It was the summer of 1986, one of the hottest summers in a long time. The whole gang was hiding out in Mike's air conditioned basement, enjoying the break for the sweltering heat. The boys were playing DND for the tenth hour while the girls talked. " Alright, I'm done." Max said as she tied off the braid she had done in Eleven's hair. " Follow me." Max took El's hand and led her to the bathroom mirror. " What do you think?" She asked as El started at herself in the mirror, tilting her head side to side admiring Max's handy work. " Pretty." Max smiled at the compliment. " I'm glad you like it." Max stated as they left the bathroom and headed over to watch the game.
" The hobgoblin advances. Lucas, what do you do?" Mike asked behind the manual. As he looked up to look at Lucas he caught sight of Eleven and smiled. She looked cute with her hair in braids. " Mike?" Dustin said looking at him with an annoyed expression. " I casted fireball and it was a direct hit." Lucas said. " Oh right." Mike responded.
Before he could narrate the story, his mom called down. " MIke!" " Yeah, Mom!" He yelled back. " Lucas needs to go home. It sounded like an emergency." Everyone let out a collective groan. " What did she say to Mrs. Wheeler?' Lucas asked. " Something about your sister." He sighed as he got out of his chair. " We'll finish the campaign tomorrow." Mike stated as Lucas left the baskment. " See you tomorrow." Lucas waved goodbye and everyone waved back.
"What are we going to do now?" Dustin asked. " We could watch a movie." Will proposed to the group. " Okay." El responded, surprising everyone. " Have you actually ever watched a movie before?" Max asked. " I think so. " She responded. " So any ideas on a movie?" Mike asked. " How about Back to the Future." Max suggested. Everyone agreed.
They all went over to the couch as Mike popped the VHS into the player. As Mike sat down, El scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. Max, Dustin, and Will all sat next to one another on the floor. During the movie, snoring could be heard which caused Mike and El to look over to see Dustin asleep. Max was also asleep, curled up into a ball. Will also seemed to be asleep, his head being held up by his hand. El let out a little laugh and then went back to watching the film.
…..
Mike woke up to the sound of his mother calling his name. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and let out a yawn. He slowly pulled his left arm away from where it was positioned on El's waist as he grabbed a pillow to lay in his place. He excited the basement calling his mom. " Yeah mom?" He asked as he walked into the kitchen.
" Will's mom is here to pick him and El up." After Hopper had died, El had gone to live with the Bryers. They had moved last year but had luckily came back to spend the summer in Hawkins. Mike had missed both of them, only being able to see them during the holidays. They all had talked during the school year by phone or their walkie talkies but that was different than actually seeing them. He hated to admit it but he missed El a little bit more than he missed Will. But then again he was his girlfriend. Mike had told them that they could stay at their house for the summer but Mrs. Byers had declined, thanking them for their kindness. But everyone could tell they hated the hotel.
" Mike?" His mom called snapping him out of his thoughts. " I'll go get them." He went to the basement once again to wake the two up. As he entered the basement, he saw El who looked so peaceful as she slept that Mike hated to have to wake her up. " Hey, your mom's here." Mike told Will as he gently shook him. " What?" Will said groggily sitting up and whipping the sleep from his eyes. " Your mom is here." He repeated. " mmmm okay." Will mumbled as Mike went over to wake El.
" Hey, El. You got to wake up now." He said gently, shaking her shoulder. " mmmm." She mumbled turning herself away from him. " El come on." " Do I have to?" She whined. " Yes. You can come back after you eat something and change clothes or whatever." " Okay." She yawned as she got off the couch and gave Mike a hug.
" Alright I'll see you later." Mike chuckled as he let her go. " See you later." She said as she walked up the basement steps. He watched her go then turned to face the other two who were still asleep and sighed.