Stranger Things One Shots

01-N-The Snowball

AN: this is part one of our more serious story. If you would rather read a more serious one shot, then read the one shots that have an N in the title. If you want to read funny oneshots, read the ones that have an F in the title. Hope you enjoy!

It was the end of the school year for Mike Wheeler, which only meant one thing. The Snowball. Mike and his friends had always hated The Snowball, because, you know, girl have cooties. Or at least, they did. But that was before Jennifer and Will became JenniferandWill, before Lucas and Dustin decided they'd rather be reading comics together than pining for girls. So that left Mike.

Now normally, Mike would be in the same situation as Lucas and Dustin. But he just can't shake her from his mind. He still doesn't know where she went or why she hasn't come back. He doesn't know if she ever will.

He's been different since she disappeared. He knows it, and he can tell that his friends know it, but just won't bring up the subject of her. They all miss her, he knows that. But he also knows that he had something special with her. Heck, everyone knows it. She was supposed to be his date for the Snowball. Now he doesn't even know if she's alive.

She's the only reason he's still attending the Snowball.  He knows that she would have loved getting dressed up, would have loved being able to breathe easy for just one night. So he's doing it for her.

He hops on his bike at 7 pm, riding in silence until he can hear the music blaring from the school. He lets out a sigh and leaves his bike outside, and then walks into the gym alone. He glances around for a sign of his friends, spotting Will and Jennifer dancing. If only he could be doing the same. He caught Will's eye, waving half heartedly across the room. Will smiled back, sweaty from all the fun he was having. Not wanting to dance by himself, Mike sat in the back of the gym in the closest possible seat to the door. He closed his eyes, dreaming up a better scenario in his head where she was here with him.

Refusing to wallow in his misery any longer, he got up and headed towards Will and Jennifer. Maybe he could try out the whole third wheel thing. Plus, it's the best way to remember Barb.

He danced with them for a little while, but wasn't really into it, all his thoughts focused on her. He was finally beginning to vibe to the music when there was an abrupt change in the beat. The light dimmed around him, and the sound of Barb's voice carried through the gym. It was "My Heart Will Go On", and all of the couples were beginning to sway back and forth.

"Hey bro, we're gonna dance together now, so-"

"Yeah, of course. I'll just be, um, outside, so uh... Bye I guess" stuttered Mike, tripping slightly as he maneuvered his way out of the gym. He stood with his back against the wall, still hearing Barb's voice carry through the air. The thought of her was consuming his thoughts to the point where he couldn't help the tear that traced a path down his cheek.

He heard a twig snap, and he turned towards the bunch of trees to the right of the gym. He cautiously walked towards the trees, hardly breathing. "Who's there?" He said quietly, drawing closer towards the origin of the sound. He saw a blur in front of him, and then something crashed into him so hard he lost his footing and fell.

Shaking his head, Mike lifted his head slightly to be met with a pair of eyes staring at him, crinkled around the corners from the giant smile taking over her face. "Mike," she whispered, and his world stopped.

"Eleven?"

She nodded from her position on top of him, and he gasped, taking in her ratty clothes and longer hair. He couldn't hold back his emotions, and he hugged her so hard he was afraid he would hurt her, so he loosened his grip slightly. "You're back," he whispered. "You're home."

They stood up, brushing away the dirt from their clothes. Mike turned to her shyly, saying," You know, that invitation to go to the Snowball is still open. Cause, like, it's right there. So if you maybe want to-" Mike was cut off by a quick peck to the lips that left him breathless.

"Let's go," she said with a small smile, and Mike couldn't help but notice that despite all the dirt and tears in her clothes and her ratty unbrushed hair, she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her. He voiced his thoughts to her, and was met with a blush and a light smack in response, and he honestly couldn't have been happier.

TO BE CONTINUED...