LV

Eleven and Max head into the nearby woods, ignoring the fine fall drizzle. They only stop when Eleven considers that they are far enough from everything and everyone, and the only thing that can be heard is the song of the birds that have not yet managed to migrate or take refuge. Behind her, Max surveys their surroundings.

"Is what you have to tell me so secret that you couldn't even do it at school or at your house?" The irony, at least, does not betray any irritation.

Slowly, Eleven turns to her. She opens her mouth and closes it again without saying a word. Her trembling fingers stumble against each other.

"Yes…" she finally says. "It is."

Max frowns and adjusts the backpack slung over her right shoulder. "I'm listening."

Eleven purses her lips, trying to remember the script she's rehearsed for this conversation. "Do you remember… when I told you my name was 'Eleven'? And asked you not to tell anyone?" Her friend nods to her, although the confusion does not leave her features. "There's… a reason for that. Come."

Eleven walks over to a nearby fallen log and takes a seat; Max imitates her.

And then, she tells her: she tells her about her mother, about the experiments, about Papa…

She also tells her about Henry, although only in broad strokes: he's not really her cousin, but he was the one who saved her from that place. She doesn't want to scare her or reveal too many of the secrets of the person who has given her a new life. His abilities, for example, is something she refuses to reveal.

Max remains silent throughout the story, her attention fixed on her. When she's finally done, Eleven takes in her face: completely expressionless.

The silence that ensues is awkward, but she decides that she must know what Max is thinking. So she asks: "What… are you thinking?"

Max sighs and raises her eyebrows. Her mouth opens slightly, as if she's searching for the words. Eleven bites her bottom lip and clenches her fists.

"Now, that… that is a very good story."

Eleven tenses, her brows furrowed.

"But I don't get why you need to lie to m—"

"No," she pleads, making a face. "It's not like that, Max. I… I told you the truth."

"Are you telling me you have superpowers, El?" Her friend scolds her with an unbelieving expression. "Don't take me for a fool." She gets up. "Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, come out of hiding…!" she exclaims. "The joke is over, come outside and—!"

"It's not a joke," Eleven insists as she gets up and follows her. "Max, please…"

"Yeah, sure," her friend huffs. "Did you seriously think I would fall for this prank? Come on, El, I know you're smarter than that…"

Eleven closes her eyes. "Would you like me… to prove it to you?" she mutters.

This effectively silences her friend. And then: "Prove it? El, you can't—"

"Yes, I can," she retorts, reopening her eyes and looking at her seriously. "I can prove it to you."

Max's smile is extremely condescending, but Eleven is undeterred.

"Oh, for real? For real?" she replies suspiciously.

Eleven nods and extends her hand towards her. "I can read your mind. I can… show you things. And I can… move things. With my mind."

Max raises an eyebrow and casts a meaningful look at the log they had been sitting on moments before. Then she looks back at her. Eleven offers her a conciliatory smile and turns around.

She raises her hand.

Closes her eyes.

And the trunk rises into the air.