Authors Note:

Hey guys!

Chapter 3 is finished! Yay! I hope you like it.

I know its going a bit slow, but I want to make sure its building at a realistic speed.

Please review if you can! They are like super motivating and make me write faster!

I'll also just mention quickly to all the Lumax fans out there: I'm sorry! I do like them together, but I love Dustin and Max more. :)

I apologise if the editing it is not great. Like I said I'm not great at it. Also I wanted to get this out as I will be busy for the next few days. Ill try an update soon though!

enjoy! xx

CHAPTER THREE:

Elle looked down at the green and white uniform she had laid out on her bedspread. She grimaced at it. She really didn't want to put it on. It felt wrong just looking at it. Like everything was a lie. Her seemingly perfect boyfriend betrayed her. Her best friend, her closest confidant for the past 6 months, betrayed her. How can she face them without crying? Hell, how can she face them without screaming at them "I know what you did! I know and I hate you both."

She knew the best thing would be to break it off with them both, tell them she never wants to see them again. But she didn't want it to be so easy of them to get away with it. Not when she was hurting so bad.

She had to pretend. She had to pretend everything was ok until she could hurt them like they hurt her.

"Elle, breakfast is ready!" She heard her dad shout from the kitchen. She was still nervous facing him. Scared he was going to ask her if she was ok.

He's been through so much and he's finally happy. Don't make him worry" she thought to herself.

"I'll be out in a minute, I'm just getting changed." She yelled back through the door.

She looked back down at her cheerleading uniform. "Here we go" she whispered to herself before swiping the outfit off the bed and pulling the uniform overhead.

She went to open the door to her bedroom door when she caught her reflection in the vanity mirror. She stepped in front of it. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, she couldn't bring herself to smile.

You can do this Elle. They will get what they deserve and you will be the one coming out on top.

Her internal pep talk worked. She grinned wildly at herself in the mirror before walking out to the kitchen.

"Morning kiddo" Jim leant over and run his hand through her hair.

"Dad. My hair..." she flattened down the stray curls that he loosened. She would chuck it into a high pony later. The required hair style for the cheerleaders during home games (Jennifer's idea).

She smiled up at him, shaking her head as he chuckled to himself. She hoped she could keep up the charade. She didn't want to tell her dad what she saw yesterday. He would be mad. Mad enough to want to hurt the guy who hurt his little girl. No, she wanted to be the one to hurt Billy.

She watched as Jim, already dressed in his Sherrie uniform but also adorned in a light pink cooking apron she had gotten him once as a gag gift, set down a plate of pancakes with syrup in front of her.

"Love hearts?" She asked, surprised by the oddly shaped heart pancake that were hastily stacked on her plate.

"For Valentine's Day silly."

"Oh right. Of course." She has completely forgotten that was today. She felt a slight pang if guilt. This was their day. Usually celebrated as a couple's day, it meant something else for the Hopper's.

With it being just the two of them for so long, they found themselves creating a tradition for every Valentine's Day. Her dad would make her heart shaped pancakes, albeit usually not the best shaped ones, and then they would eat breakfast together, which they usually didn't get many chances to do. Then they would come home later in the afternoon and Elle would make the snickerdoodle cookies from the recipe she found amongst her mother's things when she was fourteen (her dads favourite), and they would spend the night watching her mother's favourite movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

This year was different though. Her dad has Joyce and she has Billy. She cringed internally. She couldn't ruin her dad's date with Joyce tonight. He has been so happy later. She definitely couldn't tell him yet.

"You okay Elle?" She snapped out of her thoughts quickly. Looking up at her dad's concerned face.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He eyed her carefully. "I promise dad. This look amazing." She added a thick layer or syrup and began shovelling bits of pancake into her mouth.

"I'm sorry we can't hang out tonight kiddo. Joyce has made some dinner plans tonight for us. I'm sure Billy has planned something special for you."

"I'm sure he has..." she quickly shoved more food into her mouth, hoping it would end any more discussion about Billy and Valentine's Day.

