even weirder stuff || stranger things x female reader (season two)

twenty three - the dancing queen

Saturday, December 15, 1984

"Absolutely bitchin'," you say, raising your hand for a high five.

"Absolutely bitchin'," Eleven gives you one with a smile.

"Absolutely bitchin'," Hopper echoes, "but not too much. You girls be careful. Don't do anything weird."

"Anything weird?" You raise an eyebrow, looking at Eleven, whose head was sticking out from in between you and Hopper's seats, faking confusion.

"You know," he mumbles, "nothing involving powers, beating people up and other stranger things."

"We would never," you say innocently. "Eleven, would you?"

"Never," the girl shakes her head solemnly.

Hopper looks at her in the rearview mirror before grunting in satisfaction. After all the time you had spent at his cabin, you had learnt to identify the different types of grunts he would emit, and to act in consequence. This one meant you should not make another joke about Eleven using her powers at Hawkins Middle's Snow Ball.

She was allowed to come out of the wood for the first time in a month to attend the ball. The boys and Max would be there, and they'd all dance the night away on the latest hits. At least that's what you did with Mona the last time you went, even though she wasn't keen on dancing. You had a lot of fun and did not care about anything involving, in Hopper's words, powers, beating people up - this one probably was directed to you, and you wonder what kind of image the chief of the police had of you - and stranger things.

Eleven was very nervous about that night. You had taken matters in your own hands and kindly proposed to help her get ready, which took a lot of responsibility off Hopper's shoulders who did not know how to handle this kind of thing.

A bit of styling of her hair, choosing one of your old dresses from the few you had taken to the cabin and ended up giving to her anyway, and a lot of reassuring her everything would be fine and she would blend in just fine with the others as soon as she wouldn't snap anyone's neck later, she was more than ready to leave for the ball.

Hopper hired you to play the role of a chaperone. He didn't want anything to happen to her, and you gladly accepted the role, happy to accompany Eleven in what you very humorously, and with a distinguished British accent, called her debutante ball.

You'd just make sure she found Mike and the others in the crowd and let her be, checking everything was fine from time to time. No dead body on the floor? Good.

You also knew Steve was picking up Dustin to drive him there. You doubted your brother would stay, but it was funny seeing him all excited about 'coaching Dustin how to talk to the ladies'. You wonder if your younger friend has already arrived.

You would know soon, because Hopper stops in front of the middle school's gymnasium, in which the ball was held. You giggle in excitement, looking at Eleven suddenly acting nervous.

"Alright, girls," Hopper says very awkwardly, clearly not used to saying this kind of thing, "have fun."

Him and Eleven make eye contact in the rearview mirror, and she gives him a small smile. He grunts encouragingly, and she exits the car. You're ready to do the same before Hopper grabs your arm gently.

"You watch her closely," he orders.

"Sir, yes, sir."

"But make sure she has fun."

"Of course. I'm the embodiment of fun."

"Great," he grunts again, letting go of you. "Have a good night."