In The Mean Time: Stranger Things Fanfic

March

Hawkins, IN March 1984
"Boys, I believe you've met Maxine." Mr. Clarke said. "She wants to join the AV club."
Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will stared in shock. Maxine stood in front of them in a pastel green dress, black stockings, and unscuffed Mary Janes. Her red hair was in a single braid instead of two.
"But—" Dustin stuttered.
"A girl can't join the AV club!" Lucas burst.
"Well, according to school rules clubs must be open to any student." Mr. Clarke adjusted his glasses.
Will shrugged.
"Let's give her a chance, Lucas." Mike suggested.
"Do you even know anything about radios?" Lucas accused.
"Lucas!" Dustin hit Lucas's arm. He smiled at Maxine, "what he means to say is, 'what do you know about radios?'"
Maxine smiled, "my dad was a radio DJ."
"Cool!" Mike exclaimed.
"Where?" Will asked.
Lucas growled.
"It was before we moved here."
"Why don't you ask your dad about radios then instead of bugging us." Lucas quipped.
Maxine stood very still. Her bottom lip quivered and she ran out of the room.
"Lucas!" Mr. Clarke said sternly. "Maxine's father died. It was the reason her family moved to Hawkins."
Lucas stared at his feet.
Mr. Clarke ran out calling, "Maxine, Maxine!"
Mike, Will, and Dustin stared at Lucas.
"I didn't know!"
They shook their heads in disappointment.

Nancy pulled a book out of her locker.
"It just doesn't seem right, you know?" She said to Steve.
He was leaning on the row of lockers. "I guess."
Nancy sighed, "Just because Jonathan's dad flaked doesn't mean he shouldn't be able to finish high school."
Steve shrugged. "But wasn't it his choice to drop out?"
She rolled her eyes, "He only did that to help his mom cover bills and you know it. Maybe he can get his GED over the summer. Do you think you can help me talk him into it?"
"Yeah, I mean, I'll try."
"I know he could get into NYU. And get a better job."
A little girl with red hair came running down the hallway. She wasn't looking where she was going and ran into Nancy. Both girls tumbled to floor. Nancy's books spilled out of her hands.
"Whoah, you okay?" Steve asked. He held his hand out for Nancy.
"Fine," she answered, grasping it.
The little girl was still sitting on the floor a little stunned and trying not to cry.
"You should watch where you are going." Steve said.
"Steve," Nancy warned. She bent down over the girl. "Are you okay?"
The girl nodded, "Yes."
"Is everything okay?"
The girl shrugged. "There's this boy. He's really mean." Her voice quivered.
Nancy leaned in closer. "Then you don't give him the time of day."
"Really?" The girl cocked her head inquisitively.
"No," Nancy shook her head. "You don't let anybody treat you like dirt."
They stood up and the girl brushed off her dress.
"Thank you!"
She ran down the hallway disappearing around the corner.
"I wonder who she was?" Steve asked.
"I have no idea."

Mike fiddled with the radio in the AV room.
"Lucas, you need to tell her your sorry." Dustin scolded.
"Yeah, I will later."
"No! Now!"
"Okay, fine, whatever."
Dusting grabbed him by the arm. "Let's go find her."
Dustin dragged Lucas out of the room with Will trailing behind them.
It didn't take long for them to find Maxine in the small school. She was outside on the swings.
"Maxine!" Dustin shouted.
She turned her head and looked at them. When she saw them she hopped off the swing and started walking the other direction.
"Wait!"
Dustin ran ahead of her. "Lucas want to apologize."
Maxine turned and looked at Lucas.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't know about your dad." Lucas said through clenched teeth.
Maxine narrowed her eyes, turned on her heels, and stormed away angrily.
"You sure know how to talk to them." Will laughed.

Meanwhile in the AV room Mike was still fiddling with the radio. All he could hear was static and then... a very faint whisper.
Mike could swear he heard someone, a girl saying, "Mike, Mike."
Mike shook his head, "I'm spending too much time with this thing." He said aloud.