#lazycollectionofcoffee
Jane tapped her pencil on her science notebook. Dustin, Lucas, and Will quickly wrote down notes from Mr. Clark, Max signed from behind her. She looked to the clock, ten more minutes and then she can run, she can get out of this prison and finally see him. It had been two weeks since he had closed the gate, two weeks since they had shared hushed words while everyone else slept throughout the Byers house.
She was still mad at Hopper, she tried not to be, but it was hard to understand when it hurt so much. She just wanted to know where he had been, what he had seen, and what he had learned since the last time they were really able to see one another. She wanted to know if he really heard everything she had to say to him all those days he was gone; if he understood her feelings for him.
“Dude chill,” Max said from behind her. Jane rolled her eyes, stopping her pencil from the annoying tap that was echoing throughout the class. She sat up a little straighter in her seat, clearing her throat, bouncing her leg up and down. She couldn’t sit still, not with so much running through her head.
“This will be important information to remember for the midterm.” The bell rang, every student stood; grabbing their bags. Jane jumped up, stuffing her notebook into her satchel.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Lucas rolled his eyes, Dustin smacking Lucas in the arm.
“Look at her,” He said from his seat. “She’s in love.”
“Shut up Dustin,” she said in anger. Her cheeks ran red as she smack him on the back of his head as she ran from the room. She pulled the directions Jonathan had given her the day before from her cardigan pocket; pushing open the school doors, making her way to her bike. She looked up to the cloudy sky, hoping the rain could wait. She quickly undid the lock on her bike, pulling it out of the rack. She pulled the strap of her bag tight across her torso, pulling it higher so the bag didn’t hit the tire. She held the direction with her lips, zooming past other students as she made her way past town.
The ride was longer than she thought it would be as she zoomed past Mirkwood, and down the small highway. The air was getting colder; her button nose was starting to run slightly. She huffed as she peddled faster and faster. Her eyes watered as the wind blew in every direction. She stopped on the side of the road, taking the paper from her mouth she read over the direction one more time. She looked down the small path next to her, tire tracks leading into the forest. She looked from front to back, making sure there was no one there to watch her go down the path.
She walked her bike into the wood, looking all around; taking in every detail to remember her path. She spotted Hopper’s truck, leaning her bike up against it. She past a few bushes; her stockings getting caught on a few branches. There was a clear path to take, her Oxford black and white shoes gathering a small amount of mud on the sides.
She thought for a moment she was moving the wrong way, there was nothing that she could see out in the wood, but just like magic it appeared behind a thick of trees. A small cabin; smoke coming from the chimney top. She breathed in relief, walking quickly up the slanted ground, only to find herself fall face first, a loud gunshot ringing her ears. Her heart speed up and she looked all around her, she couldn’t find the source of the noise, slowly realizing she had tripped on a thick metal wire. Hopper had set up a trip wire.
She heard the front door slowly open, Hoppers face peering behind it before he rolled his eyes; his pistol being put back into his belt.
“Get your ass inside,” he said harshly. Jane picked herself up; brushing leafs from her skirt and hair. She bounced up the steps, squeezing past Hopper. The warmth of the cabin melted the chill in her cheeks, the smell of coffee bringing her comfort. “Why?” Hopper said locking the door.
“You can’t hide him forever,” she said turning to the man. “You can’t just lock him up. He needs his friends.” She could hear a creek behind her, making both her and Hopper turn to the noise. Mike peaked out of the door, tall and slim, pajamas that didn’t go past his ankles. His hair was longer than she could remember; a slight curl growing into it.
“Jane,” he said in a breath, rushing out of the room and into her arms. “You found me.” He pulled her back, both of their eyes gleaning with happiness. She could tell he was still having a hard time sleeping, the dark circles under her eyes matching hers.
“I missed you,” she said softly, both of them letting out a breath they didn’t know they were holding. “I wanted to come and see you as soon as I could. I have a question to ask you.” He raised his eye brows at her, looking to Hopper for permission.
“yeah yeah,” Hopper said. “Just keep the door open, and keep it down.” Mike took her hand, leading her into his room. She looked around at the plane paneled walls, feeling the warmth of the fire in the front room.
“My room,” he said to her with a smile. “I do a lot of thinking here. I visit you from here.” She nodded her head in understanding, taking a seat on his bed; taking her bag off and putting it onto the floor. “You found me,” he said again; sitting next to her. She smiled at his remark.
“Jonathan gave me the directions. I was tired of begging Hopper at the station.” A silence fell between then, Jane took another look around her. “So,” she began. “Um, in about a month we are going to have a dance at school.”
