Strange as IT Seems

Chapter 2: Meaning of Love

"So, Derry evacuees are moving in," Dustin says.

"Did they ever say what was wrong with the town?" Lucas asks.

"Either toxicity in the water or tampons backing up the water main," Dustin says.

Mike and Lucas look at him in disgust, but the mention of such products just flies right over Eleven's head.

"What? They are similar in a lot of ways..."

Mike rolls his eyes.

"Isn't Derry that town where kids would go missing like every other week?" Lucas asks.

"Yeah, I think so," Mike says. "No wonder they wanted to move."

"Like Will?" Eleven asks.

"Yeah, like when Will went missing, but not to some parallel universe populated by Demogorgons and Mind Flayers," Dustin says.

"And most aren't found alive," Lucas says quietly.

"Like Barb..." Eleven whispers and everyone stops talking.

Suddenly, there's a crackle on Mike's walkie-talkie.

"Yo, loser Lucas," a young female voice says through the speaker. "Mom says to get your ass home before she sends the national guard out after you."

Lucas grabs Mike's walkie-talkie.

"Erica, I swear to god!" he hisses. "You break that thing..."

"Or what? You'll tell your girlfriend about your G.I. Joe collection or that you still sleep with a teddy bear?" she taunts.

"You're dead meat!" Lucas says. He shoves the device back into Mike's hands and goes for his bike parked in the Wheeler driveway.

"Bye guys," he says. "I'll see you tomorrow. First Day of High School."

"Bye." All three of them say.

"I think my mom is going to want me home too," Dustin says. "To feed that cat of hers while she's at Bingo."

"Bingo?" Eleven asks curiously.

"It's a game," Mike explains. "A game where you can win money and stuff..."

"And stuff..." she nods.

"Anyways, I'll see you tomorrow Mike. Bye El," Dustin says, going after his bicycle.

Eleven waves as Dustin pedals out of the cul-de-sac, leaving the two on their own.

Mike swallows very hard, wondering what to talk to her about. Even though they spent almost every day of the summer together, it was going to be in vain as he had to start high school tomorrow. Per the head scientist of DOE's request, El still had to law low for at least another half-year and it didn't help that she was so far behind the other kids and social interactions were still very new to her. She would no doubt be a victim of Troy and James' bullying or maybe some female bullies. She'd be called a freak or worse and because she was so far behind everyone, she'd probably be put in the group with kids with special needs. He'd heard that Chief Hopper was trying to improve her vocabulary with a new word each day and teaching her basic math, but Eleven still struggled. Most wondered if she would ever fit in.

"I'm going to miss you when I'm at school tomorrow," Mike admits.

"Me too," Eleven says, brushing some curls out of her face.

"It's high school... a whole new ballgame."

El giggles for a moment at his lame attempt at a joke before frowning again.

"It's only six hours..." he says.

"Too long," she says.

"I know, but Hopper said that you might be able to join us in the new semester. Then we can see each other more."