A/N: Thank you for all your feedback on the previous chapter. I hope you all like this one just as much. Please remember to leave me a review!
LovelyInLavender: I'm glad you liked it! And that is funny. Hopefully you have a good time at camp.
Shrike176: Thank you so much for saying that. I'm glad you enjoy the OC's. I try to have them involved just enough to keep it interesting, but not so much as to make them main characters. There is definitely more to come with the Nikki, Jason, Kayla drama, and of course with Dani and Eric as well. And of course, I'm glad you enjoyed the Mileven moments. I hope you like this chapter as well.
Jbg: I'm glad you made an account! Yes, Mike is young and has limited experience, which definitely showed in that scene. And thank you. I'm obviously not against writing smut, as I've done it before and I'll do it again, but I don't think it is necessary in this story. I hope you like this chapter!
NoDownSide: I agree. That's why I have made a point throughout this story to really show how highly El thinks of Mike too, that she cares about him for who he is, and that yes she is also attracted to him. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Disneyprincess315: Of course Mike respects El's decision! And you're right, it definitely shows their relationship has more maturity than many others their age. I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you like this one too.
Vmmi36: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you like this one.
Girls In Cars: Sorry the wait was so long, but I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope you like this chapter as well.
Tree Top Grove: Thank you so much.
Grievesforyou: I'm so glad you liked it!
Exploding Helmets: There is definitely drama to come.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stranger Things or any of its characters.
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The second group of campers arrived Sunday, and Monday morning Mike and El walked together to the classroom they would be sharing for the week. Mike hoped that this week would take its time and pass slowly, but he knew in reality it would fly by. Time had a way of both standing still and getting away from him when he was able to spend it with El, and since this week was the week they would get to be together the most, he wanted to savor every moment.
El welcomed the new campers and introduced herself and Mike. She told the campers how excited they were to be working with them for the week and gave a brief rundown of what they would be covering.
"It should be a lot of fun, and at the end of the week, you all will have some really cool projects to take home with you," El concluded. "Does anyone have any questions before we get started?"
A young girl's hand raised into the air, and El nodded in her direction.
"Your name is Miss El? Like the letter L?" the girl asked, and El heard Mike chuckle beside her.
"You say it just like the letter L, but it is actually just a nickname that I go by," El explained.
"What's your real name?" the girl asked.
"My real name is Jane," El replied, and Mike scrunched his forehead in surprise.
"How is El short for Jane?" the girl continued.
"It isn't. My middle name is Eleanor, which is where El comes from," El said.
"Oh, okay. Kind of like my Aunt Tina whose name is really Christina," the girl concluded.
"Just like that," El smiled. "Now, any other questions before we get started?"
The silence from the campers indicated that they were ready to move on to the first lesson. El passed out the materials while Mike prepared the presentation about the two simple machines that were the focus of the first day: the lever and the wheel and axle. El turned off the lights when Mike had the PowerPoint ready, and then he dove into the presentation that the camp had provided them with.
El watched in admiration as Mike explained the material and answered all the questions the campers asked. She knew Mike had probably known all about simple machines for years, but he had a way of making it seem fresh and exciting for the kids.
When the physics hour was over, Mike announced that next was biology and that today they would be dissecting the simplest animal, an earthworm. Most of the boys in the class and some of the girls in the class were excited, and the rest of the campers gave no reaction. Mike and El were both happy to see that none of them refused to participate yet. The two of them made sure that each pair of students had an earthworm, the academic material, and the proper safety equipment for the dissection. Then, Mike led the dissection by cutting into his own earthworm at the front of the class while El walked around from table to table observing and ensuring that the students were doing it correctly and answering any questions that they asked her.
"This is easy," said one girl as El walked by her table. "Are we going to dissect anything cooler?"
"You like biology?" El asked, and the girl nodded. "Then I really think you'll like what you get to dissect the rest of the week."
"Like what?" the girl asked.
"Well, tomorrow you'll dissect a starfish," El replied, and the girl perked up in excitement. "And they only get better from there."
The girl seemed satisfied with El's answer, so El continued on.