"I know I haven't been around as much, between work and Joyce we haven't had the chance to spend as much time together. And I'm sorry about that Elle Belle"

"Dad it's okay. Really. I like Joyce and I'm happy if you're happy."

"How about tomorrow night we pick up our usual Valentine's plans. I'll finish early, you make those delicious cookies and we will watch our movie."

She got up from her seat at their small dining table and kissed his cheek.

"Sounds perfect." She washed her used plate in the sink and wished her dad a great day before grabbing her bag from the living room couch where she left it last night and made her way out the door.

You can do this Elle... she thought to herself as she headed in the direction of the school.

Mike, Will and Lucas were sitting at their usual table when they heard some shout and the sound of a tray table hitting the floor.

"Sorry!" A family voice shouted before his family red cap came into view. Attached to it an out of breath and sweaty Dustin. He came crashing into the table, knocking over and spilling Lucas' open orange sofa onto his lap. He stood up abruptly, frantically wiping at the orange stain that was starting to appear on the bottom of his shirt.

"Dustin!" Lucas hugged loudly. "Oh man, look at my jersey. It's game day today dude." He threw the dirty napkin onto his tray before sulking away and out the cafeteria doors.

"Nice one Dustin. Now he'll be moody all afternoon." Will says, watching Lucas walk through the doors. He turns to Dustin expectantly.

"He'll be fine. I've got news!" Dustin's eyes widened as his mouth lifted into a wide grin. "You'll never guess who laughed at one of my jokes in trig today!"

Both Mike and Will groaned. Dustin figured himself as the class clown in his mathematics classes. Maths puns being his specialty. However most of the time, the jokes kind of feel flat. Not because they were bad jokes, in fact Mike thinks there are quite clever. But that's the problem. Dustin was the smartest in most of his classes and the jokes often times went over his peer's heads.

"Think someone that would give you a funny look if you tried to talk to them." Dustin continued. His smile not wavering.

"Uhh Jennifer Hayes?" Will guessed.

"Jennifer Hayes what?" Lucas chimes in, having just returned from the bathroom. The orange stain only mildly dulled by his attempt to clean his shirt.

Dustin quickly explained to Lucas before turning his attention back to Will. "And no, not Jennifer."

"Oh. I know. That girl with the wonky eye! What's her name... Cheree!" Lucas exclaimed. The other boys turned to face him. Matching scowls on their faces. "What?" He continued, confused at their reaction, "she looks at everyone funny."

Dustin grabbed a chip of Mike's lunch tray, launching it in Lucas' direction. Lucas flinched as it hit him square between the eyes, sending sauce down the side of his face.

Dustin was the first to erupt into hysterics, Will and Mike not far behind him. Dustin grabbed a second chip off Mike's tray before dipping it in the sauce resting on Lucas' cheek, narrowly avoiding his friend hand as he swatted him away, before popping it into his mouth. The boys laughter turned into a cackle, loud enough to garner the attention of some sophomore girls at the table next to them. Mike heard one of them mumble "What a bunch of dorks" before continuing her conversation.

"So who was it Dustin?" Mike asked finally, knowing they will never be able to guess it right.

"Max Mayfield." Dustin said, his precious grin now returned and plastered to his face. He looked over to where the red headed girl usually sat alone in the corner of the room. "I think I'm in love."

"No. No way. You're lying." Mike said shaking his head.

"100% nothing but the truth." Dustin said, whipping back his attention to his friends. "It was a joke about pi. I can't remember it exactly. But I remember hearing her giggle from the back of the room. It was like hearing an angel laugh"

This time it was Lucas who erupted into laughter.

"Dude you are crazy. Mad max. She will eat you alive."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you not heard what they say about her. She's mean dude. Like full on ice queen." Lucas nodded as Dustin looked at him incredulously.

"I guess I have never actually seen her talk to anyone before" Mike agreed half-heartedly.

"Dustin, don't listen to them. I'm sure she isn't anything like that." Will said, ever the voice of reason.

