Eleven glanced towards the banging door. Hopper walked past her and cracked it open.
"What do you want, Steve?"
"Nancy saw your car parked at the Middle School and sent me over to check if Mike was OK, she said he's been acting weird the past few days."
"Yeah, I mean, I don't know. I wasn't there for him."
"Well who were you there for?"
Eleven stood up slowly and cautiously walked towards Hopper.
"It's none of your concern."
"Oh, uh… yeah. OK. Thanks, chief. I'll tell her it wasn't him."
Hopper shut the door in his face. He barely turned back to Eleven when the door swung open.
"Can I use your bathroom real quick?"
The cat was out of the bag. He'd seen Eleven. They all stared at each other for a couple seconds.
"Is that that girl the Lab was after a few weeks ago. What's her name, like Eleven or something? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Hopper mentally breathed a sigh of relief. This kid could be a cop someday. Questioning someone persistently, opening doors unannounced, keeping secrets when they needed to be kept.
"Yeah, uh… found her a few days back."
"Oh great. I thought she died. Can I use your bathroom?"
"Uh, sure."
And with that Steve walked into the bathroom without another look. Eleven looked worryingly at Hopper.
"He's safe, El."
The phone rang. A hunter had come into the station with a broken arm, saying some girl had knocked him out and stolen his jacket and that he'd been treated for hypothermia for a week.
"Hey, Steve?"
"Yeah, chief?"
"Stay here with Eleven. I have some business to take care of."
"Wait! I have a date with Nancy tonight at the Hawk!"
Hopper didn't hear him, he was already out the door. Great. Now I'm stuck babysitting. Steve exited the bathroom and sat in the chair next to Eleven.
"So… Eleven? Is that your name?"
"Yes."
"OK, my name's Steve. Steve Harrington."
"You suck face with Nancy?
"Where'd you hear that?"
"Dustin."
"Don't say that."
"It just doesn't make sense, George."
Hopper needed to defuse this guy before he contacted the Lab or someone connected.
"You calling me a liar?"
"No, but you're telling me this girl with a buzzcut apparently threw a cooked squirrel at you with her mind and knocked you out? It just doesn't sound realistic."
"Well what do you think it was?"
"I think you should just take it easy, I'll buy you a new coat too if that helps."
"Well… OK. But I saw what I saw."
"OK."
Hopper was getting tired of this routine. Lying to everyone about her existence, but he had to if it meant keeping her safe.
Steve checked his watch: 6:43. How had he been here an hour now! He told Nancy he'd pick her up at 7:00! Plopping a red checker into the board, he tried to leave.
"I had no idea how much fun Connect Four was until today, Eleven, but I really have to go get Nancy."
"Movie?"
"Yeah, so… uh… when is Mike going to get here."
"Six-Three-Zero."
"Looks like Prince Charming's a little late."
"Prince?"
The door swung open unexpectedly for the second time today.
"Sorry I'm late El, nobody else could make it tonight."
"Karen knows you're here?"
Mike shot his eyes over to the kitchen table. Steve.
"Uh, no, I uh… lied."
"Tsk tsk Mike. I thought you knew better than to lie to your own parent."
"Excuse me, but who invited you here?"
"It's a long story and I've gotta run." Steve said while getting up.
"Where?"
"El, tell em!"
"To suck face with Nancy!"
"Thatta girl!" Steve yelled as he ruffled her short hair.
"Bye Steve!"
"Bye kiddos," Steve said as he opened the door and went out to his car. "and one other thing: no funny business you two."
"You're not my mom!" Mike yelled out the trailer.
"You don't know that!" Steve yelled as he drove away.
Mike and Eleven talked about their days for the few minutes before Hopper got back.
"Mr. Clark will teach me."
"Wow, El! I'm a bit jealous."
"Jealous?"
"It's like when you want something that someone else has."
"Mike?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I be jealous for you?
"Um, well… that's using the word out of context and..."
He felt himself trailing off. He stared deeply into Eleven's eyes.
"Mike?"
"Uh huh?"
"I like you."
She held his hand and they felt themselves getting closer to each other, leaning into a-
"What are you doing?"
They both jumped miles apart from each other.
"Nothing." they both said in unison.
"Yeah, sure. Mike, go home."
Hopper was the sternest he'd ever been in this moment.
"But I just got here!"
"Now."
Mike got the message.
"Uh… bye El. See you tomorrow."
He slammed the door behind him and pedaled away.
"Where is Steve?"
"Movie."
"Why was just Mike here?
"I don't know."
Hopper sighed, he'd have to set up some ground rules next.