Mike hadn't meant to tell his parents about his girlfriend, and he managed to keep it a secret for several months. It wasn't until the summer when it finally slipped out.

"Mom, I just don't want to go swimming today, alright?" Mike declared, irritated. His mom had decided this week that Saturday they were all going to take a family trip to the lake. She'd rented a boat, made Nancy take the day off work, dragged Ted out of his recliner and packed floaties for Holly, never anticipating that her son might have plans.

"Well, why not?" Karen asked, equally annoyed. "You used to love going to the lake, Michael. I thought it would be nice for us all to spend some time to-"

"It would, Mom, but I just…I just can't today, okay? I have plans. If you would have scheduled this, like, two weeks ago-"

"You've had these plans for two weeks and I'm just now hearing about it? I think that your friends will forgive you just this once-"

"No! No, not with them. It's just…I…ugh, Nancy!" Mike stormed into the other room, frustrated that he had to rely on his older sister for help but she was the only one who understood how hard it was to hide El from their mom. Nancy had been going to the cabin almost every day since December, and Mike didn't know how she could stand the questions or keep up with the lies. It was exhausting.

"What?" came Nancy's sharp reply. She and Mike were closer now after everything they'd gone through together, but he was still her little brother and he still drove her insane. She peered around the corner, dressed in her blue floral bathing suit and cover up.

"Tell Mom that I can't go to the lake today," Mike demanded. Karen looked between her two children incredulously.

"Nancy? You know about this?" Nancy pursed her lips and glanced towards Mike, who was regarding her with a pleading expression. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair before crossing her arms across her chest and leaning against the wall.

"He can't go, Mom," she confirmed simply. Karen lifted her hands in exasperation.

"Will someone explain to me what's going on?" she cried. Then to Mike, "You're not going anywhere unless I know exactly where and who you're going to be with."

Mike gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, trying hard to keep his mouth shut. "I'm going to help my friend with something," he managed.

"Who?"

"Her…her name is El…"

"Mike," Nancy said warningly. Karen looked back at her daughter and narrowed her eyes before turning back to the boy.

"Who is El?" she asked. If looks could kill, Mike's certainly would have.

"Chief Hopper's daughter." The words were almost physically painful for him to say.

"Jim Hopper doesn't have a daughter."

"He does," Mike argued, desperately wishing that he didn't have to. Hopefully the Chief wouldn't kill him, but surely it was okay by now. At least he'd managed to keep it a secret until today. "He does, and…"

"And what, Michael?" He took a deep breath. He didn't see how he could get out of this without coming clean. Once his mom got a hint of news, she wouldn't stop until the knew all the details. Which was part of the reason why this was so scary.

"And she's my girlfriend," he admitted, much to Nancy's (and Karen's) horror. "She's redecorating her room today and I promised I'd help." By redecorating he meant just straight up decorating; Hopper and El were moving out of the cabin today, back into the trailer home overlooking part of the lake. It was all in preparation for her to start at the high school in a month. Hop figured that she'd be out in public every day, so there wasn't any sense in extending his commute by fifteen minutes to keep her in the cabin when he was still paying his mortgage for the other place. El was finally going to have a permanent bedroom, one that she could completely personalize and make her own. And she'd asked Mike to help. It was important to her, and he wasn't going to miss it because his mom was still trying to convince herself that their family was close.

There was a moment where Karen didn't know what to say. A thousand thoughts flooded her head all at once- frustration that Mike hadn't told her, of course, but also…Mike had a girlfriend? Sweet Mike, her little boy that hardly ever talked to girls, was growing up and this was just one more sobering reminder. She looked from Mike to Nancy as if she didn't know who they were anymore, finally settling on her daughter.

"You knew about this?" Nancy shrugged sheepishly.

"She's homeschooled," the girl explained. "I've been helping her study and Mike…comes along sometimes. She's very sweet, mom."

"Well, then." Karen didn't seem to know what to think. "I'm sure she's lovely, Michael, but I don't appreciate you hiding it from me! Exactly how long has this been going on?"

"January," Mike mumbled.

"You've known her since January?"

