Chapter Text
Hawkins, Indiana, 1987.
It’s been three years since Eleven had met Mike. Hopper had long since adopted Eleven and now acted as more of a surrogate dad rather than “legal guardian”. Eleven was excited - she was finally allowed to exit the house and explore. She’d soon discovered Mike’s sister, Nancy, and the two had become best friends.
“Here, let me put some blush on,” said Nancy, as she did Eleven’s makeup for the first time. Eleven shuddered internally, uncomfortable - the feeling was unfamiliar. Mike had done her makeup before, but she wasn’t used the sensation of the brush on her cheek. Nancy stepped back and looked at Eleven. “You look really pretty with makeup,” she smiled softly. “You should use it more often.” Eleven grinned back. “Pretty,” she murmured, as Nancy passed her a mirror. Nancy grinned again and said, “Do you want to watch a movie? I have Grease.” Eleven nodded. Nancy took her hand and led her into the sitting room, then pulled a blanket around the both of them. Mike was at the Palace Arcade, with Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max, which bothered Eleven and was the cause of Nancy and Eleven’s night together. Nancy knew how it was to be abandoned - after the entire thing with her ex-boyfriend Steve, Jonathan had been the only one to care and tell her it was alright. Over time, Jonathan and Nancy had gotten closer and closer together until they were practically inseparable. Then, well, Jon had kissed her and that was that.
In any case, Nancy couldn’t bear to see Eleven upset over Max and her little brother, so she’d grabbed her by the hand and took her home. Personally, Nancy believed, in her heart of hearts, that Mike and Eleven should be together, not that Max kid - she was nothing but trouble, especially her older brother. Or cousin. Or, whatever. Though, Billy was attractive, Nancy did not want anything to do with him.
Eleven watched with fascination as Danny kissed Sandy on the screen. She remembered the feeling of Mike’s lips on hers. Eleven had never felt anything as wonderful as it. She leaned further into Nancy, hiding her face, smiling and reddening at the memory.
“Are you thirsty?” asked Nancy, as she got up from the tattered family room couch, and walked over to the kitchen. “Yes,” said Eleven, nodding her head. Nancy opened the fridge door, grabbing two cans of Coke. Eleven’s chest tightened. Her memories of Hawkins Lab came slowly inching back. She could hear the voice of her Papa, whispering in her ear.
“Can you do it, Eleven?” asked Papa. He placed a photo of a man in the table in front of her. Eleven studied his facial features, taking into account his jawline, beard stubble, large ears, and bald spot. She nodded slowly, not taking her gaze off the photo. “I’ll be here, right by your side, I promise.” said Papa with a friendly grin. She closed her eyes, searching.
Eleven entered the void. Black space surrounded her, and cold water covered the floor. She walked around, keeping an eye out for the man she pictured in her head. Her footsteps echoed throughout the air.
Then she saw him.
His dead corpse lay on the floor, wine-red blood spreading around him. A sharp, gleaming knife stood upright in the center of his chest.
Eleven screamed. She knelt down on the cold floor, hyperventilating. “Papa!” she yelled. No answer. “Papa! Papa!” Eleven bellowed. He promised. Papa promised that he would be by her side the entire time.
“Eleven?” said Nancy, as she placed a hand on her shoulder. Eleven glanced upwards, a tear traveling down her cheek, leaving a wet trail behind. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Home,” she muttered. “Want to go home.” Nancy nodded, placing the cans on the coffee table. “I’ll call your dad,” Nancy said with a gentle, yet worried smile.
Half an hour later, Hopper’s car pulled over on the Wheeler’s driveway. Eleven walked outside in her black fleece jacket. It was a gift from Mike. They were both at the clothing store several days ago, trying on different outfits, fooling around, laughing, like young teens should. “It looks great on you,” Mike complimented. “I’ll buy it for you, as a memory of this.” Eleven may have been a teenager, but she wasn’t used to the whole, ‘girlfriend and boyfriend’ thing. Things were confusing to her. “If you like a boy, don’t show it,” Nancy said to Eleven a while ago, during one of their ‘girl talks’. “Nobody likes a desperate girl, especially not guys. Tease them, keep them wanting more. Don’t say too much, but don’t say too little either.” Nancy had her fair share of boyfriends, so her experience came in handy to Eleven, even if it was complicated.
Eleven didn’t know if her and Mike were ‘together’. Sure, they were best friends, but were they more than ‘just friends’?
Ever since Eleven saw Mike and Max laughing together in the school gym, she decided that she would never associate herself with her. Who does this girl think she is? She moves in from across the country, befriends Dustin and Lucas, fools around with Mike, and tries to replace Eleven? Max would never be the same as her. She’s just some psycho with red hair and a skateboard, along with a troublesome brother.
“Hey, kid,” grinned Hopper, as he patted her on the back. “Did you have fun?” Eleven nodded, not saying a word. She walked straight to the passenger side, opening the door, and got in. Hopper started the car. He had a confused expression. “Something’s up, I know it,” he grumbled. “What happened?”
Eleven turned to the side. “Nothing happened,” she murmured. “I’m tired, and hungry.” Hopper sighed. “If you say so,” he said. He turned up the radio.
“We’ll stop by the store and get you some Eggos, how’s that?” Eleven shook her head. She looked out the window, gazing at the tall, dark trees. “N-no Eggos,” she stammered. “I want a burger.”
Hopper pulled over beside a burger joint. The two walked inside, neither of them saying a word.