The last day of their sophomore year came to an end. Mike and Eleven's first few weeks of summer would be full of experiences. To celebrate the beginning of his last summer being a normal kid, Dustin invited his friends to swim in his lake. Audrey asked everyone to come to her house for a bonfire afterwards.
The kids arrived at Dustin's and changed into their swimsuits. Everyone was ready to cool down after a hot day. Audrey and El relaxed near the shore as he boys ran around crazily in the water. Eventually, the boys convinced the girls to enter the water. Boy were they getting themselves into something chaotic.
"Let's play chicken!" Dustin suggested.
"Alright." El agreed and jumped on Mike's shoulders.
Mike almost fell from the unexpected weight. Audrey hopped on Dustin's shoulders. The girls pushed each other back and forth but both refused to fall off. Neither of them were going to lose this game no matter how long it took. Audrey and El continued on for about 10 minutes and Lucas got impatient. Will and Lucas both pushed them off at the same time and they all laughed.
Audrey and El weren't happy that their game was ruined. Both girls started a splash fight. Water flew everywhere and any stillness that existed didn't anymore. Eventually, they got bored and Dustin revealed a secret rope they could use to swing off a hill into the water. Dustin agreed to go first to show them it wasn't a prank. He jumped off the rope and landed flat on his stomach hitting the water with a smack. The girls laughed at him and El volunteered to go next.
Eleven jumped and landed feet first in the water making a nice splash. She came up and smirked at Dustin who was upset he got showed up. Audrey swung softly, so it wouldn't be unsafe for the baby. Although, she jumped and landed on top of Dustin. The rest of the boys made it in the water normally. Lucas amazed the girls with his flip into the water.
"Show off." Dustin said.
Lucas replied, "You're just jealous you can have a piece of this chocolate."
"Disgusting." Mike stated. Everyone laughed at that.
After awhile, the girls threw on a coverup and the boys threw on a T-shirt. The group headed to Audrey's for a bonfire. Audrey's mom had set out hot dogs, chips, and stuff for s'mores. All of them choked down their hotdogs they were so hungry. The kids settled around the fire to relax before eating s'mores.
"We should play a game." Will suggested.
"What game?" Lucas asked.
Audrey suggested, "Truth or Dare. It's El's favorite."
"Alright. Audrey pick one or two of us and give us a dare." Dustin said.
Audrey replied, "Dustin and Mike. Truth or dare?"
"Dare." Both answered.
Audrey replied, "Ummm...I dare you two to walk down the street wearing our bras over your shirts."
"Audrey..I didn't agree to this." El stated.
Audrey replied, "Come on El this will be funny."
"Fine..but next time warn me and I'll wear my nicer one." El whispered.
"What kind of dare is this?" Dustin asked.
"This is insane." Mike said.
El replied, "Hey you guys picked dare."
Both El and Audrey pulled their bras out of their bags. Dustin and Mike seemed intimidated and they thought it was hilarious. The boys put them on and began walking down the street. A car of girls drove by laughing. A car of boys drove by slowly and Dustin winked at them. Lucas, El, Will, and Audrey were dying of laughter watching everyone doing double takes. They returned to the fire and it was Audrey and Will's turn. Both of them picked truth.
"Audrey, what's your biggest fear?" Dustin asked.
"Umm..probably to be a mom." Audrey stated.
Mike asked, "Will what's your biggest secret?"
"I actually have a secret I've been wanting to share, but I've been to afraid. Do you promise you won't hate me?" Will stated.
"You are our best friend Will we could never hate you." Lucas stated.
Will replied, "I'm….I'm…..gay. That's why Jennifer and I never worked out."
Dustin replied, "We know Will and we don't care you're still an amazing friend."
"We support you Will. Lucas, Dustin, and I have no for awhile. We were just waiting for you to tell us." Mike stated.
El asked, "Mike what is gay?"
"It means that I like guys even though I am one El." Will explained.
El replied, "It's okay. I like guys too. I understand."
"Thanks Eleven that's really nice of you to say." Will replied.
Audrey said, "I think it's great that you told us Will."
The game continued after a few more minutes of conversation about Will's love life. It was Lucas's turn and he chose dare.
"I dare you to call KFC and ask for the number to Benny's Burgers." El said.
Lucas dialed the number on Audrey's home phone. One of the employees answered and offered them their chicken specials. Lucas asked for the number and the guy said call and ask a burger place. The worker hung up before Lucas could say anything else. El asked for a dare and Lucas dared her to scare someone with her powers.
