Stranger Things: Rebuilding

Chapter 6 of my Stranger Things story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Stranger Things or its characters.

Cunning Intelligence

There were moments in life where your words failed to convey your thoughts, where your thoughts failed to convey your feelings, even your feelings failed to convey your feelings. For Jessica Myers, this was one such moment as she gaped at Eric and Jane seated on that park bench together. They weren't kissing, they weren't touching, they weren't even talking. But it was clear to Jessica that Eric and Jane could have been doing the nasty right there on the bench and it wouldn't have conveyed the intimacy of this neurotic, nervous, tentative union she now witnessed between them.

It was almost too much for her to believe and for a moment she wondered if she was imagining it, if it was just a figment of her crazy, jealous, imagination. But no, they were indeed sitting there and Jessica's mind raced, considered, came up with excuses for their behaviour and discarded them in the same thought. She felt paralysed on the spot, trying to determine a course of action, various parts of her wrestled with each other to provide an answer. Anger told her to get between them and make trouble, pride told her to run away and salvage what dignity she could, hurt told her to cry, cunning told her to carry on with her plan, the reason she came here in the first place and let Eric's own emotions and feelings judge him.

She waited however, not acting on any of these impulses.

She was waiting to hear what intelligence would tell her to do. It never spoke first, but it's advice was always worth waiting for and so she stood, her mind raced and sorted, considered and rejected and finally intelligence piped up with an answer and she acted.

"Eric." She stated, her voice firm and steady.

As she said it she stepped up to the bench, in clear view of both of them. She remained calm, even gave a small smile as if she was considering them both being here just a coincidence and was giving them the benefit of the doubt, while making no secret of her concern at seeing them together. Eric almost leapt to his feet as if electrified, guilt, fear and regret waging war over his features.

"Hey, Jane." Jessica greeted her as cordially as she could.

Jane looked less sure of herself than Jessica had ever seen her, she uncrossed her legs, straightened her posture and cleared her throat, but said nothing. Jessica noted the faint blush on her cheeks. Looking back at Eric she retained that smile as he began practically babbling.

"I, we...you-I just, Jane here…" He stammered.

She was always amazed at how even someone as intelligent as Eric could be reduced to this when flustered.

"We were just...talking about chess." Eric said at last, seemingly regaining his footing. "Jane's a big chess player too."

Jessica raised her eyebrow at that, a little detail about her rival. "Oh, I see."

Eric looked down, looking for a watch that wasn't there, although Jessica did notice the new one Jane was wearing.

Finally however Eric spoke again.

"I...I should get going…" He held up his textbook. "Got a Physics test to study for."

Jessica seized her chance. "Wait, I...I wanna give you something."

She played it just right, the hesitancy as she searched her bag. Holding out the red envelope with the letter inside for him. Eric had to stand, take two steps from the bench towards her, his back now to Jane. She had to admit, it was partly strategy in her standing where she did. She was in perfect position to see Jane's expression behind Eric's back. To her surprise it didn't even flicker from the current uncertainty she had. Jess was almost disappointed that the girl didn't so much as shoot her a glare. Eric looked down at the letter, at his name written in Jess' elegant writing, the heart drawn next to his name. He took it and looked back at her, his eyes full of guilt.

"Why don't you walk with me and I'll open it when I get to my dorm?" He suggested, nestling the letter neatly between two pages of his textbook.

Jess brightened at once. "Sure thing."

Taking his hand she walked alongside him as they made their way out of the park. She didn't bother to glance back, noticing Eric didn't look back either. As they walked she planted a soft kiss on his upper arm, exactly where her mouth fell on his tall frame. She couldn't deny it was funny, but cunning and intelligence so often ended up in the same place.

XXXXX

El exhaled slowly, carefully, through her nose as she walked, hands thrust deep in her pockets. She was trying so hard to control herself. She felt so dejected, yet at the same time, she was angry, at Jessica, at herself.

'Urgh, how does she even...It was like she was in complete control back there, yet she hardly said anything.' El wondered. 'I felt so...small, as if I couldn't do anything…'

She knew that wasn't strictly true, but also knew that thinking like that was dangerous. She was angry at Jessica, but she had learned to never react in anger if she could help it. Annoying as Jessica could be, she wasn't dangerous. Despite the fact that she had just stolen Eric away from a moment that El felt made sense, that gave her hope that she might finally understand things, El couldn't do anything about it.

She took another slow breath. 'Getting angry only causes problems...and she's just a normal person. I can't justify using my powers on her.'

She grimaced at even the thought of that and began the journey home, she paused by a shop window and glanced at the display, catching her own reflection in the glass. She frowned at how messy her hair looked, she should have really brushed it this morning. Then she saw him in the glass, trying to be unobtrusive.

She almost cursed, of course he'd have been lying in wait, it was practically almost sundown.

'Troy, gotta…'

She could see the way he had one hand tucked in his leather jacket, undoubtedly holding his gun. She began to walk away, subtly glancing over her shoulder, making it seem like she was looking elsewhere. He was following her, no doubt trying to take advantage of a moment when she was alone to finish her. She needed to act quickly, she knew there was a large part of her journey home where she would indeed be alone, nobody around. She had to lose him before she got there.

Her mind raced as she continued on. 'Wait...that's it, I know a place.'

She picked up the pace a little, enough that Troy would realize that she was on to him, but not enough to give him a chance to act without drawing attention. There were still enough people around that he couldn't take risks. She immediately began making her way towards the eastern side of town and as soon as she could she picked up the pace again, almost running. She could hear a few muffled shouts behind her and knew Troy had shoved some people aside, no doubt trying to get to her quickly, knowing that he'd have a chance now. This part of town was even quieter, there would be nobody about. But El was counting on something else. She ran until she rounded a couple of corners, out of sight and ducked behind one of the buildings. Waiting and keeping an eye out.

Sure enough she saw Troy, he was rushing, muttering to himself, anxious and wild-eyed. He ran right past her hiding place and down the street, turning around corner. El waited for a moment to be sure he was far enough away before slipping back out and hurrying back the way she came. She had to get home now. But she stopped, turning around startled when she heard the noise, a yelp, a yelp she recognised as Troy.

'What the...no time, this is my chance.'

So, while confused as to what could have caused Troy to make such a noise, she ran, hurrying for home, looking to put this day behind her.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.