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Chapter 25

*Read the authors note please*

El's Side of the Story

"I don't remember much about what happened." El stated from her place on the couch. Max sat to her right, while Joyce sat on her left with a comforting arm draped over her shoulder.

"What do you remember?" Hopper asked from across from her on a spare chair he found. People sat around waiting for her answer as she thought about it. They had just gotten done with breakfast before the gathered in the living room ready to learn everything they needed to know.

"I remember being back at the cabin." El looked up at everyone in the room. "I remember fighting." She locked eyes with Mike before they both looked away. "I left the cabin and ran into the woods. I was alone for about 15 minutes, and I heard something. Footsteps. I thought it was one of you guys so I stopped, thinking you would leave. They stopped, and everything goes dark after that."

"What's the next thing you remember?" Hopper quietly asked.

"I-I know I woke up." Tears started to prick El's eyes as she tried to blink them back. "I wasn't in any place I knew. But I knew I was back at a lab. It wasn't the lab."

"Hawkins lab?" Max asked.

"Well, I was in one place for a few hours and then they moved me to another place. So, maybe." El responded starting to get uncomfortable.

Mike quickly noticed but didn't say anything. Unlike Mike, Max did do something about it.

"Hey." Max said quietly, standing up and taking El's arm, making her stand up too. "How about we head up to your room so we can caught up? I have so much to tell you."

El nodded, allowing Max to drag her out of the room and up the stairs, leaving everyone else behind.

"So," Joyce started to think out loud, "that's it? Everything goes back to the way it was?"

"No." Hopper shook his head. "We still need to figure out what to do about Brenner. And to be honest, I still have no idea what to do. But we have to protect El, she's already been to hell and back, twice."

"What are we going to tell other people?" Jonathan spoke up. "I mean, everyone in town thinks she's dead. What are we going to do, just say their crazy?"

"We worry about that after we deal with Brenner." Hopper ran a hand down his face. "Because if we start telling people she's back. He will most likely find out and we won't be prepared for him. It'll be just like last year all over again."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"One things for sure." Mike spoke with a determined voice. "We can't lose El again."

Max and El found their way to El's room where both sat on her bed looking through El's one year old magazines. Max was telling El some of the stories she missed out on while El soaked in every word.

"And then Lucas went up and punch him." Max quietly laughed at the memory.

"I don't get it." El spoke with a hint a sadness. "Why would people call you guys murderers?"

"Well," Max closed her magazine and face El, who did the same, "when we found the fake body in the lake, people thought it was one of three reasons. Most people thought it was accidental, like you just didn't see where you were going. Others thought it was suicidal, meaning you wanted to kill yourself. And others thought that we pushed you off the cliff."

Shock took over El's feature. "Why would people think that?"

"I don't know." Max answered honestly. "It's just rumors that spread."

Silence took over the two as they went back to their magazines. "Are you and Lucas still dating?" El asked after a few seconds.

A smile broke out over Max's face. "Yeah, yeah we are."

"How's that going?" El wondered wanting to know more.

"Good." Max thought about her answer before continuing. "It's been tough ever since you left. I've not exactly been the kindest person since you left, but he stuck with me through everything. I really appreciated that."

El smiled before she got thinking again. "Are Nancy and Steve back together?"

"What? No." Disgust took over Max. "Why would you think that?"

"I didn't think he would be here, I guess." El said getting more confused as the conversation carried on.

"Steve was here because after you left, we became friends with Robin, and Steve happens to be a package deal." Max explained. "They were both helpful and got us out of school when we wanted to. Steve is basically the mom of the group now." Max stated making both girls laugh. "And you don't need to worry about Nancy and Steve getting back together. Nancy is way too moved on to go back to him. She dating-"

She stopped mid sentence thinking it over.

"She dating again?" El eyes light up with joy. "Who?"

"You know what? Maybe you should ask her yourself when you get the chance." Max nodded knowing that was Nancy and Jonathan's thing to say.

El nodded. "Is there anything else I missed?"

"Well," Max thought it over, "Mike became super depressed. Will yelled at Jennifer, the nicest girl in school. Holly doesn't know your 'dead'. Mike and I never really talk without fighting, but then again that isn't new. Jonathan went to college, although I don't know what he plans to do now because he's supposed to be leaving soon."

"Woah! Woah! Max stop!" El laughed still trying to get all of information taken in.

"Nancy didn't go to college. Billy and I have been fighting worse than usual."

"Max!" El laughed as Max continued listing off things.

I missed this. El thought.

Authors note
Another reader has given me this idea, but if you are a writer as well, please tell me!! I want to read your stuff. It doesn't even have to be stranger things, I'm apart of many fandom. That includes Harry Potter, It, Marvel, DC, Etc. Please comment your book and I will make sure to check it out. And if your looking for something to read, in my profile I have a reading list that gives a shout out to other writers so you can go and find your next book there. I do have one rule though: no smuts please. I look forward to reading your books!!

Also, Happy Thanksgiving!!! I really wanted to post a chapter for you guys today and say how thankful I am for you guys. Thank you for reading, voting, commenting, it really makes me happy.

Eat lots and stay safe!!

Love ya❤️❤️❤️