Eleven's POV-
Dear Max,
It is day 165 of our time apart. Hopper got the military to let me stay in Hawkins finally! I'm going back to school today with everyone else. Hopper says school will help to distract me from what has happened in the last few months. He says I spend too much time with you and that it's unhealthy. Lucas and I think that is silly. Your mom wanted to tell you that she has some gifts for you when you come back. I've started staying with her more. She asked me to help her "cope in a healthy way." Everyone misses you. Please come back soon.
Your Friend,
Eleven
I sealed the letter and put it in my backpack. I walked out of my room and was immediately greeted with chaos. Joyce was arguing with someone over the phone, Hopper was laying shirtless on the couch, and Jonathan was making a poor attempt at blowing the smoke from his smelly plants out the window.
"El, come on! Steve's here!" Will yelled from the door. I grabbed my bag and sprinted out of the house, not wanting to be completely overwhelmed by the disaster that was my family.
"Hey El, ready for your first day of school?" Steve asked. Steve had offered to drive Will and I to school since Joyce didn't trust Argyle and Hopper was always busy or asleep. He was giving me a kind but worried look. I started to respond, but something stopped me. Was I ready? I honestly didn't know. I guess, maybe?
"Yeah," I tried to answer in the most optimistic way I could. I silently hoped he wouldn't ask any more questions. I didn't have the energy to talk to him.
The rest of the ride was quite awkward. Will, Steve and Robin talked while I fidgeted with the hair tie that I kept in my pocket. I didn't have any real use for it anymore since my hair was short again, but I liked being able to twist it around in my hands. It helped to distract me from what has happened in the past few months.
After what seemed like an eternity, we finally arrived at the school. Steve waved us goodbye and Robin sprinted away from us towards a red haired girl holding some instrument. Will saw Mike, Lucas, and Dustin and ran towards them, dragging me with him. I really just wanted to go to class and get this day over with so I could go see Max.
"El- I mean Jane, how are you? You haven't called since June!" Mike seemed happy to see me. He's right, I haven't really talked to anyone in the party since spring break.
"I was... busy." I said, "Helping Susan." That was partly true. I had spent a lot of time at Max's house, helping to clean and keep her mom company. She had been struggling with paying for Max's medical bills, so I started helping her around the house. I even got a job since she already worked too much.
"Susan? You mean Max's mom? It's been six months El- Jane." Mike sounded a bit angry now. I braced myself for an argument, but Will gave him a look that made him stop pushing the subject.
-Do I actually have to say time skip?-
The day was mainly uneventful. I had gotten used to people making rude comments about me, so the many people talking about my hair and clothes didn't phase me that much. What did upset me was the small group of kids who remembered me from the first year I was in Hawkins. I think one of the kids was the one who made Mike jump off a cliff. It's unlikely he would forget about me, I did break his arm after all.
After school, I wanted to go to the hospital and see Max, but Will made me go over to talk to the party. Lucas and I exchanged sympathetic glances with each other. Neither of us wanted to be here.
"El! So, we were planning on playing DnD tonight and we were thinking, maybe you could come? I know you don't really play, but-"
"I have work," I cut Mike off mid sentence. I was supposed to work from 4:00 to 9:00 every day. If I missed a shift, Susan would have to work overtime so she could buy groceries.
"You have a job?" Dustin asked, surprised. "Where?"
"There's a new restaurant where Benny's used to be. I can't miss my shift."
"Oh," Mike said, looking both annoyed and sad. Just then, Robin rushed over to us with the redhead from earlier.
"Hey, so, this is Vickie! She's coming home with us, so I thought you might want to meet her! Vickie, this is Will and Jane. Steve drives them home every day." Robin kept talking, but I wasn't listening. Lucas and I took the opportunity to sneak away from the group and off of school grounds. We quickly greeted each other and headed off towards the hospital.
Author's Note- I guess I lied about finishing this yesterday. Sorry about that, I got heatstroke and couldn't really focus on this. Fun Fact- I almost got struck by lightning too, so that was fun! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this!
-Crow
