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Chapter 3

Theories

Nancy drove Mike to school like she has for the past few months. As she pulled up to the school sidewalk, she put the car in park and turned to face Mike, who was looking out the window sadly.

"Mike." She said grabbing his hand. He turned his head to look at her. "We are all going to get through this, together. Okay?"

Mike nodded his head looking down at the floor board. She could see the battle going on in his head.

"Call me if you want me to pick you up." Nancy said kissing the top of his head.

She watched as he opened his door and got out of the car. He shut the door and readjusted the straps on his backpack. Nancy could tell from his body language that he didn't want to be there. She saw it everyday. But today it seemed to be more visible.

She sighed knowing she'll probably get a call later. None of the less, she put the car in drive and drove away.

Mike looked up at the building in front of him. Hawkins High the sign said above the entrance. He used to love this place, now it doesn't seem as important or fun.

He walked over to the bike rack and waited for the rest of the party to show up. They used to go to school together, but now it's different. Lucas, Dustin and Max all bike together, while Will and Mike get a ride from their family. Why it's like this? No one knows why it was just an unspoken agreement between the party.

He watched as three familiar bikes rode up to him. Two of the three people riding on the bikes halfheartedly smiled and waved at him as they got closer. Mike did the same thing back as they parked their bikes.

"Will's not coming today." Lucas informed.

"I figured." Mike said looking around at the kids around him.

The group of four made their ways to the entrance doors, mentally preparing themselves for the looks and the whispers about to come their way.

Ever since the news about El was out, everyone in town started to come up with theories about what happened to her. The adults were good about keeping them to themselves, but the kids weren't. They talked about their theories everywhere. Especially when the party was right by them.

The group entered the hallway trying to keep their heads down to not draw attention. Even then they heard some of the things they said about them.

"She killed herself because she didn't want to be their friend anymore. I mean, how horrible of friends do you have to be for that to happen."

"My dad told me that her dad probably killed her and made it look accidental because he's the chief."

"I heard that they pushed her off because they didn't want her to be in their friend group anymore."

"They murdered her. Her poor family, they trust them and their probably the reason she's buried six feet under."

They hated hearing the theories. They hated how they were put on blame half the time. They were right about someone killing her, it's the person they had messed up.

Everyone that knew about her powers also knows that it was Brenner that had killed her. Hopper has been looking for him ever since, but hasn't even found a footstep of his.

The group all went to their lockers, trying to ignore the whispers and glances their way.

"Good morning students." The principal's voice rang through the hallways over the loudspeaker. "Today during fourth hour we are having an assembly to honor El Hopper and her family. Please come to the gym during fourth hour, do not go to class. Thank you."

Mike felt like the day was just against him. Like he couldn't just float through the day without the world throwing it in his face.

He looked down at his feet as he made his way to his science class. As he walked down the hallway he thought about Nancy's offer and how he might take it up before fourth hour comes around.

He walked into the room and made his way to his seat in the back of the class. He looked to his left and saw Will's empty seat. He sighed and looked back at Mr. Clarke who was starting the class.

Mike zoned out after a few minutes. He let his mind run wild and think about the different scenarios of that night at the cabin. He thought about the many different ways Brenner could've caught her, the ways he could have hurt her. Some of them were that she already was dead as he dumped the body, others were that she was already alive and hurt as she was pushed off.

"Mike!" Mr. Clarke's voice cut through his thoughts. He snapped out of it and looked around the room to see everyone watching him.

"Yes?" Mike answered, his heart beating in his ears. He didn't like the attention that was drawn to him.

"Would you like to step outside?" Mr. Clarke asked with his eyes full of sympathy. Mike realized he had tears running down his face that he didn't even notice.

He nodded his head knowing that this would probably be happening all day. He gathered his things and got up from his desk. As he walked toward the door he felt everyone's eyes on him as he left the class.

I can't do this. Not today. He thought as he closed the door behind him.

He walked down to the office, thankfully everyone was in class as he tried to pull himself together. The closer he got to the office, the faster he walked. He just wanted this day to be done.

As he walked into the office the secretary looked up from her desk and immediately gave him a sad smile. "How can I help you Mike?"

"Can I use your phone?" He asked pointing to the phone beside her.

"Of course." She said giving him room to make the call.

He punched the numbers in and waited two rings before the other line picked up.

"Hello?" The voice said, he immediately knew it was his older sister.

"Hey, it's Mike." That was enough to inform her of everything.

"I'll be there in 10."

Authors note

Edited. #proud (I'm sorry)