"The only time I've ever heard her talk was when she was telling someone to shut up or fuck off." Lucas said casually, wiping the remaining sauce splotches off his face.

Mike watched as his curly haired friend sighed sadly before taking another quick glance in Max's direction. She didn't look up.

"Well," Dustin began, his smile returning once again to his hopeful face, "I guess this human torch is going to have to melt the ice queen's heart."

"No no no. Dustin what are you planning?" Wills tone filled with suspicion, his eyes narrowing in his direction. "Please don't do anything stupid."

Dustin's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "when do I ever do anything stupid!" He scoffed back.

The others gave each other a shared look.

"Always." They exclaimed together. Sending them into another riot of laughter.

The end of lunch bell ended their teasing of Dustin. Mike stole a glance over towards the spot where Elle usually sat. She wasn't there. He was hoping to catch her before biology, but it would have to wait. He hurriedly packed away his tray before walking quickly towards the biology lab. He had to speak to Mr Gaunt. An idea popping into his head late last night as he wrestled with his tired mind.

Elle had managed to avoid them most of the day. She caught a quick glance at Billy this morning as she headed towards her locker, he was there waiting for her with what looked like a rose in his hand. She quickly threw herself into the nearest toilet door and hide in the stall until the home room bell sounded. She waited a few moments, cursing Billy for having to hide and making her late for home room. A couple of the girls from the cheerleading squad noticed she was acting strangely and asked if she was okay. She assured them she was fine. She understood their concern, being her "friend", but she couldn't tell them the truth. Not when they would go and say something to Jennifer and ruin Elle's plan for revenge. A plan she was yet to actually come up with.

She spent her lunch period in the library, using her history paper as an excuse to remove herself from the cafeteria, away from the two people who crushed her. But now, as Elle made her way through the school halls, she knew she was going to have to deal with Jennifer, who in her mind still believed them to be friends.

As she rounded the corner, entering the door to the lab, she sighed in relief as Jennifer was not yet in the classroom.

She noticed Mike speaking intently with Mr Gaunt at the front of the room. He gave her a quick smile and wave, which she gingerly returned. Mike noticed that the smile didn't reach her eyes.

She went to take a seat at their shared bench, dropping her heavy book bag with an 'oomph'. She hadn't had the chance to get to her locker, Billy being there between classes. Mike suddenly appeared before her, a huge smile adorned on his face. Elle thought he looked amazing when he smiled.

"Great news!" He exclaimed. Elle gave him a puzzled look, eyebrow raised in question. "Mr Gaunt is allowing us to complete our experiment in the school's old greenhouse."

"Hawkins has a greenhouse?"

"Uhh yeah, it's really old and probably full of spiders." He watched as she shuddered at the thought of having to share a space with spiders, "but it will be perfect for our experiment. He says we can start today, since we will probably have to clean it out first." He started to pick up his book bag and a box full of gardening supplies she only just noticed he had sitting at their desk.

She followed his lead, collecting her things and following him out the door. Eternally grateful for Mike and his idea for their experiment being one that had to be done outside, away from the other students. Well one student in particular.

As they left, he collided with Jennifer as she was walking in through the door.

"Watch where you're going dork." She gave Mike a sour look before turning her attention to Elle. Elle froze as she heard Jennifer say "oh Elle, I haven't seen you all day!" As her 'friend' went to hug her, Elle moved suddenly and stepped closer to Mike, resting her hand on his shoulder and pushing him slightly further down the hall.

"Yeah sorry, I've been kinda busy today catching up on school work and stuff. We uh have to go though. I'll see you later." She really hoped she didn't have to.

Mike silently watched the exchange, trying to ignore the hand Elle still had pressed to his shoulder. After Jennifer shrugged and entered the classroom, Elle let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding.

"Elle?" She looked at up at Mike as he said her name softly. "Are you okay?"

She nodded her head up at him, her solemn expression changing into a forced smile. She hoped he didn't notice her weird behaviour.

"Yeah, totally fine. Shall we?" She gestured for him to move forward. He gave her a small smile and moved forwards towards the school's doors.

