Stranger Things Elmax One-shots

Overwhelmed

Adapted from another book.
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El's POV:

I was having a hard time right now. Max and I were assigned a project about a country of our choosing, and I did not think it would be this hard to find any good information about it.

Me: "Ugh, why is this so hard?!"

I end up slamming my pencil onto the desk and burying my face in my hands. I needed to do something before I completely lost it. Then I thought of the one place I would always go to whenever I felt overwhelmed with something, ever since I found it in our backyard.

It was currently evening time, but I needed to do this now.

I got up from my chair and walked out of my door, nearly running into my mom along the way.

(Her mom is Joyce, by the way)

Me: "Oh... sorry, mom, I didn't see you there."

Mom: "It's okay, sweetie."

She notices the state that I'm in, and I didn't even notice there were tears falling from my eyes until she said something.

Mom: "What's wrong, El?"

She reached out to wipe the tears away from my cheeks.

Me: "I'm just struggling with... you know, with the..."

Mom: "Your new project?"

I nodded.

Mom: "I'm sorry, honey. Have you gotten anything so far?"

I shook my head.

Me: "No... that's the problem. I can't find anything that would be considered the best facts about a country, it all just sounds so lame, at least, to some people."

She nods, trying to process what I said, then she pulls me in for a hug. Part of me felt like I didn't deserve it, but the other part of me immediately wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her neck. I felt myself begin to tremble, and before I knew it, I started to sob. I absolutely hated sobbing, especially when it's in front of anyone. I felt my mom rub my back and whisper in my ear.

Mom: "I've got you, sweetie. Shhh... It's okay, you're okay."

I wasn't sure how long I cried, but by the time I started to slow down, it felt much later in the evening. My mom and I slowly pulled away and she held my face.

Mom: "I'm sorry you're having a hard time with your work, but I know that you'll think of something. You have a brilliant, creative young mind, El, and I'm sure you'll do great with this. I believe in you, and I always have."

I smiled as she wiped my tears away again.

Me: "I, uh... actually wanted to ask you something."

Mom: "Sure, what is it?"

Me: "Well... I know it's a little late in the day, but... is it okay if I go out back and play in the creek for a little bit? You know, just so I can calm myself down."

She gives me a warm smile.

Mom: "Of course you can, honey. You don't need to ask permission, though, you can just say that you're going down there."

Me: "I know, but... still."

Mom: "Well, you deserve a break. Go on out there and have some fun, and if you decide to play in the mud, too, just make sure you wash off before coming back inside for dinner, okay?"