Home (Jim Hopper)

Chapter 4

Amelia had now been back to Hawkins for two months. The school year at Hawkins middle school had started and she had a perfect routine going. Every Monday morning she would have breakfast with Jim and every Thursday night they would go out for a drink, even Joyce joined some days but mostly she and Joyce spent time together on the weekends. Amelia found herself enjoying not only Joyce's company but also her sons too. Each Saturday they would play a board game together, Amelia's father also joining every other weekend.

She had only been teaching for about a month at the school but everything was great. All the kids and other staff members liked her. She found herself easily getting on with Will and his friends, whose names she found out were: Dustin, Mike and Lucas. She set up a 'science club' for them, which they referenced to as the AV club, which they were able to use for anything they needed, as long as Amelia agreed at least. She often found herself speaking with them after school and after lessons about comics, books, games and movies. It was never an issue as she could give Will a lift home after and spend more time with Joyce.

October 8th 1983 was a particularly cold morning in Hawkins. Amelia was wrapped up as she made her way to the Police Station, the night before Jim accidentally forgot his wallet at Lacey's and she wanted to give it back before she went to work. She entered the station and welcomed the warmth as she rubbed her hands together trying to get the feeling back into them.

"Flo?" Amelia questioned surprised as she saw the older women behind the desk at the front.

"Amelia Collins!" Oh my, you look great! Your father did mention you were back!" She stood and walked around the desk, embracing her. Amelia had known Flo when she first started working at the station when her father was Chief. "How come you are here? I assume it's not because of me."

Amelia chucked. "Sorry Flo, I'm here to see if Jim was here. He left his wallet at Lacey's."

"Of course you two would be spending time together again! I remember when you two were inseparable, literally! Every time I'd ask your father where you were he'd always say 'somewhere with Jim'!" Both laughed before she continued. "But I'm sorry to say he isn't here yet."

Amelia scrunched her face confused. "Oh, he told me last night he was starting at 6 today," she looked to her watch to ensure she wasn't early but then time read 6:30.

"He's always late, no surprise there. Would you like me to take the wallet? I'll give it to him when he arrives."

"What do you mean 'always late'?" Amelia pulled back the wallet as she asked. Flo didn't seem to have an answer. "Let me get this straight. Jim Hopper, the Chief of Police, is always late to work?" Flo nodded slowly. "Why? Is something wrong? Does he not like the job?" Before Flo could respond Amelia heard the door open, she turned to see Jim, a doughnut half raised to his lips, frozen in place staring at her. 

Amelia's glare told him everything. She simply walked past him and straight to his office. She had far too many bad memories in that place, it's where her father would tell her off if she got caught doing something she shouldn't. Jim followed behind, entered the room and shut the door. Amelia did not turn, she stared out at the street through a window.

"Glad to see you could make it." She stated.

"I had a rough night is all, once we left Lace-"

"Save it, Jim."

He mentally scolded himself, he knew where this was going but he wanted minimum damage done. He did not want to be like this and he definitely didn't want her to see him like this.

"You know," she turned to look at him, "I heard rumours that you didn't like your job. You were lazy, always late and in general didn't care, but I didn't believe them because that's what they use to say about my father, but it seems they were not wrong."

"That's not fair. They were never true about your father, why would they be true about me?"

"Because Flo just confirmed it for me, Hopper!" Her voice raised, annoyed. "My father chose you to be Chief," she walked over and poked his chest, "he chose you to protect this town but you can't even be bothered to get to work on time!" Her voice was on the edge of yelling.

"Protect this town? You're fucking kidding me!" Now his voice raised.

"Yes! That's your job! That's your only fucking job!" She tried to push him back with each word but he didn't budge.

"My only job? Well then your only job is to teach a bunch of kids so why don't you keep your nose out of my business!"

"Fine! I'll stay out of your way from now on!" Amelia placed the wallet on his chest, "by the way, you forgot this," and then she walked out.

Jim caught the wallet before it fell to the ground. He wanted to stop her but didn't know what to say.

"FUCK!" He screamed as he kicked his desk hard, his hat falling off at the same time. "Fuck..." he mumbled again as he ran his hand through his hair.