"Lucas, this could end badly." Mike said.
El replied, "It's fine Mike. No one's gonna look at a teenage girl and think she was the one causing the problem. I promise I'll be careful."
"We should go to the gas station and El can move a few items and scare some dude silly." Audrey said.
They all walked to the nearby gas station and went in. They were standing an aisle over from a guy looking at chips. El used her powers to levitate a few bags of chips enough to scare the dude then she dropped them. The guy ran out of there screaming and the clerk gave them a weird look. The kids bought sodas so they wouldn't seem suspicious. When they arrived at Audrey's they played a few more rounds of truth or dare.
El headed home afterwards to find Terry in the living room watching TV. She finally had her alone with no sight of Hop. El was excited to finally talk to her about something important. Eleven took a seat next to Terry on the couch and Terry turned the TV off.
"What's up sweetie? It looks like something is on your mind." Terry said.
El replied, "Well, Mom I wanted to talk to about something a bit personal."
"You can tell me anything El. I'm here for you." Terry stated.
"Can it stay between you and me? Hop might be upset that's why I was waiting to talk to you alone." El said.
Terry replied, "Sure. It will be our little secret. You are worrying me a little though so spill darling."
"I….was wondering...if maybe...I could go on birth control? I need your help to get to though. I need a doctor appointment." El said.
"Sure if you think you need it. Are you thinking about having sex?" Terry asked.
El explained, "I just want to be safe. Mike and I have been together for years. I love him and he loves me. I know we are going to get married after high school. I can follow him to college or whatever since I'll be ready to be a music teacher. I can do my job anywhere and stay with him. After, what has happened with Audrey I'm trying to be cautious. I want Mike and I to fulfill our dreams before we have kids."
Terry replied, "I understand and I'm proud you are being responsible by coming to me. We definitely need to keep this from Hop. He will probably hurt Mike or think he is forcing you into this. Wait have you discussed this with Mike? Does he know you are thinking about sex?"
"No, I was going to discuss it with him if I went on the pill. The thing is that we've already done it. Nothing has happened yet, but I don't want it too." El said.
Terry replied, "Don't worry El. I'm not mad. You two have been together for years and he was the first guy to treat you right. I know you both love each other. Even though most teenagers shouldn't be having sex, I think your circumstances are special. Have you only done it once or what?"
"The summer before our freshman year was the first time. Every once in awhile it just happens. I want us to have more protection than the condoms that we've been using. I just was be as careful as possible and I thought the pill would be the best option." El said.
Terry replied, "I'm proud that you want to be responsible. I'm so happy you came to me. Remember you can come to me for anything. I'll make you an appointment for you for tomorrow. I think you should talk to Mike before your appointment tomorrow."
"Alright I will. Mom, please don't tell Hop. He would probably obliterate Mike if he found out that we've done it." El begged.
"Don't worry. This is a girl thing and he doesn't need to know as long as you're safe. It will be our secret. Now for the thing I really want to know. Tell me, is Mike skilled?" Terry said winking.
El laughed, "Oh yes. It's amazing and he's such a gentleman. He always makes sure it's okay before we do anything. He doesn't pressure me if I don't want to. Mike never forces himself on me instead he asks first. He knows how to set the mood and he's so romantic about it. Mike makes sure I feel loved and not like we are just pleasuring each other."
"Mike is a keeper for sure. Men like him are hard to come by these days. Some men don't care if you enjoy yourself they just care if they did. A lot of men have lost their charm. Guys like Mike should be held on to." Terry explained.
El said, "Thanks for the help mom. I'm glad I have a mom to talk to about these things. Goodnight. I love you."
The next morning Terry let El know that her appointment was at 1:30. El ate breakfast and headed to Mike's. When, she arrived let her in and she went down to the basement. Mike was still asleep in the fort, so El stepped over them and sat next to him. She watched as he laid so peacefully. El thought she would have accidentally woken him up. Eventually, El gave up on the possibility of him waking himself up, so she placed a kiss on his lips. Mike's eyes opened and he smiled at Eleven.
"What's up El? Why are you here so early?" Mike asked.
"Mike it's 11:30 it's not early. I'm here to talk to you about something important." El answered.
Mike replied, "Oh no the last time I heard that sentence it didn't end well."
"Mike it's not bad in fact I think it's good. I have a doctors appointment today for…" El said.
Mike interrupted, "Wait. What's wrong El? Are you sick?"