"Make sure whoever isn't doing the cutting is following along and answering the questions on your worksheet," Mike reminded them when he looked out and saw a couple untouched worksheets on some of the tables. "Now, once you're finished, place all your tools over in the sanitizing tub, put your goggles on the counter, and throw your gloves away and wash your hands."
El joined Mike back at the front of the classroom while the campers were finishing up with their lesson. Mike cleaned up his area and washed his hands, and then the two of them waited for the students to return to their seats.
"What do you all think so far?" El asked when all ten campers were seated again.
"Cutting the worm was better than the PowerPoint," one boy immediately responded, and several students nodded.
"Miss El told me that tomorrow we get to dissect a starfish," announced the girl that El had spoken to earlier during the dissection.
"That's right," Mike nodded. "And, I'm sorry, but there's another PowerPoint, too."
Mike and El both chuckled at the groans from the students. El glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed that it was noon and time to dismiss the campers.
"You all remember where the cafeteria and phys ed are?" she asked, and the campers nodded. "Okay, then go ahead, and we'll see you all back here in two hours."
The kids left the classroom, and El wrapped her arms around Mike's waist and stood on her tiptoes to peck him on the lips. He leaned down and deepened the kiss, taking El by surprise when he started peppering kisses along her jawline.
"Mike, we're supposed to meet Dustin and Suzie for lunch," El said, but she did not stop him.
"So what if we're a little late," Mike smirked.
He walked El backward a couple steps until her hips collided with one of the tables, and she hopped up so she was sitting on the edge of it. She wrapped her arms around Mike's neck, pulling him closer and meeting his soft lips with hers again.
"See? Isn't this a better way to spend our time than lunch?" Mike said jokingly when their kiss broke.
As if on cue, El's stomach growled loudly between them, and they both laughed as El's cheeks blushed red. She made no move to stand up, though, and kept her arms wrapped loosely around Mike's neck, playing with the ends of his hair.
"I'm so glad we get to work together all week," she said, and Mike nodded his agreement. "I liked watching you teach them. You're really good with them."
"Thanks. I'm looking forward to your turn after break," Mike said, referencing their agreement that he would lead the first two lessons and El would lead the last two lessons after lunch. "You're really good with them, too… Jane."
El's eyes widened, and she laughed at the teasing grin on Mike's lips.
"Don't call me that," she said, swatting his arm playfully.
"Jane Eleanor Ives, huh? I wasn't expecting that," Mike said.
"What, you thought my name was just El? Like the letter?" El asked, mimicking the young girl's question from earlier.
"I don't know. I mean, I thought maybe it was like that Reese Witherspoon character… like Elle Woods or something," Mike said, and El's eyes doubled in size. Mike blushed when he realized what he said. "Well shit."
"You've seen Legally Blonde?" El exclaimed.
"I have two sisters," Mike insisted.
"Does that mean you'd watch chick flicks with me?" El asked, trying to keep herself from laughing at how red Mike's cheeks had gotten.
"You know what, let's go to lunch," Mike said and started to pull back from El.
"Aww, I'm just teasing you," El said, pulling him closer to her again. "Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone you're a big Legally Blonde fan."
Mike rolled his eyes and chuckled before diving into the crook of El's neck, holding her tightly against him while he nipped at her skin. El squealed in surprise and giggled as the sensation shot chills through her whole body. She sighed contentedly when Mike moved from her neck and began kissing her lips again.
El slowly leaned back until she was laying on the table with Mike leaning over her. Her hands were in his hair, and after a moment, she felt him smile against her lips.
"What?" she asked just above a whisper.
"I just never really imagined I'd be making out with a hot girl on a lab table in a science classroom," Mike said.
El chuckled and rolled her eyes before pulling his lips back to hers.
In the cafeteria, Dustin and Suzie were sitting at a table eating their lunch. The other tables around them were filled with the half of the campers who were not in their phys ed hour. Dani and Eric were sitting together at another table.