"N-no," he said, growing red with embarrassment. "She's been my girlfriend since January." God, Hopper was going to kill him. It was one thing to let the public know about El, let them know that Jim Hopper had a daughter now. Everyone was going to find out. But he was well aware of how dangerous his parents were, specifically. El was the girl who had hidden in their basement for a week, the girl they were told was incredibly dangerous and had manipulated their son. El's story would have to get past his parents and if it did then they'd be mostly in the clear, but Mike was terrified of what would happen if it didn't stick the way they were all hoping it would.

"Oh my god," Karen sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I can't believe you would hide this from us, honey. For so long? Don't you know you can talk to me?"

"There was nothing to talk about!" Mike insisted. Just then, Ted Wheeler wandered into the hallway, a piece of toast in hand.

"What's all this fuss?" he drawled, taking a bite.

"Our son has a secret girlfriend," Karen snipped. "Since January."

"Well, how about that," Ted replied, raising his eyebrows at Mike slightly. Karen looked at her husband indignantly.

"You aren't going to say anything?"

"Well, no, it's just…I'm happy for you, son. Was beginning to think it might not ever happen." At that, both Karen and Mike rolled their eyes.

"Well, I'd like to meet her," Karen decided, grabbing the car keys. "I'm driving you over, and she's invited to dinner." Karen was sure that whoever El was, she was just as sweet as Nancy said. The Mike she knew wasn't about to start dating just anyone. But that brought up another point; if they'd been dating since January, that was…seven months! Most first relationships lasted weeks, and Karen's first "serious" relationship had been capped at four. Mike was fourteen, and he'd been seeing this girl for seven months. That fact combined with what she knew about her son equaled a very significant relationship in her son's life, one that she'd been completely cut out of.

"Mom!" Mike complained. Nancy shifted her weight nervously in the background. It could be worse, but it was still bad.

"Yeah Mom, really, she's super shy-"

"We'll make her feel welcome," Karen declared with a smile. "And she already knows you two, right? We're going to the lake when I get back, so be ready," she added, mostly to Ted. Mike would almost rather die than have his mom drive him to Hopper's, but he realized he had to choose his fights wisely and he wasn't going to win this one. Reluctantly, he turned around and stomped to the car.

The ride to Hopper's trailer was painful, but Mike was glad that they would actually be there instead of at the cabin. The cabin was to stay top secret, to be used in case there was an emergency. Like, for example, if his parents found out that their son was dating the dangerous girl who'd lived in their basement for a week. When they arrived Hopper was outside taking some boxes in from his truck, because it wasn't just redecorating day- it was move-in day. When he saw Mrs. Wheeler's car instead of Mike's bicycle his eyes widened, and he set the boxes down right where he was before going up to the car to figure out what was going on.

"Karen," he said, with all the pleasantness he could muster. He had nothing to hide, he had nothing to hide… "It's good to see you."

"You, too, Jim," Karen responded with a smile. She stepped out of the car, much to Mike's annoyance, and got straight to the point. "I just learned our children are seeing each other?"

"Uh…" Hop's gaze transferred from Karen to her son, the teenager who had just turned fourteen. He hadn't been expecting that. Nothing to hide… "That they are," he confirmed. "You never told your mother?" he asked Mike, pretended to be offended at the information. Mike responded with an angry glare.

"I didn't realize you had a daughter, Jim," Karen added. "How old is she?"

"Same as your boy, fourteen…she's my sister's, actually, but she's not well and her dad's not around so custody was transferred." He shrugged, not wanting to say too much more than that but knowing that since it was Karen, he'd have to say something. Everyone knew everyone in Hawkins, and everyone knew that he didn't have a kid. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do with a lot of people.

"Oh," Karen said with a nod. "Well, I'm very sorry to hear about your sister. I hope she's doing better." Hopper nodded noncommittally, and Karen decided to move on. "Anyways," she said, "I thought it would be nice to have El over for dinner tonight, if she'd like to. Where is she?" She peered over the tall man's shoulders at the trailer and Hopper sighed, turning back towards the house.

"Hey, kid!" he shouted. "Come on out for a second, would ya?" Moments later El appeared at the door and bounced down the stairs, wearing a pair of high-waisted denim shorts and a crop top, with another tank underneath. She had gotten a bit taller and her hair was longer now, no longer the messy mop of curls. It had extended down to almost touch her shoulders and she frequently wore it up in a half-ponytail to keep it out of her face. El loved her longer hair, but after twelve years of having a shaved head it was hard to get used to unruly curls blowing in her face all the time. She wasn't sure what Hopper wanted but she stopped suddenly upon seeing Mrs. Wheeler there, brown eyes wide with terror. Oh, no.

