ᴛᴀᴛᴜᴍ'ꜱ 

"Tatum!" my mom yells across the airport. My little brother, Dustin, is holding a sign that says "Tatum Henderson." I pick up my suitcase and jog over to them.

My mother grabs me and pulls me into a comforting hug.

"Hey, Tater tot." Dustin greets. I can almost hear Dad's voice in my head, chuckling as he used that nickname when we were little.

 "Hey Dusty doodle." I say teasing him back as I pull him into the hug with mr and my mom, squeezing tight.  Dusty Doodle is what Dad always called him, and somehow saying it now makes me feel like he's still here in a way.

Dustin sighed, "Haven't heard that one in awhile." 

"I missed you guys," I murmur quietly.

"I missed seeing my 2 children together." My mom grinned,  "But let's go! I would like to beat the traffic and be home sooner rather later!" my mother says, ushering us toward the exit. The car ride is filled with her chatter. She asks about Pennsylvania—my friends, my school—but I leave out anything about my dad. She doesn't want to hear about him, so I don't tell her. I speak only of things we could share without opening old wounds.

The car rumbles to a stop as mom pulls into the driveway of our house, and I head straight for my old room. It looks exactly as I left it. I feel a wave of relief. My mom and Dustin had left it untouched, as if expecting me to come back, as if I had never left. Something about the nostalgia—the soft lighting, the furniture—feels comforting.

I set my things down, listening faintly as my mom and Dustin bicker in the kitchen.

"Please, Mom. I know Tatum just got back, but Mike has been planning this campaign for two weeks!"

"Okay, you can go, but be back soon, Dusty," my mom says, giving in. "Do you want me to drive you?"

"No, I'll ride my bike." Dustin grins and rushes out the door.

I watched Dustin walk out the door, then I turned to my mom. 

"Mom, am I allowed to borrow your car?"

"It depends on where your going, hon." 

"I was just gonna drive around for a little if thats ok." I told her. I wanted to drive around Hawkins and familiarize myself with the place again. 

"Sure, but while your out can you grab some more paper towels and fill my car with gas?" 

I laughed to myself, "Yeah." I grabbed the keys off our kitchen counter, "Bye mom." 

"Bye, Tate."

I walked out of the front door, and opened my mom's car, sliding into the driver's seat. I figured I would go to downtown Hawkins. I remembered my way around the town perfectly. It truly was like I never even left. 

I stopped at Melvald's General store to pick up the things my mother needed first so I didn't forget later. I walked out of the car and into the store. 

"Hello." The employee greeted. I gave her a wave until she widened her eyes at me woth recognition, "Oh my gosh! Tatum! How are you, honey?" I wondered who she was until I recognized her face. It was Joyce Byers. It was Will's mother. One of Dustin's best friends. 

"Hey, Mrs. Byers. I'm doing good." 

"Oh, that's wonderful. I heard about your father I'm so sorry about that. You must be heartbroken." 

I nodded, swallowing hard, "Yeah, I'm sad, but it's ok because he's in a better place, now. I hope."  Suddenly my throat felt dry.

"Yes. That's great." She replied.

"How have you been?" I said try to keep conversation.

"Well, you know.. Lonnie and I divorced. But other than that the boys and I have been good. Jonathan is doing well in school and so is Will." She informed me as I wandered off, still listening, in search fo the paper towels. 

"That's good." I reached down and grabbed a 4 pack of long rolls of paper towels and took them over to the register, "Just these." 

She rang up the towels and I handed her the money. 

"It's was good catching up, Mrs. Byers. I'll see you around!" I shouted as I walked out the door. She gave me a short wave, "Of course, sweetheart."

I put the paper towels into the back seat of the car then walked next door into the radio shack. I wanted to go there because I needed a new Walkman considering mine was burnt to a crisp in the house fire. I took a wiff of the air and it smelt like electronic appliances. I'm not sure how to describe that smell. It was like a pair of new shoes and a new book. 

I walked around the store looking at the different types. I grabbed a basic model, because this was coming out of my birthday money. It looked like my old one, just slightly different coloring. I also decided to pick out some cassettes because I also lost those. 

I picked out  a Madonna and ABBA cassette, plus a couple others. I strolled around the store holding my things. I walked over to the vinyls. I remembered I still had my dad's old record player from when we still lived at my mom's house.

I browsed the shelves but didn't find anything else that interested me, so I decided to just check out. I greeted the man at the check out and set my things down. I recognized his face.

"Hello, Mr. Newby."

"Hi?" He seemed confused. 

"I'm Chris Henderson's daughter." I informed. 

"Oh, right. Tatum. How is your dad?" 

I let out a small sigh, "He passed away 2 months ago." 

"Oh, jeeze. Sorry. How did that happen?" He asked as be scanned my items.

"Oh, no, no. Its ok! You didn't know. It was a house fire.." I said trying tk be reassuring.

He nodded in response and told me my total price. I grabbed my wallet and handed him the money then gave a small wave. 

