hug swear // elmax

two

I always wake up before Eleven does. I inhale deeply. I cherish these last few moments of peace. El is a surprisingly awake person in the morning. I close my eyes again and start to drift back into sleep until her soft gardenia scent intensifies.

"Max, Max, Max," she pleas, poking my shoulder at every repetition.

"Ok. Ok!" I groan. "I'm up."

"So what are you doing today?" She stands up and starts putting together an outfit.

"We have school, El."

"Oh, right." She giggles. "I mean before school. Mike and I are going for a run. Do you want to come with?"

I roll my eyes at the mention of his name. I don't hate Mike, but that doesn't make him any less annoying. A run sounds like torture - even without him there.

"I'll see you at school, El."

She fake pouts, then turns back to her outfit selection.

"You brought extra clothes, right?" I nod.

Hopper pokes his head in the doorway. "You girls ready?"

"Almost, Papa!"

He closes the door and leaves.

"I'll just change in here, if that's cool."

"Oh! O-of course! It's your room, so..." I tend to ramble when I'm flustered. I turn around so I don't do something awkward.

I go to the bathroom with my clothes.

"We're late!" Hopper hands me a plate of eggos and I see Eleven has already left for her morning run.

"You can just eat in the car, Max."

***

"Max-iiiiine." El hugs me from the back and shocked, I slam my locker shut. She's the only one who can make me smile even when calling me that. I turn around, and there he is. Michael better-than-you Wheeler. I mean, he's cute enough, don't get me wrong. It doesn't matter - any hint of a smile from seconds earlier is gone.

Eleven's arm is resting on my shoulder and I kiss her cheek. Mike squints and puts his arm around Eleven's waist. I full on glare at him. He sticks out his tongue. I wonder if he knows. El is absolutely oblivious.

"Maximilian!" I roll my eyes and smile. My best friend, Lucas Sinclair sprints toward us.

"Pukey Lukey!" He mocks an offended gasp. It's his fault for outlawing 'Stalker.' Now I'm outright laughing. Lucas runs up and hugs me.

Lucas and I came out to each other after the Snowball and we've been inseparable ever since.

"See you in class, lovebirds," Dustin jokes, coming up from the other direction. He knows too - he's Lucas's (other) best friend, and I trust him. I shove him playfully.

We all walk toward Clarke's class; my arm linked in Lucas's, Dustin right behind us, and Mike and Eleven following hand-in-hand.