"Michael James Wheeler chill out. I'm trying to tell you and I'm fine. I have an appointment, because I want to go on birth control." El explained.
"Oh. El, this whole thing with Dustin and Audrey seems to have worried you a lot. If you would feel more comfortable not doing anything anymore until marriage you can tell me. I won't be angry I'll respect whatever you want to do." Mike explained.
"Mike that's why I want to go on the pill. I won't have to worry about getting pregnant and it will be more enjoyable. I won't have to worry about it as much. Terry told me I should talk to you about it before my appointment." El said.
Mike replied, "If it's what you want El I'm totally fine with it. Whatever will make you feel more at ease is what i want you to do. I don't want to stop what we've been doing, but if it ever becomes too much let me know."
"I will Mike. I was wondering if you would still be willing to wear a condom if I did go on the pill? I know it probably doesn't feel as good, but it would make me feel more comfortable." El asked.
"Of course Eleven. I don't mind it. I'll do anything if it means we can continue he what we've been doing. I want to make you feel as calm and safe as possible. When is your appointment?" Mike asked.
El answered, "Thanks Mike. It's at 1:30 today."
"I want to come with you and your mom." Mike stated.
El replied, "Why? It's with the gynecologist. Mom said I'm going to get an uncomfortable exam and be asked a bunch of personal questions. She said it might feel a bit awkward and boring."
"Please don't go without me. I wanna be there to support you and learn more about it." Mike said.
El answered, "I guess if you really want to you can."
"Alright then. Come Here El." Mike said and pulled her closer. She laid there resting her head on his chest as he played with her hair. He kissed her head.
A couple hours later, Terry, Mike, and El were sitting in a waiting room awkwardly. They sat there for 20 minutes until Eleven was called in. She changed into a hospital gown and sat down. Eleven felt really weird changing in front of both her mom and Mike, but she got through it. The doctor came in and greeted everyone, but before El knew it she was being asked awkward questions.
"Are you sexually active? If so, how many partners have you had?" The doctor asked.
"Yes and only one." El answered.
She replied, "I assume this is him here." Mike turned red and that gave her the answer she needed. "Any discomfort or pain?"
"No." El answered.
She continued, "Any unusual spotting or discharge?"
"No spotting, but sometimes discharge. I thought that was healthy does it mean something is wrong?" El asked.
"No, that means your body is functioning properly no need to worry. When was your last period?" The doctor asked.
El replied, "Umm..I'm not sure."
"May 27th." Mike answered and Terry flashed him a look of surprise. Terry was again amazed about how much of a gentleman Mike was.
The doctor asked, "Are you heavy? Do you have a lot of pain during your time of the month?"
"Yes very heavy. Ever so often the pain is really bad, but most of the time it's bearable." El explained.
"Well then your in luck. These pills should stop your period and help with any cramps, back aches, or headaches." She stated.
"Yes!" El said under her breath a little too loudly.
The doctor said, "Sounds like you've had some rough experiences."
"She definitely has, but I've tried my best to assist her as much as possible." Mike said.
"Why have you decided now that birth control would be a good option for you?" The doctor asked.
El answered, "Well my best friend just found out she is pregnant not too long ago. We are sexually active and I want to be safe. I don't want anything to happen, because we both a goals we are working towards after high school. We plan to marry and have kids eventually, because we've been together since seventh grade. We were each other's first relationship and we are still going strong."
"It seems like from what your boyfriend here has said that he's a perfect gentleman. You should hang on to him. I'm glad you two want to be responsible, so I'll write you a prescription for the pills. Mike can you remind her to take her pill at the same time everyday if she forgets? I recommend using condoms to ensure full protection." The doctor explained.
"I'll be sure to have her take her pills at the right time everyday." Mike stated.
They picked up El's medicine after grabbing a bite to eat. They drove to Mike house and stoppe didn't the driveway.
"Alright. It's 4:30 I have to take my pills at this time everyday." El said as she opened the package containing the pills and popped the first one in her mouth.
Terry replied, "There you go Eleven you are totally prepared."
"I hope you won't worry as much now El. I'll always be here for you no matter what happens." Mike said and hopped out of the car and started to walk up to his door. El jumped out an ran up to him.
"Mike!" El called to stop him.
"Yeah El?" Mike answered.
El replied, "Thanks for coming with me today it means a lot." He pressed a kiss on her lips and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. El walked back to the car with a huge smile on her face.