Chapter Text
“Ten, Wheeler,” Hopper said sternly, staring down a sixteen year old Mike Wheeler with an intimidating glare. “She gets home by ten, or you die.”
“Papa!” Eleven reprimanded, blushing as she looked at her father in embarrassed horror. She internally groaned after the aftermath of several years of awkward kisses and dancing around labels. Eleven simply asked Mike out on a date the day before, and it had been chaos ever since.
“E-Excuse me?” Mike had spluttered, turning beet red as he closed his locker. El frowned, clutching her notebooks and binder closer to her chest.
“Would you like to go on a date with me, Mike?” She said slowly, her words practiced and patient.
“No! Yes! I mean, uh, I wanted to ask you but, uh-” Mike said, his rambling cut short as Eleven's confusion turned to visible disappointment. She twirled the ends of her hair, which almost reached her shoulders. Mike sighed.
“Sorry. I’d love to, El.”
Eleven looked up at him in surprise, and Mike could have sworn his heart skipped a beat as her beautiful smile lit up her eyes.
“Holy shit!” Nancy squealed as Eleven told her the news over the phone the day of the date. Despite her being in college at Stanford, Nancy remained Eleven's confidant, and she relied on her for information on all things social/romantic. It was a rare weekend she was spending at Hawkins, too, so Eleven had no clue of the game plan Nancy had forming in her mind.
“Language!” Her mother scolded. Nancy casually ignored her, clasping her hands together in delight.
“I'll be over in ten. I'm gonna doll you up so good Mike won't know what hit him.”
Nancy rushed into the Hopper house without even knocking, startling a half naked Hopper who was in the kitchen eating Eggos in his uniform shirt and boxers with Joyce. Nancy was unfazed, waving hello at the two and gunning it for Eleven's room, holding an arm full of dresses and a box full of makeup. Hopper looked at his wife in surprise, and the two rushed into his room as Hopper pulled on his pants, and whipped open Eleven's door to find Nancy tossing Eleven a dress as she pulled out a pair of tweezers from the box.
“Whoa, what's this?” Hopper said, absolutely bewildered as he took a bite out of his waffle. Nancy looked at him in confusion.
“Eleven has a date with Mike tonight. Remember? She told you, right?”
Hopper choked on his waffle. Joyce patted his back in an effort to ease his sudden reaction as Eleven looked at the ground shyly.
“Whoops,” she whispered. Nancy sighed, patting her on the back.
Three hours later, Eleven was donned with a beautiful jewel neckline, navy blue polka dot dress, her hair put up in a wavy ponytail with a navy blue polka dot wrap to match. Her curves were accentuated with the dress, and wearing two inch navy blue heels(which she had to use her powers more than once to keep steady in), and only a bit of mascara, blush, and lip gloss, she looked like an angel. Hopper grumbled under his breath as Eleven walked out of her room, doing her best to adjust to the heels. Nancy dusted off her hands, obviously pleased with her work.
“Oh, my little girl's all grown up!” Joyce cooed, pulling Eleven into a hug. Hopper crossed his arms.
“Dress is a bit short, if you ask me.”
“Jim Hopper!” Joyce chided, swatting her husband's arm.
“Y-yes, Hopper. I mean sir,” Mike stammered. Eleven shot a look at her father, who simply returned it full force.
“Go before I change my mind,” he said resignedly, losing the battle of will against his daughter. With a victorious grin, she waved goodbye to her father and took Mike's hand, running towards the Wheeler mini-van with glee.
Arriving at the movie theater just a couple minutes later, Mike spotted his sister and Jonathan eagerly awaiting their arrival at the cinema's entrance. A double date with the Michael's adult sibling and his stepson was the only way to appease Hopper(and Mike and El both owed it to Will, who suggested the compromise). He parked across the street, letting out a slow breath.
“Okay, uh, stay there real quick,” Mike said to El, getting out of the car and rushing around to open her door. He extended out a hand to her, and El noticed he was wearing the light blue polo shirt she liked on him. She smiled at him and took his hand.
“Thank you,” she said shyly, standing up on the sidewalk.
Picking a comedy to watch to ease the awkwardness that was bound to multiply between the teens, Nancy and Jonathan decided they should all watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It was a wise decision, because as the audience laughed and laughed, the shyness between Mike and Eleven melted away, and soon Mike's arm was wrapped around El's shoulders, and they were stealing kisses as often as they could when they thought no one was watching.
The goodnight kiss was amazing, in both Mike and El’s opinion.
“Thank you for taking me to the movies, Mike,” El said softly, standing close to Mike as they stood on the doorsteps of her house. Nancy decided to spend the night with Jonathan at her house, so she forced Mike to walk Eleven home, leaving the two alone. The time was 9:57, and their date was coming to an end. Mike smiled.
“Thanks for asking me out first,” he said. Eleven giggled, and at the sound of her lovely laugh, Mike couldn't resist the urge anymore.
“Can I kiss you goodnight, El?” He asked quietly. Eleven looked up at him with with a shy grin, and nodded.
He tenderly closed the space between them, his lips meeting hers, and his hands were suddenly on her waist, pulling her close to his body. El matched his eagerness, wrapping her arms around his neck as they kissed again and again, the goodnight kiss turning into goodnight kisses. It was amazing.
At least, until the police siren and headlights of Hopper's car went off. The two jumped apart in surprise as the car's PA system crackled.
“This is Chief Hopper speaking. Step away from the daughter, Wheeler. I repeat, step away from the daughter.”
Muffled snickers sounded from inside, and the two looked to catch a brief glimpse of Joyce, Dustin, Lucas, and Will looking out the window before the blinds shut in a snap. Mike gulped in terror, but felt a hand grab his own and squeeze it gently. Meeting Eleven's gaze, he relaxed a bit.
“Goodnight, El.”
“Goodnight, Mike.”