two. the mall?

I HAD JUST finished arriving home from Billy's job. I wanted to visit him for a little before I head out to the movies with the kids. I felt honored that they invited me and I wasn't going to say no to a free movie.

"Hey, dad." I leaned in to kiss his cheek as he sat on his arm chair watching TV and eating chips. He replies with a low grunt. I start to make my way to the kitchen to get myself something to drink.

"They're being awfully quiet." He comments with a loud sigh. I rolled my eyes while chuckling softly, "they're probably reading or eating their snacks." I say, even though I know I was lying. They're definitely in there making out.

"Yeah, right." Hopper replies, snorting. I heard his chair starting to creek. I looked back and saw him leaning his chair back so he could look through the little crack of the door to El's room.

"Dad!" I whispered loudly, trying to get his attention, but he ignored me.

"Hey!" Hopper yells and Eleven shut her door closed. He definitely just caught them kissing. He sits up, "hey! Three-inches minimum!" Hopper continues to yell as he got up from his seat, "leave the door open three inches!"

I laughed while I watched Hopper fiddled with the door knob and banging on the door for El to open. Gosh she's going to be in so much trouble and poor Mike. He's about to get demolished or banned from here.

"El, open this door." Hopper slap the door, "open this-" he was cut short when the door finally opened.

"What's wrong?" I hear Mike ask, innocently.

I could tell from the kitchen that Hopper was fuming. Mike really loves getting under Hoppers skin and I'm sure Hopper will soon act back.

"Hey, Mike!" I call while walking over towards the entrance of El's room, standing besides Hopper. "How about we head out to the movies now?" I suggest to save his life before Hopper beats the hell out of him for being smart.

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow, El." He says while flashing a smile at her.

"If I allow it." Hopper sneers, in a low voice, but making sure Mike heard. I slapped Hoppers chest with a giggle. These kids are going to be the death of him and I thought I was a little badass when I was their age.

"Bye, El! Bye, dad! I'll see you later and I'll bring you back some popcorn, El." I announced before closing the front door behind me.

"I wish she could come with us." Mike sighs as we walked to my car.

"So do I," I agree. "But it's still a bit dangerous for her out here. Maybe when school starts again she'll be allow to go with you guys." I say, trying to lighten the situation.

"Yeah, maybe." Mike's shoulders slump and he released a long sigh, "but thank god I'm able to see her more often. I really enjoy being with her." He adds, with a happy smile.

"You should really ease up with the making out and back talk." I imply, "Hopper will make sure you never come again."

"You and Billy make out all the time, though. Why is it so different with us?" Mike questions.

I look at him, "first of all, Billy and I are basically grown ups. We're allowed to do that and sometimes it does bother Hopper, but I'm not a child anymore and I don't give him smart talk." I explained while unlocking the doors to my car to allow us both to get in. "Also, when do you ever see us make out? I make sure to not do that around you guys." I state. I turned my car on and awaited for an answer while I pulled out of my parking spot.

"El tells me she hear you guys. She says you guys are really loud and that you yel-"

"Okay! No need to say anymore." I quickly spoke, stopping him before he could continue. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment. I'm definitely going to yell at El later for telling Mike. She may not know, but I'm sure as hell Mike does. "How about we talk about something else?" I suggest while driving down the dark roads.

STARCOURT MALL.

I parked my car to the closest parking spot I could find. Mike and I got out of the car and made our way towards the entrance of the mall. Seeing the other kids there as well.

"You're late," Lucas says, his arm folded across each other. Max and Will came to his side.

"Sorry," Mike apologize, looking at the three.

"Again." Lucas held his arms out in disbelief.

"We're going to miss the opening." Will complains, looking at me and Mike.

"Not my fault." I held my hands up in defense.

"Well, if you keep on whining about it we will!" Mike responds, "lets go."

Lucas mimics him, earning a laugh from me. These kids.

"Just stop talking, dude." Mike orders, pushing his arm and heading towards the entrance with us following him.

Lucas hurried to his side, "let me guess." He perks, "you were busy..." he starts puckering his lips and makes kissing sounds.

I giggles at Lucas actions, "that's right." I say and Max shakes her head, but laughing.

"Oh yeah, real mature, Lucas." Mike sighs, glancing at him.

