𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 - 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

09. MADMAX

ONE YEAR LATER

Aubrey sat on the couch with El, bag of chips in hand as they watched Miami Vice. It had been a few months now since she moved in with her father, Hopper, and gained a little sister, Eleven.

She has no idea how it happened honestly. Hopper just told her he had been leaving food and stuff in the woods and she was taking it. Then finally, he brought her home, they moved into his father's old cabin, and established many rules.

The "Don't Be Stupid" Rules

Rule #1. Always keep the curtains drawn.
Rule #2. Only open the door for Hopper's secret knock.
Rule #3. Don't ever go out alone, especially not in daylight. (This only applies to Eleven though)
And the newest one, #4. Dinner then dessert.

And how she ended up moving in with the father she only found out about a year ago? She couldn't explain that either, it just sort of happened. She still goes to her mom's every other weekend or when she wanted a home cooked meal (Hopper wasn't a big chef), but she's trying to actually get to know this father. She feels like she has a second chance, one that her brother's don't have, she didn't wanna waste it.

The telephone began to ring, Aubrey's eyes widened, realizing she was going to be late. "Oh shit!" she stood up and hurried to the phone.

"What's shit?" El asked her.

"Bad word. Don't say it!" She told her quickly as she answered the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey, it's Will." his little voice echoed through the phone, "Are you still picking me up?"

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry I just got- busy with homework." She lied.

"Okay, also... do you have any spare coins I could have? I'll pay you back." he offers.

She smiled, "I'll check around Will, no need to pay me back either." she told him, "I'll be there in 10."

"Okay, see you soon!" He replied, she hurried back to her room and grabbed her jacket and threw on her converse.

"Okay, El, I will be back later, but uh Hopper should be home any minute now." She ruffled her hand through Eleven's curly hair as she passed by the couch.

"Bye." The little girl replied as Aubrey slammed the door and ran outside, quickly starting her car and speeding off. She arrived at her Mom's home and said her hellos to her, Bob, and Jonathan, then left with Will and straight to the arcade. Bob was her mom's new boyfriend, she didn't know him well but she knew he made her mom happy.

They arrived in the parking lot, "Hey." she said to him as he was about to leave. He turned around and she held up a baggie filled with coins.

He smiled widely, "Really? For me?"

She nodded, "Of course. I don't really need them." she handed them off to him.

"Thanks, Aubrey." He hugged her.

"Of course, mom is gonna pick you up at 9." she told him, "Be safe, no trying to bike home, and if you want to be picked up sooner, I'm only a call away." she gave him the run down.