The lunch bell rang.
Mike opened up his blue locker to put away his books and pick up his lunch sack. The lunch was awful here and no way he'd be caught having mystery loaf or whatever surprise the lunch ladies conjured up so he played it safe with a turkey sandwich and some oreos.
As he grabbed his lunch and shut his locker, he felt something. A strange sensation suddenly overcame him, his arm hairs stood on end and he began to feel chills run through his body. He shook his head trying to shake off the weird feeling.
Once he turned around, he saw a girl with medium length wavy brown hair halfway down the hall from him. He couldn't see her face clearly but he knew she must've been a new student.
He couldn't explain why but he was strangely drawn to her. He slowly followed her to see where she was going but he stopped, soon realizing what he was doing.
"Dude what's wrong with you? You can't just stalk some random chick" He thought to himself
He made his way to the cafeteria instead. The familiar smell of meatloaf along with the tons of loud ongoing conversations filled the atmosphere.
The cafeteria was split into different sections. Football players and cheerleaders, the cool kids, band geeks, goths, misfits, and your average nerds.
The average nerd section is where the boys ate lunch at.
"So what's for lunch today, Mike?" Dustin asked
"Turkey sandwich, apple and oreos.. What you got?"
"Tuna and some lays"
"Alright.. trade you the oreos for the lays"
"Deal." Dustin replied handing Mike the chips
Lucas waved his hands in their faces "So guys onto more important matters, we should go see Beetlejuice tomorrow!"
Mike raised an eyebrow "Uh why.. Beetlejuice?"
"Because Max wants to seeee it" Dustin blurted in a sing song voice
Lucas elbowed him in the side "Man shut up! She's coming!
The redheaded girl then came and sat down at the table
"So what's new with you losers?" She smiled
"We're gonna go see beetlejuice tomorrow, You in?" Lucas chimed
"Hell yeah. I've been wanting to see that movie since I've heard about it! I didn't know you guys were into that type of thing."
"Well we are full of surprises"
"More like full of bull" Mike uttered as he faked a cough
Max was confused "Wait. what was that?"
Lucas glared at Mike "It was nothing."
✧
Oh Chemistry Class.
One of Mike's favorite classes not only because of the cool experiments but also because it was the last class of the day.
He reminisced back to when he had Mr. Clarke.
Mr. Clarke was the best teacher he ever had and was the one who really inspired Mike in science. He seemed to know all the answers to every question and was always really nice about letting him and his friends use the hamshack heath kit.
"Okay class today I want to introduce you to a new student who will be joining us, Eleanor Ives."
"Hello Eleanor" the class replied in unison
Mike looked at her and immediately felt that sensation again. A large lump began forming in the back of his throat as his hands began to grow clammy. He couldn't understand why he was feeling this way, yes she was pretty but that wasn't it. There was something more to this girl, it was like he knew her from somewhere.
"Call me El" she said shyly, waving back to the class
"So Eleanor needs a lab partner. Who wants to volunteer?" Mr. Mumford asked the class
Many boys hands shot up
"Ooh I can help her! because I definitely feel a chemical reaction going on" winked an obnoxious blonde haired kid
El had no idea what he meant by that but it kinda made her feel uncomfortable
"Nice try.. But I actually need someone who will help teach and catch her up on labs and assignments" Mumford said as he scanned the class looking for someone
"Ah.. Mr. Wheeler can be your lab partner. He is one of my top students and definitely will be of great use to you"
The other boys groaned in disappointment
As El made her way to where Mike was sitting she immediately felt a spark surge through her body.
Wait a minute.. She knew this boy.
Mike looked at her and as soon as their eyes met it clicked with him.
They stood in silence as they stared at each other and it was like the world seemed to stop for that very moment.
"E-El-Eleven?" He stuttered breaking the silence
"Mike.."
✧
Once class ended, Mike had so many questions for her. His head spun and his heart felt like it would explode from nervousness and excitement.
"I-I've missed you!" were all the words he could finally seem to get out
"I missed you too" She smiled
"I can't believe you're here! You're actually here! I thought, Well I thought I would never see you again.. I thought the worst you know.." He said hanging his head
She gently touched his arm "Nobody can know. Here, I'm Eleanor not Eleven"
"Yeah that makes sense. You don't want people asking too many questions. But wow. Where have you been? What made you decide to come back? And do you have a safe place to stay?"
She looked at him and softly laughed. She liked how he would ramble on and get tongue tied around her, it reminded her of when they were younger.
"Wait, sorry I'm asking you too many questions now. I'm just.. Well.. it's just really great to see you El. You look you know.. different"
She looked at him confused
"Wait, not a bad different, like a good different!"
El had changed over the course of four years time. Her hair had grown longer and it looked beautiful and she was developing curves in all the right places that he couldn't help but notice.
"You look different too. Good different" She replied
"Do you wanna come over?" Or-or maybe we could get some lunch?"
"Hopper is waiting on me. I can't.." she said with a hint of sadness in her voice
"So you're staying at Hops? Well that's good to know and you're not too far either. Okay then, but I'll see you tomorrow right?"
"Yes, Promise"
✧
Mike biked his way to the arcade and it seemed like he couldn't get there fast enough
Lucas, Dustin, and Max were there playing Galaga like they normally did after school
"Hey, look who finally decided to show up" said Dustin
"Lucas! Dustin! I need to talk to you guys now."
"Hold on man, I'm about to beat Max's score" Lucas jiggled the joystick and pressed the buttons rapidly on the arcade machine
Mike dragged him away "You can play later, we gotta talk asap!"
"Ughh! Shit, you ruined my streak!" he groaned
Max took over the game "Yes! My turn!"
Dustin looked over at Mike "So what's up dude?"
"Yeah.. What? This better be pretty important" Lucas replied annoyed
"I saw Eleven.."
"You're talking mind powered weirdo girl who killed the demogorgon and saved our asses?" Dustin questioned
"Yeah, she goes to our school now!"
"I think you're referring to the new girl.. Isn't her name like Eleanor or something?"
"Yeah, Dustin I know exactly who you're talking about. That new girl, Eleanor who goes by El" Lucas interjected
"Well yeah she's the new girl. She just goes by Eleanor but it's really Eleven guys!"
Dustin and Lucas looked at each other before they bust out in laughter
"I'm serious, you have to believe me!"
"Dude no way is that Eleven! She disappeared a long time ago remember?"
"I know it's hard to comprehend but that girl is Eleven. The same Eleven that we found in the woods. The same Eleven that went to the upside down and the same Eleven that saved.. You know.. Will.."
Lucas put his hand on his shoulder. "Mike, just let it go okay.. Eleven is dead. Alright"
Mike pushed his hand off of him "No..You know what..forget you guys!" He yelled walking outside and riding away on his bike
"So uh what did I miss?" mentioned Max
"Not much.. I call new round!" Lucas ran back to the arcade machine with Max and Dustin following behind him.