Summer 1985 - Mileven/Jopper/Lumax

Chapter 8: Girl Talk

Mike and Eleven spent forty minutes talking about everything from school to movies to random animal facts.

On their way back to the campsite, hand-in-hand, they see the old couple sitting on the porch together; the woman knitting, the man with a book in his hands, though his eyes are on her. Gray-haired Judy looks up and smiles softly at the teens, waving goodbye before turning to her husband.

Mike doesn't voice his thoughts aloud but he wishes to be that way in forty-years with a certain pixie-haired girl humming The Clash beside him.

On the other side of the campsite down by the water, Lucas and Max are lying on their sides, facing one another, reminiscing about their first time officially meeting.

"Oh my god!" the red-head exclaims, "remember when you idiots dressed up as Ghostbusters!"

Playfully rolling his eyes, Lucas lets out a laugh. "How could I forget! That was a disaster! We really thought the proton pack would impress you too!"

Shaking her head, she gives him a bright smile and he can't help but stare at her. Her smile drops after a few seconds, giving him a wary look.

"What?" she asks, quietly. He continues to examine her face, noticing all her extra freckles from the summer sun.

"You're beautiful," he says, shyly. They hadn't noticed their hands between then, finally about to meet.

Eyes growing wide, she jumps up like an electric shock went through her whole body.

"What happened, Max?" he joins her on his feet, confused. "Nothing," she shakes her head, "I'm uh, I'm getting pretty tired actually. Is it okay if we pack this up?" Biting his lip, he nods and they start to pack up the food and blanket surrounded by the humming of crickets.

~

They walk the short distance back to see the group around the fire with Joyce and Hopper.

"Oh my god, you guys!" Dustin shouts, "we're talking about the chief in high school! He was such a dou-"

Earning a glare from the 6'3" man, he second guesses his word choice, "delight! Oh, such a sweet delight!"

Joyce bursts out laughing, looking at the kids who are standing five feet apart. "You guys have fun?" she asks hesitantly, "hopefully the food was all right!"

Giving a small smile, Max nods. "It was great Miss Byers, thank you. I'm really tired though, so I'm gonna go off to bed." She waves to the group before scurrying off towards the tents.

El gives Lucas a confused face which is only met with a defeated shrug as he plops down next to Will. "It is pretty late, you guys," Joyce says reluctantly, "how about you get ready for bed? I'll clean this up."

As the boys and El go towards the tents to change, Joyce smirks at Hopper. He raises an eyebrow at her playfully, "what's that look for?"

They truly are quite the sight; tiny Joyce poking the middle of Hopper's chest so playfully like it doesn't resemble picking a fight with a grizzly bear.

"Oh nothing, you douche!" she says before hysterically laughing. Not being able to help but laugh with her, he shakes his head. "I can't believe that little bastard! He is a piece of work."

Helping her clean up the mess from their relaxing night, he puts out the fire before quickly pulling her behind the parked van. Joyce lets out a yelp, "oh my god Hop, what the he-"

His lips interrupt her, gentle and yet full of such passion. He pushes her towards the hood, her hands that flew around his neck now going through the back of his thinning hair. He pulls back to smirk at her, "see what ya get for calling me bad names, Joyce?" Giggling, she rolls her eyes and pulls him back down to meet her lips again.