They walked in silence. Mike leading Elle through the back of the school, across the football field and into the woods that lined behind it.

"You aren't planning on murdering me out here are you?" She paused just before the tree line.

Mike was glad she broke the silence, he was awkwardly stealing glances at her throughout the walk. Desperately trying to think of something to say. Each time he went to say something, a part of his brain hesitating.

He turned to look at her, chuckling at her comment before replying "not unless it's death by exhaustion. I'm sorry it's so far out. It's not much farther, I promise. You can follow behind me if you like, I'll take down all the spider webs for you."

She smiled widely at his chivalry. Her first real smile for the day.

"That's so sweet of you. Thanks Mike." She noticed his cheeks blush slightly and his lips curved into that crooked grin, her heart fluttered slightly and she looked down so he wouldn't see her own blush form on her cheeks.

I bet Mike would never cheat on you. She was gasped audibly when the thought came into her head, specifically when the thought was followed up by one wondering by how it would feel if she reached up and pressed her lips against his. Mike turned suddenly and looked at her worriedly.

"Sorry, there was a bee" she said quickly, happy with her excuse, "it's gone now." She finished when she saw him start to look around for it.

"Oh. Okay. I'll keep going then?" He asked her questioningly. She smiled in response, giving a quick nod. He turned back to face the front and continued through the brush.

Nice one Elle... she threw her head back in quiet embarrassment. Shaking the thoughts of Mike out of her head before following him on the path.

It was a few more metres before the trees along the path started to thin out. As they reached the end of the trail they were on, a small decrepit building appeared before them. Nature had taken over the small structure, years of neglect evident by its appearance. The roof was caved in on one side, a branch from the tree above having fallen and landing on it. Weeds as tall as Elle surrounded the sides of the building, covering the windows like a thick curtain.

She looked at Mike with a frown, expecting a similar expression.

They have to work in that? She thought to herself.

Clearly Mike didn't feel the same. She watched him shrug his shoulders and yank open the door to the greenhouse, taking a few weeds that had grown in front of it with it.

He looked at Elle excitedly from inside the greenhouse, "let's get started." His excited expression turned her frown into a small smile and she followed him inside.

It took a while to clean out the greenhouse. Mike had been clever enough to bring some gloves from them each and a single apron that he gave to her. She tried to give it back to him, telling him that he was the one to bring it.

"It's okay. My clothes aren't that great anyway." She looked over at him, he was wearing dark brown slacks with a green collared shirt poking out under his signature grey and brown woolly sweater. She thought he suited it, that it looked cute on him. "Besides, you better keep that uniform clean." He gestured to her long-sleeved cheerleading top and skirt. She took the apron and beamed at him.

Why can't all guys be like Mike?

They continued cleaning out the greenhouse for the next 40 minutes. Occasionally stealing glances at each other when the other wasn't looking. About 10 minutes into their cleaning Elle accidentally knocked into him after a spider circled down in front of her, sending them both falling to the floor. Elle landing on top of Mike, their faces mere inches from each other. They stared at each other for a long time, Elle taking in her the almost mesmerising pattern of freckles on his cheeks. Mike cleared his throat suddenly and Elle snapped out of her daze, quickly pushing herself off of him and picking up the broom she previously was using. She apologised for knocking him down, with him telling her it was no problem, "happy to break your fall" he had lamely added.

Mike spent the last 30 minutes of their time together remembering how it felt to have her body pressed against him. His teenage thoughts overtaking his brain.

Their walk back to the school grounds was not nearly as awkward as their previous walk to the greenhouse. They talked the whole way back, Mike finally having the courage to say something without hesitation. They talked about Mike's family (she was surprised to find he had two sisters), Elle's life before Hawkins, her dad and his work as Hawkins' new sheriff. Mike watched her talk excitedly about how happy she was that her dad had found someone like Joyce. He wished the walk was longer, not wanting his time with her to end so quickly.

