tulip [S. Harrington]

{ 12.} CloseGate

C h a p t e r 12
CLOSEGATE

"ELEVEN," MIKE BREATHED her name out with such emotion that even Tulip thought she might tear up.

"Mike," Eleven whispered, the two kids soon enveloped in a tight embrace.

Eleven cried softly as she gripped tightly onto Mike. Tulip examined the younger girl's new look, and she had to admit, Eleven made it work. Her hair was carefully slicked back and her eyes held darkly smudged eyeliner and mascara. Her clothes were just as dark, with a faded jacket adorning her small shoulders as well as a pair of light denim jeans and dirty Chuck Taylors.

Eleven looked pretty freaking cool.

"Is that..." Max trailed off as she watched the interaction between Mike and the new girl, her eyes wide as she watched Mike act like a completely different person. Like a happy person.

Tulip and the kids nodded, and Tulip jumped slightly as a hand slid along her shoulder. She glanced up to see Steve looking down at her and she gave him the smallest of smiles as she glanced back to Mike and Eleven.

"Look how sweet they are," she whispered to Steve as Mike told Eleven he hadn't given up on her.

Steve looked towards the kids and he couldn't help but nod, "Pretty frickin' cute," he told her, letting his hand reluctantly return to his side as they watched the scene in front of them unfold.

Tulip couldn't help but notice a sudden flutter that found its way into her stomach as Steve stuck close to her side. The entire day she and Steve had spent more time together than they had in Tulip's seventeen years in Hawkins. She couldn't help but feel sad at the thought that Steve wouldn't be walking the halls of Hawkins High next year.

It would surely be a boring senior year without the Harrington boy walking the halls.

"Hey, you alright there, Tuley?" Steve whispered, his warm breath tickling Tulip's ear as he spoke.