"I'm kind of surprised they're still spending time together," Suzie said, looking in Dani and Eric's direction. Suzie had overheard the same conversation between Dani and Nikki that El had heard a few days earlier, and of course Suzie had told Dustin as well. "Maybe he does actually like her and wasn't just trying to get sex from her?"
"Or maybe he doesn't want to end things with her and then have to deal with the aftermath all week since they have to work together this week," Dustin pointed out. "So he's probably using this week to get all the sex from her that he wants before dropping her at the end of the week."
"That's awful," Suzie said disapprovingly.
"Yeah, well, he's awful. I don't care if Tom remembers him as a nice kid," Dustin said. "He and Jason are both pigs. Oh, which reminds me. You know how I'm working with Kayla this week?"
"Yes," Suzie nodded.
"Apparently Jason won't leave her alone. He's been trying to get with her for almost a whole week now, and he won't take the hint that she's not interested," Dustin said. "She was telling me about it on the walk to the cafeteria."
"Why don't you invite her to sit with us at dinner?" Suzie suggested. "Jason hasn't come back to our table since El embarrassed him. I'm sure Kayla would be safe with us."
"That's a great idea, Suzie-Poo," Dustin said and gave her a peck on the lips. "I'll ask her when we get back to the classroom."
Moments later, Dustin and Suzie looked up to see Mike and El finally entering the cafeteria. The two of them got food and joined their friends at their table.
"Nice of you to join us. What took you two so long?" Dustin asked, smirking because the swelling on both Mike and El's lips had not gone completely away.
"Cleaning up after the dissection and getting things ready for lesson three," El shrugged nonchalantly.
"Uh huh," Dustin grinned. "You look a little flushed there, El. Maybe you should drink some water."
El blushed and Suzie kicked Dustin's shin underneath the table, causing him to jump.
"Anyway, we were just talking about inviting Kayla to sit with us during dinner. Probably breakfast, too, come to think of it," Suzie filled in Mike and El. "Jason has been giving her problems-"
"And since now he's scared of El," Dustin interjected.
"He is not scared of me," El said. "But yes, that's a good idea."
"Great, then it's settled," Suzie smiled.
The four of them finished their lunch and hung out talking at their table for the rest of their break before walking back to their respective classrooms.
In their classroom, Mike handed out the material for lesson three while El prepared the PowerPoint presentation. She led the lesson on the first three biomes: aquatic, desert, and forest, spending about fifteen minutes discussing each one. Mike was so caught up in watching her interact with the kids and listening to her voice that El had to say his name twice to bring him back to reality to turn the lights back on at the end of the presentation.
At the start of the fourth and final lesson, El explained to the campers that they would be growing their own crystals, much to their excitement. The informative material was passed around, and Mike and El made sure each camper had the proper ingredients. Then, El led the demonstration, taking time to allow the campers to follow her lead, while Mike observed to ensure the campers were all keeping up.
Helping the campers create the mixture for their crystals took nearly twice as long as it took the counselors during training week, and Mike and El paid particularly close attention to each camper when it came time to boil the solution. Soon, the campers were pouring their mixtures into their jars and adding their desired amounts of food coloring and glitter. When they were finished, the campers placed their jars on a shelf along the side of the classroom.
"What did you all think of your first day?" El asked excitedly when everyone had cleaned up their stations.
"I can't wait to see how big my crystals get," one girl responded.
"Me too! That was my favorite part," another agreed.
"But I did not like dissecting. That worm was gross," said another.
"PowerPoints are boring," chimed in one boy.
"Well, when the PowerPoints are over, you'll get to build a little car and race them at the end of the week," Mike explained, and the kids murmured excitement.
"Any other questions before you leave for the day?" El asked, and one girl's hand raised into the air.
"Is he your boyfriend?" the girl asked, pointing at Mike.
El was taken aback and looked briefly at Mike whose eyes had widened and then back at the girl who had asked the question.
"Why do you ask?" El asked.
"He keeps looking at you funny, and if he's not your boyfriend, then that's weird," the girl explained.
Next to El, Mike let out a nervous laugh, and El turned to see his cheeks blushing a deep red.
"Does anyone have any more questions about what you learned in class today?" he asked, and the kids looked around silently at each other. "Then you're all free to go. We'll see you tomorrow morning."
