Prologue.

El stirs lightly in her bed as the sun rays beam through the window. She lifts her hand up to protect her eyes from the yellow rays but miserably fails so she turns her back to the other side facing the door.

The fact is, she never likes waking up early on Sundays as it is the only day when she's able to give some rest and time to herself. She is currently finding a job for herself to continue with her study. And there is no day when she doesn't apply for the job and gets canceled.

Because people are just like that, you know? When they know your past, they don't waste their time feeling pity and miserable for the person. And this side of society always angers her. She doesn't want herself to be recognized by her past. She wants to be recognized as the person she is. From her brain; from her heart.

The knock on the door makes her wake up from the deep slumber, she was in and jolts up from the bed.

Her throat starts to feel dry as she looks around in terror. The sound of the knock becomes louder than before making her heart anxious. Who the hell would be here so early? After gaining her voice again in her throat, she asks, "w-who's there?"

"Bitch, open the door. It's Max."

El relieves a relieved sigh from her lips as she dramatically puts a hand on her chest. She walks up to the door and finally sees her best friend, all dressed up."Why weren't you opening the door-" The redhead asks but stops in the middle as she sees the brunette covered in sweat. "I already told you, Max. Call me first before coming to my dorm."

Max sighs and takes El's hand, guiding her inside the room and slowly making her sit on the bed. "El, you have to overcome your fears. For how much time will you be afraid of...this?"

"Max, I try to but can't. It's impossible." El answers, making the redhead frown."Anyway, we are going to shop today as Lucas' birthday is coming very very verrry soon!" Max chirps, dramatically waving her hands in the air.

"B-but I just wanted to stay here today and maybe search for the job..." El hesitates.

"Oh, you're so boring! Come one, take out some time for yourself too." Max groans, making El sigh.

"I don't know, Max. I need a job as quickly as possible. For how much time I'll be fully depending upon your money?" Max chuckles at her best friend. "Girl, you don't have to worry about it. I don't mind you... 'depending upon my money as you call it."

El shakes her head before answering, "Max, even I feel bad about this whole situation. How can you not? And also, I don't want someone's pity." She doesn't want to sound rude but still, the words that are coming from her throat are harsh.

The redhead smiles at the brunette sitting in front of her and responds softly, "El, the thing that you call pity is 'helping'. And also, if you think I feel bad that you're depending upon my money, you're wrong. I actually feel glad that I can help my best friend in her rough times. Isn't it what friends do?" She stopped for a second before continuing, "Helping each other in their rough times?"

El looks at her best friend's eyes before quickly pulling her into a tight and warm hug. "Thank you. Thank you so much." Max sketches a tiny smile and accepts the hug. "Don't even mention it."

The two best friends stayed in that position for two minutes before Max pulled and stood up. "Now, c'mon! We don't have all day." El smiles and nods before quickly entering the bathroom to shower and get ready.


"Mike...do you really think this is a good idea?" The blonde asks, trying to pack the big, red suitcase with her tiny hands. Mike stops for a moment and looks at her. "What do you mean, Ash?"

"I mean, your best friend is friends with your ex-" Ashlyn continues before Mike's harsh voice cuts her off. "I seriously don't need time for your stupid insecurities."

She furrows her eyebrows at him. Damn, he knows her very well. The harsh voice echoes again in the room, "And you already know that I can't stand her presence."

"So shut your mouth and focus on the work you're doing."

Ashlyn looks at him and nods. She knew he was right as he told her about everything that happened between El and him. And she was sure that there would be no chance that he would stand her presence with that stupid bitch again after what she did to him.

So she smiles and walks up to him, chaining her arms around his neck, and turning him around. She pecks a quick kiss on his lips, making him smile a bit. She nods, "Yeah. And that bitch doesn't even deserve to be in your presence."

Mike's smile fades away as he hears those awful words leave past his girlfriend's lips. But before he could push her away and make her apologize for what she just said, he stops himself pointing out that there would be no reason to do so.

After what El, no, Eleanor did to his heart, she deserved to be called by those names.

So he places a kiss on those pretty lips of his girlfriend, "True." Ash smiles at him but soon her face turns into a sad expression. "I'm sorry." Mike's face turns into a confused frown. "Sorry? What are you sorry for?"

"I-I didn't want to upset you earlier," Ashlyn responds with a change in the tone of her voice. "But you know, sometimes insecurities speak for you; not even realizing what would be the response coming out of the person in front of you." He smiles at his girlfriend and hugs her tenderly, making her heart explode with firecrackers. "Don't even be sorry. I feel you."

"And also forgive me for my bad behavior." The blonde smiles, "I forgive you." They both pull from the hug. "Let's go pack the suitcases, yeah? We don't have too much time."

The blonde quickly nods before walking to her suitcase, feeling incredibly light and knowing that, that Eleanor girl would never be able to make her way to Mike's heart again.

But little did she knows that their trip to Hawkins was about to prove her wrong.


First chapter is here, folks! Hope you liked it.

-LILIA 3