FREAK ; steve harrington

5.5

The house was bare by the next day. Over multiple trips to the cabin with Hopper and El, Roses things were moved. The others all helped taking the rest to donation spots. Rose hauled her last box up, huffing out dropping it onto the couch.

Hopper climbed up into the attic to 'assess' it as he put it.

The attic had a ladder up to the platform that had a railing overlooking the living room. Jim said he could wire up an outlet for the girl to use.

Eleven was sitting at the table munhcing on Eggos.

"God-dammit!" Rose walked to the base of the ladder looked up.

"You alright?" The heavy footsteps revealed Jim rubbing his head.

"The ceilings slanted so don't bang your head." Rose snorted walking to the side so he could climb down. "Theres not that much, couple boxes I can just throw out or out under the house, a few cobwebs. It'll be done by tonight." Rose nodded, Jim still rubbing his head where he must've hit himself.

Jim walked into the kitchen setting a red apple in front of Eleven telling her to 'eat it'. She glared tossing down her Eggo to take a bite out of the apple. He went to the fridge to grab a beer. Rose took a seat in the empty chair at the table, pulling her leg up to her chest.

The funeral was the next day. Jim continuously said he had it all planned out, and to not let her worry. Jean would be taken care of. Bob's funeral was in a week or so.

Rose sighed slowly out resting her cheek on her knee. Jim set a bottle of water in front of her. His heavy hand landed on her shoulder.

"Lets finish this up so we can all eat dinner together yeah? I'll go and get pizza." Elevens eyes lit up, the girl jumping from her chair to rush to the ladder. Rose chuckled standing, Jims hand falling from her shoulder.

Elevens head tilted down, five of the boxes lifting up.

"Huh." Rose breathed out watching the boxes neatly land onto the ground. She her hands on her hips, Eleven picking up another five with her mind. Jim rubbed his scruffy chin, him too not expecting it to be that easy. Eleven grinned wiping the small drip of blood. Rose stepped forward climbing up the ladder.

There were only three boxes left that she pushed to the railing for Eleven. She wiped her hands from dust, waving away a cobweb that was in the corner.

"How should we get the bed up there?" Jim called down from below. Rose peeked out from the railing leaning over it. The three boxes slowly hovering down thanks to El.

"Is it metal?"

"The frame is yeah." Jim pushed it forward from its spot against the wall.

"You guys better duck." Jim just stepped aside, Eleven rushing out the way when the metal bed frame began to hover up. The mattress laying on top of it staying just from gravity. Rose kept grasp of it backing up. It kept following her barely fitting through the gap of the railing. Rose held out her hand, letting it twist so it fit in the corner of the room. Beside the small square window she had.

"What am I even needed for?" Rose leaned back over the railing, Jim taking a chug from his beer.

"We need you to humble us." Jim mocked a laugh giving her a thumbs up. "El could you get those boxes up here please." Eleven stayed cross-legged on the couch the boxes hovering up setting down onto the floor. The last one landing beside Rose.

Rose grinned opening the box that said bed stuff to tug out her blankets and sheets from her the old house. Rose tossed it into the air to unfold it, letting it fall onto the bed where she could tuck it in.

Setting up her bedroom made the cabin feel more like home.

It helped that the bed and everything else came from her actual old house but still. Looking out her window and seeing nothing but forest reminded her that she wasn't at her old home anymore-her first home.

Hopper and Eleven were in front of the TV watching some black and white movie. Eleven hugging a teddy to her chest. Rose climbed back down, folded up boxes under her arm.

"I'll get the dresser up there tomorrow for your clothes." Jim glanced to her taking a sip from his beer.

"Oh its already up there." Rose padded across the house sliding the cardboard behind the trashcan. Eleven grinned at him, he just rolled his eyes leaning back into tje couch.

Rose took a paper towel, grabbing a piece of pizza. She took a bite while walking over to the couch. She brought her legs under her, taking another bite of pizza.

She glanced between the two others in the room, a realization settling on her.

Yeah, this can be home.

---

Eleven waved goodnight, yawning and clicking her door shut. Outside Rose could hear the trees rustling in the wind, and the crickets chirping. Jim groaned sitting forward rubbing his face.

"You okay?" Jim took his hands off his face his hand moving to rub his chin.

"Yeah just-" He stooed then looked over at her. "Its just tomorrow." He honestly replied. Roses face fell, but she nodded in understanding.

"Yeah....I'm not ready for it either." She played with the ends of her green sweater. "But, I also can't wait any longer. I just want to be able to know thats shes at peace." Jim nodded.

"She loved you, you know that right?" Rose glanced over at him, his eyes far from hers. "Before she went down with Bob she made me promise to take care of you if anything happened. I'm going to keep that promise. That was the first time she ever called you her daughter too." Rose eyes suddenly felt dry.

"She said that?"

"She loved you more then this world could accept. You were her daughter, blood or not. You were her entire existence after you showed up on her doorstep." Rose glanced down at her hands tugging on her sleeves. She sniffed then tried to push it away. She quickly wiped it away looking out the window.

"She was my mom. And she knew that. There were very few times I called her mom, but each time she never looked uncomfortable with it. She's the only mom I've ever known. I'm glad that I wondered onto her doorstep that night." Rose managed to let out a small laugh. Hopper finally looking over at her.

"Me too Rosie." Jim shot her a smile standing up, cracking his back. Rose sniffled glancing back at her lap. As he walked back he patted her on the shoulder, Rose didn't stay before she climbed up into her new room. She was careful to duck her head.

She managed to fit all her clothes into the drawers of the small dresser across from her bed. They only brought one bedside table that will eventually have a lamp on it. All of her art supplies are piled under her easel in the corner. She just pushed her books under her bed.

Rose fell onto her bed, hugging her pillow into her face. She sighed out letting her eyes flutter close.