"Steve, I'm gonna need you to stay here with Eleven today I have a long shift today. She ran away yesterday and I'm going to have to have someone watching her when I'm gone."

"Sure, chief, I'm on my way."

Hopper hung up the phone. It was difficult to pinpoint where his anger was coming from. He'd done some pretty stupid things as a kid himself, so he shouldn't really be surprised that Eleven would do stupid things too. He put his hat on and waited for Steve to pull up before leaving.

"Mike..."

Nobody picked up.

"Mike..."

"What?"

"Are you coming to the Snowball tonight?"

"No. Over and out."

His usually fun winter break had started in turmoil. He couldn't see Eleven, so he'd just have to wait the punishment out. Or did he?

"Wait, Dustin!"

"What, Mike?"

"Hopper's at work today, so we could sneak over to see Eleven."

"We?"

"Yeah."

"No, Mike. I'm not getting in trouble. I have too much riding on this date with Stacy. Maybe after the Snowball."

"She didn't even say yes to going with you!"

"Well I'm playing hard to get."

"Yeah, because she already notices you."

"Shut up you wasteoid!"

"Fine! I guess I'll just go see El myself then!"

"Your funeral."

"See you later."

"Preferably at the Snowball, Mike."

He downed his breakfast before leaving to go see Eleven, but he had something in his backpack: the blonde wig Eleven wore as a disguise.

Do it. Do it. Do it.

"Stacy, it's Dustin. Will you go with me to the Snowball?"

"Uh, who is this?"

"Dustin Henderson."

"I've never seen you before, so no. Goodbye."

Dustin sat back down, defeated. He was officially crushed.

"Mike?"

The Supercomm spoke loudly in Mike's backpack.

"What?"

"I'm coming to see Eleven with you. Over and out."

Steve loved having a little buddy to hang out with, but today that buddy wasn't talking to him.

"Eleven! I made food!"

She didn't respond.

"I made Eggos!"

She opened her door slowly and walked out to the table.

"Is there a reason you're mad today? Did Hopper take something away from you?"

"Mike." Eleven whispered, chewing on an Eggo.

"He banned Mike from visiting you?"

Steve and Eleven sat in silence for a little while before Eleven continued,

"For 2 days, but the Snowball is today!"

Steve could feel the sadness radiating off of her. He remembered when he first went to that dance. It was one of the best nights of his Middle School years. He couldn't imagine what it felt like for her to be banned from seeing her best friend, that would be like being banned from seeing Nancy.

"How about you go to that dance tonight, with Mike. Hopper doesn't need to know a thing. And if he finds out, I'll take all of the blame."

"Really?"

"We just need to figure out what to do with your hair."

Mike and Dustin trekked through the snow. Lucas and Will were probably getting ready for their dates, but these 2 were hatching a plan.

"So I have Eleven's wig here, and she still has that dress we gave her."

"What are we going to call her?"

"Eleanor."

They reached Hop's trailer and went inside.

"Mike!"

"Hey Eleven."

"No. Ground rules. You can't be here."

"I'm here secretly so there are no ground rules."

It was a slow day at the station, that is, until George Burness came back and started complaining about his medical bills he had to pay.

"Chief! You have to send a search party out to look for this kid."

"No, George. I've already offered to pay for your coat. There's nothing else we can do."

"I'm not taking no for an answer!"

"Powell, can you escort him out please?"

"You're making a mistake, Hop!"

Eleven walked out to the 3 others in her pink dress and blue coat.

"What do you think?"

"I think you need more hair."

Dustin reached into Mike's bag and gave the wig to Eleven. She put it on and Mike blushed a little.

The 2 boys sped home to get changed for the dance. Steve would drive Eleven there later. For now, he'd tell her what to say to strangers.

"So what's your name?"

"Eleanor."

"Where do you live?"

"That's none of your business."

"Perfect. I think you're ready."

They both got in Steve's car and drove to the school. On the way, he ran through the basics.

"So you're Mike's cousin to everybody, OK."

"OK."

"So no kissing him or anything."

"Why no?"

"Because it's weird if you do OK?"

"OK."

"There's Mike by the door. Alright kiddo, see you in 2 hours. Did you set your watch?"

"Yes."

"See you then, no later."

This was it. Mike's promise would be fulfilled. She walked towards her friends. Another girl was there

"Hi Eleanor, I'm Jennifer Hayes. I'm here with Will."

"Hello. I'm here with Mike."

Lucas and now Dustin didn't have anyone, so they mainly were there for the food at this point. The 6 of them walked inside to the check in counter. Mr. Clark was manning it.

"Eleanor?"