memories [mileven]

two: summer love.

i've loved you three summers now, honey, but i want 'em all

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Forever was something El thought wasn't impossible. Not for her and Mike, at least.

They dated for years. Ever since they were in 10th grade. High school sweethearts.
They were that one couple everyone thought was going to make it. Get married straight out of high school, be young parents to a beautiful baby and graduate college with their dream jobs.
That's just the vibe they gave off.

And that was how they truly were... For a little while.

"Oh, c'mon. Just ask him." Max begged her best friend at her locker.

It was the last day of school before their summer started. The summer before their Junior year at Hawkins High.

"I'm scared." El told Max, truthfully. "What if he rejects me? Or what if he ends our friendship because it's too weird?" She rambles. "I mean, seriously, do you thi-"

The girl was cut off by her own scream and the feeling of someone's hands on her shoulder,  roughly tapping her for a second to get her attention. Or, to scared her. El turned around when she heard the familiar laughs of Mike Wheeler. "I told you to stop doing that! It makes me anxious." She complains to him.

Mike threw his hands up in defense. "I'm sorry." He shrugs. El can still see the sarcastic smile on his face and shakes her head.

"No you're not."

"No, I'm not." He agrees, earning a laugh from Max.

In that moment, Lucas walks up to his group of friends and slides his arm around Max's shoulder. He greets her with a kiss and El 'aw's in infatuation.

"So, what are you guys doing after school?" Lucas asks them. "I'm thinking we have small get-together at my place?" He proposes the idea, Max nodding in response.

At the same time, Max gives El a look. A look that she finally needs to do what they've been talking about for so long.

El chewed at her bottom lip, quickly deciding what to do before speaking. "Um..." She cleared her throat. "I, uh, actually..." El turned her gaze to Mike. "I wanted to see if we could hang out today."

Mike didn't seem to comprehend what El was getting to.

"...Alone?"

Mike took in a sharp breath, for no other reason than being shocked.

It was rare that Mike and El ever hung out alone. Well, not at least since they started adding friends to their hang outs. Before, it was just El and Mike. But, after middle school started, El would occasionally bring along Max and Will, and Mike would let Lucas and Dustin tag in. It's been awhile since it was just the two of them. Alone.

"S-sure." Mike stammered his answer, finally. El's face lit up at those words and she tightened the grip on her books that were placed in her arms.

"So... I'll see you tonight?"

Mike's hand made its way to the back of his neck, nervously scratching at it. "Y-yeah. Your place?"

El smiled with a nod. "Mhm."

"Okay... Cool." He nodded, too.

El breathed out a small giggle. "Cool." She agreed, then walking away down the hall.

El remembers that night vividly. Mike came around six o'clock, and stayed until nine. Just before Hopper got home.

That night, El quickly made her way around her bedroom, trying to make it look presentable. "Hey, Hop?" She called out from her room.

Hopper wasn't too far from her room and was at her door within a few seconds. "What's up?"

"I know I should've asked before, but I invited Mike over. Is that okay?" El frantically asked as she fixed the pillows on her bed.

Hopper leaned against the doorway. "Is the rest of the party coming?"

El nervously looked up from her bed at him. "No..."

Like any typical father who gave a fuck (or too many fucks), Hopper didn't like his daughter hanging out alone with boys. Besides, she was only fifteen. To him, she was still too young for... Anything.

"You're going to be alone with him? In your room?" Hopper then laughed at this, shaking his head. "Sure." He said, sarcastically.

"Please, Hop. We're just hanging out as friends." She begged.
Hopper shook his head again. "Please."

After a few moments of constant pleading from El, Hopper gave in. "Fine." He sighed, El giving him a hug in excitement.

"Thank you, thank you , thank you!"

"But you better keep this door open at least... Three inches."

El nodded, "Deal."

That night, El and Mike exposed their true feelings for one another. Ending it with them, hand in hand, standing out on her front porch.

With Hopper probably listening from the other side.

And those were probably some of her favorite memories.

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a/n: okay okay i'm aware this was short and shitty and it's only bc i had to get this message out:

i'm most likely switching to my main acc -amarii . and i wanted to know if y'all wanted me to keep this account active for the sake of this story, or do you want me to move this over there??

either is completely fine with me! the only reason i'm thinking about moving is bc this account it dead - but this could be a reason to bring it "alive" i guess you would say lmfaooo. anyway, just let me know what you think!

okay, ily bye!

-amari🤍