"Thanks for stopping by." 

"Sure thing. See you later, Mr. Newby." 

I walked out of the shop and towards my mom's car. I put my shopping bag in the passenger side and walking along the streets of downtown Hawkins. No stores really caught my eye except the sign that said FAMILY VIDEO in bold letters. I had missed a couple newer movies since my dad died, so I wanted to see what's new.  

I strolled down the sidewalk then stopped at the door of the video store.

I opened the door and a bell chimed. There was 4 people at the counter and I recognized all of them. There was one employee behind the counter and it was Keith Cardarople, he was a grade below me and the last time I saw him be was and obnoxious band geek. I guess he still is. 

I could tell that the 3 other people were giving Keith a hard time, but as soon as I walked in their heads turned. 

There was a girl and 2 boys. The girl was Carol Perkins, she was a bitch to everyone else, but for the most part she was nice to me, but that was in middle school so who knows what she's like now. 

The first boy had his arm around Carol. That was Tommy Hagan, douchebag of the highest order. Tommy H and Carol have been having sex since they were 13 in the seventh grade. Tommy was always a shallow and mean guy, but again he never bothered me. I guess being a jerk is just a perk of being athletic and popular.

Then finally the second boy was Steve Harrington. Some kids called him the King of Hawkins middle school, and now Hawkins High, I guess. And if I'm being honest he was a douchebag too but he was and still is insanely beautiful. The way his hair swept over to the side perfectly and the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at you.

The last day before I moved, Steve Harrington met me behind the bike racks, hair already perfect even at thirteen. He held his skateboard awkwardly, like he suddenly forgot what hands were.

"So..." he kicked at a pebble. "You're really leaving."

"Looks like it," I whispered.

He stepped closer. Close enough to smell the peppermint gum he always chewed. Close enough that my heart forgot its job.

"I'm gonna miss you," he said—quiet and real. I looked around to see if anyone was around and before I could overthink, I leaned in and kissed him. Just a quick, clumsy middle-school kiss—but it felt electric and perfect in the moment.

He smiled like I had just handed him the entire world.

"Promise you'll come back eventually?" he asked.

"Promise," I said.

That promise rang through my head like a headache that wouldn't go away. I wondered if Steve had still remembered. I zoned out of my trance when Keith started to ask me questions.

"What brings you back to Hawkins? I thought you were like gonna leave forever." Whenever Keith spoke he always sounded so dull. Like his voice was flat.

"My dad actually passed away, 2 months ago. So now I'm back with my mom and brother." I replied.

"Oh, shit." Tommy mumbled.

"Sorry about that." Carol said while chewing on a peice of gum. Steve just respectfully nodded, and I nodded back.

After the small talk I walked off towards the New Releases section and browsed through the movies that the store had. I found Mr. Mom and grabbed it. Nothing else in that section really peaked my interest so I walked over to the drama section and found the Outsiders. It came out earlier this year in March but I still haven't seen it yet. Plus I heard Tom Cruise and Ralph Macchio were in it. So that definitely spiked my urge to watch it. 

I wanted to get some Halloween movies like, Friday the 13th, Creepshow, Halloween, and The Shining and so on. This was because I spent my entire Halloween grieving my dad. I decided against it though, and just got The Outsiders and  Mr. Mom.

I walked back up the the counter to see Keith alone. Steve, Tommy and Carol wandered off the a different part of the shop. 

"Just these." I said while placing the VHS on the counter. Keith nodded and started to scan my items. 

"So, Tatum.. now that you're like back in Hawkins would you maybe wanna like, go out sometime?" Keith questioned. His voice was still dull. 

I sighed, "Sorry, I'm not really interested." 

Keith nodded, and I felt guilty, but I didn't wanna go out with him. Now everything was akaward. 

Once I paid I quickly grabbed my things and bolted out the door only to be stopped by the one and only, Steve Harrington. 

"Hey Tatum, see you at school." He said flashing his gorgeous smile. 

I smiled back in awe, "Yeah, see you there."

Soon after I walked out of the store and headed over to a payphone to call my mother. I reached into my wallet and grabbed a quarter out. I slid it onto the coin slot and typed our house number. 

The phone rang till my mother picked up.

"Hey, mom." 

"Oh, hey, Tatum. What are you up to?" 

"I just picked up a couple things from radio shack and got your paper towels." 

"Thank you." 

I nodded as I leaned up against the stand for the photo booth, "I was thinking I would stop by the Wheelers and see Nancy. She told me that she wanted to see me when I got back." 

"Ok, if you going over there can you check up on your brother? It'll be dark soon and I want him home safe." My mother explained. I listened to her as I watched Steve, Carol, and Tommy shuffle out of family video. Steve and Tommy were goofing off while Carol laughed at their stupidity.

"Tatum?" 

I realized I was still on the phone, "Sorry, mom. I got distracted. What were you saying." 

"I was saying make sure you and your brother get home safe. You both have school in the morning." She reminded me.

