the real world | mileven

The Arcade & Some Other Suprises

/ Mike /

I glanced over at Eleven. She was staring out the window of the car, watching things go by. I was so glad to have her back. She turned to look at me, and I blushed a little. She smiled and took my hand. "So, how's school, Mike?" Hopper asked from the front seat. Joyce, sitting next to him, turned and smiled. "Well, we start in a month," I said cautiously. "Ah, high school? Right?" Hopper chucked. "Yep," I replied. Will turned to look at me, smiling, and I wondered if he knew something I didn't. When we finally pulled up to the arcade, Eleven's eyes grew wide with wonder. I smiled. Jumping out of the car with Will, I pulled her along and as we entered the arcade, a smile grew on her lips. "Pretty," She whispered. "Yeah," I replied, looking at all the bright colors. "Hey guys!" Dustin was calling us from our usual spot. I took Eleven with me over there. "Hey, Eleven. Max said. El looked at her, an unreadable expression on her face. I frowned a little. "Mike!" Dustin called to me. "Come try this new game!" I glanced at El. She nodded at me. "Be there in a minute." I nodded, but I was confused. I ran over to the machine.

                                  / Max /

"Hey, El." I said, regretting my move immediately when she looked at me. She just stared at me! I didn't know what she wanted. Was she mad? Wanted to be my friend? Happy? Wait, Upset? Mike left to go play with the new machine, and El kept staring at me. I awkwardly fidgeted my legs. "So, have you been here yet?" Eleven shook her head no. "Um, do you want me to show you around?" She nodded yes. I awkwardly walked down the aisles. "Um, there are the bathrooms over there. And down there is a drinking fountain. The front desk, and then a vending machine." Eleven followed me silently, looking around. "Oh, here's my favorite game!" I laughed. "Wanna try? I'll show you how." Eleven nodded as I turned on 'Dig Dug'. "So," I began playing the game as I talked, "You press these buttons here to control it, and then you score points." For a few minutes I talked her through the game. "Okay, and there is the scoreboard. I chucked. "I'm still number one." Eleven smiled. "My turn?" My eyes widened. "Um, oh yeah. Yeah, your turn!" I moved away so she could play. My mouth dropped open as she began pushing buttons furiously. I glanced at the screen. She was earning tons of points! I wasn't the only one surprised. "Woah, you're GOOD, Eleven!" Will's surprised voice sounded behind me. "I thought you've never played before!" I kept staring at the screen. "She hasn't." The rest of the gang showed up and cheered her along. When she finally died, they all congratulated her. "Wanna try another?" Lucas asked excitedly. "I'm okay. I've done enough." Eleven smiled at me and went to stand next to Mike, interlacing her fingers through his. He smiled down at her. I sighed and followed the other boys to another machine.

                                 / Eleven /

I sat next to Mike, eating my pizza. It was so good. I'd never tried anything like it before. I looked up at him, surprised to see he was laughing. "What?" I asked, annoyed. "You," He couldn't finish a sentence. Even more annoyed, I stormed up and around the corner. I ran straight into Joyce. She smiled and lightly laughed. "Let's get you a napkin." She helped me wipe off my face. "Hopper has a surprise for you." I smiled and followed her outside. Will and Mike were chatting next to Hopper. Max, Dustin, and Lucas had gone home. "Surprise?" I asked. Hopper chucked. "Yep. C'mon." I followed him to the car. We drove. We got out and walked into a bright building. "Where are we?" I asked. All of a sudden Mike gasped. He turned and started whispering with Will. I stared at him until he turned back. He smiled at me and came over. "What?" I asked crossly. "You're gonna love this!" He exclaimed. Taking my hand, we walked over to where Hopper was talking to a man with a vest. "Thank you so much." He was saying. He turned. "Okay El. This is for you. There are gonna be some rules with it. It's a present. From me and Joyce." He handed me a box. I shook it next to my ear. He smiled. He helped me open it to reveal another box, thinner. "It's your very own phone!" Mike said excitedly. "Now you can text me or call me whenever you want!" I flipped it open. It lit up. "Here," Joyce said. They helped me set it up, and they all programmed their numbers in. I tested it out on the way home. It was pretty magical. We stopped to drop Mike off. I got out with him. He hugged me tightly. "I'm not sure when we can see each other again," He said softly. "I'll miss you." I smiled. "I'll miss you too." He leaned closer, and I got goosebumps and he touched his lips to mine. I bit my lip as he pulled away. "Bye, El." I watched him go inside, and feeling as though I was floating on clouds, I got back in the car. Will, Joyce, and Hopper were are smirking at me. Blushing furiously, I turned my face to the window.

// later that night //

I lay in my bed. I pulled out my phone and smiled at the first contact. mike. I sent him my first ever message.

EL: Mike.
MIKE: el?
EL: yes
MIKE: I'm glad you texted.

I stared at my phone. What should I say in response?

MIKE: I miss you already.
EL: I miss you too
MIKE: have a good night, and don't only eat eggos tomorrow.
EL: I'm not promising anything
MIKE: okay then haha. i love you.

my eyes widened. hopper told me about this.

EL: I love you too
EL: night

I shut my phone and slid under my covers, smiling. I made the right decision.

authors note: hey guys! hope you enjoyed part two of my story! Many more parts to come. I know, so much phone. I just needed the rest of the story to make sense. okay have a good day! or night. more parts to come! ps - wshgkwfos that kiss was cringe but ihadtootheyaresocuteohmylord