30.

"ᴵ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ, ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ'ˡˡ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʳᵉᵃˡˡʸ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ.
ᴺᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ, ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ ʷᵉ'ᵛᵉ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉᵈ."
⁻⁻ˢᵖᵃᶜᵉ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉⁿ ᵇʸ ᴰᵒᵛᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉʳᵒⁿ
ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵒᶠⁱᵃ ᶜᵃʳˢᵒⁿ

2 Months Later – October, 1985

Halle Barnes gripped onto the back of the two headrests in the car while Steve Harrington whipped into the parking lot of the Family Video store. Robin had been cackling at the state of the girl who was trying so hard not to puke from the car ride. If they were in a cartoon, Halle would've been a shade of green by that moment. When the car finally was put into park, the teenaged girl threw the door open and fell onto the paved ground.

"Stop being so dramatic," Steve rolled his eyes while they exited the car.

"That's not me being dramatic. You're just a shit driver," Halle breathed out.

Robin shook her head, looking up from the paper in her hands.

"You put your mom down as a reference?" Robin took note of Steve's references.

"Yeah, Why not? She's, like, super well-respected," Steve casually said before opening the door for the two girls and following them inside the store.

"You're such a dingus," Robin commented.

Inside the store, Robin and Halle were the ones in charge of the whole situation. Trying their best to sweet talk their way into getting the job. Since Keith was a stubborn guy, they knew they needed to try all that they had in order to get the jobs. While Robin and Halle were two seniors in high school who wanted a job after their last ones went to shit, Steve Harrington needed a job because he needed something to fall back on a little. Amber was the only one bringing in the money at the moment and he knew he needed to put his fair share into everything also. His dad still refused to help him get a job even when his mother tried to talk Mr. Harrington into it. So Robin had proposed the idea of Steve going job hunting with her and Halle. And it was proving rather difficult because while Robin and Halle were getting the job offers, Steve wasn't doing the greatest in that department.

"Uh, just to be clear, we weren't fired, you know, the mall burned down and, like, killed a bunch of people," Robin told Keith.

With his usual look of distaste, Keith looked at the three, "Thanks for sharing. Didn't know." He placed the papers down before pointing at Halle, "Three favorite movies. Go."

"The Outsiders, Footloose, and The Goonies," Halle listed off.

Keith turned to Robin ready for her answers.

"Uh... The Apartment, Hidden Fortress, Children of Paradise."

"You, go," Keith snapped at Steve.

"Favorite movies?" Steve asked.

"Did I stutter?" Keith sassed.

"Uh... Animal House, for sure," Steve listed the first one off, making Robin scoff and Halle hit her head down on the counter. Instantly knowing this was taking a turn. One of the easiest things to do and Steve was failing at it.

Steve couldn't think of any movies. His mind suddenly went blank. If he really used his brain he could've easily listed off Amber's favorite movies but at that moment he didn't even think of doing that. Ambers was Sixteen Candles, Grease, and The Karate Kid, with Star Wars the Return of the Jedi being a runner up.

"Eyes on me, Harrington," Keith demanded, not wanting Steve to get any ideas from the movies around them.

"Yeah. Uh... Star Wars."

"A New Hope?" Keith asked.

"A new what–now?" Steve looked confused.

"Which Star Wars?" Keith questioned, annoyed.

"The one with the teddy bears. Duh," Steve said, trying to imitate an ewok. In the back of his mind he knew the title because of Amber. But currently everything in his head was blank because he was being quizzed. He hated anything to do with quizzes or tests, it always made Steve panic.

"No?" Steve questioned as he took in the disappointed looks from Robin and Halle. "Uh... Oh, the one that just came out. The movie that just came out. The one with the DeLorean and Alex P. Keaton, and he's trying to bang his mom. The time... Yeah, those are my top three. Classics."

Keith gave Steve a look of distaste before he turned towards the two girls, "You two start Monday. You... Start never."

"Will you just give us a minute?" Robin asked Steve.

"Why?"

"Steve," Robin motioned for him to take a walk while Keith gave him a mocking look. Steve begrudgingly listened and moved away from the counter to wander around the family video store.

"All right. You have to understand. I know his taste is a bit pedestrian, his girlfriend has even tried to change his film taste but it's a lot of work. But you can't ignore that the dingus has other qualities," Robin told Keith.

"He's a douchebag of the highest order, Robin," Keith said.

Halle tilted her head slightly, "He was a bit of a prick to us in high school, we'll grant you that. Though we can't forget he got a little better his senior year."

"Yeah, because Amber made him be nice."

"Yes... And he's been keeping in check. Plus, a bonus of one of his qualities is he remains... a total chick magnet," Robin said.

