So sorry for the wait. I was working on my other story (please see my profile) but now I'm back to finish this little number up. Enjoy!

In only a few short minutes, Mike was on his bicycle with El clutched on tightly behind him and riding away from the cabin. It was a little breezy and the speed of which they were going made it seem chillier. With the movie theater being only a few minutes away, the cold didn't bother either one of them too much.

Mike thought that taking El to the movies, apart from being a simple enough date idea, would be a nice milestone for her. Every time they watch movies, he's always over at the cabin, sitting close to her on the couch, and eating whatever snacks they could get there hands on. It was always a very comfortable and convenient setting.

As a result, along with her circumstances, El has never actually been to a movie theater. And Mike thought tonight would be the perfect night to start.

He locked up his bike on the rack just outside the theater while El waited patiently by his side. While there were a couple of options, Mike had already chosen which film they would be watching. With its science-fiction theme, he was sure, or at least hopeful, that Eleven would be interested in it too.

"Two for Back to the Future, please!" The bored looking older teenager with shaggy brown hair took Mike's money and gave him the tickets once they were printed out.

"Theater three," he spoke.

"What's this movie about?" El asked after passing through the glass door that Mike held open for her.

"Umm," he wasn't entirely sure how to answer. He didn't think she would understand it very well if he explained what he saw in the trailer. "It's about time travel. The main character goes back in time and stuff."

"Like Terminator?"

"Yeah, exactly!"

She nodded and Mike noticed how she looked at their surroundings, mouth slightly open at the high ceilings and various movie posters that were hanging on the walls. It truly was unlike anything she'd seen before and she hadn't experienced the best part of it yet. Mike felt a surge of happiness that he was able to share this with her.

As they made their way deeper into the theater, the two of them soon stood only a few feet away from the concession stand and could easily inhale the scent of popcorn.

"Do you want some?" Mike offered and El eagerly nodded. Rushing into the proper theater, the two teens barely made it in by showtime, El holding the large tub of popcorn in her lap.

As the trailers played for the coming attractions, Mike couldn't help but glance at El whenever a bright light from the screen would hit her. He hoped more than anything that she wouldn't catch him. El didn't bring it up though only because she knew he wouldn't do it again if she did.

The movie started shortly after and they both seemed immersed in it, Eleven only slightly confused by the details of the plot. Occasionally, Mike would reach his arm over to grab some popcorn. He was never more thankful for the theater's darkness being able to cover the red rising in his face than when their hands brushed together.

Mike wasn't sure how but she seemed to know not to lean into him and ask questions in the middle of the movie so that she wouldn't disrupt the silence and others' theater going experience. Usually if there was something going on in a movie that she did not understand, she couldn't help but immediately ask Mike what was going on. While it would have annoyed the hell out of anyone else, Mike always found it endearing.

As they were leaving the theater, he turned to her and asked what she thought, something he always did after watching a movie together.

"It was good," she spoke. "I hope they make another one."

"Uh yeah. Looks like they set it up like that."

"Maybe we can watch it together when it comes out," El smiled as she approached the bike rack. Mike simply grinned back, unable to say much else about that.

"So umm, are you hungry?" El nodded excitedly, happy that the night wasn't about to end. "Hop on."

In a shorter amount of time than it took to get to the theater, they arrived at local diner and were seated within minutes. While they looked over the menu, they both decided to start with an order of chili cheese fries which El had shockingly never had.

"I can't believe Hopper's never made them for you."

She shrugged. "I didn't know it was so I never thought to ask for it. I guess it didn't occur to him to make it." It was something she made a point to ask him after she had her first bite. Besides Eggos, she couldn't remember the last time she had something so tasty.

As their conversation died down while they ate, Eleven put down her fork to look up at him.

"Mike?"

"Yeah?" He spoke even though he wasn't done chewing.

"Can I ask you a question?" He couldn't help but notice how similar the question was to her dad's and how much she sounded like him when saying it.

"Sure," he answered, deciding not to mention anything about his conversation with the Sheriff.

"Why did you ask me to go out with you?"

Mike dropped the French fry that was halfway to his mouth. Out of everything she could have possibly asked, he hadn't expected it to be that. Of course, he knew the answer but it was something he couldn't really put into words.

"I... well, I..." he cleared his throat, hoping to be able to think of something as he was doing it. As always, El waited patiently for an explanation. "I uhh.. I like hanging out with you. It's always fun going to the cabin with Max and the guys and stuff but I thought it would be nice to just spend some time together. Alone, you know? Because I... I like you El. A lot."

A huge smile spread onto El's face.

"I like you too Mike. I like watching movies and when you talk to me about D&D and how it's going in school. It gets me really excited to join you guys." El was going to start going to school in the new year after the holiday break. Since she had been getting lessons at home by Hopper and her friends, this was something she was really looking forward to. She was also aware that she would be seeing Mike a lot more often once she started. "But I understand. What you mean."

With the blush that spread much faster than either one could handle, they both looked down at their plates.

Determined not to get on Hopper's bad side, especially after only the first date, Mike was practically racing against the clock to get El back by her 10 p.m. curfew. He also didn't want to go too fast since he wanted to get El back in one piece.

Finally with just a few minutes remaining, they arrived back at the cabin. Since he didn't want it to be a quick drop off, he wanted to get them there with some time for a proper goodbye.

"Thank you," El stood in front of him after getting off the bicycle. "This was really nice."

"Good," Mike spoke with a grin. "I'm glad you had fun."

Before he could say anything else, she closed the space between them and pressed her lips to his.

It was something that hadn't happened since the Snow Ball, no matter how many times they had wanted it to. Never being allowed or able to be alone for an extended period of time made this type of physical contact difficult. But now, after so many months, it was happening again.

It was firmer this time but somehow still soft, even if Mike wasn't expecting it. It was a slightly bit longer as well.

Mike couldn't help but feel saddened when she pulled away and this time, El was grateful for the darkness of night for hiding the pink in her cheeks.

"I should go," she spoke softly and Mike recognized the tone she used for something she didn't want to do.

"Okay, yeah," he replied, knowing she was right. "So, I'll call you soon?"

"Yes," She pushed some of her hair back behind her ear. "Good night."

"Night."

She turned and walked towards the cabin. With a final wave exchanged between them, Mike started pedaling away.

Back to the Future actually came out in the summer of 1985. BUT I really wanted that to be the movie they see as it's one of my favorites. If you are interested, please follow me on Twitter: D13Tribute. I will be giving out info on my writing process for this story and you can stay updated on any that I have going on in the future. Thank you for reading! Reviews are soooo appreciated.