THREE DAYS AFTER THE SNOWBALL
THE CABIN, HAWKINS
"Morning, kid." Hopper said, as Eleven walked slowly to the table where breakfast was waiting. "Morning." She replied, yawning widely.
She sat down across from Hopper, and began to eat her eggos.
"Hey, I know you miss him." Hopper whispered.
Eleven stayed quiet, but definitely heard him.
"You'll see him... someday. I promise." Hopper said gently. "When?" El asked, impatiently. "I... don't know." Hopper replied. "I need to see him again." She said, trying to stay calm.
"You just saw him." Hopper scoffed. "I need him." She whispered weakly.
"I know... believe me I wish I could let you see him again." Hopper said, grabbing her free hand.
"But it's not safe yet." He finished.
Eleven looked down, disappointed. "School." She said.
"What?" Hopper asked. "When can I go to school?" She asked, not meeting his gaze.
"You want to go to school?" He asked, dazed. She nodded.
"That won't be for a while. I'm supposed to hide you for at least another year." Hopper said.
Eleven dropped the subject. "Can I visit him, not near other people?" She asked.
Hopper considered it. "I'll think about it kiddo. I just don't want you to be hurt, or taken back there. Okay?" He said. Eleven nodded.
"Okay." She said back, before going back to her waffles. Hopper smiled and ruffled her curly hair. She smiled back, glad to finally have a father figure who didn't use her like a lab rat.
"I got an idea, El." Hopper said a few minutes later. El perked up in curiosity. "What if I buy a phone, and you can talk to Mike?" He suggested.
El smiled and nodded eagerly. "Okay then. But remember. ONLY use it to call Mike. No one else." Hopper reminded her.
She nodded. "How's that for compromise?" Hopper asked. El smiled. "Halfway happy." She replied.
***
"Kid I'm back!" Hopper said entering the house after doing his special knock. El was already waiting by the door eagerly.
"Phone!" She squealed. He chuckled and took it out of the box.
"Alright. I'm going to set it up real quick, then I'll find out the Wheeler's number." Hopper said, as he walked to a small table and started setting it up.
It didn't take long before it was ready. El's eyes lit up as she looked at the phone in front of her. "To call his number, you have to press each button with a number on it. Understand?" Hopper explained.
El nodded. "Okay so if the first number is 9, which button do you press?" Hopper asked. El thought for a second before pointing at the button that read 9.
"Good job. I'm going to call Joyce and ask if she knows the Wheeler's number." Hopper said, picking up the phone and placing it to his ear, while his other hand punched the buttons he happened to know very well.
"Joyce?" El asked quietly. "Will's mom." He said quickly before Joyce picked up.
"Hello?" She asked. "Hey its Jim." He said, they were close enough that she could call him by his first name.
"Oh hey Jim. What's up?" She asked. "Do you happen to know the Wheeler's number?" He asked. "Yeah, why?" She asked, confusion fused in her words.
"You see, I just got a phone for El and I. That way she can call Mike." "Oh that's sweet, but now your phone is registered into a phone book right?" Joyce asked.
"I asked to remain under my name alone." He explained. "Alright. Well it's 807-346-8786." Joyce said. Hopper wrote it down on the nearest piece of paper he had.
"Thank you." He said, before they hung up.
"Alright kid. Ready to try?" Hopper asked, handing the phone to her. El nodded, ready to finally talk to Mike again.
***
THE WHEELER'S HOUSE, HAWKINS
Mike said there, glumly thinking about El. Yes it hadn't been long, but it sure felt it. "Eat your breakfast, Mike." His mother instructed, gesturing to his untouched plate of waffles.
The waffles were Eggos, which only reminded him more of El.
He took a bite, not wanting to be scolded at. All of a sudden the phone rang. Mrs. Wheeler went to it and picked up. "Hello?" She asked. "Yes, he's here. Yes of course." She replied to the voice on the other end. "Mike?" She asked, and Mike came to her. "It's for you." She said, handing him the phone and walking away.
He put it to his ear, confused. Was it Will, Dustin, or Lucas? "Hello?" He asked. "Mike." The voice said, and he immediately knew who it was. El.
"El? Is that you?" He asked. "Yes Mike. It's me." She said, and he grinned. "How'd you- how did you call me?" He asked, stuttering in excitement.
"Hopper bought a phone. I can only cal you though. But that's enough for me." She said, and he could physically see her bubbling with excitement. She's so cute, he thought.
"That's great! Now we can talk!" He said, jumping a bit. "Yes Mike, I can't wait." She said, causing his heart to flutter.
"Mike who is it?" Karen asked, from the table. "El, I have to go. I would love to talk more. But my parents-" "Mike, I understand." She cut him off.
"I'll ask my parents to get me a phone maybe. Then we can talk privately." He said.
"I would love that." She said. "Bye El." "Goodbye Mike. I love you." She said, causing him to blush. "I love you too. Always." He said, before hanging up.