"Right, well, I'll see you in a bit. Love you."

"Love you too, bye hon." 

"Bye." 

My mother hung up the phone and I walked over to her car opened up the driver side door and plopped down in the seat. I set the tapes next to my radio shack bag and put the keys into the car and started off towards the Wheeler's house. 

                                               ●○●○●

It was dark out by the time I got to their house but I didn't mind. I parked the car in front of their house and pulled out the key then marched towards the door.  I thought about ringing the door bell, but instead I knocked. Mrs. Wheeler answered the door with Holly on her hip. 

"Tatum! What a surprise!" She exclaimed and we both chuckled, "Are you here for Dustin?" 

"Actually I am, but I was going to see Nancy and catch up if that's ok?"

"Of course, hon. You are always welcome. And I'm so sorry about your father." Mrs. Wheeler said and gave me a akaward side hug as I stepped into the house. 

"Oh, it's ok. I'm doing a lot better." I said and nodded towards the stairs that led up to Nancy's room. 

Her door was open and I could hear her faintly talking on the phone, "No.. I don't think. Yeah, he's cute.." She paused listening to the person on the line, "Barb.." Nancy sighed. 

I peaked my head through the door frame and Nancy stared at me in shock. 

"I'll have to call you back, Barb." She hung up the phone quickly and got off her bed to give me a hug, and I hugged her back. 

"Tatum!"

"I missed you." I said. 

"Yeah, I missed you too!" 

I pulled away from the hug, "How are you?" 

"Busy, but good." She responded. I nodded and we sat down on her bed and talked. We talked about school, Pennsylvania, my dad, friends, everything I haven't already caught her up on. Suddenly Duatin interrupted,

He was smiling holding a pizza box, "Nancy, do you want the last-" He paused and regrouped his thought, "Tatum, what are you doing here?" 

"I came to say hi, and mom wanted me to check up on you." 

He nodded suspiciously, "So, do either of you want this last slice? It's sausage and pepperoni!" 

"No thanks." I declined. 

Nancy smiled and shook her head, "No, because I know Mike's nasty dirty hands were on that pizza." 

Dustin looked offended but shrugged it off. There was a weird akaward silence so I spoke up, "I'll be downstairs in a minute, just let me say bye." 

"Ok." Dustin replied and he headed back down the stairs. 

I turned to Nancy and smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow! Bye." I pulled her into another hug.

"See you tomorrow. I'm glad you're back in Hawkins," She cheerfully said and then pulled away from the hug. I gave a small wave as I sauntered down the steps of the stair case. Once I reached the bottom I said bye to Mr. And Mrs. Wheeler then headed outside to meet Dustin.

"She's got a stick up her butt." Dustin informed the group. 

 I was confused, "Who?" I said as I walked out of the garage door.

"Nancy." Lucas quickly informed. 

"She's turning into a real jerk." Dustin said. 

"Hello? Are you guys oblivious? She has always been a real jerk!" Mike shouted.

"Hey, don't say that about your sister. She is always a nice person."

"She is always nice to you because your her friend." Mike sassed back.

Dustin, Lucas, and Will clicked on their bike lights in sync, "No, she used to be cool! Remember when she dressed up as and elf for our Elder Tree campaign?

"That's was four years ago!" Mike shouted as the boys started to ride down the drive way.

"You know what I think?" Lucas said. He paused for suspense, "I think it's becuase she has been dating that douchebag." 

"What douchebag?" I wondered. Nancy didn't mention she was dating some one when we were talking. 

"Steve Harrington." 

My breath hitched. Nancy was dating Steve? 

"What?" Lucas said as he noticed my facial expression got more serious.

"Nothing."  I shrugged, immediately my mood shifting.

The boys said their good byes then they started to enter the street as Mike walked back up into the garage and into the house. 

I got into the car started up towards my house. I rolled down my window as a slowly passed the boys in the road.

"Dustin, be home soon! Don't take forever to peddle and all of you watch for cars, just incase."

"Yeah, yeah. See you at home!" Dustin shouts shooing me away with his hand. 

I sped up and arrived back at the house in a couple of minutes. I got out of the car and opened the pasenger side door grabbed the movies first and added them to the radio shack bag then I closed the door and locked the car, then I finally got onto the house. 

I greeted my mom, who was sitting on the couch petting our cat, Mews, while watching a video on TV. I headed into my room and set my bag on the top of my dresser and plopped onto my bed. I could have fell asleep right there but I forced myself to get up and switch into pajamas, brushing my teeth, and taking a quick shower. 

After all that I went back into the living room to say goodnight to my mother and Dustin (who had just gotten home). Then I could finally sleep. I tiredly trudged over to my bed and got under the covers, snuggling in and finally dozing off. 

I couldn't believe I was finally back in Hawkins.

A/n: hello!! This is the first chapter of season 1! I hope you enjoy it. A big thanks goes out to all the people who have read my books and follow me. ❤️❤️

Words: 303p