1985 (Jim Hopper II)

Dance Party

I woke up, cold, without Hopper's body. But... he hadn't thrown me out into the yard so, that was good? I stand up, grabbing a long sleeve thermal from his closet, putting my jeans back on and leaving my bikini on the floor. I was going commando.

My hips were sore and every step I took was the tiniest bit excruciating, the skin on my rear just as tender. I step out of the bedroom and see Hopper, El and Max at the kitchen table. Max looked at me and blushed, her head darting back down to her waffles. Eggos. Actual breakfast this time. There wasn't a spot for me, there wasn't a plate for me and I just bit my thumb, confused as to what I should do.

"Hop?" I speak up, my voice a little hoarse.

He turns around and looks at me, also blushing when he notices I'm wearing his top.

"Sorry. Don't have a lot of room. Grab a plate and some eggos if you want."

I nod, walking slowly into the kitchen as I pop some eggos from the freezer into the toaster, on standby.

"Why were you guys fighting last night? I heard yelling." El speaks softly, her eyes not lifting from her plate.

Hopper chokes on his milk a bit and shakes his head,

"We just had to hash a few things out." He says, wiping his bottom lip.

Max snorts, "yeah, okay."

My eggos pop, breaking the silence and I point to the girls.

"Drop it, alright." I say sternly.

I notice Hopper grow a small smile as I put the teens in their place.

"I was wondering if I could stay the night at Max's tonight." El speaks softly again, not looking up, again...

Was she afraid of Hopper?

"Of course, kid." He says with a mouth full.

I couldn't help but cringe at the common phrase. Calling her kid. I shutter a bit, finishing up my food.

"If you want, I can drive them."

Hopper stands from the table and brushes past me to bring his dish to the sink,

"That would actually... work fine." He says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

"I've got a hangover to beat. Come back here, alright? We should.... create an open... we.... talk. We need to talk."

I chuckle a bit, realizing that he's still so confused about feelings, emotions and what to do with them. Me leaving didn't change anything, it stunted him at best...

I nod, "yeah, alright. El? It's El, right? I can help you pack an overnight bag?" I ask.

"I can help her." Max retorted with a bitter tone.

"Can it, strawberry shortcake." I growl, causing Hopper to let out a short laugh.

"Fine," she says, raising her hands, "I'll be outside." She grunts.

Sure I was being a little mean to the girl but, if she was going to bite, she should learn that people bite back. That and... she was dangerously close to spilling the beans to El that her dad just had sex with a girl half his age. That's a conversation she should have with me, or Hop. Was it even a conversation to have?

"Alright. Hop, where's your record player?"

I watch as his face flushes.

"I- I got a regular stereo."

I feel myself pout a tiny bit, but I shrug despite, rushing over to what I can now see is his small stereo set up. I skim through the cassettes and my eyes immediately land to what they couldn't believe...

"ABBA." I whisper to myself, putting it in the player immediately and searching for the right track.

"Do you really need music to help El pack for an overnight?" Hopper deadpans.

"I need music for everything, Hop, you know better." I say with a grin, turning around and shimmying toward them as S.O.S. begins to play.

El's eyes widen, confused as to what I was doing, but she eventually got a stupid grin on her face, realizing quickly that I was dancing.

"What is it?" She asks, taking my hands in hers.

"Disco, baby girl." I wink, dancing around slowly with her, our arms like rope.

"Whatever happened to our love, I wish I understood, it used to be so nice, it used to be so good." I sing loudly, dramatically.

And then the chorus pounds through the speakers, causing El's smile to brighten even further, her and I jumping around like fools, our hands still collapsed together.

Hopper stood beside us, arms crossed, and El bravely reaches out toward him.

Hopper growled lowly, but, with a reluctant grunt, he held onto us, our small circle forming.

"SO WHEN YOU'RE NEAR ME, DARLING CAN'T YOU HEAR ME, SOS! THE LOVE YOU GAVE ME, NOTHING ELSE CAN SAVE ME," I glance to Hopper who, despite me and El bouncing up and down, his daughter giggling, was standing almost perfectly still, "SOS!" I finish, tugging Hoppers arm further downward, causing him to shuffle forward.

I hear him huff, but he still gives me a small smirk, steadying himself again before moving his arms and hips in a motion that, even though not as energetic, fell into sync with me and El.

The door suddenly bursts open and it's the red head as well as a brunette... woman? She looked to be about Hoppers age.

"Are we interrupting family dance time?" Max grunted.

He went stiff, his smile quickly fading as he looks at the woman, angry. El is sweating, a little red in the face and she sucks in her bottom lip, our hands all releasing.

"We should pack." El mutters softly, heading toward her room.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Byers wanted-"

"Hop, we need to talk." The woman spoke urgently.

"About?"

My stomach dropped at the sound, the tone. I read the situation all too clearly... I knew he was on a date last night but, here she was, and she seemed so sweet, so kind. Why was he so angry with her?

"Who-who's this?" She smiles warmly at me, suddenly taking my hair into her boney fingers.

"Hannah King?! I haven't seen you since your graduation party!"

I wince. I didn't recognize her. Probably a friend of my parents. Something.

"So good to see you again." I smile, wrapping her in a hug.

I look directly into Hopper's eyes and mouth to him asking,

"Who is this?!"

I watch him give me another smile of defeat before he scratches the back of his neck. A total Harrington move.

"Joyce Byers, we'll talk after Hannah leaves to take El to Max's."

"W-why'd you just call me by my full name?" She asks confused, letting go of me and turning to him.

I see what he was trying to do but that wasn't helping at all. I still didn't know her.

"Did you- should I still come back?"

"Why would she-" but Joyce is interrupted by Hopper stating,

"Please."

I nod fervently and head toward El's open door, gesturing Max to follow me.

"I thought you didn't want my help."

"Shut it, kid." Hopper and I say at the same time, causing looks from the whole room.

I didn't like that I was about to leave them alone together. The pit in my stomach genuinely hated it.