Summer 1985 - Mileven/Jopper/Lumax

Chapter 5: Reminiscing

The remainder of the day was spent playing in the lake and kayaking. Max and El were, of course, unbeatable in all of the races. Joyce and Hopper were the closest, however, if it hadn't been for the big burly chief falling off of the kayak into the cold water. The whole campsite could probably hear the boys cackling as they watched from the dirt where they were playing frisbee. After dinner, when nightfall came, Hopper made the nightly fire-pit and Joyce spread out a giant comforter big enough to fit the six teens who were all sprawled out on the fuzzy floral fabric.

"Okay, okay would you rather eat a banana dipped in mayo or..." Will pondered and then devilishly grinned, "eat macaroni and cheese that's covered in ketchup?" Greatly disturbed, Dustin shoots up from his laying down position and starts flailing his arms around. "Stop it right there!" the curly-haired boy yelled, "don't you dare disgrace a beautiful cheesy bowl of macaroni and cheese with ketchup! Ketchup! Are you serious Will!" Giggling at the meltdown he knew would ensue, he innocently shrugs, "don't knock it till you try it, Dustin!"

On the other side of the blanket, Mike and El were laying down, hand-in-hand looking up at the sky. Despite the shouts from Dustin and loud laughs from Max, there was a certain comfortable silence between the two. They loved hanging out with their friends, but something in both of them just needed the few moments of tranquility that came with being around one another.

"Mike," El says softly, "how many stars do you think there are?" Turning his head to the side to look at her, he gives her a soft smile before saying, "I remember learning about this in Mr. Clarke's class because it was such a crazy thing to think about. There are billions, probably, like, 100 billion stars. Isn't that crazy? 100 billion!" he exclaimed.

Giggling at his excitement, she nods and turns her head to examine his face. "You have stars," she simply says, reaching out to poke his face lightly. "Yeah, I guess I do," he laughs out.

The two pairs of brown eyes meet and the amount of innocent love and adoration reflects in each. Mike leans in to place a kiss on El's cold lips and just meets them when he hears a throat clearing from above them.

Pulling back with wide eyes and a bright red face, he puts some space between him and the daughter whose father is now staring down at him with a contrasting look of disapproval and humor. "What are you kids doing?" he asks, looking from the Wheeler boy to his adopted daughter who was squinting daggers at him. "Looking at the stars," she says before slyly throwing in, "maybe you and Joyce should do it. Did you know there's 100 billion of them?"

Shaking his head at the tiny but feisty girl, he gives Wheeler a stern look before saying, "enjoy stargazing. It's even better when you look at them." He knows the Wheeler boy is harmless, and has always had Eleven's best interests, but it's now his job to make him sweat a little bit.

Walking back over to Joyce who watched him from afar by the fire, she shook her head as he sat back down in the lawn chair. "Really!" she exclaims, "you're gonna scare the poor kid." "Oh c'mon Joyce, I was harmless!" Letting out a sour laugh she defends the little boy she's known since he was in diapers. "You're lucky he's nothing like you were when you were a teenager." Honestly, Hopper says, "if I thought he was anything like me at that age, he wouldn't be in walking distance from her."

It's not like he was a bad teenager. Hopper was always open and good-natured about what he wanted, like he is now. Before getting married young to Diane, he had all sorts of flings in high school; but his most memorable and promising one was with Joyce. It wasn't even a fling really, more like a friendship that was always expected to be taken to the next level - kind of like now.

"I don't know Hop," Joyce says suddenly, "now that I think about it, you weren't all that bad in high school. I actually remember you being...sweet. Carrying a nerd's books to class and whatnot," she smirks, remembering her high school self with big glasses and baggy jeans. Letting out a hearty laugh, Hopper shook his head, "you were cute, just couldn't find glasses that fit your face properly." Eyes wide in mock shock, she playfully hits him in the arm. "Oh, be quiet!"

Taking a sip from his beer, he hesitates before saying, "so why didn't we ever get together Joyce?" Eyes wide, she internally panics. She couldn't believe he had actually just said that! He's talking about something from twenty years ago, something she thought was totally one-sided and ridiculous to even consider.

"Jesus Hop!" Joyce exclaims, "where'd that come from?" Raising his eyebrow at the petite woman, he gives her a knowing look, "you know exactly where it came from Joyce." Staring at one another, she saw the fire in his eyes and he saw the fear masked with confusion. Growing antsy under his intense stare, she shook her head and stood up.

"It's getting late, I'm gonna tell the kids to start getting ready for bed." As she walks off, the chief leans over and runs his hands through his hair, trying to figure out if he wants to fight with or kiss Joyce Byers.

The kids, who were all stargazing now and making ridiculous shapes out of the stars, were interrupted by a slightly flustered looking Joyce. "Alright kids," the loving mother announces, "time for bed! It's almost midnight!" Met with groans of protest interrupted shortly by big yawns, the teens took turns changing into pajamas and dispersing into the sleeping arrangements Lucas was still dreading.

"I'm serious Dustin," the dark, feisty boy snaps, "if you snore even once or end up near me, I'm gonna kill you." Always the mediator, Will compromises, "it's okay Lucas! Me and Mike will just sleep in between you two." Deeming that solution okay, for now, he nods and goes into the tent to change.

Mike and El were off to the side hugging, their nightly routine, when his girlfriend leans on her tippy-toes and whispers, "I'm planning the Lumax date tonight." Laughing, he pulls back and kisses her cheek, finding it adorable she's using the couple name Dustin had made up. In fact, he even made a couple name for them; Mike had no idea what she meant when declared 'we are Mileven' in his basement one night.

"It'll be a great date El," Mike reassures, "they'll both secretly love it." Smiling wide, she nods and runs off towards the tent where she lays in the darkness planning a fun day for her two strong-headed best friends.