Welcome to your new house," Mrs. Byers said out loud to everyone, in a nervous yet excited voice.

It had been 3 days since they arrived, and the house still felt odd to

be in. It didn't feel like Hawkins, and Elevens room felt empty. Back in Hawkins, Mike would come see her everyday, and Max would sleepover with her. Now it felt cold and quiet, and starting school in 2 day's wasn't going to help. Mrs. Byers thought that it might be good if Eleven started school. She thought it would be a great opportunity for her. Eleven still felt unsure, however. Eleven was in her bed, getting ready to go to sleep. She missed Mike, but hadn't been able to talk to him because he was in school and didn't have any time. El shrugged, and turned off her light, not wanting to get upset about it. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Eleven and Will were on the bus, riding to school. El felt very

overwhelmed. The kids on the school bus were screaming and shouting and kicking. She thought she was going to be sick. What felt like an eternity finally came to a slamming halt when the bus turned right to Stone Creek High School. Everyone walked off the bus and went to go see their friends, leaving El and Will standing in the front.

"What do we do now?" El's voice shook on accident, and she realized how tense she was.

"I guess find our classes," Will responded back more calmly. El nodded, and she walked with him to her first class. When she sat down at her seat, the bell rang. A female with long brown hair stood up in front of the class when everyone arrived.

"Hello class, I hope everyone is having a good day. I would just like to welcome two new students, Will Byers and Jane Byers."

"I go by El," Eleven corrected her.

"Ah well, it's nice to meet you El. Im Ms. Ondo, and why don't you come up here and solve the first math equation for today. It's very simple. It's 7th grade material." Ms. Ondo pointed at the chalkboard and it had 4(6x7y+5x). El looked at it, and then looked at Ms. Ondo. El turned bright red. I don't know it, and this is apparently from 7th grade.

"Do you know it? You should know this, its basic material." El decided to make a run for the bathroom, not wanting more stress. She ran out of the room, and everything was overwhelming her. When she made it to the bathroom, she found a stall and cried. Why can't things be like they used to? Why didn't I tell Mrs. Byers I can barely do math. Why can't I talk to Mike? Why can't I hang out with Max? El already knew the answer. Just as she did, and voice came from outside the bathroom stall.

"Hello, El? Can I come in?" The voice wasn't Will, but a female, yet it was neither Ms. Ondo. Suddenly, the female crawled under the stall. She was El's age, had brown short hair, long eyelashes, and big brown eyes. She blinked at El and then spoke.

"Hi, I'm Ginny."