El sits across from Jim, happy that they're able to share a meal together. It has been a while.
He smiles as he watches her finish her salisbury steak TV dinner.
"You look good," he says. "Appetite is back."
"I'm close," she tells him.
"To 100%?" he clarifies.
She nods.
She's not sleeping as much anymore, and her head doesn't pound every time she changes equilibrium. She's close.
"I'm sorry I haven't been here," Jim tells her, always forthright. "I wish I could spend every moment with you, kid."
"Steve," El says simply. She understands. "He's needed you."
"Yes he has," Jim agrees.
"He's tough," El says. "He protects."
"We all protect each other, kid. That's how it goes."
"Family."
"Yeah. Family." Jim takes El's finished container and throws it in the trash. "You still hungry for some dessert Eggos?"
"Always."
xxx
"When you're finished with that, I have a letter for you."
El stops mid-bite. She had been savoring the last Eggo topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles, but now… "From Mike?"
Jim grins. "And the others."
El finishes the rest of her waffle in one over-sized bite. "Okay, done," she says eagerly and holds her hand out expectantly.
Jim fishes it out of his back pocket, grinning widely as he hands over the envelope.
El snatches it out of his hands and tears it open, taking in the handwriting and supplementary drawings from Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will.
"I want to read it on my own," El tells Jim. "Is that okay?" She's been feeling more confident with her reading.
Jim nods; he looks proud. "Absolutely." He stands up from the table. "I'm gonna hit the head. Back in a few."
El takes in a deep breath, and starts reading.
xxx
Dear El,
I miss you. We all do. I hope you're still recovering well. Hopper says you're getting better every day. Will is getting better, too. I can't wait until you get to come to school with us. The party won't be complete until you're back.
I thought that everything would quiet down after you closed the gate, but there is a lot still going on. I know Hopper told you about Steve. He's staying with the Byers. We're all just trying to help him get through this.
That girl Max is still hanging around. Lucas is like… in love with her or something. He's so in love that he doesn't see how annoying she is. I think he wants to take her to the Snow Ball.
Speaking of the Snow Ball, I want to take YOU. Do you think Hopper will let you come?
I have to go because the others want to write something too. I miss you. I hope I get to see you soon.
-Mike
xxx
Dear El,
Mike is right. We miss you A LOT.
Don't listen to him about Max, though. She's really cool. I think you two could be friends. Just keep an open mind when you meet her again, okay? And I'm NOT in love with her.
Take care of yourself. Our party misses its most valuable member.
-Lucas
xxx
ELEVEN!
Holy crap do we miss you.
I hope this letter makes you smile.
Hopper says you and Mike have been writing back and forth so you can practice your reading and writing. That's so cool! Hopefully you can read what I'm saying. You're really smart so you probably can.
We're at the Byers' house right now. We came to hang out with Will and see how Steve's doing. You don't really know Steve, do you? He's SO AWESOME. I think he's really sad right now, though. I wish I could do something to cheer him up.
Keep in touch, okay? We love you.
-Dustin
xxx
Hi El,
This is Will. I know we don't know each other too well, but I think about you often. I think about how you helped save me.
I hope you're doing okay. I know it's hard being away from friends.
Mike, Lucas, and Dustin always talk about you so much that it feels like I've known you my whole life. I can't wait to meet you in person.
Until then,
Will Byers
xxx
Underneath Will's note is a drawing of the Upside Down and the Shadow Monster looming, with El standing protectively, arm outstretched, between that and a huddled-up figure of Will. Beneath the drawing, Will had simply written Thank You.
xxx
El is overcome with emotion by the time she's finished reading.
She feels tears on her cheeks.
"Hey, kiddo," Jim says when he returns to sit across from her. "Are those happy or sad tears?"
She's not sure. "I think both," she says, and wipes her cheeks with the back of her hands.
"Friends have the effect, sometimes," Jim says wisely. He holds his hand out expectantly. "May I?"
El nods and hands it over. She watches Jim as he reads.
He smiles fondly at the notes. "Good kids," he says when he's finished. He sets the paper on the table, leans forward, rests his chin in his hands. "I know how hard this has been for you."
"Yeah," El says softly. "But… necessary."
Jim looks thoughtful. "Yeah," he echoes. He reaches his hand out and places it on top of hers. "By the way, you're going to that Snow Ball."
El's heart stutters. "Wait. Really?" she says, elated.
"I'll make it happen."
El squeals with delight and jumps up to give Jim a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you!" Then she wraps her arms around his shoulders to give him a hug from behind.
Jim laughs and pats at her arms around his neck. "Easy now, kid. You better start your response quick, so you have it in writing. You still have some time before Jeopardy!"
El glances at the clock to confirm Jim's claim. "Okay!" she agrees happily.
She rounds the table to sit back in her chair.
Jim slides a fresh pad of paper and a pen over to her.
She gets to work.