Stranger Things: Riley's Version

Chapter Seventeen: The Gate

Mike walked forward slowly as Eleven did the same. They whispered each other's names before pulling one another into a tight embrace. Riley couldn't help the smile that grew on her face as she watched the two. She was glad El was still alive and she was glad the two were reunited. Mike had been more annoying than normal since El disappeared and now hopefully it would be kept to a minimum with her back. As long as they survived whatever it is that is going on now with the upside down.

    "Is that..." Max trailed off from beside her and she just gave her a little nod before glancing back at the two and their reunion.

    "I never gave up on you. I called you every night. Every night for..." Mike told El still as close as he could be to her.

"353 days." El finished for him. "I heard." El said as she stared up at Mike. That confused Riley why wouldn't she reach out to him then. Let him know that she was alive and that she was okay. Let her know, any of them.

"Why didn't you tell me you were there? That you were okay?" Mike asked, confusion clear in his voice.

"Because I wouldn't let her." Hopper chimed in from beside the two as he looked at El. "The hell is this? Where you been?" Hopper asked the girl as he moved towards her looking at her new look.

"Where have you been?" She asked him back with a little anger in her voice. But she let the man pull her into a hug that she returned. Realization dawned on Riley's face that the chief had been taking care of the girl. Probably hiding her from the government who had been searching for her. Riley thought it was awesome, knowing the story of his daughter who had died and how much it had devastated the man. He was given a second chance and he had taken it.

"You've been hiding her." Mike realized too, anger in his voice as he stepped closer to Hopper. "You've been hiding her this whole time!" He let out, giving the man a shove from behind.

"Hey!" The police chief retaliated, grabbing the boy by his collar and holding on to him. "Let's talk. Alone." He emphasized before pulling Mike out of the room. Riley watched, eyebrows raised as they went. But as soon as the path was cleared she made a beeline for Eleven. Pulling her into a fierce hug picking her up with a grunt.

"God how I missed you!" Riley told her setting her down as the girl let out a giggle. "I was getting sick of having to deal with these boys alone, you know. But now we are almost evened up, with Max." Riley gestured to the red head but Eleven ignored her and just stared at Riley for a second before pulling her down and kissing her on the cheek.

"Thanks for taking care of Mike." She told her, Riley blushed red at the gesture just shrugging in response to the girl. She didn't know how the girl knew about her late nights up with Mike, but she figured it had something to do with her super powers. Suddenly, Riley was pushed out of the way by Lucas and Dustin who pulled El into a group hug. Riley just shook her head with a smile and headed back to where Max was standing a little scowl on her face.

"Why did she kiss your cheek?" Max asked as she stood by her. Riley raised an eyebrow in question at the girl not understanding. But Max wouldn't look at her, instead staring at the trio reuniting in front of them.

"Uh, I helped Mike out when she left. She was just thanking me for that." Riley told her, rubbing the back of her neck.

"So there is nothing there between you too?" Max asked, looking between the two.

"What? Me and El?" Riley asked with a chuckle. "No, that is Mike's girl right there and that is how it is going to stay." Riley told her, smiling down at her when Max finally looked back at her. Max sent her a small smile back before looking at the three who had finished hugging and were now talking about Dustin's teeth.