"Yeah, okay, and this is relevant to me, how?" Keith asked.

Robin looked at him in astonishment as to how he hadn't picked up on the pros yet, "Uh, Earth to Keith. The ladies will come in just to see him. They'll come in droves. Droves, Keith. We sold so much ice cream, they had to get a second shipment from Michigan. Goddamn Michigan, Keith. And these ladies... These ladies are hot. They're so very hot. And there are too many of them for little Steve, especially when he already has his number one girl. He needs assistance."

Keith seemed to be eating up what Robin was telling him. But there still wasn't anything that made him budge quite yet.

"What's in it for the both of you? You suddenly have a thing for him or something?" Keith wondered, while Halle and Robin gave each other a look, Robin turning a little red in the face feeling awkward. Then their attention was turned to Steve who knocked over one of the cardboard cutouts.

"No, we're all just friends."

"Amber will most likely be here a lot," Halle added.

"Deal."

+

Amber passed by Jonathan and Nancy who were moving the mattress out. Nancy going a little too quickly and almost plowing right over Jonathan. They're communication skills were lacking at that moment while moving the items out of the house into the U-Haul. The Byers were finally moving out of Hawkins which was bittersweet. Though everyone was still trying to make light of the whole thing.

While Amber had entered back into the house, she overheard Max and Lucas teasing Dustin while singing Neverending Story. Something the party kept poking fun at with the bizarre timing of Dustin and Suzie's random music number.

"Yeah, come on Dusty-bun, why don't you join us?" Max raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, dumb and dumber, stop picking on Dustin right now. Get to taping up more of the boxes," Amber bossed the couple around who grumbled in annoyance but obliged. They wouldn't dare to talk back to Amber after she gave them orders because she in fact still scared them.

Amber looked into the empty room that used to be Jonathan's while taking it all in. It was strange seeing it vacant after all the years.

"17 years worth of memories packed away in one day," Jonathan spoke up from behind her. Amber gave him a sad smile.

"It's crazy. I still remember some of our midnight bike rides before all the shit with the upside down happened. And even a few months ago when Nancy was sneaking in through your window," Amber recalled causing Jonathan to chuckle.

He scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah, we weren't so subtle with it all."

"For real. You had Dustin looking like a pro when it comes to sneaking in and out of houses," Amber shook her head.

"We can't forget about one of the times you and your mom had a fight and you came to stay the night but you tripped over the skateboard in the hallway," Jonathan brought up.

"Hey, that was not my fault at all. None of you even skateboard, why the hell was there a skateboard there to begin with?" Amber pointed at him.

"Having a little stroll down memory lane?" Nancy asked, coming around the corner and entering the room.

Amber nodded her head, "Just reminiscing a little. It's going to be weird that they're leaving."

"Agreed. I kinda want to lock Jonathan up to keep him here," Nancy admitted.

"Ha. Pull an El and keep him in the basement," Amber giggled.

"It was a thought," Nancy commented.

Amber looked at Jonathan with a smile and gave his shoulder a squeeze, "I always have the space. At least if you ever wanted to visit."

"I appreciate it, Amber."

The girl left the couple alone while she made it down the hall to Joyce's room. She was sitting on the floor still putting some leftover things into boxes.

"Hey, Mama B. Need any help?" Amber's eyes landed onto the box with one of Hopper's button up shirts hanging out of it. The girl was happy that she had most of Hopper's stuff that was saved at home. So while Joyce was keeping a shirt, El got a few things, and Amber got the rest of the stuff. Maybe it was the part she was still holding onto that urged her to fight and keep his belongings. But she felt like it was only right to keep his stuff around.

"No, I'm almost done here. Just a few things left," Joyce told her with a piece of paper in her hand and another folded up in her lap.

"Donation box?" El asked, standing in the doorway of the room with a teddy bear in hand.

"Uh, yeah, sure."

"What is that?" El asked Joyce, pointing at the paper.

"Uh... It's the speech Hop wrote for you and Mike. And the one he wrote for Amber," Joyce told them which caused the two sisters to look at each other confused.

"Speech?" El questioned.

"Yeah. You know, the heart-to-heart. He never talked to either of you, did he?" Joyce pieced together.

Amber and El shook their heads in response.

"I'm pretty sure I would remember him giving me a speech while he sweats profusely from his forehead," Amber said.

El moved closer, "Can I read?"

Joyce handed the two girls their separate papers and let them have a moment to themselves. El went to the now empty room that she had been staying in at the Byers home while Amber made her way to the backyard to sit on the small stone step.