" "Oh, El, I wish we could make out forever, and never hang out with any of our friends." " Lucas acts out, pretending to be Mike and making ridiculous movements. Max and I look at each other, rolling our eyes at the idiot. Will joined in on the laughing.

"Lucas, stop." Max tells him.

"Will thinks it funny." Lucas defends.

"Because it is." Will agrees, smiling.

"Yeah, it's so funny that I want to spend romantic time with my girlfriend." Mike sarcastically says, walking ahead and the rest of us walking in fast pace so we can make it to the movies on time.

"I'm spending romantic time with my girlfriend." Lucas spoke while throwing his arm on Max's shoulders.

"You guys are ridiculous." I state, with a smile on my face, "let's just stop talking and hurry up to the movies. It's start soon." I add while looking at my wrist watch. The kids nod and we all began to run through the mall. We rushed down the escalator besides waiting for it to go down. Pushing pass people, saying 'sorry' or 'excuse me' so we don't seem rude.

We made it to the bottom floor, still pushing pass people or bumping into them. Most of them saying rude comments.

"Watch it!" A woman exclaims.

"Yeah! Watch it, nerd." A girl comments. I look to see who it was and saw that it was Lucas' sister.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" He snaps, annoyed.

"Isn't it time you died?" Erica responds, with a sass and attitude. My eyes widen at the response, but I honestly wanted to let out a laugh because it was a bit funny.

"Psycho!" Lucas comments.

"Butthead!" She says back.

"Mall rat!"

"Fart face!"

Lucas responds by blowing his tongue at her, like a child. "Oh, now that was mature." Max spoke, pulling Lucas arm to come with her.

The five of us enter Steve Harrington job. Scoops Ahoy, an ice cream parlor. He usually lets us sneak into the movies from the back halls of the mall. We all went to counter seeing the familiar redhead he works with, Robin. Mike rings the bell, repeatedly.

"Hey, dingus! Your children are here!" She calls for him.

The windows open and Steve stood there, "again? Seriously?" He complains.

Mike responds by ringing the bell again. Steve lets us in and leads us to the back hall. "Come on, come on." He rushes.

I look at him with a smile, "thank for being the best." I said, kissing his cheek.

Steve rolls his eyes, but smiles back. "Whatever." He responds, trying to hide his smile.

"Byeee!" I waved and continued to follow the kids.

"I swear, if anybody hears about this-"

"We're dead!" The kids finish, already knowing what he was going to say because he says it all the time. I laugh. Man I love being with them.

Mike opened the door and locks out, to make sure everything is clear. "All clear." He informs.  He walks through and we all quickly followed him into the theater room. I sat with Mike and Will, while Max and Lucas sat in front of us.

"See, Lucas. We made it." Mike whispers to his friend.

"We missed the previews." He complains, which is the best part about coming to movie. I do enjoy watching them to see what new movies will be coming out soon.

"Still made it. Fart face." Max names, mocking the name his sister called him a bit earlier.

Will digs into his bag, passing Lucas a few drinks and snacks and some to me as well. "Thank you." I whisper to him, flashing him a smile.

The movie starts and only a few moment we're in, until the screen start to glitch and went completely black. I gripped onto Mikes and Will arms in fear. I was petrified of the dark. While other people complained about the movie stopping, Mike and Will asked if I was fine. The sudden darkness just frightened me, but being in between the two boys made me feel a little better. The dark just reminds me of all the times I spent alone in the room while being experimented on.

"I'm okay." I tell the boys as I let go of their arms.

Soon, the lights turned back on and everyone cheered when the movie returned. We all relax a bit and turned our attention back to the movie.

The was until I felt Will breathing heavily besides me and lifting his hand to touch the back of his neck.

"Hey, Will." I call, trying to get his attention, but nothing. "Will," I call again, a bit louder. He gasped, in shock and turn to look at me. "You okay?" I asked, worried.

He looks away from me, "yeah." He nods, but I could tell his was lying.

"Are you sure?" I placed my hand on his. Something seemed off, I could sense it. I could feel the fear radiating off of him.

"Of course." He lies, again. I release a sigh and moved my hand from his. I know something was wrong, but I didn't want to force it out of him.

"Okay." I said, giving in.