Chapter Text
April 1985
Mike Wheeler’s POV
It’s been several months since Will escaped the clutches of Dr. Brenner and saved us all from the creatures of the Upside Down. For once, things have been peaceful in the small town of Hawkins. The gate to the Upside Down is still open, but we haven’t seen any Demogorgons, Demo-dogs, or any evil scientists since Will, El, and all the heroes of Hawkins chased them away in addition to Will taking down their leader. We still think about it from time to time, but without knowing where the gate is, there’s nothing we can do, and as far as we know, nobody is in danger anymore.
My relationship with El has grown since she came back. Our time together is limited since she must stay hidden in case one of the “bad men” is still out there. Hopper makes sure we keep the door open at least three inches, but I’m happy to accept any condition that allows us to be together. I’ve introduced her to some of my favorite music and comics and we have had the chance to watch a lot of movies together. Sometimes, we really enjoy the movie, but other times, we’re too focused on making out to know what’s going on, but that’s certainly not a bad thing.
My friendship with Will is stronger than it has ever been. I was worried that this wouldn’t be the case because of how I treated him when I thought that he and El had been having a romantic relationship behind my back. I should have known that they would never betray me like that, but when I saw them meeting each other without telling me about it, I was so angry that I snapped at him and pushed him down the ground without giving him a chance to explain himself. I replay that moment in my head quite frequently, and I am still ashamed of myself. He has forgiven me, but I haven’t quite forgiven myself. Nonetheless, things have gone back to the way they were before all the craziness that occurred when he went missing about a year and a half ago and after that. We’re inseparable, and that’s the way we like it. Much of our time spent together includes our other friends, Dustin, Lucas, and El, but there are also times when it’s just us as well.
I don’t remember how this happened, but I have always been the unofficial leader of the party. I was usually the one that organized the Dungeons and Dragon campaigns and played Dungeon Master, and I was the one that would normally choose what the group does. I’m open to suggestions, but they usually just go with whatever I want to do.
After what Will did for us, all of Hawkins, and maybe the entire world last year, I don’t feel like I deserve it anymore. He’s the only person I know of that could survive a week in the Upside Down, almost a year’s worth of episodes of flashing back and forth from the place, being possessed by the Mind Flayer, crazy new powers, and a fight with some of the most vicious, terrifying creatures anyone could imagine. Whenever I tell him that, he says that it’s no big deal, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s just like him, though, selling himself short.
Despite this, I have noticed a change in him. He’s stronger and more confident than he had ever been before. He has the power of telekinesis and the ability to reach out to people far away using sensory deprivation, just like El, but unlike her, he only uses them when he needs to. Sometimes, when we spend time together, I forget that he even has those powers, but when I look at him, I know that he doesn’t even need them. Many people have told me that they admire my confidence, but the truth is, I’m nowhere near as much so as he is, and to me, that’s a good thing.
After an unusually harsh winter in Hawkins, spring is finally upon us, and my time as a middle school student is coming to an end, as is the case for my friends as well. Not only that, but a new mall will open its doors for the first time tomorrow. It’s called Starcourt Mall, and I’ve heard of all the fun things you can do there. My friends and I plan on checking it out.
The party and I are excited about going there, especially because there is a new movie we all plan on seeing together, and we can even get in for free because our friend, Steve, got a job there at Scoops Ahoy! and can let us in through the backdoor. Even El can join us since the group is so large. It’s going to be great having the whole party together in one place!