As they reached the doors, Mike grabbed the handle to pull it open. Elle grabbed his arm suddenly and he turned to face her. His breath catching in his throat when he looked at her. Her mouth was slightly open, the whisper of a thought waiting to escape from her soft pink lips. Her curly hair was blowing wildly in the wind. Mike had the sudden urge to tuck a strand behind her ear.

Wow. he thought to silently to himself. She's so beautiful... and touching me. His eyes widened slightly at this sudden realisation. Get it together man...

She isn't really sure why she stopped him from opening the door. She definitely didn't have anything to say, but he was now looking at her. Expecting her to say something.

Quick Elle, think. "Thank you." She said lamely. She dropped her hand from his arm and looked down at her feet. Avoiding his curious gaze.

"For what?" he replied.

For being so chivalrous. For taking her away from the hell that would have been being in biology with Jennifer. For making her heart flutter when he looked in her direction. She recited in her head. She couldn't tell him what she was really thankful for, so she settled with "for organizing everything for today. For the experiment. I'm really lucky to have you as a partner." She smiled warmly up at him. Mike noticed that it reached her eyes this time.

Mike felt the redness spreading from his neck up to his cheeks at her words. He turned to walk through the door, not knowing how to respond to her comment. As he did, his face hit a hard-wooden surface. He bounced back slightly, his hand reaching up to feel a lump growing right above his left eye. In his dazed state he realised that he hadn't actually opened the door, distracted by Elle and her soft hands and deep brown eyes.

"Oh my gosh, Mike. Are you okay?" Elle reached up to feel his head. Her face inches away from his own.

"Uhh yeah just wanted to make sure the door was sturdy." he balled his hand into a fist and knocked on the wood a few times. "It certainly is."

Elle looked at him in concern one last time before breaking out into a giggle. Her laugh was infectious, with Mike soon joining her. As they stood on the top stair of the school entrance, Mike decided that Elle's laugh was his new favourite sound.

Elle wiped the tear that started to fall from eye as Mike quickly check his watch. The bell would ring soon, both of them unaware that they were sharing the same thought.

Please don't let it ring. Please don't let this period be over.

They both stood there smiling at each other, wishing someone would say something. Mike swallowed the lump the rose in his throat. About to ask her what period she had left. A lame subject, he knew, but he couldn't keep standing here staring at her like a creep.

The end of period bell rung loudly from the speaker above them. Both jumped in surprise, their attention turning back to the door. Mike opened it carefully before gesturing for her to enter.

"Thanks!" She flashed him a smile over her shoulder, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear at the same time, before turning back to walk forwards through the door.

Mike nearly fell over. He felt like one of those lovesick losers he sees in the romance movies his mum likes to watch.

They said their goodbyes to each other quickly before heading in different direction towards their lockers. He stood a few feet away, watching her smile as Billy handed her a rose and kiss her. He turned away quickly, not wanting to see anymore and headed down the hall to where Dustin was standing at his locker.

Great work Mike, you didn't even wish her a happy Valentine's Day you moron.

Elle quickly reached her locker after saying goodbye to Mike. She was smiling to herself thoughtfully, replaying in her head the hopeful expression she saw sweep across his face when she told him she would see him later. She reached her locker, finally Billy free, thankful she could empty her heavy book bag. She put in her locker combination and quickly returned her books to their places. She grabbed her history textbook, stuffing it into her book bag before closing the lock shut. She jumped back in surprise as Billy's face suddenly appeared where the lock door had just been.

"Hey babe!" he smirked at her. She instantly felt her stomach churn. She used to love his smirk. But now she couldn't even look at him. "I haven't seen you all day. I have something for you." He finished in his smooth voice.

Is that the voice he uses when he speaks to Jennifer?

She shook the thought from her mind, desperately trying to keep it together. She didn't want to him to think anything was wrong with her. Not yet anyway.

"What is it?" She replied sweetly, in the most normal voice she could muster. Barely able to manage a small smile.

He pulled his hand from behind his back and handed her a single red rose. He enclosed it in her hand before reaching up to peck her quickly on the lips.

She froze in place. He noticed her stiffness and shook her slightly by her shoulders.