“Snow Ball,” Mike interrupted.
“Yeah,” she said with a smile. “You remember.” They both smiled at one another. “I was wondering, I mean I understand if you can’t go. We had talked last year, you know before everything happened, about going to the Snow Ball; more than just friends.”
“You wouldn’t be my sister,” Mike said with a laugh. “I remember. Are you asking me to go?”
“Yes,” she said in excitement. “I mean, I get it if you can’t. You’re kind of on lock down right now.”
“Lock down,” Mike repeated. He thought about what she said, looking to Hopper in the other room. “I will have to ask.”
“Of course.”
“Probably best to do when you leave though.” Mike said with a slight embarrassment. “We argue a lot, but I think he would understand. We promised you and me.” Jane smiled at his words, surprised by how much he just said.
“I’m so happy I got to see you,” she said back to him. “I’m so happy you’re okay.” Mike grabbed her hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing it. She slightly gasped in surprise, giving him a small giggle.
“I saw it in a movie once.”
“You’re watching movies?” she said in surprise.
“Lots and T.V. shows. I’ve seen a lot of things.” They continued their conversation. Talking and talking before Hopper came into the room to let her know she needed to start heading home before it got dark. Mike followed her to the porch, both of them looking into one another’s eyes, before she turned around and headed back to her bike. Her chest felt lighter than it ever had before.
“Mom I don’t want to do this,” Mike groaned pouring more punch powder into the large bowl. He stirred the ladle, scratching at the sweater that was strangling his neck.
“Of course you don’t,” Mrs. Wheeler rolled her eyes, pilling clear cups near the bowl. “Just do this for me, please. I was a part of the committee in high school, the responsibility falls onto me.”
“Then how is it falling onto me?” Mike whined.
“Because you’re my son,” she said to him sternly. “Didn’t you ever wonder why your dad and I had kids? So they can do the things we don’t want to.” Mike fought to keep a smile off of his face. “You’re almost done, just finish the punch, and set up some chair, that’s all I’m asking.”
“Okay,” he said calmly. His mom began to walk away, looking to Nancy as she helped Ms. Jones put up the welcome banner.
“Oh,” his mother turned back to him, he finger up in realization. “Have you heard of the Chief’s new daughter?” Mike perked up, looking to his mother in interest.
“Maybe,” he stuttered.
“Well, she might be coming tonight. Make sure she feels welcome. She doesn’t know anyone.” Mike nodded his head at his mother, trying not to smile in excitement. “Plus we could always us the chief of police in our good grace.” Mike stopped stirring the punch.
“I’m not going to get gossip for you mom.”
“Gossip?” she said discussed. “I don’t care for any of the sort.” She walked away from Mike, sternly saying soft directions at Nancy. Mike smiled lightly, walking to the pile of chairs to set up. El was coming; it had been weeks since they were able to see one another. The last person that was able to see her was Steve; he was at the cabin every weekend to keep El from getting cabin fever.
Since she was going to school in the spring semester, Hopper had locked her up with as many school assignments he could get her. Of course Mike talked to her every night over the Supercomm, but that was a one way conversation. Mike got lost in his thought, placing foldable chairs, not paying attention to what was happening around him.
“Watch out dweeb,” Mike jumped back into reality. Stacey stood in front of him, her hands on her pink dressed hips; her pointed heal tapping up and down. They stared at one another for a moment, Mike confused as to what was happening.
“Umm, did you need something?” He said, scrunching his eyebrows at the girl.
“Your Mike right?” Mike rolled his eyes. Mike and Stacy had been in the same fifth grade class. He knew she knew who he was because she had thrown up on him during their class Christmas party that year.
“Why do you need to know,” he said dryly.
“I will be showing the new girl the ropes tonight. I saw her in town a few days ago with the Chief, she was pretty, and she has potential. We don’t need someone like you taking that away from her.” Mike had the erg to slap her, his blood slightly boiling. “Just make sure you keep your distance. It’s bad enough we have to be at this reunion; I don’t need you taking away a potential squad member.”
“Didn’t you get denied a spot on the cheer squad this year?” She stared at him with a wide mouth.
“Yes well, freshmen rarely make the team. I’ll have a spot next year.” She huffed at him before leaving; he shook his head before going back to placing the chairs around the high school gym. He looked at his watch. It was almost seven o’ clock, which meant people should be showing up at any time.
He looked around the gym for his mother, he saw her at the very end by the snack tables, rushing back and forth to make sure everything was in place. He watch as all the other adults stood back, letting her panic on her own.
