𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑, elmax [ discontinued ]

ch. 6

flash back is over
we're back in 1986

"Did something happen between you two?" Mike asked, slowly browsing through the vinyls of the "alternative rock" section.

El didn't respond for a second, keeping her eyes on the floor.
"No."

Her and Max hadn't seen each other in five days, which was new. For the past two years they had hung out almost everyday.
El missed her like crazy, but recently she'd been too scared to mess up or say something stupid in front of Max. El always kind of felt dumb and out of her senses around her.

Mike turned around.
"You hesitated?"

El didn't feel like explaining Mike what was really up. How would he understand, if she didn't even herself?
"Nothing happen. Really," she said quietly.

Mike shrugged, as he looked back at the record shelf.
"Okay, I'm not gonna be intimidating and all, so just know that you can talk to me, alright?"

"Everything's fine Mike, but thanks," El signed out, and headed around a shelf of CDs.
CDs were just, a few years back, introduced to the world, and El was pretty fascinated by them. She started picking up some random albums, admiring the covers of the boxes, and read the song titles on the back of them.

Mike finally picked out a vinyl, and walked to stand next to El, who was still looking through the CDs.
"You don't own a CD player, El," he chuckled, with a bit of pity in this voice.
He knew how El's uncle didn't like music, and wouldn't let her to listen to any. He would never agree to get her one, and El was sure she'd ever get the money to buy one herself.

Eleven loved music, and hated how silent their home always was. When she was out of the house with friends, one of her favourite things to do, was simply listening to music. All types of music, since she wasn't very used to any.

Nevertheless, she had agreed to go to this new music/film store with Mike, which had just opened in Hawkins.
She liked looking through the music - even though couldn't buy any - but she mostly went there to get her mind off of all the confusion she was in.

"I know," she exhaled.
Sometimes El would acknowledge how much she hated living with her uncle. He was out pretty often, but when he was home he never took much care of her.
Even when she'd ran away from home, he hadn't cared.
He had never cared.

All these buckled up thoughts were too much right now, and Mike seemed to notice El's sudden mood change.
"El, are you sure you're good?" he questioned softly, "is... is it about Brenner?"

Eleven looked up at him, surprised. He and El was so close by now, it was almost like they could read each other's minds.
She nodded hesitantly. "Yeah, that too..."

It took her a second to realize what she had just said, and she instantly wanted to face palm at herself.
Now she would have to explain herself further.
"That too?" Mike frowned confused, "El, you have to tell me what's going on!"

"No, I'm sorry... I'm just really confused right now," she breathed out, "I guess it's just about my uncle."

Mike gently patted her shoulder.
"I'm sorry El... If you ever need me to get you out of there-"

El couldn't help it but form a little grin on her face.
"Thank you, but I don't think that'll be necessary."

It was kind of to her relief, that she didn't have to bring Max up.