AN: Melanie's outfit for school is up top.

♀

"Michael, move your sorry ass!" Melanie yelled from downstairs, looking at the watch on her wrist as she tapped her foot against the tile in the kitchen.

The girl groaned as she heard her father telling her to mind her language, mockingly repeating his sentence as she placed the final dish from dinner away.

She began hearing yelling and stomping, forcing her to dry off her hands and go over to the stairs, seeing that Mike was running down them making her say, "Michael, why are you running in my-"

Melanie was cut off by the teenage boy jumping down the last two steps, grasping her wrist and dragging her away back toward the kitchen. She watched as Nancy quickly followed them, yelling for their younger brother as they ran past their parents who were now where Melanie was moments ago.

"Hey. No running in the house," Ted reminded as Karen furrowed her brows, yelling, "What is going on?"

"Normal Wheeler sibling business. Go back to your regularly scheduled program!" Melanie told loudly as Mike rushed them out of the house. The two quickly grabbed their bikes that were laying side-by-side, jumping on and peddling off as Nancy followed them out.

Melanie laughed as they rode off, turning around and flipping Nancy off as the said girl yelled, "Assholes!"

"What did you do, Michael?" Melanie rose a brow, turning to him for a moment before focusing back on the dark road. The boy laughed, saying, "I stole all the change from her bank."

"The one that was in her drawer?" She questioned. Mike nodded, the two turning down the road as he said, "The exact one. How did you know?"

Melanie chuckled, the wind blowing through her hair as she sped up, "I know everyone's secrets, Michael."

The boy's eyes widened as he matched his pace with hers, riding down the dark streets of Hawkins in a comfortable silence. They soon met up with Dustin and Lucas, who were thrilled that Melanie had decided to join them.

The group of teenagers made their way to the Palace Arcade, parking their bikes at the bike rack as Joyce Byers pulled up with Will, who was in her passenger seat. Lucas waved, "Hey!"

Joyce smiled as she saw the boys and Melanie before turning to Will and saying, "Okay. So, I'll pick you up in two hours. That's nine o'clock on the dot, okay?"

"Okay," Will agreed, getting antsy now that he saw his friends waiting for him. Joyce sniffed, "If anything happens, if you need to come home, have Melanie ask to use their phone and call home. Okay? Don't-"

"-Don't walk or bike home. I know," Will interrupted her, going to open the passenger door. Joyce grasped his hand, "Sweetie."

He turned back to her, "Mom, I have to go."

"Have fun," She reminded, a small smile on her face as she watched him jump out of the car. He ran to the group and Melanie grinned as the group started making their way to the door, the girl giving Joyce a thumbs up before she followed closely.

The band of friends quickly began playing Dragons Lair, Melanie sitting on a nearby Pac-Man machine as she stared intensely at the screen, not noticing her hand moving the joystick at a rapid pace.

She ignored the boy's yelling and protests and was in her head until two small hands covered her eyes, Melanie smirking as she said, "If you don't remove those hands, Calista Noelle, I was will remove them myself."

Yes, Cali was deaf, but there was one exception to the rule. If she was touching you, she could hear you and what you were hearing.

Cali giggled, removing her hands and leaning against the machine to look at her best friend. Melanie stopped her game, slouching in her seat as she watched Cali begin signing toward her, "How was your day?"

"It was fine beside the fact that you left me at school," Melanie signed back in a mocking pout. Cali playfully rolled her eyes, "You know I had to get out of there."

"I know, you're fine," Melanie shook her off, "I still have Robin."

The short blonde smirked as she signed, "Still haven't told her how you feel, huh?"

"Shut up!" Melanie gasped out loud, Cali deadpanning making her roll her eyes and sign,  "You know what I mean."

"I can still talk," Cali told, making Melanie smile, "It's just been a while."

Melanie grasped her hand and said, "I know and you still have a lovely voice."

"Says the one who can sing like an angel," Cali rolled her eyes. Melanie did the same, saying, "Well I only sing for you. You shouldn't have had everything taken away from you like you did. If I can make you smile then it's worth it."

Cali gave her a sad grin, nodding before Will Byers brushed past them, seemingly in a haze. They shared a look before Melanie jumped up after him, Cali following at her heels along with Mike, who also saw the interaction.

The trio followed him outside, the Wheeler siblings looking at one another before Mike walked forward and placed a hand on Will's shoulder, saying, "Will! Are you okay?"

Will whipped around, a gasp escaping his lips as he caught sight of the three. He turned back around, pausing for a moment, "Yeah. I just... I needed some air."

"Come on. You're up on Dig Dug," He wrapped an arm around Will's shoulder and led him inside, "Let's take that top score back, huh?"

The boys smiled at the girls as they passed and they let them walk in, Melanie immediately turning to Cali and signing, "It's getting worse I guess."