“Note to self, never join the party committee.” Mike said to himself.
“I thought we decided on party planning instead of A.V. club.” Will came walking swiftly from the open doors. His mother looked around the gym in annoyance.
“Byers,” Mike said with a smile. Will smiled back.
“My mom didn’t want me to stay home alone.” He said; point his thumb to his mother. “She’s driving me insane.” Mike clapped his friend on the back.
“Well, if it makes you feel better my mother is driving me crazy too.” He pointed to the end of the gym. Stacy laughed at something she said, Nancy rolling her eyes at her mother.
“Why is Stacy talking to you mom?” Will asked.
“I’m pretty sure she’s trying to get on the gossip train before the night starts. She wants eyes and ears on everyone.” Both Will and Mike looked to Mrs. Byers. “Like she’ll get much from your mom. I swear she had all the gossip in the world, but the lack of information your mother gives her drives her insane.”
“Yes well, my mom is good at keeping her mouth shut.” Both boys nodded at that. “Although Hopper will be here tonight so I’m sure that relationship will be making headlines in the towns News Paper.” The boys stood on the back wall, watching more adult’s poor through the doors of the gym. Music began to play, Will bobbing his head to My Girl.
Mike felt a tug in him something forcing him to look towards the doors, and there she was. She wore a long sleeved purple dress, a small black belt around her stomach. She looked around the gym, taking in the new school as much as she could before she locked eyes with him. Before she could move forward Hopper walked in behind her, whispering something in her ear. She nodded her head, walking away from the man almost in a run.
She stopped in front of them in what seemed like embarrassment, looking around the room before sticking her hand out. Both Will and Mike looked to each other in confusion.
“Hopper said I need to introduce myself.” All three of them stood in silence for a moment before Will moved forward.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Will.” El laughed, shaking the boy’s hand.
“Jane,” she said softly.
“Jane,” both of the boys questioned.
“Um, yeah.” She nodded her head, moving her hair behind her ears. “It’s the name on the birth paper.”
“Birth certificate?” Mike asked. Her eyes lit up at him. “It’s your birth records.” She nodded her head in excitement. Movement from the corner of his eyes caught his attention; his mother watching him from across the room as Stacy made her way over. He could see fire dancing in her eyes. Mike stuck his hand out quickly.
“I’m Michael, Mike for short.” He watched as El took his hand slowly, moving it up and down. He rolled his eyes, hating this exchange. “This doesn’t feel right.” He grabbed a hold of her, hugging her. He smiled as she giggled into his neck; the warmth of her embrace making his insides warm with something he didn’t know was missing.
“Excuse me,” Mike huffed at the voice, El pulled back from the hug to see who it was. “I’m Stacy,” Mike watched as El looked down at the hand that was presented in front of her.
“Jane,” she said simple, shaking the girls hand. She looked to Mike to insure she was doing it right; Mike smiled at her nodding her head.
“Right,” Stacy said looking back a forth between the two. “Well, I thought I could show you around. Maybe introduce you to some important people that can help you integrate into school. You start in second term right?” El remained quite, Mike panicked for a moment. She had never really talked to an outsider before; this was all new territory for her.
“I think Mike was going to help me with that,” She said with a smile. “But thank you for the offer. Maybe I’ll see you,” El paused thinking through her words. “Maybe I’ll see you around.” Mike had never felt so proud. His cheeks were starting to hurt from his smile.
“Oh,” Stacy stood in shock, look back and forth from him to Will. The boys looked at one another. Mike couldn’t wait to tell Dustin about the exchange. “Well, I’ll be helping Mrs. Wheeler when you change your mind. These boys can be kind of lame.”
“I like lame,” El said with a smile. She grabbed Mike’s hand looking up at hi. “Do you want to dance?” Mike thought about her question, looking to the dance floor where no one was dancing.
“Sure,” He said pulling her past Stacy.
“I’ll tell Dustin you said hi,” he could hear Will say to Stacy. She blew him off, stomping on the hard wooden floor to his mother, where she watched him with a sharp eye. They danced slowly on the empty dance floor, When A Man Loves A Woman giving them a slowly beat to rock back and forth to.
He was happy his mom forced him to her high school reunion. This night was almost better than the Snow Ball, even his Hopper with glaring at him from across the gymnasium.
“Stacy was the mean one, right?” El asked softly.
“Yeah, she was.” Mike giggled.
“Good,” she giggled back. “I was nervous I had gotten it wrong.” They both laughed, enjoying their moment.
