you are not alone → stranger things

ix. crush

early Saturday morning
Mike's POV

I slammed the front door open, El moaning slightly as I ran through the doorway. I held her closer to me. "Nance?" I yelled.

Dad appeared first, rubbing his eyes. "Son, what are you doing up so early? It's Saturday. No school."

"Where's Nancy?" I asked urgently.

He shrugged, ambling into the kitchen. He hadn't even noticed El. "Asleep."

I raced up to her room, carefully making sure El didn't hit any corners. I knew Nancy could help, and she wouldn't get mad at me like Mom would.

I didn't have a hand to knock on her door, so I kicked it, wobbling on one foot. "Nancy, open the door!"

She did a moment later, looking groggy. "Wha-" Her eyes landed on El's pale face, and she immediately looked awake. "She's alive." It wasn't a question.

"She won't wake up," I pleaded. "And it's not like I can take her to some hospital."

Nancy nodded knowingly and stood aside so I could come in. She looked around outside before quietly shutting the door behind us.

I laid Eleven gently on Nancy's bed. Her breathing was shallow, her pulse faint.

Nancy rushed over. "She might just be dehydrated or something," she said steadily, looking at her carefully. "I'll get some water and food. Stay here."

I sat on the bed beside El, looking at her sleeping form tenderly. Her hair had grown out slightly, making it now a sort of pixie cut. How it had grown so fast, I didn't know. Her complexion was pale, dark shadows underneath her eyes. But she was still the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. "You'll get better, El," I murmured to her after a few moments. "The Snow Ball is two weeks after Christmas, so it's in about a week. We can still go together, if you want." A heartbeat. "I missed you so much," I whispered. I bent closer, my fingertips grazing her cheek-

"Mike?"

I stood up quickly as Nancy appeared again in the doorway. I felt my face burn fiery red.

She smirked at me. "Someone's got a crush," she singsonged.

"I do not!" I desperately looked around for another subject and saw the water and toast in her hand. "You got food?"

She nodded, still smirking. "I'll handle it. You just answer my questions."

I gulped. "Okay."

"How did you find her?"

"I might have snuck out," I admitted. "I found her lying on the ground in the woods with Will."

Nancy looked up at me. "Will was lying in the woods with Eleven?"

"No, he was, like, bent over her? I don't know," I sighed.

"Why was he there?"

"I don't know."

Nancy just looked at me for a moment, then shook her head and turned back to El. "Boys," I heard her mutter.

After a moment, I said, "Should I help, or...?"

"No," Nancy replied, dribbling water into El's mouth. "She's gonna have to borrow my clothes," she mumbled, almost to herself.

I stared for another moment, then left for the basement. I had to tell the others about El.

"Lucas, come in. Over."

"Mike?" He sounded groggy. "It's 6:47. What do you want? Over."

"I found her. Over."

Silence. "Who? Over."

"Eleven, duh. Over. "

"Mike, don't be ridiculous-" he began.

"Come over if you don't believe me," I interrupted. "Bring Dustin and Will. Over."

There was a loud rustling noise. "It's too early. Don't wake us up for your imagination. Over."

"Just come," I begged, rolling my eyes. "Over and out."

"Mike?" Mom called down the stairs to the basement. "Why are you up so early, honey?"

"I... uh..." I stammered. "I thought today was school! And then I realized it wasn't, and then I invited my friends over because, uh, I really miss them!"

I heard her sigh. "Okay, honey. I'm glad you're feeling better." She walked away.

After a moment, I crept back up the stairs and rushed to Nancy's room. Eleven was still asleep.