"You okay Elle?"

She quickly thanked him for the rose before making her way quickly down the halls and out the school's front doors. She needed air. She needed to be away from him. She needed to be sick.

She rushed around the corner of the building, only just registering someone yell "dude, what the hell!" in a high-pitched voice before leaning over and emptying her stomach.

A pair of vans appeared into her vision, Elle pushed herself back up and looked at the redheaded girl with an apologetic expression.

"Oh, it's you." Max grunted angrily. Rolling her eyes at the brown-haired girl in front of her and stepping around her to walk back into the school.

Elle leaned back against the wall roughly and sunk down to the ground. She couldn't hold it in anymore, tears she had been holding back for most of the day finally breaking free and rolling down her face.

Max stopped at the sight of her the girl breaking down in front of her, a girl she used to call her best friend. She couldn't leave her like this. She sighed loudly, making her way back down the stairs and taking a seat next to her.

"Are you okay?" she asked reluctantly.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Elle replied back.

"Maybe because you are just threw up on my shoes and are now crying hysterically. I mean, not usually behaviour if I say so myself." Max sarcastically retorted.

Elle looked up to see Max eyeing her carefully.

"I'm sorry about your shoes. But I'm fine. Really fucking fantastic actually." Max went to stand, realising there wasn't anything to do to help her when she heard Elle whisper quietly, "Why are guys such assholes?"

She quickly sat back down, "because they can get away with it." Max explained quietly, looking towards the car park.

"Max." Elle said softly. "I'm sorry for being a shitty person to you last year. I wish I could go back and do things differently. God, I wish that so much right now."

Max had been the only person Elle knew when she moved to Hawkins 6 months ago, their dads having been friends when they lived in Indianapolis. Max and her had been friends since they were 12 when Max's parents moved to the city from California and their dads had been apart of the same precinct. Then when Max turned 16, her parents divorced. Her dad moving back to California and her mom moving back to her hometown in Hawkins. They stayed in touch and we both thrilled when Jim told Elle that they would be moving to Hawkins in the fall. Max was sick with the flu, the first week Elle started at Hawkins High. Not being able to show her around or spend any time with her. It was during this week where Elle met Jennifer and starting hanging out with that crowd. Elle and Max grew apart. Elle joining the cheerleading team, spending every moment with Jennifer and beginning a relationship with Billy meant she had little time to spend with Max. Max, still angry about her parent's divorce, built her own reputation in school. Spending most of her time by herself, she was often seen skateboarding around the school, skipping class and graffitiing the back wall of the school parking lot (and spending equal amount of time in detention for it).

Max looked at Elle in the present, taking in her dishevelled and miserable appearance. She didn't look anything like the cheery popular girl she had been the past 6 months. What happened to her, Max thought to herself.

"It's okay Elle. Things didn't seem to have worked out for you anyway." She smiled warmly at her. Elle chuckled slightly, not surprised by her comment. "What happened anyway? Billy leave you for another cheerleader." She was only joking when she said it so she was shocked when Elle simply nodded her head at her.

"Well not leave me." She added.

"That bastard!" Max exclaimed. "I hope you kicked his ass."

"He doesn't know I know." Elle replied quietly. Max looked at her confused.

"Why the hell not?"

"I want to hurt them like they hurt me. Breaking up with him doesn't feel like enough." Elle finally said aloud. "But now that I think about it, it's a stupid idea." She added quickly after taking in max's dumbfounded expression.

"No. I think its genius. What did you have in mind?" Max's face turned into an evil smirk.

"I don't actually know. I haven't been able to think of anything very cunning." Elle admitted, looking down at her hands.

The belle for next period suddenly surrounded them.

"What do you have this period?" Max asked suddenly, an idea forming in her head.

"Uhh history with Ms Jordan."

"Let's skip. I have an idea. If you're in." Max stood up and held her hand out in front of Elle.

Elle grabbed the red-headed girls hand and grinned widely. "I'm in. Let's destroy them."

The two friends shared a quick laugh before heading towards the back of the school.