Amber,

I usually don't do this sentimental crap so bare with me here. I'm trying. We've come a long way especially from that terrifying night when you nearly took my head off when your mother was sneaking me into the house. From an annoying teenager always trying to prove me wrong to a young adult who still tries to prove me wrong. I've watched you grow up into a wonderful woman and I know your mother would be so proud of you right now. She's always going to be with you. Never forget that.

Now onto another topic. Harrington. Do I like the idea of you two shacking up together? No. But I admit. He's a good kid. I fully approve of the idiot, especially if he makes you happy. But... maybe we can slow it down a bit? It feels like your love life is doing better than my own. It kinda well... hurts my ego. Give me at least a couple more months to get my shit together before you give me a heart attack with the potentially bells in the distance.

Amber-Lynn, you have definitely challenged this old man. You and El always know how to keep me on my toes. I don't want to overstep, but maybe, when you're ready. If you completely up for it, I could officially adopt you? I know you're technically an adult, but I feel like it's fitting for you and El to have the Hopper last name. I understand if that's too much, I just see you as one of my own, Amber. After your mother was taken, I felt the responsibility to always look out for you. Make sure you are never alone. In my head, you're one of my daughters. And nothing could change my mind on that, so just know I will always be there for you wherever you go. Just give a shout and I'll be there always.

–Your Dear Old Dad Hop : )

Dad.

She missed her dad.

Amber's tears streamed down her splotchy face. Sniffling as she tried her best to wipe the tears away. More just seemed to flow out from her eyes no matter how much she struggled to free herself from the waterworks. Wiping away the wetness wasn't easy. Just like it wasn't easy to accept everything that had happened. Months were quickly passing and it was still the same.

The refusal.

The denial.

Amber refused to accept that Hopper was gone still. Her belief would stay present and recurring that he was somewhere out there in the world and was trying to make his way back home to them. To their family. And just like her belief that he was alive wouldn't stray from her, the sadness she was feeling at that moment would not go away. Even when everyone couldn't see the sadness externally, it was still internally there. Deep down it wasn't ever going away. She had gone through too much. Lost too many people.

More tears were shed as goodbyes were given outside in the front of the empty house the Byers previously resided in. Amber and Eleven had moved off to the side so they could get a bit more private goodbye.

"You could come with," El had spoken first with watery eyes.

Amber gave her a sad smile before shaking her head in disagreement, "I can't. You know I can't."

"But what about us being together? Sisters?"

"We'll still be sisters, El. No matter the distance. But it's safer for you to be with Joyce for now. It's what Hopp would've wanted. For you to get away from this place and be safe," Amber told her.

"It's not fair," El cried out.

The older girl pulled her in, "Life isn't fair. We have to make due with what we are given. When things settle down, if you really want to come back, you can live with me. Though right now, this is what's best. I'll just be a call away."

"I will miss you," El said.

"I will miss you too."

"Tell Steve that I will miss him," El told Amber who froze a little and nodded.

"I'll tell him," Amber agreed. Giving El one last squeeze before letting her rush over to Mike and hug him one last time.

The remaining individuals watched as the car and u-haul truck drove away. Leaving them all in the distance. Silently watching until the vehicles were out of sight. And not long after, all of them began to disperse their separate ways.

"Are you going to be okay?" Dustin asked, turning to look up at Amber.

"Of course, Henderson. I'm a big girl. Now head on home or your mother will be upset that you're late for dinner," Amber instructed, patting the boy's shoulder. Max gave a quick look back at Amber before she got further away. Amber watched as every one of the kids along with Nancy left. And she was left standing there. Alone.

Amber.

Amber.

The chilling voice that haunted her from the upside down called out to her. Her vision changed as the upside down seemed to flicker in her line of sight for a split second. Amber's eyes turned a reddish-orange while a breeze blew making the leaves that had already fallen from the trees go crazy in the street.

Amber.

Let me in.

The red-orange eyes quickly turned to a glazed white, before returning back to normal. All the darkness from the upside down disappeared as everything went back to normal. Amber;s hair blew in the wind while she felt her skin crawl. Though she was standing there all alone, she knew she wasn't alone. For the phantom lurked in the darkness on the other side of the veil of Hawkins. The light knocking on Amber's door to be let in was turning louder and louder the more impatient it got. It was only a matter of time before the knocking turned into banging which would soon bust the door down and unleash a whole new hell in Hawkins. And Amber had a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. She could only hope that she would survive the darkness creeping from underneath the cracks.

Heyy,
It's been awhile. My apologies. I've been working so much and trying to also take time to relax. But I really wanted to close up the second act to make way for act 3 since it's only a matter of time before season 5 comes out. I have a lot planned for Amber. It's been cooking. So thank you for dealing with the long waits with everything. I am trying even when I lack motivation a lot, I still try my best.

Remember to vote and comment. I love the feedback.

—Cait