"It's okay, El," Mike called, not wanting her to worry. He knew why she would be. "It's okay." Reassured slightly, El began to approach the group, trying her best to smile. Hopper put his hand on her shoulder protectively and looked up at Karen.

"This is El. Eleanor," he clarified. "But that's a mouthful, so."

"It's so nice to finally meet you, El," Karen said kindly, smiling at the girl. "I'm Karen, Mike's mom."

"Hi," El said shyly. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to say, how much Mrs. Wheeler knew. "Nice to meet you," she echoed.

"Mrs. Wheeler thought it would be nice if you went over for dinner tonight," Hopper said, glancing down at El to see her reaction. "What do you think about that?" If she was honest, that sounded absolutely terrifying. Dinner with Mike's family? She took turns looking at everyone for guidance, her eyes landing on Mike. He shrugged, not seeming to know what to do, but El could certainly feel the pressure from Mrs. Wheeler to say yes.

"Okay," she reluctantly agreed. "Thank you." Karen smiled broadly and nodded.

"Perfect! I'll pick you both up close to dinner time, alright? Have fun redecorating." She wrapped her arm around Mike and kissed the top of his head (which she almost couldn't reach anymore). Mike grumbled in embarrassment and shoved her away.

"Yeah, okay. Bye, Mom," Mike said, waving as she got back into the car. When she was gone El turned to Mike, her eyes still wide.

"What happened?" she hissed, keeping her voice low as if she had to whisper. "Dinner?" El had dreamed of the day she would finally be allowed back into Mike's house, to see the fort she could only see in the void and watch movies in his basement where they'd just put a second TV. But so suddenly, and under the pressure of meeting his parents? El knew from movies that meeting your boyfriend's parents was a very big deal, and you had to impress them. El didn't know how to impress people except with her powers, and the Wheelers would be the first people she encountered in her new life who didn't know the truth about her.

"I'm sorry," Mike groaned. "She was grilling me and I snapped. It's really a minor miracle I've kept you a secret for this long." As if that made it any better.

"Good thing you did- a day earlier and I'd be drop-kicking your ass to China," Hopper grumbled. "Don't use your powers, stick to the story, and you'll be fine," he told El. He wasn't thrilled about this whole thing, but he reminded himself it was bound to happen at some point, and it was a good test run for school. He couldn't be too hard on Mike for this one, because if El couldn't handle the Wheelers then high school was out of the question and that was a good thing to know. He trusted her not to do anything stupid, and Nancy and Mike to get her home if something started going wrong, but he'd be lying if he said it didn't make him nervous…Hop just knew he couldn't reveal that to El.

"But I don't know how to act," El responded, starting to panic. "I don't know what to say!"

"Just be yourself," Mike advised, turning to her and putting both of his hands on her shoulders. "Okay? Nothing bad is going to happen. I promise." El nodded and leaned in, wrapping her arms around his waist. Mike rubbed her back soothingly, lingering there for a moment before pulling away. "But let's not think about it now, okay? We've got all day."

All the same, that day flew by. Mike was fully aware that this was probably the only circumstance in which he would be allowed in El's bedroom, so he enjoyed every moment of it. While Hopper worked on the rest of the house they set up El's new room by arranging the furniture where she wanted, making her bed, unpacking all her clothes, hanging up her pictures and setting up her desk. Hopper played several records throughout the day and the music kept the mood light. He wanted to treat the kids to some of his dance moves, but El put a quick stopper in that one.

They took a break for lunch and sat out on the back deck for a bit when they were done with everything, reading. El was currently working her way through The Chronicles of Narnia- slowly, but enjoying every bit of it. Mike was great reading company, and he always had the patience to explain any new words she came across. El's vocabulary had expanded quite a bit and her speech patterns were becoming more normal, but there was still a lot to learn.

Around five, Mrs. Wheeler returned to take El and Mike back for dinner. El had changed into a blue sundress with a cardigan, which she hoped was more impressive, but she was still nervous. Incredibly so. To prevent Mrs. Wheeler from coming inside the kids met her at the car, but El was trying hard not to panic and squeezed Mike's hand the entire time. She didn't want to mess this up.