After the campers left, El turned to face Mike with a teasing smile on her face.
"Are you embarrassed that you were busted by a ten-year-old girl?" she asked.
"No," Mike replied in mock indignance.
"Then why are you blushing so hard?" El teased.
"Because…" Mike trailed off and looked down.
"Because why?" El asked, dropping the teasing tone and furrowing her brow, concerned something might actually be bothering him.
Mike let out a heavy sigh before answering.
"Because there was one of those words again… boyfriend…" he said. "You can't act like you didn't notice Dustin refer to you and Suzie as our girlfriends the other day, or Suzie refer to you and me as a couple last week."
"Oh I noticed," El said. "I wasn't sure if you did."
"Of course I did," Mike chuckled. "I've definitely noticed how everyone has been calling you my girlfriend before I've even called you my girlfriend."
"Well… do you want to call me your girlfriend?" El asked, a rare timidity entering her voice.
It was as if they were both holding their breath waiting on Mike to answer. He looked into her hazel eyes and smiled.
"Of course I do," he said. "I just didn't know if it would be too soon."
"We're practically dating already anyway," El pointed out, not being able to contain the smile spreading over her face.
"Is that what we've been doing?" Mike teased, stepping closer to her.
"That's what I would call spending every minute that we can together, breaking curfew to see each other, and, you know, making out all the time," El grinned. "Plus, I do really like you."
"I really like you, too," Mike replied. "So… I guess we're making it official, then?"
"I guess we are," El smiled.
"Cool," Mike said, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smile as well.
"Cool," El repeated. Then she cupped one side of his face and leaned up to kiss her boyfriend, feeling the butterflies going crazy in her stomach.
That evening, Dustin invited Kayla to eat dinner with himself, Suzie, Mike, and El. The five of them gathered around the table, and they all noticed when Jason walked into the cafeteria with Eric and Dani. Jason spotted Kayla almost immediately, and they saw the surprise and annoyance that quickly covered his face. He continued across the room with Eric and Dani and ended up sitting next to Nikki.
"Worked like a charm," Dustin grinned. "Told you, he's scared of El."
"He's not scared of me," El repeated her words from earlier, rolling her eyes.
"Well, as long as he leaves me alone, I don't really care why," Kayla said.
"You're welcome to sit with us any time and hang out with us whenever you want," Suzie offered.
"Thank you," Kayla smiled.
Later that night in the female counselors' cabin, El and Suzie had already changed and gotten ready for bed, and they were both sitting on El's bottom bunk while El filled Suzie in on what had happened earlier in the day between she and Mike.
"This ten-year-old girl called Mike out for staring at me," El said.
"We all know he can't control that," Suzie laughed and El blushed slightly pink.
"Well, we actually talked afterward, and we decided to officially start dating," El concluded.
"He asked you to be his girlfriend?" Suzie asked, and El nodded. "Well it's about time. I can't believe you guys weren't dating all along."
"Like I told Mike, we pretty much were," El said. "We just hadn't put a label on it. But now it's nice to know that we're on the same page, and we know where we stand with each other."
"You're not worried about it being too soon since his last breakup?" Suzie asked.
"No," El shook her head. "I think enough time has passed and she hurt him badly enough that he would never want her back… I've never felt like a rebound with him. I really think he's over Stephanie and that he is ready for something real with me."
"Good," Suzie smiled. "I'm so happy for you guys."
"Thanks," El smiled in return.
On the other side of the cabin, Dani was gushing to Nikki about Eric. Dani and Eric were partners for the week, and Dani was excited about spending so much time together.
"It's so great to see him all day. I'm going to miss him next week when I'll have to go back to seeing him less," Dani said, leaning back against her pillow.
"I definitely think you'll be seeing him less," Nikki muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dani asked defensively, propping herself up on one elbow.
"I don't really know him, but think about it. You've only known each other for a couple weeks, you live in different states. I don't think he's looking for anything more than a casual hookup at summer camp," Nikki explained.