"He went through a lot. He'll get better soon," Cali reassured, her fingers wiggling around. Melanie nodded, still using sign, "I hope. He's been through too much."

Cali sadly nodded and after a moment before grabbing her hands so she could talk to her that way, "I have to go to the diner."

"Benny's is open this late?" Melanie rose a brow. Cali softly chuckled, still telepathically speaking to her best friend, "It is with the newest owner. Why don't you and the boys come down after the arcade?"

"I'll call Mrs. Byers and let her know," Melanie smiled.

The two bid their goodbyes and Melanie went inside, watching the boys as she went to the front desk and slapped her hands on the counter, startling the boy who was standing there.

Melanie looked at his name tag and gave him a sarcastic smile, "Hiya, Keith, do you mind if I borrow your phone?"

"Maybe... if I get something in return," Keith shrugged. Melanie blinked, leaning on the counter, "You're the kid who keeps trying to get with my little sister, huh?"

"Who are you calling kid?" Keith scoffed, pointing a finger at Melanie. She winced as she saw cheese puff dust on his index finger and thumbs and said, "Okay, look. First, you are not getting a date with her-" Keith tried to interrupt her, "Second, you are gonna stop pointing at me because it's actually really rude and third, you're going to let me use your phone."

Keith brought his hand down and huffed, tilting his head toward the wall beside him. Melanie gave him a sardonic smile and hopped up on the counter, quickly pressing Joyce Byers number into the pad.

The elder woman answered on the second ring, "Will? Baby? Are you okay?"

"Will's fine, Mrs. Byers," Melanie reassured and the said woman sighed as she continued, "Cali just stopped by and wanted us to go to the diner. Is it okay if Will tags along? He can ride on the bike with me. We'll keep him safe."

It was quiet for a moment before Mrs. Byers said, "Um, okay, yeah, sure. As long as he stays with you and the boys."

"Thank you, Mrs. Byers. I'll make sure he's home safe."

About an hour later, Melanie and the boys had just parked their bikes at Benny's, leaving them on the ground next to a blue nineteen seventy-nine Chevrolet Camaro making Melanie whistle in interest.

They group filed in and Melanie hushed them as they sat down, the boys discussing what they were all going to eat in excitement. Melanie smiled as she saw her best friend make her way over in her with a small waitress around her waist.

"Hello, Ms. Noelle," Dustin signed, his smile ear to ear at the sight of the blonde woman. Cali waved and looked to them, silently asking them what they wanted with her expression.

They all told her their orders, Cali being able to read their lips before she turned to Melanie, who was looking just past her shoulder. Cali followed her gaze to a blonde boy that was sitting in the corner and rolled her eyes, turning Melanie's head to her before she signed, "He's been here all night. He's watching my every move. "

"Girl, go for it," Melanie wiggled her brows, making Cali blush, "He seems interested."

"He seems like a stalker," Cali's hands moved rapidly, her eyes glancing back and forth between her friend and the boys, who were in their own conversation about Dungeons and Dragons. Melanie rolled her eyes, grabbing Cali's hand, "Live a little, sweetheart. He may be a really good guy. You'll never know if you don't try."

Cali pouted and stalked off, leaving Melanie to smirk in victory. A few minutes later she came back, a tray full of food in her hands making the boys cheer in victory.

She carefully placed everyone's food on the table and Melanie grabbed her hand and kissed it, saying, "You are an angel."

"With little devil horns," Cali told. Melanie only smirked up at her, knowing Cali could hear what she was saying, "And are you going to let Mr. Stalker find them?"

Melanie laughed as she watched the heat flush Cali's cheeks, the girl only backing away and signing, "Just eat and get out of my diner."

"Yes, ma'am."

♀

The next morning, Melanie sat in the back of Steve Harrington's BMW, a smirk on her face as she read his college admission's essay over Nancy's shoulder. Steve glanced between the siblings and sighed, "It's crap, I know."

"No, it's not crap," Nancy tried, shaking her head at her boyfriend as Melanie chuckled and said, "It's totally crap."

Nancy turned toward her, eyes wide, "Mels!"

"What? He wants the truth, so tell him the truth. This is his college essay. It has to be good," Melanie explained, Steve nodding and raising a hand to point at his best friend since Kindergarten, "See. Mels gets it. It's not good."

"It's going to be," Nancy shook her head again, "Just... it needs some reorganizing."

Steve sighed and Nancy smiled at him, "Can I mark on it?"

"Yeah, I guess," Steve let out a breath. Melanie leaned fully forward in between them as Nancy pointed at a section of Steve's essay, "So, in the first paragraph, you used the basketball game versus Northern as a metaphor for your life, which is great," She turned to Melanie, "Right?"

"So great," Melanie nodded causing Steve to as well. Nancy then circled a few things, "But then, around here, you start talking about your granddad's experiences in the war. And I..." She stammered, "I don't see how they're connected."

