imagine | mileven au

chapter 1

"dad, please. i don't want to go." el whined to her father as she watched him put on his watch and get ready. "we discussed this, el. you're coming." he said firmly. "oh for God's sake!" she sputtered, frustrated.

it was new year's eve and they were going to a party which was being held in the community centre. she knew that a lot of people were going to be there, which was precisely why she didn't want to go. she couldn't stand being in crowded places. it just stressed her out a lot, being amongst so many people.

"el, you're seventeen, yet you never go out, don't make friends and just stay so... aloof. don't get me wrong, i respect you and i understand that you like being alone. i am not going to force you to socialise or anything, okay? i just want to be out of this house to celebrate something for once, y'know?" he bit his lip as he finished, feeling a little nervous all of a sudden. he tried to be stern at times but he couldn't bring himself to be. his beloved, sweet daughter was the light of his life. his wife had passed away when el was very young, and he was broken to the point where he thought he'd never be happy again. but his little girl was there, and she gave him a purpose in life. he was able to get this far because she was there at every step, helping him whenever he'd stumble. she was his rock. and as for her, well, she didn't need anyone else in her life. he was her loving, caring father and she was content in the life they had built together. this is how things were supposed to be. just el and hop. but she was growing up, and he didn't want her to stay so restricted. he wanted her to have a life outside their house and school. he didn't want to change her, he just wanted her to have fun, like the other kids her age. but he knew that imposing something on her like that wasn't the ideal thing to do. he pinched the bridge of his nose and faced her. she was sitting on the couch, fiddling with a dice as she looked at him. "okay." she sighed. "no, wait. we don't have to go. i'm sorry, i didn't mean to force you or anything. we can just stay in and order some pizza, if you want! i wont mind, i promise." he said hastily. she shook her head whilst closing her eyes. then, she opened her eyes and gave him a bright smile. "no, let's go, dad. i don't mind either. we stay in almost every day anyway. might as well go out for a change, eh?"

~*~

"michael! are you ready?" karen called from downstairs as she fixed little holly's bow on her dress. "yes, i'll be down in a minute!" mike yelled his reply from his room, taking a last look at himself. he was wearing a plain dark blue sweater and some jeans. he preferred to keep it simple. he wasn't going to impress anyone. he didn't really enjoy these kind of parties, anyway. there were so many unknown people, it just felt uncomfortable. he would rather just be in his basement with his close knit group of friends. dustin, will, lucas and max. his friends who were like his family. though max and he weren't the best of friends, she was a part of the group and he'd never leave her out. his only consolation was that they'd be there at the party today. "michael! come down, we're leaving!" his mother shouted again. "i'm coming!"

~*~

"uh, so we have to hang around in this hallowed hall with a bunch of people we don't know the entire night? who calls this a celebration?" lucas grumbled, as they all stood in a corner of the community centre.

"i know! and the most awful part is when you spot an acquaintance! like you dont really want to go and talk to them but you don't want to ignore them either... i mean, what do you do?" dustin rambled.

"this sucks, you guys! why couldn't our parents have just let us hang out in mike's basement like always do?" will complained.

"my mom was like, 'you guys are down there all the time anyway, mike! you should come out once in a while, there's a real world out there, you know!'" mike rolled his eyes.

"at least you don't have to live with a brother who's always judging you and your friends, going like, 'you guys are such freaks' or whatever." max retorted. the guys sighed and lucas put his arm around her. "hey, we understand, okay? not even going to sugarcoat it, i know that it sucks. but we're here for you." max smiled gratefully at him. he was always so patient and mature. "thanks. anyway, do you guys want to go get some fruit punch or something? might as well try out some of the food, if we're here?" she asked.

"yes, let's! i see hotdogs too!" dustin said excitedly. the rest of them just laughed and began walking towards the food table. mike was just looking around when his gaze fell on someone he thought who looked too familiar. wait, is that really her? oh my god, it cant be. he hasn't really ever seen her outside of school before. he stopped in his tracks and tried to get a proper look. oh, it was her alright.

eleanor hopper.

the girl he has been in school with since they were in kindergarten but hasn't interacted with that much. or should he say... the girl he has hopelessly been in love with his entire life.

her shoulder length honey locks were open and she was wearing a red and white sweater with jeans. she was dressed simply, like him, yet she looked so adorable, he could not stop himself from blushing.

"mike!" lucas's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"uh, y-yeah?" he fumbled, staring down.

"why'd you stop?"

"i.. uh.." mike stuttered, looking up in el's direction.

lucas looked the same way and realisation hit him. "oh, i see!" he teased. "why don't you go talk to her?"

mike looked at his friend in complete alarm. "and what do i say?"

"say, 'excuse um, i love you'"

"shut up!"

"seriously, mike! just go and talk to her. she's alone there, it won't even be like you're interrupting something."

"why are you guys still here? there's pudding there, you know!" dustin exclaimed, as he, max and will joined their conversation.

"eleanor hopper is here." lucas announced and the rest was self explanatory. everyone knew how mike felt about this quiet girl from school.

"nice! so, are you going to approach her?" will asked.

"oh please, he's too chicken to actually do that." max scoffed as mike glared at her.

"well.. you're not wrong." lucas stretched.

"hey!" mike yelped indignantly.

"come on, mike! you see her almost every day at school and you cant bring yourself to say anything to her. but this is your chance! she's with no one, just approach her! what's the worst that could happen?" dustin reasoned.

"she um..." mike tried to come up with a reply but he couldn't. he knew that this was a good opportunity to talk to her. before, they had only had polite exchanges. today though, there was nowhere else they needed to be. no need to rush to a classroom or home. they could talk properly.

"chicken!" max taunted.

"no! i-i'm going. i'm going to talk to her." mike declared.