Sorry for the long wait. I'm still here and planning on writing this story for a long while if people still want to read more. I should have another new chapter sometime this week (at the latest Sunday night). Enjoy!
All the boys had agreed to help Scott Clarke build his dream science center. They all had decided to graduate a year early, including Audrey who was three months along. The first to weeks of their last year had past and Mike was heading to Dustin's to hang out with the guys. It was a Friday night, and they were having a sleepover together, because the next two days they all had a lot of work ahead of them.
"I can't believe Scott thinks we can clear out all the junk in that lab in two days!" Dustin complained.
Lucas agreed, "Yeah the lab is huge."
"Are you going to be okay going back there Will?" Mike asked.
"It might be tough, but I think I'll be okay it's been years." Will answered.
Lucas added, "Yeah one day it will seem like nothing to walk in there."
"Wait a minute. Mike could you get Eleven to come help us?" Dustin asked.
"I don't think she'll be able to go back there, but I'll ask. I'm not going to push her though guys." Mike said.
"Her power would be very useful to us." Lucas stated.
Will added, "Maybe El and I will be able to get through it together."
"So, What are you guys gonna do with your first check?" Dustin asked.
"Ummm..probably buy gas for my truck. Also, I'll probably buy that new Atari game." Lucas said.
"I'll put it towards our house payment." Will answered.
"Well, I know I'm gonna start stocking up in diapers and baby food. What about you Mike?" Dustin asked.
Mike replied, "I'm saving mine."
"Saving for what?" Lucas asked.
"A trailer to live in and...ummm..a ring." Mike said.
Dustin exclaimed, "Are two of my best friends getting married!?"
"I'm happy for you Mike." Will stated.
Lucas added, "Let me guess this ring is going to be way over the top, and way more expensive than it needs to be. Even though you know El won't care if you get her a ring pop."
"The ring is gonna cost more than the trailer." Dustin teased.
Mike replied, "Sounds accurate to me. Only the best for the gorgeous girl that I love."
"So Dustin when can we expect you to pop the question? You do have a baby on the way." Lucas asked.
"Not for a long while. I'm not ready to be married." Dustin answered.
"Guys, I need help. I need a special way to propose to her." Mike said.
"Do it on New Years Eve." Will suggested.
"Go out for a fancy dinner that night." Lucas added.
Will added,"Plan a scavenger hunt that leads up to midnight and make her think she is going to get a New Years kiss…"
Dustin interrupted, "Then get down on one knee and come up with a heart melting speech."
Mike agreed, "That's awesome guys! It's perfect. She will never expect it. Oh I can't wait to surprise her. At least I have a few months to plan."
"We are pretty awesome." Lucas said and they all laughed.
They all played the Atari and D&D. A few hours later, they all fell asleep. That next morning they all were up at 7:00am and ready to go. Mike decided to call Eleven and ask for help.
"Hello." El answered the phone.
"Hey it's Mike. I need your help." Mike stated.
"Oh hey Mike. Anything you need count me in." El replied.
Mike explained, "We are clearing out everything in the lab today and your powers would get it done faster. Mr. Clarke already knows about you I told him the whole story awhile ago. He didn't believe me at first, but the boys convinced him. If it's too much for you don't worry about it."
"I'm in." El said.
Mike replied, "Are you sure don't feel like you have to. I don't want you to.."
El interrupted, "Mike I'll be fine."
"Alright. See you in an hour. If you change your mind just call me. No one will be upset if you can't face that place. I'll pick you up in a bit. Bye, Love you." Mike said.
"Okay, see you then. Bye, love you too." El said and hung up. El was secretly nervous to go back in there, but she was determined to overcome her past memories. El threw on a bright colored top and some black leggings. She wanted something cheery to help keep her mind off the dreary lab. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down and walked out the door to Mike's car.
"Are you sure El? I don't want you to break down." Mike asked.
"Mike relax I'm going to be okay." El answered.
The drive seemed extremely short to El because of her nerves. When they arrived El hopped out and quickly grabbed Mike's hand. She closed her eyes and opened the door. After a few seconds, El opened her eyes. She was somehow calm, but after all it was only the lobby. The boys moved a few benches and El lifted some of the decor out of the building. All of the junk was being thrown into 's car, and the stuff worth keeping were being placed on the lawn.
El threw all the experimental equipment into the back of the truck. The guys cleaned the lobby space and throughout the rooms in the lab. Eventually, Mike and El walked into a room and El just stopped dead in her tracks. There was a kid's bed and teddy bear. El walked over to the bear and picked it up for a minute. She sat on the bed and tears started rolling down her cheek. Mike heard her crying and tried to pull her out of the room. She refused to budge.
"El I'll take you home if you want, but may I ask one thing? Is this your old room?" Mike asked.
"Yes." El answered.
Mike replied, "It's so empty and boring. That asshole didn't give you any other toys than one little bear. He wasted half your life. You had nothing to do but lay in this bed."
"Pretty much." El agreed.
"That's bullshit! He deserves punishment!" Mike yelled.
El said, "I'm over it. It's just this room bring back the memories of what he did. I was beaten and experimented on in this room."
Mike stated, "That guy deserves to suffer the same treatment. Uhhh…" He kicked the bed hard and hurt his foot for a second. Mike threw the mini dresser so hard it fell apart. El used her power to rip up the bed sheets and she threw the bed frame into the truck. Mike was about to walk out of that room when El stopped him.
"Mike." El said.
"Yeah El." Mike asked.
El replied, "This room needs a good memory."
"Your right come here." Mike commanded. Mike pushed El's gains the wall and planted a kiss on her lips. The kissing continued for a good five minutes until they were getting worried about getting caught.
"To be continued eventually.." Mike stated.
El agreed, "Thanks for the good memory." She kissed him on the cheek and they went to find the others. The rest of the cleaning and throwing out went quickly. With teamwork and bit of telekinesis the job went smoothly. Mike dropped El off at her house, and Hopper was standing outside. He had gotten over El graduating early. Hop motioned Mike towards him. Mike hopped out of the car and walked up to Hopper shaking.
"Relax Mike. I just wanted to invite you to have a Sunday afternoon of lunch and fishing with me. I would like to get to know you a little better. I mean I'm pretty sure you and my daughter have been dating for years and we've never properly gotten introduced." Hopper explained.
"Sure Chief Hopper." Mike agreed.
"Call me Hop and see you tomorrow." Hop said.
Mike walked to his car confused about what had just happened and contemplating about what to say to Hopper while fishing. This could either go well of horribly wrong for him.