Welcome to Hawkins, Indiana, where strange things occurred a little less than a year ago. All the chaos has died down since then, so Kristen's parents decided it would be safe to move there for a job opportunity.
Kristen meets Mr. Popular, Steve Ha...
We pulled up in front of the Wheeler's home. Mike lay gently in the backseat, fast asleep.
"I'll carry him in. Go knock on the door." Steve told me.
I did as I was told, while Steve held the sleeping boy. Nancy opened the door and gasped at the sight of Mike. "Oh, Mike." She cried.
She pulled the door open wider, allowing Steve to carry Mike in and place him on the couch. I followed.
Nancy examined her brother, then speechlessly looked to Steve and I. "Thank you." She spoke. We both gave her assuring smiles. "How? Where?"
"He was at the lab. It's an...interesting story." I admitted.
I explained to Nancy about the drawing and the memory in the Upside Down. Steve mentioned parts of the story with the lab and "rescue mission" that we set ourselves on.
"Is he going to be alright?" She questioned, her arms crossed over her body.
"I mean, I'm no doctor, but I'd say give him a day until he's back on his feet. Who knows what they drugged him up with." Steve answered.
We all gazed at Mike, who remained unconscious on the couch. I hoped that he would be okay and return to his normal life. I was almost jealous that there was hope for him. There was no hope for me to ever feel the same. I was a new person now. I didn't know who I truly was before. I don't even know what I am, but all I know is that I'm different and I can't unlearn that. I can't return to how my life was before as an average teenage girl. Everything has changed.
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Silence filled the air during the car ride home with Steve. There was nothing to talk about, but so much at the same time. There was the issue that we were discussing this morning, my new found identity, the adventure of saving Mike...There were so many things that we could talk about. But I knew how hurt I felt because of Steve. I didn't want to feel it again. I didn't want to have another discussion about it. I didn't want to enjoy my time with him. I wanted us to be nothing. I didn't want to be with him, but still I felt drawn to him.
Steve pulled the car up in front of my house. I went to push the handle and get out, but he locked the doors. "Wait," he began, "Where did you go when we couldn't find you?"
"Why do you care?" I snapped.
"Damn Kristen, it's obvious that I give a shit about you. It's nothing new." He grew frustrated.
"It doesn't matter, Steve. Don't give a shit about me. Just leave me alone." I unlocked my door and got out of the car.
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He didn't put up a fight. He gave up. His car parked in front of his own house and I entered mine without another look back.