Steve rose a finger, looking at his work and then to his girlfriend, "It connects because... because, you know, we both won."

He bit his lip and after a moment of thought Nancy nodded. Steve then stopped, his voice sounding a bit frantic, "Do you think I should start from scratch?"

"No, I mean-" Melanie interrupted her sister, "I think so, King Steve. When's your deadline?"

Steve turned to her and sighed, "It's tomorrow for early application, remember?" He glanced at Nancy, "Can you come and help me tonight?"

"We have our dinner tonight, remember?"

"Sweet, I don't have to make dinner for two more mouths," Melanie fist pumped before watching as the couple began arguing. She rolled her eyes and opened the door, stepping out of it as a chill ran up her back.

She shut the door and swung her backpack over her shoulder, the sound of music filling her ears from a car on it's way up the hill.

She rolled her eyes at the sight of her sister and best friend kissing in the front seat and knocked on the window, saying, "Hey, children, wanna stop swapping spit and come out into the real world? It's almost as dirty as what you are doing in there."

Melanie turned and sat on the hood of Steve's BMW, her hands behind her as a familiar blue Camaro pulled into the parking lot. The brunette smirked as she heard Nancy and Steve step out of the car, the boy with sandy brown hair stepping out of his as well.

The trio watched as a red-head girl got out of the passenger seat and rolled off on her skateboard, Melanie smirking lightly when she remembered the boy she was with from the diner the previous night. The boy smirked back at Melanie, remembering her as well before he flicked his cigarette on the ground, walking toward the school.

Melanie hopped off of car and gave the couple a mock salute, saying, "I will see you losers later."

She sped off, her school bag hitting her upper thigh as she quickly made her way to catch up with him. The boy had just entered the school hallway when Melanie caught up with him, matching his pace as she spoke, "So, you gonna tell me why your stalking my best friend?"

"And are we speaking of Calista?" He raised a brow, a smirk still present on his face. Melanie chuckled a bit, looking forward as she said, "Strike number one, new kid," She turned to him, "She goes by Cali."

"What else should I know about her?" He questioned, stopping in the middle of the hallway. Melanie did the same, tilting her head a bit, "And why do you want to know?"

The boy straightened out his jean jacket, "Because she's interesting... and wouldn't look at me for very long. The smirk doesn't work on her apparently."

"Ah, so she's a game to you?" Melanie scoffed, shaking her head a bit before walking away. A hand on her arm stopped her, Melanie turning to face the boy who had a few inches on her, "It's not a game," He let her go, "There's just something about her... I need to know her."

Melanie thought for a moment before nodding, "Get a pen and paper out, new kid. You're gonna want to take some notes."

♀

"No, Billy," Melanie face-palmed, dragging her hand down her lips before holding her hand out and signing again, "This."

Billy groaned, closing his eyes in anger, "Why is this so goddamn difficult?"

"It takes practice. It's hard for me to and I've been doing it for three years," Melanie reassured, patting his shoulder as they sat on the hood of his car. He huffed, digging through his pocket and lighting a cigarette, taking a long drag before he said, "Really?"

"Yes," Melanie snorted, "It takes years of practice and I still forget things."

"Okay, let's try this again," Billy sighed, leaving the cigarette in his mouth as he began signing again. Melanie's grin widened and she nodded, "You got it now."

His eyes widened and he grabbed the stick from his mouth, "Really?"

Melanie nodded, "You did. Don't give yourself so much shit. All you need to do is practice."

"You know," Billy turned to her fully, "You are something else. You and Cali are the only ones who really haven't tried to-"

"-Melanie?" A soft voice interrupted him, Melanie's eyes widening as her heart fluttered in her chest. She turned to the voice, a smile on her face, "Robin.. hi."

"I thought we were gonna have lunch together?" Robin rose a brow, stopping in front of her. Melanie immediately hopped off the car, turning to Billy, who was already smirking at her, "You practice what I taught you for a bit and I'll check on you before you go stalk her again."

Billy nodded and watched as Melanie and Robin walked off, chuckling a bit as he noticed the Wheeler girl's change around her friend. He continued chuckling, "Well I think she's more whipped than I am."

The said girl was looking at Robin as she said, "How are you doing?"

"Other than being at school?" Robin questioned, looping her fingers in her belt loops, "Just fine. What's up with you hanging with the new kid? I heard he was quite the grade- A douchebag."

Melanie shrugged, "He's interested in Cali," Robin nodded, "And she's interested in him. I could see it in her big doe eyes last night."

"Oh, really?" Robin chuckled, "Never thought I'd see the day again."

"In her defense, the douchebag was... well a fucking douchebag," Melanie told, "She was hurt and needed a break. If she's not ready then she's not ready."

