~ Growing Up Is Not All Its Cracked Up To Be ~

~ Eleanor Hopper ~

Eleanor Hopper. Small. Spunky. Funny. Big brown eyes. A infectious laugh. An only child. No mother. Living with her dad for years, just the two of them. 

Elanor's mother left when she was barley a year old, left her and her dad. Left her dad for another man and never looked back, not even for her. So of course she has trauma of not being enough.  She's never had friends, she was often called weird. Her personality was different then the typical kid, maybe just from all the time she's spent around her dad and death, seeing him as a police officer in a highly crime induced town. She loved her dad though, he was her best friend. She also felt guilty. Like she might've been the reason her mom left, she could be the reason her dad basically didn't have a life. Work and her, that's all he's known. 

Jim didn't mind though. He was very content. He worried for his daughter though, this wasn't normal. A middle schooler, no friends. He wondered what he was doing wrong sometimes, but anytime he tried brining it up, she told him not to worry and she was very happy. 

One day over dinner though, Eleanor brought up the subject of him meeting someone. So, Jim did something he thought he never would. A guy from the station set him up on a blind date a few months back, and boy was he hooked. The woman of his dreams you might say. 

They went back and forth to see each other, the distance made it a bit difficult but they were perfect for each other. The discussed about him moving closer, Joyce had a bigger home, and two boys. Hopper agreed it made the most sense. But he wasn't sure what Eleanor would think, so he decided to bring it up to her a few weeks later.  

Jim planned the night with all of Eleanor's favorite things. They ordered her favorite pizza that he hated, Pineapple all over it, how she could eat that, he didn't know. All her favorite snacks, and movie. God the romance movies he had to sit through. 

"So, kid..." Jim started once the third sappy movie was over with.

"Yeah dad?" Eleanor asked getting up to take the popcorn bowl to the sink.

"I-- I um--- Had something to ask you" 

"Your stuttering dad... that means its serious. Did I do something?" Eleanor asked worried. 

"What? No. Of course not. I just wanted your opinion on something" 

She nodded waiting for him to continue. 

"You know I've been seeing someone since you told me to start dating right?" Jim asked.

"Yeah of course, I'm happy you have been getting out there" She smiled.

"SO, you remember Joyce? You got to meet her twice" 

"Oh yes! I really liked her! She was so nice and funny!"

"Yes she is... Well, I haven't stopped seeing her. And well, she mentioned about wanting to take it next level" He led off.

"Next level? What do you mean by that?"

"She wants us to move in with her and see how it goes El" He sighed.

"Oh! That's great! I'm happy for you guys!" She exclaimed. 

"Thanks kiddo. But what do you think about that? Moving?" He asked.

"I think its great! We could use a new start, I think this place has too many memories of mom anyways for you. I think we both could use a fresh start" She smiled.

"Oh-- Oh that's great! I'm so happy you feel that way. I'll give her a call later on" He smiled. 

They both said their goodnights and El went up to her bedroom. A fresh start. It sounded great. She new with doing this she basically got two new brothers, one her own age too. When she met Joyce she talked a lot how alike El and Will are.  

El fell asleep that night with a smile on her face. A new Start.

~~

Back In Hawkins

The first day into summer Will got the news. He's basically getting a brand new sister. Will didn't mind one bit, he thought it would be fun. Will always loved meeting new people. He hadn't met her yet, but he knew Jim a bit. He also knew Jim made his mom really happy, and that was the most important thing to him.

He was on way to tell the news to the party. They were meeting up at the local dinner to discuss all the summer plans they wanted to do in the two months that they could. It sucked Dustin couldn't be around, but that were making the best with what they could. 

"Will!" Mike yelled over as he walked through the door. 

Will smiled heading over and sitting down.

"Will! Please tell the boys we are not spending all this summer in Mikes basement for you guys to play that stupid board game" Max groaned.

"Okay, ONE Its not stupid! and TWO we didn't say ALL summer, we said a few weeks for a really awesome campaign!" Lucas argued. 

Will laughed sitting down. "Actually guys, change of plans for my summer" 

"No! You're not ditching us too Will! I refuse to let that happen!" Mike yelled making Max laugh.

"I'm not exactly ditching, but you know how my moms been seeing that guy?" Will asked.

"Yeah, that badass cop?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah him... Well.. Apparently its been going very well these past few months and he's moving in" Will explained. 

"Oh shit! Really? That's great news though isn't it? you liked him right?" Lucas asked. 

"Yeah he's a great guy! But I'll also be gaining a sister" Will shrugged. 

"Sister?!" Mike asked.

"Yeah he has a daughter, our age, Eleanor. I just figured I should show her around" Will nodded.

"Oh my god! another girl?! Finally!" Max yelled laughing.

Mike rolled his eyes. Max was always saying how another girl should get added to the party and he kept saying no.

"I'm sure we can all show her around.. you know.. so we're all still together" Mike said. He didn't want anyone else added to the group, but he did want to spend the summer with his friends. So if that was what it takes, he will meet Wills new sister.

Little did he know. His girl was about to flip his world upsidedown for the next few years.