Strawberry Cigarettes | Max Mayfield

11. claws and a burned door

It was now about an hour after the pool thing. El was wrapped in a blanket and was leaning her head onto Mikes shoulder. She had dark bags under her eyes, and looked really pale. To say she was tired would be an understatement. Joyce and Hopper left about 45 minutes ago to find will, and Jonathan and Nancy were nowhere to be seen. Chris was lying on the bleachers, also tired after the whole day. 

'man, today went some shit down'

She wrapped her arms around herself and tried to relax for a bit. Soon everything will be over, right? Her thoughts drifted to the what would happen after everything is over again. She remembered that Dustin and Lucas said that she was a harrington. Maybe she had some family left that could pick her up?

While Chris was drifting in her thoughts, Mike was impatiently bouncing his leg and looking at his watch every 2 minutes. He then stood up and went towards the doors to the gym. He went out of the gym only to return a minute later. "They're gone" he said. "What?" Chris asked confused. "Nancy and Jonathan. His car's gone" he explained. "They're probably just sucking face somewhere" Dustin  said. 

"Ew, dude. Did you have to form it like that?" "Gross" Chris and Lucas said at the same time and looked at Dustin, disgusted expressions on their face. "No. No way" Mike disagreed. "Did they go with the chief?" Chris asked. "I don't know" Mike replied. "No." El said in a monotone voice. "What? Did you see them? Do you know where they went?" Mike asked the girl. "Yes" she answered. 

"Where? Where did they go?" Mike asked the girl once again, concerned for his sister. "Demogorgon" the bald girl simply replied. 

Chris' eyes widened. Oh no. No no no no. They aren't that stupid are they? Please god don't let them be that stupid and have at least a couple of braincells. 

After good 5 minutes of arguing on whether we should do something or not, nothing was decided and Mike kept arguing with his friends. El was sitting curled up on the bleachers watching the whole interaction. 

"Guys, guys! This is crazy. We can't just wait around." Mike tried once again. "Mike, it seems like you forgot that there are still people searching for us" Chris argued back "Yeah, and we don't even know where your sister is." Dustin backed Chris up. "El can find them" Mike said and pointed his arm slightly at the still curled up girl. "Mike, look at her" Chris said and stretched her arm out to the girl "She is completely drained" she added.

"I still think we should stick to the chief's plan." Dustin said. " Exactly. We stay here, keep the girls out of sight and keep them safe. That's the most important thing, remember?" Lucas agreed.

Chris look at Lucas with a look of approval. For a dude, who hated both of the girls just a few hours prior, he really changed his mind. It made Chris happy.

"Besides, she's okay. She's with Jonathan" he added on. "Yeah, and she's kind of a badass now, so..." Dustin said and started heading out of the gym. "Well, where are you going? You just said stick to the plan!" Mike asked. "I am. I'm just gonna get some chocolate pudding. I'm telling you, Lunch Lady Phyllis hoards that shit." he yelled back. Chris smiled at the thought of some food. "oooh i am coming with you!" she said and ran after Dustin. "Are you two serious?" Mike asked in disbelief. "Yep!" Chris yelled back "And El needs to be recharged!" Dustin added on.

As they closed the gym door Chris asked "What is chocolate pudding?". Dustin looked at her with an are-you-serious look. "Keep in mind, i've been eating oatmeal for the majority of my life." she said. "Oh damn, well chocolate pudding is like a goo made out of chocolate that you eat with a spoon. It's really good" Lucas explained to the girl. The girl nodded. "A goo made out of chocolate?" she asked "A goo made out of chocolate." Dustin confirmed. The girls simply nodded again.