STRANGER THINGS

A Stormy Night

The wind howled outside as a another booming roll of thunder shook the Wheeler household. Inside that house, down in the basement, was a sleeping Mike and El. Well, not El. She was curled up in the corner of the couch, which Mike insisted that she slept on, instead of the floor, crying softly. She hated thunder storms. It made her feel very weak. And lonely. She didn't like being lonely.

She was spending the night at Mikes for a sleepover. The others couldn't make it, but Mike had secretly thought they planned it like this on purpose. To have him and El alone. His mom had not been a fan of the idea, of her only son in the basement for the entire night with a girl. A strange girl. A girl who she did not trust.

Another smack of Thunder, and Mike sat up as the room illuminated for a second from the lighting that came through the small basement window. He turned around to face El. Mike yawned.

"El? El what's wrong?" El shook her head. Another tear slid down her cheek. Mike shot up from his position and onto the couch. He knew immediately what was wrong.

"Hey. It's okay. The storm. The storm can't get you. You're in here... safe and sound, okay? " She nodded, but didn't look convinced.

"I-it can't?"

"No, it can't. I promise. And even if it could, I wouldn't let it get you." Mike said taking her frailty hands in his. El looked at them.

"You promise?" Mike gently wrapped both arms around her and pulled her into a reassuring hug. "I promise."

They held onto each other for a while. Slowly Mike leaned back against the the cushion and kept and arm wrapped tightly around El. She rested her head on his shoulder and listened to his heartbeat. She closed her eyes. El shot her eyes back open, when she felt Mike gently kiss her temple.

She moved her up to look at him. "Mike?"

"Y-Yeah El?" He clearly thought she had fallen asleep.

"What is it?"

"What's what, El?"

"When you put lips on my head."

"Oh. Umm... it's uh, a-a kiss."

"A kiss? What's that?" Mike suddenly got very red, as he felt his heartbeat quicken. El could feel it.

"I-it's when you c-care about someone... a lot. You would do anything for."

"Oh! Like a friend?" El smiled as her eyes lit up, thinking she had figured it out." Those eyes. Mike got lost in them, everytime he looked at her. She was beautiful.

"Umm... not quite. Even more than a friend. You o-only really kiss someone when... w-when y-you love them." Mike felt his stomach flip as he said the words. 'Why am I like this? It's El. She doesn't judge!'

"Oh..." El said. She tried to piece together the information. "Mike? What is love?" Mike felt really nervous. 'Of course she dost know what Love is! Way to go stupid!'

"Love is when you really care about someone. You would always keep them safe and always want them to be happy and healthy. Sometimes people hold hands, and sometimes... kiss." He hoped he was explaining it right.

"Oh. When you do kiss last year, at school... you love?"

Mike gulped. He took a deep breath. "Yes."

"Oh." She looked at him. She could tell he was nervous. Why, she wasn't sure. They just stared at each other for a while.

"Mike. I do love." He chuckled. She gave him a small glare, asking why he was laughing at her mistake, with her eyes.

"Sorry El. People normally say, I love you." She gave a small nod of understandment.

"I love you, Mike." Mike smiled at her.

"I love you too El." Both of them could feel there hearts swell up with joy. She laid her head back on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Any fear of storms lost far behind her. He loved her. She had never been happier.

Mike kept his hand firmly around her waist as she drifted off to sleep. She loved him. He couldn't be happier. Slowly both of them fell into a peaceful sleep, with a new relationship beginning to blossom.

It was midnight, but the entire house was silent, except for the raging storm outside. Nancy was still up, reading. She shivered and looked through her closet for a sweater. She didn't find any. So, she tiptoed down stairs and quietly opened the basement door. She was sure her sweater was just in the laundry basket. She made it down two of the stairs when she heard whispers. She froze. She saw Mike and El curled in each other's arms talking.

"Oh. Umm... it's uh, a-a kiss."

Nancy didn't breathe. She listened to their entire conversation. Her heart swelled. When the whispers stopped and she was sure they were asleep, she went back to her room, forgetting completely about her sweater.