"Just because that's all Jason wanted from you doesn't mean all guys are creeps like that," Dani retorted.
"Maybe I'm wrong," Nikki shrugged. "But if I'm not wrong, at least Jason has been up front about what he wants. I don't think Eric is being up front with you."
"Whatever, Nikki," Dani scoffed. "You're just bitter that Jason lost interest in you and started going after Kayla, so now you're trying to sabotage me and Eric by putting doubts in my head."
"Fine, don't take me seriously," Nikki said. "I'm not trying to sabotage anything; I am trying to open your eyes to the possibility that this guy who you barely know might not feel exactly how you want him to feel. Don't come crying to me if I'm right."
Dani rolled her eyes and turned over onto her side facing the wall.
"And for the record, Jason didn't lose interest in me. He proved that real well today," Nikki added with a glance over at Kayla.
"Good. Keep his interest on you. I don't want him," Kayla reiterated what she had said when Nikki confronted her over the weekend.
The cabin soon quieted down, and the five girls went to sleep.
The week continued much like the first day had gone. Mike and El were enjoying teaching the campers together, Mike leading the first two lessons and El leading the final two lessons. They continued taking advantage of the two-hour break between lessons two and three, and they continued showing up late for lunch with slightly swollen lips. Dustin let up on the teasing, but he still smirked when Mike and El would show up a half hour or more after lunch had begun.
At dinner on Wednesday, Mike, El, Dustin, Suzie, and Kayla were seated around their table eating.
"One of my girls threw up dissecting the frog today," Suzie shared.
"Luckily none of ours have had issues with the dissections this week," El said. "They actually look forward to it because they think Mike's first lesson is boring."
"Thank god we're done with the simple machine PowerPoints," Mike sighed. "Tomorrow they get to start building their cars. They won't think it's boring then."
"Kayla and I have been pretty lucky. None of our kiddos have complained much so far. Right, Kayla?" Dustin asked.
When there was no response, the four of them looked at Kayla who was looking over El's shoulder. They turned to see Jason entering the cafeteria, and they saw him wink at Kayla before walking over to join Nikki for dinner as usual.
"He's not still giving you problems, is he?" Dustin asked.
"Monday he didn't. Yesterday he just whistled at me on my way back to the cabin after dinner, and I didn't think anything of it. Then last night around eight o'clock, I was walking back to the cabin after doing laundry because I didn't get around to doing it Saturday, and I swear he came out of no where and bumped into me. He called me sexy, and I told him to leave me alone," Kayla explained. "I haven't seen him today until just now, and he just winked at me… Meals are fine because I'm with you guys, but when I'm by myself, I'm just always worried that I'm going to run into him."
"Stick with us," Dustin said immediately. "If you need to do laundry or go to the admin building to make a phone call or whatever, just say something."
"I really appreciate that, Dustin. You guys have been great, and I like hanging out with you, but I'm seventeen years old. I shouldn't need to be escorted around to anywhere I need or want to go," Kayla said.
"She's right," Suzie agreed. "Kayla, have you considered reporting Jason to the director?"
"Report him for what?" Kayla asked.
"Harassment," Suzie replied as if it were obvious. "You've told him numerous times that you are not interested in him and that you want him to leave you alone. Him still making contact with you is harassment. And considering why he won't leave you alone, it's sexual harassment at that."
"You know reporting it won't solve anything," Kayla said, shaking her head.
"Why do you say that?" Suzie asked.
"How many news stories have you seen about harassment not being taken seriously? Girls report this kind of behavior all the time, and nobody does anything about it. Not schools or coaches or even the police. Harassment is swept under the rug, and nobody takes any action until something physically happens," Kayla explained. "Honestly, it's bullshit the way harassment is treated."
"Ordinarily, that's true," Dustin agreed. "But they have a zero-tolerance policy here, and it doesn't matter to the director that Jason's an athlete or popular at his high school or whatever. I think reporting him would be a good idea."
"And if you want, El and I will go with you so you don't have to do it alone," Suzie offered.
"Absolutely," El agreed.
"Thanks, guys," Kayla smiled. "I really appreciate it, but I just feel like it would be a waste of time."
