Summer 1985 - Mileven/Jopper/Lumax

Chapter 17: Family Vacation

Morning came and everyone eventually made their way up and out of the tents, squeezing together on the picnic table. Joyce and Hop speak softly while cooking breakfast, the usual talkative teens tired from the early 8 am wake up call.

"It's such bullshit, why do we have to leave so early," Max grumbled, tiredly leaning her head against Lucas's side; they really were a perfect pair with their grumpy scowls and sour morning attitude.

"Really though," her boyfriend agrees before slightly perking up at the sight of bacon the chief slammed down on the table.

"Alright guys, after breakfast can you just pack your sleeping bags up?" Joyce asked sweetly, "Hop will take care of the tents this time."

She sensed not only their tiredness but sadness about leaving. Even though they'll see each other every day when they get back, there's just something about being together at the campsite that makes spending time together special; or at least she feels that way.

Hopper shoots her a look of distaste but it slowly vanishes when she raises an eyebrow playfully at him, a smile tugging at her lips. With a slight groan, he goes over to their tent to pack up their own sleeping bags and disassembles the tent.

Dustin lets out a snort, "whipped!" he says, apparently loud enough for the retreating man to turn around and squint his eyes at him.

"Watch it, kid," he says, trying to sound threatening.

It would've gone over well, had El not giggled and nodded in agreement, "he's right, dad." This causes everyone to giggle besides an irritated-looking Hopper and a blushing Joyce.

The kids quietly finish up breakfast, Mike cleaning up everyone's dishes while the others get dressed and prepare to pack their bags. El and Will walk slowly towards the tent together, the brunette girl eager to get the details from her friend about last night.

"So, what happened with Chris last night?" she asked excitedly. Will immediately breaks out in a smile, looking at the ground in an attempt to hide it.

"He gave me his phone number," the boy informs her, "I didn't even say anything, I thought he just wanted to leave things the way they were, you know," he says, "but then while we were hugging goodbye, he told me and I thought I was gonna fall over looking for a paper and pen."

El giggles softly, wrapping her arm around her friend's shoulder. "I'm so happy for you, Will," she says, sincerity in her tone.

With a blush, Will slightly leans into the young girl, "I just hope we can stay friends, I really like him," he sighs.

El nods reassuringly, hoping it will all work out in the end. "You'll have to wait a long time before you can see him," she says quietly, "but it will be worth it." Her eyes travel to a certain lanky teen now standing in front of his tent, laughing at Dustin who had tripped on his long red sleeping bag.

Will notices her soft gaze and feels himself smile, quietly hoping to find a bond that could even try to rival what her and his best friend have. They meet up with the rest and quickly get their stuff together, seeing as Hopper's done with the first tent and charging over to complete the rest.

Right on schedule, the van is packed and everyone is triple checking the area for anything they might have missed. The teens, Joyce, and Hopper stand where the tents had lain, overlooking the picnic table they sat at for every meal and lake they had frolicked in on the hot days.

The chief throws his arm around the mother of two, bringing her in close.

"We'll have to come back sometime," he mumbles against her hair, "maybe without the kids and in a cabin somewhere." Giggling, she pushes his side and nods her head, "maybe we will."