"So, how was decorating?" Karen asked as the kids slid into the back seat. The handholding did not go unnoticed.

"Good," El replied with a small smile. "Fun," she added, glancing at Mike. He smiled back a bit awkwardly.

"How was the lake, Mom?" Mike asked from the back, deciding to get a head start on keeping the conversation off the topic of El.

"Oh it was great, honey. Beautiful day. El, you're so lucky to live right by the lake. Do you swim often?"

"Not often," came her reply. In truth, El didn't know how to swim and she didn't really want to learn. Being submerged in water reminded her of the bath back in the lab, and the last thing she needed was a triggering flashback when she was trying to be normal. "But it's very nice," she agreed, not wanting to appear ungrateful.

"Hm. So you've been doing schoolwork with Nancy?"

"Yes. She's helping me get ready for high school."

"Oh, so you'll be starting at the high school this fall?"

"Yes."

"Well that's great! Don't you think, Michael?"

"Yeah." Mike looked over and beamed at El, proud of her. Starting at public school was a bigger deal than his mom knew. "Pretty cool." Mrs. Wheeler was finally quiet after that, keeping her eyes on the road as she drove the rest of the way home. El kept a tight grip on Mike's hand and leaned her head on his shoulder, watching the streetlights pass by and trying to ignore the fluttery feeling in her stomach.

It didn't work. They pulled up into the driveway and El felt like making a break for it, running all the way back to the trailer. Or better yet, the cabin. She was feeling two things at once; the desire to be Mike's nice, normal girlfriend who could come over for dinner but also the intense fear that his parents would find out who she was. If that happened, no more nice bedroom. No more high school, no going out at all. And worst of all, no more Mike.

He seemed to sense her anxiety and leaned over as his mom got out of the car. "You'll be fine," he promised. "I'm not gonna let anything bad happen, remember? Promise." After checking to make sure that his mom wasn't looking, Mike leaned over and put his hand on the side of her face, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you, and they will, too."

Mike really did believe that. He knew that his mom would love her, because there was nothing about El not to love. She was sweet and polite and adorable- she was exactly the kind of girl that his mom would want to take under her wing. And Mike was crazy about her, so he was sure that his mom would fuss over her like she was another daughter. As for his dad…Mike didn't think he'd pay much attention, to be honest. Like he'd said earlier, he'd probably just be satisfied that El was a girl. This moment was scary, but once they got past it he was convinced it would all be fine. "And just think," he added, "now you'll be able to come over to my house whenever you want. And we can hang out in the basement all day and no one will check on us. And we can eat pizza and watch movies and play games, without parents at all. Just like old times, except without danger. That sounds fun, right?"

It did sound fun, and just like that he'd managed to make her feel better. Not completely, but by a significant margin. "How do you do that?" El asked, genuinely in awe of him. Mike leaned over to open the car door, hopping out. El followed suit.

"Do what?" he asked.

"Always say the right thing." Mike smiled bashfully and glanced at his feet as they walked up to the door.

"Maybe that's my superpower," he suggested. "I just forgot how to use it this morning, I guess." El giggled and smiled back.

"Yes," she agreed. "Your superpower is defective." That was a word she'd heard frequently in the lab when she couldn't do what they wanted, but now she knew what it meant. Mike laughed and opened the door to the familiar smell of meatloaf, holding it open for his girlfriend.

"It's not defective," he argued lightly. El turned to face him, a coy smile on her face.

"Yes it is," she declared, leaning forward to kiss him again, briefly. "But I still love you." She stepped inside and left Mike grinning like an idiot before he finally followed her, closing the door. Six months later, he still wasn't tired of hearing her say that.

Hey all! Sorry again for the long wait, I think I've decided this fic is mostly for when I need to get these characters out of my system :P

I had planned to have the whole dinner in this chapter but I had too much fun focusing in on Mike and I didn't want to make the chapter too long, so there will have to be a part two. But that's a good thing, because it means I know what the next chapter will be! This usually isn't the case, haha. Hope you enjoyed!

Also again, go check out my and wordsfromthefeatherquill's collaboration fic, "Stranger Things 3: Countdown," favorited on my page! It has all the good stuff: Mileven/Lumax drama, Mom Steve, Dad Hop, BFF El/Will, and an amazing big picture plot. The third chapter is going up very, very soon!

As always, thank you for spending your time reading my little story!

-Ava