"If you change your mind, just say the word," Suzie said, and Kayla nodded. Suzie and El exchanged a look of concern and hope that Jason would back off.
Later that night, Dustin and Mike had walked the girls back to their cabin, and they were on their way back to their own.
"So, how are things with your new girlfriend?" Dustin teased, and Mike couldn't help but smile at the thought of her.
"Things are so amazing, Dustin. She's incredible," Mike said.
"That's great. And now that she's your girlfriend, that's another indication that you shouldn't worry about taking my advice and moving things forward… you know, physically," Dustin said.
"Oh, about that… Things started getting intense Saturday night, and…" Mike started.
"You went for it?" Dustin asked, his eyes bulging out of his head in shock. "And you didn't tell me?"
"It didn't happen," Mike said. "She said she isn't ready and that she needs to know she's in love and it has to feel like the right time."
"That makes sense," Dustin nodded. "She knows you're not a virgin though, right?"
"Yeah, I told her all about Stephanie. She knows about the relationship, my first time, the breakup, all of it," Mike said.
"Wow, you've really opened up to her," Dustin said.
"It's just so easy to talk to her. She knows about my friends, my insecurities, my family. And I mean, she has opened up a lot to me, too," Mike added. "I just want to know everything there is to know about her. I want to spend every minute I can with her; I don't even care what we do. We don't even have to have sex, I don't care. Seriously, just laying with her under the stars and not saying anything feels a million times better than even the best day with Stephanie did."
"Shit, you have it bad for this girl," Dustin said.
"Yeah, I do," Mike admitted. "And I… I know it's early, but ever since El brought up the word 'love,' I feel like it's just been on the tip of my tongue."
"Wait, what?! That's a huge step, Mike," Dustin said.
"I know," Mike agreed.
"I mean, you dated Stephanie for like three months before you told her you loved her," Dustin said.
"I know. But I swear I never felt like this about Stephanie in the whole two years I was with her," Mike said. "There's just something about El, something about the way she makes me feel. It's like we were meant to find each other. I was scared about how easy this all seemed, but maybe it was like…"
"Destined? Soulmates?" Dustin offered, holding back a scoff.
"I know it sounds cheesy, but yeah, maybe," Mike said.
"You believe in fate and soulmates?" Dustin asked.
"I don't know. I've never thought about it. But there is something here," Mike replied.
"Do you think you're going to tell her?" Dustin asked.
"I don't want to come on too strong and scare her," Mike said.
"Well, obviously don't call her your soulmate. But, do you think you're going to tell her you love her?" Dustin asked. Mike sighed and was silent for several moments.
"I don't know," he finally said. "What if she thinks it's too early to say that? Or worse, what if she thinks I'm only saying it to get her to have sex with me since she said she needs to be in love to have sex?"
"You said she knows you. If she knows you, then she'll know that's not what you're doing," Dustin said. "As for it being too early, what if she feels the same way and is scared to say it because she's worried you'll think it's too early?"
"I haven't thought about that," Mike said. "But what if she doesn't feel the same way and only likes me and is enjoying getting to know each other and then I say it and screw everything up?"
"You're worried she won't say it back?" Dustin inferred.
"There is no way to know that she will," Mike pointed out.
"No, there isn't," Dustin agreed. "But from seeing you two together, I would be more surprised if she didn't say it back. She is clearly just as head-over-heels about you as you are about her."
"That's not possible," Mike said quickly. "She's the most amazing person I've ever met, and I'm… I don't know."
"Don't start with the self-doubting again," Dustin said firmly. "You know El, and you know how you feel about her. You know how she makes you feel, and I'm guessing you can feel how she feels about you too. You'll know when it's the right time to tell her, but just remember, camp is almost half over."
Mike nodded. Dustin was right; after this week, camp would be half over. He couldn't let El go back to Chicago without hearing how he feels about her. Mike and Dustin went inside their cabin, and Mike fell asleep thinking about when would be the right time to tell El how he feels and hoping that she feels the same way.
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A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. More drama is sure to come! Please remember to leave me a review to let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!