Robin nodded and it was quiet for a minute as they sat down at a park bench. Melanie sighed, saying, "What are you doing tonight?"

"A whole lot of nothing. That is unless you have an idea."

"You know, I might just have one. You wanna come over and watch a movie? Finally got that television in my room with all the babysitting money I've accumulated."

"Sounds like fun, I'm in."

♀

Melanie huffed as she set down the final plate for dinner, wiping the stray hair from her forehead as she called for everyone to come to the table to eat. She waited as her family, minus Nancy, trudged over and she sat down at the head of the table, waiting for everyone to get their food.

It was silent as everyone was eating until Karen, her mother, broke it, saying, "After dinner, I want you to pick out your toys for the yard sale."

"Fine," Mike huffed out. Karen took a bite of her chicken, "Two boxes worth."

"Two boxes?" Both Mike and Melanie asked, the girl shaking her head in disbelief as she continued, "Why so many?"

"You heard me."

"I'm fine with you giving away a couple," Mike told, raising his voice a bit, "But the other ones have way too much emotional value."

Karen scoffed, "Emotional value?"

"Their hunks of plastic, Michael," Ted Wheeler hummed, taking another bit of his food Melanie had made. Mike growled, "You already took away my Atari."

He subtly looked at Melanie, who had gotten it back without their parents knowing, the girl winking at him as their mother continued her reasoning, "Didn't wanna lose anymore toys, you shouldn't have stolen from Nancy."

"I didn't steal, I borrowed," Mike tried, glancing at Melanie, "Come on, Mels, tell 'em."

"He is right. I already gave her the money back," Melanie told. Karen stammered for a moment, "Well, then you shouldn't have cursed out Mr. Kolwaski last week."

Melanie rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her Orange Crush, "He did kind of deserve it. Mr. Kolwaski is always on his fucking man period."

Mike gestured to her as Ted Wheeler turned, saying, "Language."

"Plagurizing that essay off of Melanie?" Karen questioned, "Or graffiti the bathroom stall?"

"Everyone graffitis the bathroom stall," Mike rolled his eyes. His father looked to him, pausing from his dinner, "So if your friend jumps off a cliff, you're gonna jump, too?"

Melanie choked on her drink, punching the table a bit as she coughed into her napkin, remembering what took place almost a year ago. Ted watched as she wiped her mouth and said, "I'm okay. Please continue this wonderful family conversation. It has me on the edge of my seat."

"We know you've had a hard year, Michael. But we've been patient," Karen tried, "This isn't strike one. This isn't even strike three."

"It's strike twenty. You're on the bench, son. And if it'd been my coach, you'd be lucky to still be on the team."

Mike gave his father a look and rolled his eyes, looking at Melanie who only gave him a tight-lipped smile. Their mother noticed this and said, "Two boxes. Two."

The raven-haired boy stabbed his mashed potatoes and the rest of dinner was filled with an awkward silence until the door bell ringed, Melanie's head shooting up from her plate. Ted looked at the door, his brow furrowed, "And who is that at this hour?"

"Oh, it's Robin," Melanie grinned, pushing her plate a bit and standing up, "I invited her over to watch a movie."

"That's fine, dear. I'll clean up for you tonight," Karen smiled, Melanie nodding as she took a step toward Mike. She bent down and kissed his head, whispering, "Don't worry, little bro. I'll get the boxes once their put out and hide them for you."

Melanie got up and walked over to the front door, swinging it open to see Robin standing there already in her pajamas for the night. The Wheeler girl smirked, letting her in, "Oh, so you think you can stay the night, do you?"

"I happen to know that you want me to," Robin chuckled, brushing past her and walking up the steps to the second story. Melanie shook her head as she walked up behind her, saying, "And why do I?"

"Because you like me," Robin turned back once they were on level ground. Melanie rolled her eyes, pushing her friend toward her bedroom door, "Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Ro."

They walked into her room and Melanie locked the door, not wanting anyone coming in and disturbing them. Melanie watched as Robin made her way to her bed, flopping onto the light purple comforter, "I'd say make yourself at home, but it seems you already have."

"What are we watching, Mels? Nothing too mushy please," Robin groaned. Melanie gave her a look, walking over to the television and putting in her VHS of Risky Business into the VCR, "We're not."

Melanie flopped onto her bed and it jumped a bit, Robin chucking as Melanie made her way to the headboard. The two girls looked to one another and Robin smiled, a bit of red on her cheeks, "Thanks for inviting me over."

"What are friends for?"

♀

AN: And that's chapter one! I'm ready to go on another Stranger Things adventure and thank you for coming along with me.

I'd like to also say a huge thank you to my babygirl @softpagan96 for letting me use her wonderful character Calista Noelle. I love Cali and I know you all will to.

Please go check out her book over at Annie's profile! You will not be disappointed, trust me <3

P.S- Cali's face-claim is Danielle Russell!