Even Stranger Things

Roadtrip

As she drove, the kids in the back tried planning how they were going to get El back. There was only one problem; they didn't even know where they were going. While they came up with their own plan, One already had one.

A few hours later, One was still driving. Steve looked over at her and saw that she hadn't moved or relaxed. She was still sitting up straight, her hands tightly holding the steering wheel.

"Do you want me to take over?" Steve asked.

"You don't know where we're going," she said with little-to-no emotion.

"You could give me directions," Steve said, trying to get her to laugh. He let out the breath was holding when her shoulders relaxed.

"I'm fine, Steve," One said. She glanced at him with a soft smile, but Steve saw right through her. He opened his mouth to push the subject, but Lucas spoke up.

"Can I ask you something?" Lucas asked.

"Sure," One said, sending a look to Steve before focusing back on the road.

"What's the deal with your family?"

His question made One suck in a breath. Only Steve heard it.

"What do you mean?" She asked, trying to sound calmer than she was.

"El told us that Brenner offered them money," Lucas said. "Ow! Max, what was that for?"

"Shut up," she hissed. Lucas looked around and could tell from his friends' glares that he had crossed a line.

"I'm sorry," he stuttered. "Forget I asked."

* * * * *

Steve looked over his shoulder to see the kids asleep. He turned back around, his eyes drifting to One. She hasn't said a word since Lucas asked about her family.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"What for?" One asked.

"For Lucas," Steve said, clearing his throat. "He shouldn't have pushed you."

"He didn't push me," she chuckled. She let out a full laugh when she saw Steve's confusion. "I know what pushing is, Steve. That wasn't even close."

"Will you tell me your name?" Steve blurted.

"What?" She stuttered.

"Please," he sighed. "I know that Brenner and his team of creeps took away your identity by giving you a number, but that doesn't mean I have to do the same thing."

She looked back at the road, nervously chewing on her bottom lip. She tried to remember the last time she told someone her real name. Her heart sank into her stomach when she realized she's never told anyone. Only Brenner knew it.

"Anna," she confessed.

"Anna," Steve repeated. Hearing someone else say her real name made her blush. "Do you go by Anna? Or maybe a nickname?"

"You mean other than my number?" One chuckled.

"Yeah," Steve laughed. "Other than that."

One cleared her throat, suddenly realizing that Steve knew more about her than anyone.

"Hey," he whispered. "You okay?"

"I just," she stuttered, "it's been a while since. . . I've been thinking about Lucas's question."

"One," he started but she continued.

"I'm not even sure if Anna's my real name."

"Not sure?" Steve asked, shifting a little in his seat so he was facing her. He watched her roll her shoulders.

"Eleven's mom named her," she whispered. "Mine didn't."

"What do you mean?" Steve asked softly.

"My mom never named me."

"I don't understand," Steve said, watching One closely. "How could your mom have never. . ."

"I was left at the hospital shortly after she gave birth to me."

"Oh."

"She was seventeen when she had me," One continued to explain, her voice getting softer with each word. "I guess she got pregnant in high school. She couldn't. . . She didn't want me so. . . She left me there. She didn't even bother to name me."

"I'm so sorry," Steve whispered.

"I lived with a foster family and they gave me the name Anna. I was with them until Brenner came around when I was barely 3 years old and offered the family a lot of money. And when I say a lot. . ."

When her voice got caught in her throat, Steve reached over and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him, slightly surprised to see him smiling at her without any judgment in his eyes.

"Anna," Steve smiled. "I like it. Is it alright with you if I call you Anna? Or would you rather I call you One?"

She hesitated as she studied him. For the first time in years, her ability to trust someone started to come back.

"Anna is fine."