Mystery Shack {Stranger Things}

•the rock hunt•

"Whatever he deserved a good punch to the face."

The next day at recess, the kids spent their time searching for rocks for the sling shot. They needed weapons if they were going out to find Will, even if they had Eleven.

"What about this one?" Mike asked, handing Dustin a huge rock.
"Too big for the sling," he responded, dropping it carelessly to the ground.

Tensions were high between the Pine's twins, who kept their distance from each other. Dipper stuck to Lucas, while Mabel stuck with Mike.

"So, do you think Eleven was born with her powers, like the X-Men, or do you think she acquired them, like... like Green Lantern?" Dustin asked excitedly.
"She's not a superhero," Lucas frowned, "She's a weirdo."
"She's a person, Lucas," Mabel spoke up, clutching some small rocks in her hand.
"Why are you so obsessed with Eleven?" Lucas asked, mockingly.
"What?" Mabel asked, dropping a rock.
"You look at her like 'Oh! El! El! Hi, El! Hi!'" Lucas mocked, being dramatic and using a feminine voice.
"We have stuff in common," Mabel answered simply, picking up her rock again, and shoving it in her pocket.

She left out the part about the visions and the weird powers. Only Dipper knew about that.

"Shut up, Lucas," Mike hissed, not liking how he was talking to Mabel.
"Yeah, shut up, Lucas."

The group turned around to be met with Troy and James, The Hawkins' residential assholes.

"What are you losers doing back here?" Troy asked, clearly not caring whether they answered or not.
"Probably looking for their missing friend," James added trying to make Troy laugh.
"Listen, Thing 1 and Thing 2, we don't want your shit today, so fuck off," Dipper rolled his eyes, "Will is missing, and that shit isn't funny."

His fight with Mabel made him even more aggressive towards them.

"I hate to break it to you, Little Dipper, but your fairy boyfriend isn't missing," Troy frowned with fake sympathy, "He's dead. That's what my dad says. He said he was probably killed by some other queer."
"Maybe you killed him, you being a faggot with him and all," James snarled with a laugh.

Dipper clutched his fist to his side, digging his nails into his palm. How dare they? How dare they call Will those names? How dare they say he's dead? How dare they know his feelings for Will?

"Fuck you, Troy," Dipper hissed, almost as a warning towards the two bullies.
"Dipper," Mabel warned, despite their tension.
"You wish you could fuck me, faggot," Troy laughed.

His laugh was cut off by Dipper's fist connecting to his jaw bone, sending him to the hard ground below.

"Dipper!" Mabel called out in surprise.

James jumped back in surprise at Dipper's actions. Troy sat up, ready to attack, but a teacher had just come outside. He narrowed his eyes at the party.

"You're dead, Losers. You hear me? You're dead."

Troy got off the ground, storming off with James by his side.

"That was awesome!" Lucas smiled.
"Yeah!" Dustin agreed.
"Don't encourage him, that was insane and irresponsible," Mabel replied, crossing her arms.
"I thought it was pretty cool," Mike shrugged.

Mabel rose an eyebrow but didn't respond.

"Whatever he deserved a good punch to the face," Dipper laughed.

The gang then resumed their rock hunt.

__________________________________

After school, the gang met up with El. She promised to wait for them outside in a slightly hidden location near Mike's house.

"El!" Mabel called, causing the short haired girl to turn around, "You good?"

El gave a small nod. Mabel was sitting on the back of Mike's bike, so El hopped on the back of Dustin's.

They walked through the woods, near where Will went missing, hoping to find something.

Mabel walked alongside Mike, Eleven hanging back with the rest of the boys. She could sense that Mabel wanted alone time with Mike.

"Mike, ca-can I tell you something?" She asked, feeling her stomach twist and turn.
"Of course, Mabs," he smiled his cute smile that made her heart beat faster and faster each time she saw it.
"I've been seeing things, like visions. Most are about Will," Mabel explained, hoping he wouldn't laugh at her, "They feel so real."
"Maybe they are," Mike replied, trying to comfort her.
"Do you think he's alive, Mike?" Mabel asked, her dark eyes looking into his with hope.
"Yes. Do you?"
"I don't think, I know he is," She smiled.

In that moment, they radiated so much trust and affection, that even Eleven could sense it.